Focusing on Technique RUINS Your Jiu Jitsu

[@mraBJJ33]

I like to keep concepts in my mind when rolling (maintaining underhook dominance, staying on your side in half guard, keeping from being crossfaced, etc.), then once I find myself in an advantageous position to set up a technique, I start going for that.

[@JSMinstantcoaching]

This is awesome, ï feel that it provides a lot of options and makes everything easier to understand when you spare with concepts

[@anon2034]

"keep concepts in my min" I've been told that generally around late blue belt or at purple people start thinking in concepts. How about you?

[@mraBJJ33]

@@anon2034 that's exactly when I started thinking that way, halfway through my blue belt

[@anon2034]

@@mraBJJ33 |Thanks for the response.

[@-eea32]

I do this but it’s more of a feeling

[@tededo]

John Danaher, Jordan Preissinger ad Jon Thomas. All yall three are among the best high level bjj instructors I know.

[@JonDenton]

Excellent video Jon, couldn’t agree more. I’m thoroughly enjoying this mini revolution in teaching we’re experiencing right now.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah I’m happy to see it too, Danaher guys helps a lot in opening people minds, for so long this kind of thinking was shut down in a lot of gyms, it was just mind off hard rounds with little reflective thought into the training.

[@DavidCardamoneNinja]

After a JJ roll session, I thought and learned that one should think like a tree, the thoughts branch out and bear fruit, and some branches don't bear fruit. So like techniques, if things branch out and I don't see fruit I need to branch out in a different positions on the tree to find the fruit. I find this video similar to what I was learning and so I realize in training I need to keep thinking like a tree and seeing the branches and fruit from thoughts and actions, not just in JJ but in life.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah absolutely you need to see how the things connect, one off techniques are hard to implement. Same with learning in general it’s easier when you relate the new idea to something you already have some knowledge on

[@F30__Zay]

Amazing ! this video is literally exactly what I needed thank you so much , I’m a new white belt and I find myself always pulling closed Guard and I keep trying to go for the same techniques I learn from other videos even when they’re just not there . This video was really eye opening

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah breaking it down by position in the beginning is the easiest way to understand. Hope this helps you on your journey.

[@SethKBaldwin]

My new goal is to feint whatever the move of the day is and practice my counter to their counter.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hahaha that’s honestly an excellent idea for going into training lol

[@aminezahiri5549]

That's why this is my favorit bjj channel, because you always give the technique and how to counter common reactions to it, and it works most of the time, and helps me link all the techniques together to make a solid game as a white belt.

[@EngineersApproachBJJ]

Great video Jon! This concept has helped me improve a lot over the last 6 months or so. Thanks so much.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks will! Can’t wait to see you on next trip!

[@tagg1080]

Yesssssss. A tactic is a spontaneous application of technique. When you are fighting, it needs to be a series of intentions. You shouldn't be building physical associations to intentions, and you shouldn't be building technical skill. Those are done before hand. Sparring is applying your intentions and reactions to see if your training is heading in the right direction. The difference between sparring and fighting is that sparring is at a pace where you can mentally absorb what is going on, and adjust on the fly. Fighting is the level above that where you can't adjust and absorb. Skill acquisition is done separate from sparring. Excellent stuff.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Very well said! Skill acquisition and sparring should be very separate activities and it would help clear up a lot of people’s confusion in their training.

[@birdmandrums]

Dude, your videos are so good. These concepts hit the nail on the head. I’m a white belt and everything you mentioned here rings true. Very underrated channel with a ton of useful content. Regarding future video topics: this is a bit different, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on training with injuries (e.g., common injuries, particularly for newer individuals, and whether you should take time off, train through it, avoid sparring but still drill, and so on). I have a recent muscle/ligament injury near one of my floating ribs (getting smashed in side control), and I’ve had unclear/mixed advice, even from my physician, who was obviously the first point of contact. Keep up the great work!

[@cameroon95]

I do this a lot after watching instructionals- it often makes me frustrated afterwards.Like I would focus on the mount my opponent would defend and give me the back- I would almost be upset that he would show me his back so I wouldn't take it. Great video !

[@emanuelmartinez7975]

The best BJJ videos out there thank you so much For all that you do for us 💪

[@ohegypsy]

I use the technique drilled during class deliberately while rolling right after. I find that it allows me to discover the nuance of the technique that was just taught while people are hyperaware of it. It’s not that hard to hit most of the time. This also helps recall the tech when you find yourself in those positions while rolling freely. I otherwise forget the details if I don’t do this.

[@RobsonAlvesJJ]

Your content is very good, it makes total sense, Oss!

[@LorenzoCalgaryRealtor]

This was super helpful and might get me out of my rut.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I find it always helps me a lot when I am feeling non motivated, getting excited about a new position always makes it fun again.

[@sammalama]

Analysis paralysis.... my God that's what it's called!!!!!

[@AamirTime]

I have a problem-solving approach which has technique, concepts and positional aspects. It is good to focus and drill techniques so you learn what works and what doesn't. Positions during rolling can then be used to favour the outcome, maybe use a different technique (armbar to triangle for example). Learning the fundamentals of why a technique works should increase the likelihood of someone adapting to the response/defence and, with problem-solving, overcome the barrier or change position and tactics.

[@zacharywong483]

Fantastic explanation and discussion, Jon!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot happy you saw the value in it!

[@alains4050]

Best BJJ content and thought process I’ve found on KZbin!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much buddy! Really happy you see the value in this really in-depth thinking aspect of jiu jitsu videos.

[@showmaesas]

Very interesting take on implement new techniques.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy hope it helps you

[@jschapir]

totally agree! Jon, have you looked into the ecological approach to training at all. Greg Souders is doing a lot of work in this area and it seems like it could be super powerful.

[@theinfjgoyim5508]

I agree. I think technique really should just be on how to apply the submission. The grappling/BJJ portion should be natural and fluid. Many many teachers do a poor job teaching students have to correctly apply the sub. The sub teaching should be a separate focus and I think all would be way better.

[@mikle1570]

Great video!!!

[@tukolo5408]

I like starting from a double seated position and go for foot locks.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Double sleeve with good foot locks is so powerful

[@danielskrivan6921]

This is also how you solve puzzle games. For example, in Portal. Start with the exit, then work backwards through how to get each element in the right spot.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Portal is such an amazing game! I need to go back and play it again. Would be cool if they made a VR version.

[@danielskrivan6921]

@@JonThomasBJJ That would be amazing. Another game you might like is the Entropy Centre, which recently came out. Instead of a portal gun, you have a time-rewinding gun. Which means you're extra incentivized to use the strategy you laid out in the video and work backwards.

[@johnmerlino7133]

This is a huge concept I wish I focused on as a white belt.

[@karimelkadi5707]

Great video. Especially turning off my mind in real sparring is incredible hard for me as I tend to analyze everything…..engineering mind 😂….any tips here?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Big thing I would recommend is separate your brain off training from your development training. Have rounds where your brain is off and you just try to react with anything that comes to you in the moment don’t worry about learning or evolving just be present. Which is hard to do in the beginning. Then have separate time where you train with a sprint. Intent of a position to work on or spar from so that you can try and test things. That has helped me the most.

[@karimelkadi5707]

@@JonThomasBJJ thank you, will try that. Your channel is awesome!

[@majorwake]

thanks for the content. keep it up!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot! Will do!

[@kdb560]

Thank you for this! Soooo informative!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy really happy you liked the video!

[@jairogri]

Thanks brother

[@ruzarkov2]

It's funny I've been having trouble hitting certain things exactly as you said forcing them during rolls recently but as soon as I've just gone off of instinct I've fared much better. Need to spend and dedicate more time to positional sparring it seems

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah if you really want to understand what you are doing breaking it down into small positions is the key. If you are rolling in a more broad sense then it’s better to go on instincts until a position you know appears.

[@lisiroosi503]

Really good advices, could you please include some examples on the mat to this kind of videos, I think it'll make better sense (for me at least) 🙏🏻🙏🏻 But thanks anyway for great videos.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I’ll try to do a video giving demo of specific training for sure!

[@Meiki1029]

This just made BJJ click for me a little more. I just keep trying certain movements and I just realized I did not have the position for them

[@tobyzimmerman5663]

Excellent, as usual.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Really appreciate it!

[@haraldodunkirk1432]

Reminds me of certain instructors I know teaching complete beginners complex 1/2 guard and spider guard details with zero overview of the basics… they all just end up frustrated.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yup I think it’s best to start with positions they can practically use first, like side escape and guard retention basics, and basic pin controls

[@carlosvarela3571]

Very interesting. Just noticing i was falling into somw of this

[@JonThomasBJJ]

We all do at times. Helps to refocus on what’s your working on every now and then

[@daveclifford7895]

Great advice 🤙

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much!

[@cgaskill25]

Hey man, I love the channel. Thanks for putting it together. I caught a couple of your seminars at 50/50 over the past few years and wanted to ask about a passing tip you showed that I haven't seen in any of the videos you've posted. In particular, it was a forearm staple pin on the far arm in the elbow. I didn't think much of it at the time since you only casually mentioned it as a possibility, but then I got rolling and I see it constant. Having a little success, but wanted to see if there's anything else to it I might have missed.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hmm return to think of what you are referring to, which seminar was it at? Was it during a knee cut pass?

[@cgaskill25]

@JonThomasBJJ yes, during a knee cut, your forearm closest to the legs went into the inside of the elbow on the far arm instead of taking an underhook. I think it was the last time you were at 50/50.

[@HelloWorld-lv4we]

Good stuff

[@Freduccine978]

lately i have been trying to get to the back. in all my rolls ive been trying to get to the back, whether gi or no gi. and advice on working this broader concept? its been slow going, been getting after this since august. there are just so many reactions to try and address

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I would say you need to isolate this a bit more, getting to the back from mount, from Berimbolo, or from closed guard are all quite different. I would say first work your back control so you feel confident there, next work each position separately that has a back take set up. Work your closed guard and understand where a back exposure comes from there combined with the other attacks in the system, then the same for dlr and ect. You can’t really work taking the back as a whole, it’s too broad of an idea in my opinion.

[@Freduccine978]

@@JonThomasBJJ thanks for the advice!

[@maxurex103]

Best advice

[@juliusthompson4794]

Took me some time to figure out that movement and positioning is really the key. I save so much more energy by not forcing anything and focusing on moving into the right position and seeing what options are available there. The only thing I'm really intentionally doing is staying on my side, not allowing my head to be controlled, get underhooks while not allowing them, and grips when possible.

[@DARKLYLIT]

I started BJJ only a month ago and, by just the third class, the instructor had us sparring, which felt completely counter-productive to me. I mean, no-one has ANY technique solidly in their body or mind enough to actually execute ANYTHING, so we ended up just brute-force wrestling and wearing ourselves out. Again...if nothing else, I felt this was counter-productive to learning, let alone safely sparring without injuring ourselves. For me, it seems that doing a bunch of reps to get a few techniques/moves to the point of muscle memory would be a lot more effective, safer and more fun than just freely sparring with little-to-no technique. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

[@jackbauer7015]

I'd love to know your thoughts on the Ecological approach and Greg Souder's method

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I need to look into it, can you briefly explain the idea here?

[@allan459415]

I’m just a few months into BJJ (no gi). I find myself constantly just escaping from others even those who are newer than me. Sometimes it’s just frustrating when I’m not able to execute the techniques that I’ve drilled and not get a single sweep or dominant position. Makes me feel sometimes that I’m just not cut out for this.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

It’s super normal buddy, I know it’s frustrating but trust that this experience is normal and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Try to get a friend you can work with before or after class and start in the position and try to break down the small details and changes in the position. If you try to just do the technique you are shown they will often counter the position so try to understand the two or three positions around it you need to use in tandem with the original one. Remember if it was easy to get good then it wouldn’t be that meaningful when you do become good, push through and you will be happy you did.

[@allan459415]

@@JonThomasBJJ thanks a ton and you are absolutely right, if it was easy then it wouldn’t be meaningful when I get good. I will try to pair up with someone and break the details down further to solidify my understanding. I was doing other martial arts earlier but I love BJJ more and God willing I wanna do this for the rest of my life.

[@fitnesslibrarian9013]

Okay, the real question is how do you keep your hair off your face when rolling. I have the same length hair, not long enough for a man bun and it is so annoying, got bjj hair tips? Lol thanks

[@DJayDiamond]

Hi Jon, dont know if you'll see this but what do you think of the mindset of "hunting for a technique". Let's say I want to improve my armbars and I go into rolling with the mindset of looking for armbars, is that not contradictory to "playing with what you're given" as you espouse? How do you balance the two mindsets in a roll?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I think that’s fine, I think you just have to be clear with your intention of training. If you went into a roll telling your self I’m looking for armbars. You are priming your self to see that pattern opening, realistically it won’t be open a lot of time so you will be not focused on something useful most of the roll, but you will also see it more likely when you wouldn’t have before. You will underperform in training with this but increase your ability to spot armbars and that’s ok if you want to work on it, but I think it’s more efficient to work by position as you will know where the technique comes from and can be more focused on a specific spot. I just think it’s most important to be clear with the purpose of a training session. Don’t confuse this kind of a roll with your normal type of roll of that makes sense.

[@DJayDiamond]

@@JonThomasBJJ OK that makes a lot of sense. I'm pretty early on in my journey so I'm sure all the specific training will bleed into my normal roles over time. Thanks for answering!

[@jaredfoster6839]

You teach nonrubbish concepts. I will watch many/much contents, and your’s is among the best if not the best. Now, I understand the “Danaher know-it-all” spirit, but rather this is counter-intuitive to your previous ideology, because I need to remember your advice to utilize your brain’s treasures during a sequence. It’s not a dead-set mindset, but rather a sequential, ok, hold this isometric shoulder crunch, catch this juji-gatame, pull the lever high on the thumb’s axis.

[@jaredfoster6839]

I did pause to type this circa @1:10 bt dubs.

[@SamBarrass]

You're so awesome.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

So are you!

[@AJJ_Bros]

fire!!

[@jdt8983]

Yeah I'm a beginner and I do this but I was aiming to memorize the technique just learned over trying to win. But maybe that's a bad way to do it

[@JonThomasBJJ]

It’s great you are focusing so much on technique, when you start if you are trying to train smart you try to avoid muscling everything which is good. The problem is when you focus on a specific technique you just learned you often try to do it in sparring and focus on all the small details but if they don’t give the response that makes it valid it’s impossible, bo matter how much you drilled it. So on a broader level you want to think of which position the technique you learned came from and what the possible other patterns are from there so you are focused more on the position and taking what they give rather than focusing on the technique you want to do. Hard to explain but hope that makes sense and helps.

[@jdt8983]

@@JonThomasBJJ no I think I get what you're saying thanks for the help

[@honeyhole411]

I really like the new video format 🎉 Something that’s been on my mind… since I train every day, and my coaches tend to teach up to date material, I stopped watching instructionals. Do you think it’s absolutely necessary for one’s development to watch them? Or would you say it’s rather optional? Is it a must, or a complementary addition to one’s training?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I don’t think it’s a necessity, but watching completion video is really helpful, just depends on your goals. No coach knows everything. I tell all my students to learn from all resources, no reason not to, just make sure the online sources are legitimate

[@honeyhole411]

@@JonThomasBJJ you meant *competition video?

[@ChokeArtist411]

Much of this conflates focusing on technique with context-dependent application. When to go is a separate question from what to do when you there. Setups themselves many times just are techniques, so it’s weird to contrast them in some of the ways you do here. I find that when my training partners fail, it’s nearly 100% of the time a technical flaw. Where I do see this as true is in thinking about set techniques. You should learn the basic mechanics of how sweeps work in all the major positions for example, but not aim to have an encyclopedic knowledge of all of them. Rather, learn “sweep theory”, and you’ll look for the components of a sweep instead going thru the rolodex of techniques for the given position. It allows you to improvise in the moment instead of recall.

[@wishanaigawood]

The right move at the wrong time is the wrong move

[@tomtrader6559]

it is not easy to find that partner, been trying to do specific drilling for a few techniques for a while:(

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Honestly it’s so hard to find a good partner for this training but putting the effort into finding them pays off so much in long run

[@af4396]

I personally like focusing on "technique" a lot (to me positions, frames, concepts, escapes and submissions are all technique). I know I'm going to suck in sparring for a bit, I care more about how good I can get in situational sparring first. Then, when I start putting together a few transitions and what to do from different positions, it helps a lot in free sparring. Everyone has their own path. Unlike most people, I don't mind having the slow grinding path. I'd rather have very little sparring experience and focus a lot on making sure all my "technique" is correct and I understand the concepts. All I focus on when I spar is to make sure my positioning is as close as it can be to when we do situational rolling. I don't care about submissions, I don't care about dominance. I just want to survive, to transition properly from positions, to escape pins or "cheap" choking attempts, to make sure I'm on my side and not my back etc. I never understood the focus on sparring with white belts. Before I go to war, I'd like to operate my gun properly at the shooting range. Before I try to play along with Master of Puppets, I'll learn how to pick properly and have independence in my fingers. People treat sparring like the one all, be all and do quite the opposite. They don't focus on technique or bad habits, they just think free sparring alone does the trick. They choke out white belts from inside closed guard, and they Upa by throwing their arms up and chucking white belts off, and then they say "you gotta spar more brah, sparring is the best". Then they go to competition, and get absolutely destroyed.

[@antonionovaes6837]

Oss!

[@Agtren]

Nonsense. Jiu-jitsu is not about technique because someone will always be more experienced and, therefore have better technique than you do. You need to find a level playing field, compete and survive. If u always seek more technique u will be destroyed by better competitors. That said, I can often do live the move I learned that day. Usu

[@alexanderapollo2177]

It does ruin technique if you go for a technique that's not actually there😂. I mean use your head a little. By me using technique means no strength. Understand that concept first$$ problem solved

[@non_dogmatic]

I agree with a lot of the commentary but the click bait titles are kind of triggering. I think there is a difference between focusing on technique and technique(s), as in specific moves. I’m not sure this is the message you want to send to white belts. They very much do need to focus on using technique, hence the spazzy/gorilla stereotypes. Color belts can focus more on hitting techniques (specific moves) because they handle basic technique subconsciously.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hey buddy personally I hate click bait as well, but after learning how the algorithm works it’s somewhat necessary. You saw this video because it was shown to you by the algorithm, if I made the title “Specific training is better than Technique focused training” and enough people don’t click it, then the algorithm buries the video in which case many people ( you included ) wont even be shown the thumbnail and thus won’t see the video. So I have to find the right balance, otherwise the videos don’t get pushed. It’s just how it works. I am honest in what I say though, this video I discuss why focusing on a technique to use in sparring stifles people, they need to focus on a position they can build around with a set of techniques. This may be intuitive for you but I have taught many people and it is a huge sticking point for many to understand this idea. So I personally feel ok with making the title this way to help get the principles and ideas in the video out to as many as possible. I understand where you are coming from though.

[@non_dogmatic]

@@JonThomasBJJ hey man I respect the hustle, and your commitment to putting this out here for free. I would like to point out that I saw your video because I’m a subscriber! I think the quality of your content speaks for itself and could do without the clickbait, but I digress. Thanks for all the amazing videos.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hey buddy really appreciate the message and I know you don’t mean anything negative, but extra thought on the algo stuff. Even if you are a subscriber KZbin won’t show it to you if it’s not high click rate, it doesn’t work like it use to. To get notified you must hit the bell button, most people don’t do that unfortunately. That’s why you see many channels with 100k plus subscribers not getting tons of views anymore since the algo change. Either way I agree with you I hate click bait, hope you can understand my dilemma I have made great videos like this with no click bait and they often get literally 1/10th the reach. So it’s just a tough act to balance.

[@blub9217]

First!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

So fast!