What Can Judoka Learn From BJJ, Part 2 - Playing Different Game

Judoka, in general, are not properly tuned for the BJJ game on the ground.
BJJ players fight from the back, they are slower, they have better developed set of combinations into submission and they, in general, have shaper focus on winning by submissions.

So what should we Judoka learn from BJJers, but more importantly what should judoka do to make a difference on the ground?



1. Follow the throw-pin-submit pattern. I’ve seen many judoka get stuck into BJJ game by pulling or fighting guard and getting raveled into a intricate web of BJJ setups. Unless you are experienced at BJJ ground game execute the different strategy. Always look to throw hard and to seize the strong pin after the throw (unless opportunity for submission is too obvious).

2. Throw. We are trained to use some of the best weapons you can use in submission grappling – throws, so must leverage them to the maximum. Focus on throws that have significant effect. Use makekomi versions, use big and bold, upper body restraining throws such as harai goshi, osoto gari, uchi mata.



3. Go for Simple. Train and go for techniques that work well in Judo. Do not try to beat BJJ players at their best game on the ground. Do not try to emulate some complicated techniques you see on "BJJ From Brown to Black" tapes when you will be far better of at sticking to simple, effective and very well developed Judo techniques such as Juji Jime, Ude Garami, Okuri Eri Jime and similar than experimenting with rubber guards and gogoplatas. (you should, however, be familiar with as many of these tricky BJJ techniques as possible since you can be up for a nasty surprise). Even BJJ legend, Rickson Gracie, recommends his students to stay with the basics - they are proven to work.


Next time I will go into details of some of the more specific Judo techniques that work well when applied in the context of submission grappling.