The Gracie Way - by Niko han

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu imitates nature, by imitating animal’s movements when they fight, rather than imitating how they act, which many of the traditional eastern martial arts tend to do. BJJ always tries to find the most effective and efficient way to defeat the larger and more powerful attack, always using the path of least resistance.

What typically happens with most of the bigger and stronger guys, because they are stronger than all the other students, they end up out powering their training partners and therefore never learn how to utilize correct technique. This is the reason why these students have to be forced and force themselves to use technique over power in order to learn the Gentle Art.

The most effective way to make sure a student utilizes correct technique is to wear the gi. The reason for this is because the gi does not allow you to power out of positions and submissions, therefore the student is forced to use technique over power. It’s the only way to learn BJJ the correct way.

When it comes to making space, you need to bridge into the area that you are trying to create the space before you shrimp, whether its escaping or defending a position or submission, then immediately push off your opponent in order to shrimp and escape your hips out, while you are defending submissions and maintaining position. By bridging and shrimping your hips, bouncing them back and forth, you will be able to create enough space to escape to a neutral position, such as the closed guard or back up to your feet, or sweep, submit or stand back up, always trying to utilize the opponent's energy to your advantage.

Bram's note: Special thanks to Niko Han for allowing me to post this on my blog.