Advanced Basics: An Old School Philosophy

(Published January 1st, 2023)

Back in the day, one of my favorite MMA fighters was BJ Penn. After the initial success of Royce Gracie in the UFC, other fighters started figuring out how to counter the Brazilian jiu-jitsu game plan in MMA. This gave rise to a whole slew of ground-and-pound specialists. For a while, successful jiu-jitsu specialists in MMA seemed few and far between. Sure, there were jiu-jitsu guys, but none nearly as dominant as Royce Gracie was in his heyday.

Then came a guy by the name of BJ Penn. They called him "The Prodigy" because he earned his black belt in just 3 years. This was unheard of at the time, as it normally takes anywhere from 8 to 10 years on average for someone to earn their black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

BJ Penn came in and brought back memories of Brazilian jiu-jitsu dominance in MMA. If he could get you on the ground, he could finish you. If he got you in his guard, he could finish you from his back or sweep you and get on top, then finish you there. I loved watching him fight because he was there to scrap, and you could never count him out.

BJ Penn's Philosophy: Advanced Basics

BJ Penn once referred to his style of jiu-jitsu as "advanced basics." He explained that he liked to take the basics and ram them down his opponent's throat.

This philosophy reminds me of a kickboxer, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. Superfoot only kicked with his left leg due to an injury to his right leg, and he only threw three kicks: the sidekick, the hook kick, and the roundhouse kick. If you were standing close enough for him to punch you, chances are he was still going to lift up that left foot and kick you in the head. You knew what was coming, but he was so good at those three kicks that you were never going to stop them.

BJ Penn viewed his style of advanced basics the same way. Everybody knows the basics in BJJ, but that wasn't going to stop him. He was going to find a way to ram those basics down your throat.

Embracing the Philosophy

I've always liked his philosophy of jiu-jitsu, and it makes sense on many levels for me, not just as a practitioner but also as a coach.

It's a notion that emphasizes the simplicity, effectiveness, and efficiency of fundamental techniques over flashy, complex moves. This approach has been championed not only by BJ Penn but also by the likes of Rickson Gracie, Rodger Gracie, and Kron Gracie.

The Power of Focus

This philosophy isn't about reinventing the wheel; it's about perfecting the wheel you already have. By concentrating on a small set of effective, time-tested techniques, you can become exceptionally proficient in them.

Specialists like Bernardo Faria do exceptionally well in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition by focusing on one or two submissions or guards. They get insanely good at them and find ways to funnel their opponents into their game from every position imaginable. The philosophy of advanced basics brings with it the power of this kind of focus.

The Power of Time-Tested Techniques

The basics, or the classical game of jiu-jitsu, have been around for decades because they are solid and effective. They have been pressure-tested over time and proven to work in high-level competition. While they may not be flashy, there is no denying their effectiveness.

The Power of Information

Information on classical jiu-jitsu techniques is readily available, making it easier to learn and refine these techniques compared to the latest trends in BJJ. The well of knowledge when it comes to classical Jiu-Jitsu techniques is much deeper.

The Power of Predictability

Counters to basic techniques have been known for decades, making it easier to anticipate your opponent's moves and have your own counters ready. This can't be said for the latest and greatest techniques.

The Power of Passing It On

If you ever have the desire to teach Brazilian jiu-jitsu, you are going to want to be highly skilled in the basics. There’s nothing that drives the lesson home more than when coach hits the move of the day on you during sparring. 

But I’ve seen all too often black belts teaching moves that they have a hard time making work while sparring. You’ll hear them say things like, “I’m not really a fan of the cross choke. I’m more of a loop choke guy myself.” 

Not a fan of the Cross Choke?!?! 

Well I’ve got news for you. Roger Gracie is famous for finishing high level black belts with the cross choke in competition. As U.S. Navy Aircraft Maintainers often like to say, “Removed and replaced pilot. System checks 4.0.”

Don’t be that guy. Choose instead to become the guy who’s mastered the fundamentals and can pass them on to his students.

Conclusion

Focus on the fundamentals. They’re time-tested. They’re effective. They’ll simplify the game for you and fast track your progress. These are the techniques you’ll want to master and pass on to the next generation. Put the time in, study hard, and rediscover their effectiveness for yourself. I promise you'll be glad you did.

- Mike

P.S. If you live in Oak Harbor and this philosophy of jiu-jitsu resonates with you, feel free to reach out and come train with us.

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