A Smarter Approach to Learning BJJ

Brazilian jiu-jitsu training needs an update- our conceptualization of techniques isn't accurate. These inaccuracies aren't just academic, they're holding us back. So, it's time we get an update from the world of motor learning.

In Jiu-jitsu, grappling, and many other sports, we're taught that techniques are a simple, linear series of steps to be memorized, practiced, and refined. When you're in closed guard for example, you can break your opponent's posture, get a cross collar grip, get a second grip on the other collar, then perform the cross collar choke to submit your opponent.

Anyone who's done BJJ before knows that doing the cross collar choke (or any technique) against a non resistant, vs a resistant partner (during sparring or a competition) are 2 completely different things. But it's absolutely not because you're just 'not good enough' at performing the technique that was shown to you. It's because the linear series of steps that you saw is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the actual information and skill you'll need to perform it against resistance.

When we work against a resistant opponent in any sport, our perception-action coupling feedback loops are pitted against each other in an information processing- movement war. On the macro scale, each person works to progressively increase their own movement options relative to that of their opponent, until the opponent only has one option: submit.

On a micro scale, we work towards that by attempting (failing) and successfully executing techniques. These techniques are not truly the simple series of steps you were shown, they're extremely complex webs of perception action coupling based on prior and current experience- In the video I visualized this with an animation of interconnected spheres (representing positions) and lines (representing movement between the positions). Rather than a series of steps, techniques (against a resistant opponent) could be more accurately visualized with this 'funnel of despair'- where we work to gradually move down the funnel, where there are gradually less and less options for the opponent, until their only option is to succumb to your technique (reducing their overall movement options), or submit (when all their movement options have been removed, or in the case of a joint lock, would result in a broken limb).

Working with a partner involves the same feedback loops, however rather than working against each other, you work together, towards one or many goals. To be clear, in the video, I attempted to visualize this with 2 funnels feeding into the same end sphere, but this isn't quite accurate as remember, each sphere represented a position of both you and your opponent. Hopefully this makes sense though.

Working without a partner also involves the same PAC feedback loops, except that without a partner to fight back, there isn't nearly as much complexity of information processing required- these feedback loops become concerned with your own inaccuracies/errors in performing the movement in question. BTW, this also is what happens when you work against a grappling dummy, or in the case of much of current BJJ culture- a human grappling dummy (non-resistant opponent)

[rolandfisher]

As someone who's studied motor learning, this is a breath of fresh air. I hope everyone appreciates how damn smart this is, and I hope schools learn this too.

[theboysash]

Dude i absolutely love this, as someone who loves jits, while studying computer science, im grateful that you've brought such a objective and backed approach to learning. This is exactly the type of contenti've been looking for

[crossfitsilverback]

I am very impressed with your examination of the "why" across your training. The mind is paramount, "garbage in garbage out" is universal to learning.

[theagency]

Definitely one of the most insightful videos on learning martial arts or anything else.. I have experienced this phenomenon but you have encapsulated it into a clear definition someone can comprehend even as a beginner student. Your studies have gained you much wisdom. Thank you for sharing.

[qazmko]

This is perfect!

There are teachers that are teaching this way, they are laughed at, and critiqued for not teaching "real BJJ" or "that is how we teach kids not adults".

One of the problems with most BJJ schools is "free rolling" for beginners, training a beginner by making them spar, without teaching them how to defend themselves first, it just sets a student up for failure.

As for learning with resistance, it would be more productive to teach many different pathways to success (in your case an armbar from anywhere), by setting up the physical scenarios where that will happen first, and then making rules such that it teaches the student many different versions of the same attack or defensive moves.

[Octeris]

Great video on an interesting concept! I like how you generalize these ideas beyond just BJJ and fitness.

[BrenVez]

Hey Guys, small favor to ask from you guys. I really wanted to make this video because I know how powerful this concept is and what good it could do for the BJJ community if this knowledge permeated the culture- hence we put a ton of work into everything, even hired an animator to visualize the 'funnel of despair' for you guys. For those of you who do practice BJJ, could you share this video with your coaches and friends who also do BJJ? Would be really helpful for me and the community overall to move forward.

Also for those of you who don't do BJJ, you should start :).

[Spartan-Of-Truth]

The counter action part is brilliant. Hopefully I’ll be starting my first week free soon and I’ll go in and use this.

[eshaansharma]

Great teaching there. It will help a lot of beginners.

[mr.reilly]

I love your videos. Full of great information, thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to future videos and learning more 🙏🏾👏🏾

[zhuzhitsu]

Wow, this awesome stuff Bren; thanks for putting this out there. What you talk about really resonates about how the vast majority of BJJ is currently taught. If you haven't already come across him already, I think you would appreciate Priit Mikhelson's stuff (Defensive BJJ) as he takes a very similar approach to what you advocate. Look forward to more of your BJJ-related content!🙏🙏

[cheeks]

This is why you have to work positional rounds. I.e. do some tech from a position, then drill that position and reset anytime the roll gets out of that position, and try to work the tech, then troubleshoot.

[reevaas]

Thank you for articulating what I've been feeling.

[IntegralEarthling]

Very cool breakdown, Bren! Would really love to train with you, one day. Will have my first BJJ class next Friday at a Gracie Barra School here close to Lisbon. This will be fun! Much Love, Karsten 🙏🏼🥰

[adelshiab]

I will need to watch this one more than one times ! really interesting

[pedroleal]

Great video, as always, Bren :)
I've always been interested in bjj. In 2020 I was starting out but the pandemic ruined my plans 😅. Think the moment is comming soon.

[nathann]

I like this and it kind of put into words what I have noticed in the great wrestling coaches I have come across since I started wrestling when I was 5. They always are quick to put athletes in unfamiliar and more "real" scenarios. I am now a collegiate cheerleader and I see the same thing with the coaches in this sport. They are few and far between but there are some coaches that understand this, i think lol

[zipcode]

This is the same approach John Danaher uses to teach.

[adamabbas]

Great video and mostly agree. Perhaps you need to make it clear that it's not that drilling is useless, it's just useless beyond the point that it has been memorised. Memorisation of a movement pattern reduces the working load, so that you look for overall strategies and tactics based on overall concepts and are limited by not knowing the appropriate chain or chains of motor sequences.

[ronin]

Well, it's really about understanding body mechanics and physiology and being in tuned to it.