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(Published August 9th, 2024)
The Importance of Fundamentals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Recently, we had a blue belt visitor from Las Vegas who joins us every so often for training. I encourage this kind of thing as it’s always helpful for me to get an outside perspective on our gym and students. He was there for one of our Fundamentals classes where we just work technique, no sparring. That particular day we were working on the Elbow Escape from Mount, a very basic, very fundamental technique, about as far from flashy or fancy new hotness as you can get. Halfway through the class he paid me a really nice compliment. He said, “This is a really good class. Everybody’s going to be sorry they missed it.” This led us into a conversation about the current state of jiu-jitsu instruction, particularly regarding the fundamentals. He noted that many academies no longer teach the fundamentals. This really got me thinking.
The Evolution of Jiu-Jitsu Instruction
When I first started jiu-jitsu, the norm was for new students to receive a thorough introduction to the basics. The instructor or a senior student would pull the new student off to the side to explain the guard, various positions, and the goals from each. This initial orientation gave new students a clear understanding of the overall game plan.
Then came the rise of the internet. Early pioneers like Roy Dean began sharing instructional videos online. His high-quality DVD sets, which included blue belt requirements, became popular. This trend grew, with more instructors recognizing the value of putting their teachings online. YouTube also became a major platform for learning, and suddenly, anyone interested in jiu-jitsu could find countless videos explaining the fundamentals.
The Shift Away from Fundamentals
During this period, many students entered their first jiu-jitsu class with a basic understanding of the positions and techniques, thanks to online resources and the growing popularity of the UFC and MMA. Instructors no longer needed to dedicate class time to explain these basic concepts like what the guard was and how to get there from various pins, as most new students were already familiar with them.
However, we’re now at a point where we’ve come full circle. New students often come in without knowing the basic positions or their importance. This shift may be due to the overwhelming amount of information available online. When someone searches for jiu-jitsu on YouTube, they are bombarded with flashy techniques and advanced moves that overshadow the basics. This information overload can be confusing for beginners, leaving them without a clear starting point.
The Challenge for Instructors
Instructors face the challenge of keeping their advanced students engaged while also catering to newcomers. There’s a tendency to focus on showing off new and exciting techniques to impress students, (especially among younger instructors… kids these days). This approach can create an environment where the fundamentals are neglected.
I’ve always believed in the power of the fundamentals. They form the foundation upon which all other techniques are built. Without a solid understanding of the basics, students can struggle to progress and fully grasp more advanced concepts. That’s why we continue to emphasize the fundamentals in our classes, ensuring that every student, regardless of their experience level, has a strong foundation. Because after all, the fundamentals are… well… fundamental!
Emphasizing the Fundamentals
The lesson that day with our visiting blue belt was on the elbow escape from mount, a very basic but essential escape. I demonstrated several variations and highlighted some critical details that are often lost or forgotten, especially if you’ve only seen the technique taught once. Our visiting blue belt seemed genuinely impressed with what we were teaching, which I thought was really cool.
These little details can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of the move. I really geek out over these things. If I spend $200 on an instructional and learn just one little, game changing detail that makes a fundamental technique more effective or efficient, I feel like I got my money’s worth.
And from an instructor’s standpoint, I get an insane amount of satisfaction teaching a blue or purple belt a detail that helps them improve a basic technique that wasn’t quite working for them before. I really geek out over those little game-changing details to fundamental techniques, and I love sharing them with others.
Advice for Students
For those of you lacking an academy in your local area that values the fundamentals as much as we do, it can be frustrating. My advice is to seek out high-quality instructionals on the fundamentals. These are well worth the investment. Here are some of my personal favorites:
Roy Dean’s Instructionals: Roy Dean has a fantastic approach to teaching the basics. He resists the temptation to talk too much. If a picture is worth a thousand words, video of him performing the technique is worth thousands. With a smooth, flowing style and verbal instruction as efficient as his Jiu-Jitsu, his content is both thorough and engaging.
John Danaher’s Go Further Faster Series: While Danaher can be long-winded and dry at times (okay… almost all of the time), his instructionals are filled with valuable details and insights that can significantly enhance your understanding of fundamental techniques. Few people have the patience to sit through one of his volumes to absorb all that knowledge, but if you do I promise it will be well worth it.
Henry Akins: Henry is unique in that his game is entirely composed of the fundamentals. He exemplifies that Jiu-Jitsu trifecta of simplicity, effectiveness and efficiency that for me defines the fundamentals. It’s all he does. It’s all he teaches. And so he’s a fantastic resource for all of those little details that make the fundamentals work.
Gracie University Online: The Gracie Combatives program is an excellent resource for learning the fundamentals in a structured and comprehensive manner. Ryron and Renner Gracie have been teaching this curriculum for years now. And recently they’ve taken their lessons learned from the past several years and updated the whole program. I loved the original. The 2.0 is even better. I can’t recommend it enough!
Investing in these resources can help fill in any gaps in your knowledge and provide you with the foundational skills necessary to progress in jiu-jitsu.
Parting Shot
While the internet has revolutionized the way we learn and share jiu-jitsu, it has also oddly contributed to the decline in teaching the fundamentals at many academies. As students, it’s essential to recognize the importance of these essentials and seek out resources to reinforce your understanding of them. By doing so, you can ensure that you develop a comprehensive and effective understanding of the art.
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