Learning the basics is extremely important – the most important thing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. For, if you lack knowledge in how to execute basic techniques and setups, you will not be able to develop your game into anything significant. Therefore, learn the basics first before you try out anything else.
However, even as you get a good grasp on the basics, there’ll always be ways to refine them… Details, if you will, that will propel your Jiu-Jitsu further than you’d ever imagine. For example, here’s a “secret detail” to a tighter choke from the back, when using a collar – taught by Rickson Gracie.
RICKSON GRACIE’S SECRET DETAIL TO A TIGHTER CHOKE
Rickson demonstrates this setup from the situation when an opponent turns his back to you in an attempt to escape Mount. From here, if they’re defending the arm (thus not giving you Armbar options), you need to immediately open up their collar and feed it to your cross grip (beneath their neck).
Establish your second grip as well, either on the opponent’s second collar or high on their shoulder.
Now, what most BJJ students do from here is that they try to pull with all their might in order to get the choke. However, as they’re gripping the collar with all fingers, they’re not getting any torque on the submission.
So, the secret detail that Rickson teaches is to let go with the last couple of fingers in your choke. This will enable you to get more torque as you get the tap.
Watch Rickson explain this on the video below:
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