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Should You Move Fast Or Slow In A Jiu-Jitsu Match?

Should You Move Fast Or Slow In A Jiu-Jitsu Match?

Written by Gile Huni., a 3rd degree BJJ black belt and head instructor at Kimura BJJ Serbia 

The pace of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match can be grueling. Between the scrambles, the fight for position, and the constant interplay of submission attempts and defenses, it’s no wonder that exhaustion often becomes the biggest opponent.

But here’s the secret: knowing when to slow down and relax can make all the difference between burning out and taking control.

The Importance of Relaxation at the Right Time

When you’ve secured a dominant position that allows you to relax while simultaneously forcing your opponent into maximum physical and mental stress, that’s your moment to take a breather.

Think about it—when your opponent is carrying your weight, struggling to escape, and burning through their energy reserves, they’re doing all the work. This is when you let the clock work for you. Not only are you conserving your energy, but you’re also amplifying the stress on your opponent.

The Art of Asymmetry in Work Rate

The most efficient use of time in BJJ is when you create an asymmetry in effort: your opponent is working hard, while you’re calm and composed. This dynamic isn’t just a survival strategy—it’s a game-changing approach. By doing less and forcing your opponent to do more, you can wear down even the toughest adversaries.

That’s why it’s crucial to recognize the moments when you need to engage and push the pace versus when you can ease up. This balance is the key to preserving your endurance and breaking your opponent’s will.

Introducing Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: Slow Down, Stay in Control

This approach aligns perfectly with my Sloth Jiu-Jitsu system, a methodical style I’ve developed over decades of training and competing. Sloth Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about being lazy—it’s about being deliberate. It teaches you to apply tight pressure, control, and patience to completely dominate your opponent while conserving your energy.

The beauty of Sloth Jiu-Jitsu lies in its focus on slowing down the game, minimizing unnecessary movement, and forcing your opponent to fight at your pace. You don’t need speed or explosiveness to succeed—you need control, timing, and the ability to exploit your opponent’s mistakes.

In Sloth Jiu-Jitsu, we emphasize positions like heavy pressure passing, quarter mount control, and tight pinning strategies where your opponent has to work overtime just to survive. Meanwhile, you’re relaxed, analyzing, and setting up your next move—without burning out.

Why Slowing Down Works

  1. Preserve Energy: By staying calm and slowing the pace, you save your energy for critical moments, like finishing submissions or escaping bad positions.
  2. Control the Tempo: A slower pace frustrates explosive, fast-paced opponents, forcing them to make mistakes out of impatience.
  3. Maximize Efficiency: You focus only on necessary movements, eliminating wasted energy while maintaining constant pressure.
  4. Drain Your Opponent: With proper pressure and control, your opponent works harder and gets exhausted faster, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.

Make the Clock Your Ally

When you embrace a methodical approach like Sloth Jiu-Jitsu, the match shifts in your favor. You’ll recognize when to stay active and when to ease off the gas, creating a tempo that benefits you. This isn’t just a survival tactic—it’s a strategy for domination.

So the next time you’re in a match, ask yourself: can I relax here? Can I make my opponent work harder while I preserve my energy? If the answer is yes, congratulations—you’ve just unlocked one of the most powerful strategies in Jiu-Jitsu.

Ready to slow down and still kick butt? My Sloth Jiu-Jitsu instructional teaches you how to turn the pace of the match into your greatest weapon. Train smart, conserve energy, and dominate your opponents—without ever breaking a sweat.

Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.

Welcome to SLOTH Jiu-jitsu – the ultimate programme for conserving energy, utilising body weight and taking your time! An especially effective strategy for older or less athletic competitors, but suitable and highly recommended for all jiu-jitsu practitioners. 12 chapters taught in person by 3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt Gile Huni.