Practical Ideas On Learning BJJ Concepts and Techniques

This video is in response to a video where I was talking about how to use instructional videos for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. I ended up receiving a comment on that video asking about concepts vs BJJ techniques.

I make 2 main points in the video.

1 regardless of whether it's techniques, concepts, or whatever. If you don't use it, it's not going to work for you. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu isn't just about knowing things in your head conceptually. It's more about having all of that drilled into your nervous system so that the moves are ready in situations where you can't think and have to react. Muscle memory.

The 2nd point is that as you progress and your Brazilian Jiujitsu "IQ" goes up and as you gain experience with grappling, the concepts make more and more sense.

In the video I discuss examples of these ideas and my preference on teaching. Keep in mind that my thoughts are not right or wrong, they're just my experience as a coach and practitioner.

In the video I give a sort of working definition to a concept or principle and then techniques.

Thanks for watching!
-Chewy
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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

[LightPhoenix]

Concepts versus techniques: being aware of your center of gravity is a concept. Squatting instead of bending over at the waist is a technique.

[bobbydabutcha]

I've done nothing but techniques in class for the last two years. Hard rolling, comp classes, endless hours of rolling on the mats. 3rd year, due to the pandemic I've done nothing but re-learning fundamental skills, concepts and reviewing a lot of stuff while also drilling at home with a grappling dummy. It really filled the gap between mat time and internalizing what I had been learning. Even watching Grappling matches at the highest levels, I can recognize positions, predict transitions, movements etc. and put things together so much better than before.

[RicoMnc]

Using your hips, moving and positioning them for solid base and posture and transfer of power is universal to all effective MA. JJ, Boxing, Muy Thai, Karate etc. all have application of this.

Sometimes I revisit old techniques I've learned, but have been difficult to successfully apply. After learning and drilling other techniques that use solid, basic principles, I now understand and utilize the old techniques with more success.

[jasonhewett]

Another video full of great information presented in a realistic manner. Feels more like a good conversation, than being talked at. Bravo.... Please keep them coming.

[frankskinner]

It's funny the part where you said you were rambling was the part I needed to hear most, as someone who is just starting BJJ.

[karl_rocco]

This video certainly explained a lot as I have two coaches where one teaches techniques and the other concepts. Can understand both but this video really furthered my understanding of the differences. Thank you, Professor!

[magicbanana]

Concept: Physical and mental principles and general strategies to exploit them
Technique: procedures built off of concepts
I like that definition

[armsofzeus]

I loved this video. I'm learning more and more that I'm a, what I call it, philosophical teacher. I love breaking moves and styles down to principles. I even gave my kids class a class on "Coach Hippie's philosophy on armbars 101" when I was a new instructor a few years back. I created weird, sometimes unrealistic positions of armbars. Honestly it was probably way over their heads, even the adults get confused when I teach a class like that.

But every now and then I love teaching philosophical classes instead of technique classes. Makes me glad I have a technical partner to explain what I mean sometimes during those classes lol.

PS I've learned kids classes need more discipline at their age, so a strict "here's a technique/position" class retains in their heads better. Maybe a private class with a talented student would be better to try it, but I haven't so I can't say.

[knyghtkrawlr]

Chewy: *moves back and forth constantly
Camera's auto focus: S T O P

[Eggzachry]

Perfect timing i get this before my 2nd week of training

[Mgrish]

I think it’s good to have the principles ahead of time. They might be useless at first, But when your technique matches your concept you have a crazy “aaaah” moment! And it sticks better!

[richardbartholomew]

Excellent video bro. Stoicism, like BJJ, touches the soul.

[mike-ypuk]

This stuff is like a chess game you have to have the ability to think things through and I like the explanations you give

[dy--dx]

I love seeing Chewy talk about conepts

[danieloh]

I prefer looking at everything as concepts, but singling out techniques is very important. That being said, I have more fun looking at things as concepts, it allows me to improvise (even if I might screw up lol)

[SoulRollerFIN]

IMO: Study the concepts, practice the mechanics. The terminology doesn't really matter. What matters is the time on the mats. :)

[samuraisteve]

Concepts is known as a superior way to teach. If you understand the concepts you would always use them when teaching.

[Lol-mreb]

I like to think in a smart man, I see chewys noti, I click it

[MrChanolo]

Hi there,
not connected to this video though but I have a question: I heard that in judo and bjj you can get microconcussions that might affect you long term. When you get thrown, even if you don't land with your head on the mat, due to the deceleration that experiments your brain and since it is not fixed in your skull, it shakes and after several years it's damaged. Any opinion on that?
Cheers :)

[Lol-mreb]

Hey chewy I'm a new white belt that only has maybe about 9ish classes under my belt and I'm talking to alot of the higher belts trying to be the least amount of arrogance as possible and possibley the fastest ways to inprove that you would recommend? -cullen Lacey