In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, new white belts often rely heavily on their strength and physicality, leading upper belts to frequently remind them to focus on technique over muscle. This approach to skill-based grappling underscores the core philosophy of BJJ—relying on leverage and position rather than raw strength. But there’s an interesting twist: even seasoned practitioners sometimes appear to use strength, albeit with a notable difference in their approach.

As BJJ world champion Bernardo Faria explains, the art of utilizing strength is more nuanced. Faria himself, a five-time champion known for his effective technique and undeniable power, was once told by some of his teammates that he relied “too much on strength.” This feedback led him to question his approach, prompting him to seek advice from his instructor.

Faria recounts his instructor’s response: “Are you getting tired when you roll using strength?” Faria replied that he could roll repeatedly without tiring out, indicating his strength use was sustainable. His instructor’s advice was straightforward: “Continue what you’re doing. If you’re gassing out, then use more technique.”

This wisdom points to an important realization in BJJ: using strength isn’t necessarily wrong if it’s well-directed and doesn’t compromise endurance. When practitioners reach a certain level, they gain the ability to blend strength and technique seamlessly, creating the impression of a much stronger physical presence than they may actually have. Faria’s story underscores that technique and strength are not opposites; instead, strength can complement technique when used wisely, as long as it doesn’t detract from one’s stamina or positional strategy.

Bernardo explains more in the video below:

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