In the chaotic dance of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one thing is certain: speed can kill your submission game. If your opponent’s movements resemble a caffeinated squirrel, your carefully plotted attacks are bound to slip away. That’s why one of the most underrated skills in BJJ is learning to slow things down.
Let’s break it down: slowing your opponent’s movement significantly increases your chances of finishing submissions. Why? Because every inch of wiggle room weakens your connection. And without tightness, your beautifully set triangle, armbar, or choke turns into little more than a friendly hug.
But here’s the kicker—totally stopping someone your size and skill level isn’t exactly realistic. People move. Especially when you’re trying to tap them out. So, the goal isn’t to freeze them like a deer in headlights; it’s to impede their movement as much as humanly possible. Imagine wrapping your opponent in quicksand—they can move, but it’s slow, labored, and exhausting.
Why Tightness is the Key
Think of your submission game as a perfectly engineered machine. Every cog and lever depends on connection—tight, seamless connection. Excessive movement is like throwing a wrench in that machine. The more they flail, the looser the grip, the weaker the submission, the greater the frustration.
Before you slap on your favorite submission, focus on inhibiting their ability to move freely:
Control First: Lock down their hips, isolate a limb, or dominate their posture. These are your first steps toward creating control.
Anchor Points: Your arms, legs, and even your chest should stick to your opponent like duct tape—tight and unyielding.
Patience is Power: Rushing to the finish line often gives them the chance to escape. Take your time, stabilize the position, and then attack.
The Fun Part: Rolling Slow
Slowing things down doesn’t just make you more effective—it makes training a lot more fun. Suddenly, rolls aren’t a whirlwind of chaos. You can feel the connection, think several moves ahead, and actually enjoy the art.
So, the next time you’re working on a submission, picture yourself as a spider wrapping your opponent in silk. Sure, they might wriggle and squirm, but with every movement, you’re tightening the trap. Slowly, surely, and with purpose.
Final Takeaway
In Jiu-Jitsu, slowing your opponent’s movement isn’t just a tactic; it’s an art. From beginners to advanced practitioners, mastering the art of impeding movement transforms your game from frantic to calculated, from loose to deadly.
So, remember: when it’s time to lock it in, don’t rush. Slow it down, tighten it up, and watch your submission rate skyrocket.
Keep rolling (and slowing), my friends!
