Hey guys! Ever wondered about getting into Jiu Jitsu but felt a bit intimidated? Well, you're in the right place! Today, we’re breaking down the basics with Jordan, making it super easy and fun to get started. Whether you're dreaming of becoming a grappling master or just looking for a cool new way to stay fit, understanding the fundamental moves is key. So, let's dive right into the world of Jiu Jitsu with Jordan, where we’ll cover everything from stances and movements to basic submissions and escapes. Get ready to roll!

Understanding the Core Concepts

Before we jump into specific techniques, let’s chat about the core concepts that make Jiu Jitsu so unique. At its heart, Jiu Jitsu is about using leverage and technique to overcome a bigger, stronger opponent. It’s often referred to as "the gentle art" because it emphasizes strategy and precision over brute strength. Think of it as a physical game of chess, where every move has a counter-move, and the goal is to outsmart your opponent.

Leverage and Technique

Leverage is your best friend in Jiu Jitsu. It allows you to amplify your strength and control your opponent, regardless of their size. By positioning your body correctly and using angles effectively, you can create powerful forces that are difficult to resist. This is especially useful when defending against larger opponents or attempting submissions.

Technique, on the other hand, involves mastering a wide range of movements and positions. It’s about understanding how to transition smoothly from one position to another, how to control your opponent’s body, and how to apply submissions with precision. The more you practice, the more instinctive these movements will become.

Position Before Submission

One of the golden rules of Jiu Jitsu is "position before submission." This means that before you attempt a submission (like a choke or a joint lock), you need to establish a dominant position. A dominant position gives you greater control over your opponent and makes it much easier to apply a submission effectively. Trying to force a submission from a bad position is usually a recipe for disaster, as it can leave you vulnerable to counters.

The Importance of Balance

Balance is absolutely crucial in Jiu Jitsu. Maintaining your own balance while disrupting your opponent’s balance is a key component of both offense and defense. When you have good balance, you are more stable and less likely to be swept or taken down. Conversely, when you can disrupt your opponent’s balance, you can create openings for attacks and transitions.

Basic Stance and Movement

Now that we've covered the core concepts, let's get into the nitty-gritty of stance and movement. Your stance is the foundation of your Jiu Jitsu game. It affects your balance, mobility, and ability to generate power. Similarly, your movement dictates how effectively you can navigate the mat, control distance, and create opportunities for attacks and defenses. Jordan emphasizes that mastering these basics is essential for building a solid foundation.

The Guard Stance

The guard stance is a common starting position in Jiu Jitsu. To assume the guard stance, start by crouching down with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your back straight and your head up, and maintain a slight bend in your knees. Your weight should be evenly distributed, allowing you to move quickly in any direction. Keep your hands up and ready to defend or attack.

From this stance, you can move forward, backward, or laterally. When moving forward, take small, controlled steps, maintaining your balance and keeping your eyes on your opponent. When moving backward, use a similar stepping motion, ensuring that you don’t cross your feet. Lateral movement involves shifting your weight from one foot to the other, allowing you to quickly change direction.

Posture and Base

Posture and base are two interconnected concepts that are vital in Jiu Jitsu. Good posture means keeping your back straight and your head up, which helps maintain your balance and prevents your opponent from controlling your body. A strong base means having a stable foundation that is difficult to disrupt. To improve your posture and base, practice maintaining a low center of gravity and engaging your core muscles.

When an opponent tries to disrupt your posture or base, you need to be able to react quickly and effectively. This might involve widening your stance, lowering your center of gravity, or using your hands to post on the mat for support. The key is to remain aware of your body position and to anticipate your opponent’s movements.

Fundamental Techniques: Submissions and Escapes

Alright, let’s talk about some fundamental techniques! Jiu Jitsu is famous for its submissions, which are techniques designed to force your opponent to tap out. But knowing how to escape from bad positions is just as important. We’ll start with a couple of basic submissions and then cover some essential escapes. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to drill these moves repeatedly.

Rear Naked Choke

The rear naked choke (RNC) is one of the most effective and widely used submissions in Jiu Jitsu. It involves wrapping your arm around your opponent’s neck and applying pressure to their carotid arteries, cutting off blood flow to the brain. When executed correctly, the RNC can cause your opponent to lose consciousness in a matter of seconds.

To apply the RNC, start by taking your opponent’s back and securing a seatbelt grip with your arms. Slide one arm under their chin and secure your bicep tightly against their neck. Bring your other arm over their shoulder and connect your hands, forming a figure-four grip. Squeeze your elbows together and pull back on their head to apply the choke. Be sure to control their body and prevent them from escaping.

Armbar from the Guard

The armbar from the guard is another fundamental submission that every Jiu Jitsu practitioner should know. It involves isolating your opponent’s arm and hyperextending their elbow joint. When applied correctly, the armbar can cause significant pain and force your opponent to tap out.

To execute the armbar from the guard, start by securing a strong grip on your opponent’s arm. Use your legs to control their posture and prevent them from escaping. Swing one leg over their head and position your hips tightly against their shoulder. Extend your legs and pull back on their arm, hyperextending their elbow joint. Be sure to maintain control of their body and prevent them from stacking you.

Shrimp Escape

The shrimp escape, also known as the hip escape, is a fundamental movement used to create space and improve your position on the ground. It is particularly useful for escaping from bottom positions, such as the mount or side control.

To perform the shrimp escape, start by lying on your side with your knees bent and your feet close to your hips. Post one hand on the mat behind you for support. Push off with your feet and drive your hips away from your opponent, creating space between your body and theirs. As you shrimp, bring your top knee forward and replace your hips with your knee. This movement allows you to create distance and improve your angle, making it easier to escape from bad positions.

Bridge and Roll Escape

The bridge and roll escape is another fundamental technique used to escape from bottom positions, particularly the mount. It involves using a bridging motion to destabilize your opponent and create an opening for you to roll them over.

To execute the bridge and roll escape, start by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet close to your hips. Post one hand on the mat next to your head for support. Bridge your hips up towards the ceiling, creating an arch in your back. As you bridge, use your posted hand to push off the mat and roll your opponent over to the side. Be sure to maintain control of their body and prevent them from regaining their position.

Drills to Improve Your Skills

Alright, so you've got the basics down. Now, how do you actually get good at Jiu Jitsu? The answer is simple: drills. Drills are repetitive exercises that help you develop muscle memory and improve your technique. Jordan always emphasizes that consistent drilling is the key to progress. Let's look at some drills that can help you level up your game.

Shrimping Drill

The shrimping drill is a fundamental exercise for improving your hip movement and creating space on the ground. Start by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet close to your hips. Post one hand on the mat behind you for support. Push off with your feet and drive your hips away from the mat, creating space between your body and the ground. As you shrimp, bring your top knee forward and replace your hips with your knee. Repeat this movement several times, alternating sides.

To make the shrimping drill more challenging, you can add variations such as shrimping forward, backward, or laterally. You can also incorporate resistance bands to increase the difficulty and improve your strength and endurance.

Technical Stand-Up Drill

The technical stand-up is a fundamental movement used to safely stand up from the ground while maintaining a defensive posture. It is particularly useful for escaping from bottom positions or for transitioning to a standing position to initiate an attack.

To perform the technical stand-up, start by sitting on the ground with one leg extended and the other leg bent at the knee. Post one hand on the mat in front of you for support. Shift your weight onto your hand and foot, and then drive your hips up towards the ceiling. As you stand up, keep your back straight and your eyes on your opponent. Be sure to maintain a defensive posture and be ready to defend against attacks.

Guard Passing Drill

The guard passing drill is a fundamental exercise for improving your ability to pass your opponent’s guard. Start by kneeling in front of your partner, who is lying on their back with their guard closed. Choose a guard passing technique, such as the knee slice pass or the double under pass. Execute the guard pass, focusing on maintaining control of your body and preventing your partner from re-guarding. Repeat this movement several times, alternating sides.

To make the guard passing drill more challenging, you can add resistance from your partner. You can also incorporate different guard passing techniques to improve your versatility and adaptability.

Final Thoughts from Jordan

So, there you have it – a beginner’s guide to Jiu Jitsu basics with Jordan! Remember, Jiu Jitsu is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, patience, and dedication to develop your skills and improve your technique. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Just keep showing up, keep drilling, and keep learning. And most importantly, have fun!

Jordan always says, "The more you train, the more you realize how much you don't know." So stay humble, stay curious, and never stop exploring the endless possibilities of Jiu Jitsu. Good luck on your Jiu Jitsu journey, and we hope to see you on the mats soon!