The Most Important Lesson in BJJ

[@spartan_yt8428]

Easily the best BJJ coach on YT.

[@jessegandy7361]

When you said 'grabbing space' a lightbulb went off in my mind! Guard retention isn't merely recentering but also grabbing space. Such an important concept. Thank you Jon!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

You it seems like it should be so obvious but it really never occurred to me until last couple years how critical that is.

[@rollinOnCode]

true

[@boomshewaddywaddy]

Amazing that we get this golden content for free, appreciate it Jon.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy I have fun making them and it has helped me grow my brand tremendously! So it’s mutually beneficial!

[@eddiewright5921]

I really like the way you explain things. Thank you for sharing!

[@Olya-hq3rv]

I discovered this channel, and suddenly, bjj started to seem possible!🔥🚀 Very greatful for your work🙌

[@ebateru]

Three minutes into this and may I say:"well done sir, beautiful and clear explanation". 👌👏👏

[@andrewb3061]

This is probably the best high overview guard video I've ever seen

[@kingchief4038]

Rarely do we get taught the why everyone only teaches the here's how.. This channel will skyrocket teaching the why :)

[@thiagobatistars]

Absolutely mind blowing, thanks for that!!! In my opinion, understanding these concepts is what really allows us to evolve our game, because it gives us the confidence to adapt to the different situations that can arise during the fight.

[@yartysparty]

I personally love concept videos like these. Keep up the great work!

[@SamBarrass]

Yes! More conceptual videos. It makes the moves make sense. Provides context for why moves work and where moves come from!

[@ianlevers8450]

Thanks Jon this is a game changer for me as a white belt, great content!

[@TheStaygold007]

What a great, informative video. The conceptual / principal approach to teaching is really effective. I’d love to see a similar approach to other positions and situations.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I will do a passing one like this sometime soon as well!

[@mabaitpinoy]

I’ve always had issues with taking the drills/techniques we practice and using them in actual sparring. These conceptual videos are great! Can’t wait to watch more

[@Ratchetti]

Indeed

[@chrisnguyen3805]

Thank you for such an analytical video! I love that you focus on principles first, build that foundation, and then apply techniques on top later. Your analytical approach makes a lot of sense and helps things click.

[@coreychancelor211]

I swear I love watching your videos, I'm thankful you have a youtube channel!!

[@thewanderer6542]

You and Jordan Teaches Jiu-jitsu are the best I've ever seen at explaining Jiu-jitsu in a conceptual manner. Really appreciate your work professor.

[@scaresoft]

Holy crap this was great! You talk very well and clearly deliver the message. Nice to see videos focusing on essentially a basic movement and complexity, but that which has a huge impact. .

[@rc7746]

I learn alot from rhe narration then the clips from the mat or actual competition. This description prepares me for my daily sessions in the evenings. Much appreciated...

[@drjasonhughes]

One of your best videos… Super helpful concepts!

[@jujichop69]

Great teacher. If only this vid had been out 20 years ago.

[@svish5790]

Kron Gracie is a great example. Ive watched his matches in the past and noticed that he had a great guard but couldn't really put my finger on what made it so special as he wasn't really doing anything flashy or what I would normally perceive as technical. Also, I really like how you showed the sort of, hip switching, walk backwards from guard. That's interesting.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah Kron was always effective with basically no modern guards and in my opinion this principle is specifically the reason why!

[@smilinazzdoggy825]

Great vid/ comment

[@tyhatfield7156]

Yeah, it was something I been trying to push so I sent this to a lot of my students it is so important to keep space and distance mean whether you’re walking your shoulders or you’re moving your hips are you’re pushing off things super good

[@Seegie16]

One of the most informative bjj and best conceptual video ive ever seen

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Really appreciate it! I spent a ton of time thinking about these principles and organizing it in a way that makes sense!

[@lr99gt]

Really great concepts Jon! You're a strong communicator and express your thoughts and ideas effectively.

[@Klaus0718]

Yes!

[@davidtarantino152]

Love the very last statement about self defense.

[@weirdopops]

Oh my god every time I watch one of these types of conceptual overview videos of yours I get a lightbulb moment, crazy stuff

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to keep providing the lightbulb moments!!

[@matthewgaughran4903]

This is the kind of video I like to see. Conceptual based stuff gives you the tools to understand why certain positions work. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Absolutely when you deeply understand a lot of this stuff you can really self solve a lot of your own situation you get in

[@vincentveltre4693]

Great video, this helped my defense better than any video I've seen so far

[@Scott-yn3qq]

Thanks for another great video. I was lucky enough to attend your seminar @lapelarts in Vancouver. I look forward to trying these principles.

[@anoktokbatosai8113]

Your videos and concepts are awesome. They make so much sense. Goes to show Jiu-Jitsu is as much mentally strategic than it is physical. Thank you 🙏🏻 sir

[@wm6549]

Thank you! Yes, more conceptual videos. Great tips.

[@christopherbrown7876]

Clear, concise, and effective immediately. Thank you for great content. Liked and subscribed! Keep up awesome work.

[@mtwozis107]

Im about 4 months into training and catching on quick. giving blue belts a hard time already (not boasting) but you are making lightbulbs pop on left and right with these conceptual talks. I think this way is best to start instead of reeling through as many moves as you can. I tried focusing on my favorite positions and nothing went as planned. But when i just defended myself, especially against stronger partners it usually went in my favor. You are a great communicator! 🙌💡THANK YOU!!

[@jd8226]

Wow you must be so good! You should be a blue belt yourself!!

[@edburdo]

More! More! As a white belt... learning these conceptual things is great. Keep Going!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I will definitely be doing more like it soon, although this principle is so profound it’s hard to really top it

[@jeremyking195]

Love the principles based videos! Thank you

[@capaneus184]

Definitely enjoyed the concept as it pertains to an issue and positions I've been getting stuck in. This shined a light right on some of the root causes.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah these principles really made such a huge difference in my guard over last couple years.

[@dominicmagliocco7523]

As a blue belt this opens my eyes. Amazing stuff. Can’t wait to put this to work

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hope it helps you on your journey buddy!

[@deeganfarrell9916]

Been watching as much as I can, can’t wait to see you tomorrow at breakthrough in Amherst, we’re all very excited to have your expertise come this way!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I’m excited to be there too!!

[@atrain670]

I’m loving the way that you instruct, Jon!

[@MrSnippety]

this is fantastic, I would love more concepts plz, thanks Jon!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Absolutely will be doing another one soon!

[@Hardwork213]

Excellent video! More conceptual type videos please !

[@gregarioushorse]

love your videos! I make all my fundamental students study your concept content.

[@danielsmith167]

Thank you for your tips. I will start to focus more on what you mentioned. blue belt

[@Walkerwonderswhy]

really good watch! Love how clear it is

[@jtom416]

Love these conceptual videos

[@Blindgibbon]

Your concept videos are the best. thank you

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot buddy I really enjoy making them!

[@zacharywong483]

Absolutely stellar video Jon! Such great concise, yet super valuable points here! Well done!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot buddy really happy you see the value in these principle it’s insane how much studying they take to discover

[@isaiascardenas3692]

Excellent video makes a lot of sense thanks for sharing

[@jacobharrod6912]

Thanks sir. I'm sure these concepts will become useful for me as I am able to develop and incorporate them into my training.

[@mearnscmaa]

That was so useful. The principles that underpin the technique is what I’m interested in to make sense of the myriad of options available! Thanks!

[@frankgarguilo2734]

Thank you professor. This was great. No technique to memorize. As a new purple belt, I am trying to use concepts to improve my jujitsu.

[@imactuallyimmortal]

Very helpful, would like to see more 🤙

[@robbspin]

Love your conceptual videos

[@MizzoniDojo]

Really good insight here. I am definitely too grip focused when trying to reguard or establish guard from a neutral starting position. Im really going to try and be conscious of your advice of just maintaining distance and keeping aligned, and from there I can take whatever grip becomes readily available. Too often I am chasing double sleeve or what have you and the next thing I know I lose the angle and am being passed

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Distance over position will change your game! Happy to have helped buddy!

[@ItsDave76]

Fantastic conceptual teaching!

[@PunXX0r]

I practice a striking art called Tsun Jo (only one school, in Seattle) which also dabbles in grappling - we are super self-defense focused, and so tend to use a pretty limited set of grappling tools. This kind of video is absolutely awesome for guys like me who benefit most from understanding how the overarching principles apply to our specific expressions of martial arts. It is a struggle to help my fellow practitioners understand the criticality of range management - you've done a great job of explaining that as it pertains to grappling. Best 15 minutes I've spent in a good long while. Thanks!

[@MrAngryTwinkie]

Incredibly helpful lesson, thank you for sharing!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy you enjoyed it!

[@Junnerubio]

Great video. I've got your Open Guard instructional you did in colaboration with Stephan Kesting, and it is helping me a lot to build a solid guard game.

[@mustikit]

Great video, thanks. Cleared out a lot for me.

[@MikeManzke]

That’s awesome advice , thank you .

[@MarkTiarra]

Always such great videos from this channel!

[@cmilter6360]

I appreciate you content and you clean deliver of topics!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy you have enjoyed it buddy!

[@robertlester4569]

Great stuff. Yes the conceptual videos are very helpful, please keep them coming. Thanks!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I will for sure! Happy you enjoyed it!

[@johnmacias01]

Great info pls keep doing your vids! Thanks

[@denniswinslow866]

Great concepts, you moves are so efficient and fluid.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Really appreciate I try to always make it efficient!

[@hari9885]

Thanks Jon. Love the concepts.

[@porkysugrim]

Really just love your channel overall. Jam packed with so much good information

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much buddy means a lot! Try to always have valuable information be the best rock of the channel

[@MrSneakyfatguy]

You're at my gym, Jon! This is funny as maintaining guard is my big goal for my training over the next little while.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah you can never go wrong working on the foundation of rock solid open guard defense!

[@murderyogafin]

Thanks man! I just started BJJ couple of months ago and your videos have been really helpful to understand basic things and all :) Greets from Finland

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much buddy! Hoping to visit Finland in near future!!

[@TobeMac]

Thanks … great content please more

[@lorodz]

Learnt so much on this video. I love your content. Very straight on, on the spot and direct to the point. Thank you professor. Do you have an instructional?

[@ivanlandabaso9065]

Excellent break-down.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thank you so much!

[@daveinpenn]

Awesome explanations. So thorough.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot!!

[@Klaus0718]

Another good video man I appreciate you you’re really helping me!

[@imaginethatttt]

Man, this was great! Thank you!

[@kaueoliveira7224]

Great video as always. Love your content, man.

[@benlangford34]

Great details

[@bobsims8005]

Love all your stuff.

[@Jamijitsu]

Good Video, Thank you. Those are some great ideas to think about!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy you liked this former of video!!

[@train__dt]

concept videos rock. Thanks Jon!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I think so too! Happy you enjoyed it!

[@train__dt]

@@JonThomasBJJ seriously! I’ve only been watching the videos for a couple weeks and even my professor has noticed a difference. I’m almost at blue belt and feel that these videos are what will help me get over that hump! Along with showing up and getting choked haha

[@paulmclachlan1126]

Great video, thank you. Lovely mane too

[@christopherburgdorf398]

so good information. so good at teaching

[@tribalman9668]

Principles and concepts can always be applied to any situation even if you don’t really know the specific situation you are in.. they are like a guiding compass.. distance, alignment, use available grips, knee elbow connection, realignment, distance… any one who can keep playing this game will become un tappable…

[@guadalupecovarrubias3487]

Great stuff👍🏽👍🏽

[@samcutajar]

Thanks Jon!

[@Eduardo-tq5sk]

Mani components profe Iam here listening!

[@jonnymaccers4730]

Great stuff. Thanks mate 💪🏻

[@debronj624]

Amazing advice!!!!!

[@markbybee2595]

Awesome coaching 👊💥💯

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot buddy!

[@jessecahill1577]

Awesome video as usual. I love the distance as a primary goal rule, but it also seems like some elite people have the ability to break it with great success. Gordon Ryan for example always seems to be aggressively moving forward to close distance from his seated guard. Do you have any thoughts on that approach?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Well that’s just a definition of the core objective. The job of the passer broadly is to close distance and achieve chest over chest and the job of the guard player is to not allow that to happen. So how to stop someone from passing or closing distance in general is an unanswerable question you need to deal with it on a specific level depending on each way your opponent approaches. Basically these two things aren’t at odds it’s just a definition of the goals of each player

[@philkowalski9504]

Excellent

[@dmytropetrenko930]

Thanks a lot, John! That’s what I need to improve my game.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem some of these core big ideas can completely change your game!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Oh is this Doc Petrenko? Hope you are doing well buddy! Hope I can come visit and see you guys soon! Has an amazing time in Kharkiv with you guys and really enjoyed the conversations.

[@dmytropetrenko930]

That’s me) Stas told me about your visit. Can’t wait when you come.

[@martinmyggestik292]

❤🎉 This is quality stuff!

[@squidface666]

great content thank you!

[@bubsgiust]

Great video! I start JJ this year and I have much trouble to mantain my guard, never thought in get some space and how this is important. I always start the row thinking to do a specific guard (close) and when this doesn't work i get snowballed. Don't have much flexibility to restart my guard when someone get on my side, if I get more space is much easier. Thanks

[@LagMasterSam]

You talked about grabbing space, setting space, and centering. That's actually why e4 is considered the best opening move in chess. With e4, white makes the first move to attack and defend the maximum amount of the most important central space first. Humans have thought this for a long time and AI seems to agree. Of course, people play other moves first because they want to force their opponent to think and react in different lines. High level chess requires a lot of preparation and study to not lose in the first 5-20 moves, so people have to be prepared for the proper responses to other less optimal opening moves. If everyone just played e4, everyone would only prepare for that. As for AI, it's often forced to play other openings just to see how it does. If you didn't force AI to play a particular opening, it would always go e4 with the white pieces.

[@rickkerr2899]

very useful, thank you

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help!

[@TheDexp]

Thanks for video! Although I already understand that I need to keep distance from my partner, I manage to do this for only first several seconds of sparring. Afterwards my partner closes in and constantly attacks me, until he passes guard. I understand my mistakes much later, when trying to remember details of these sparrings. Still can't incorporate these theoretical principles in my practice.

[@bradford5681]

So good!