What’s the most important skill in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Is it a certain submission technique that will make you so much better at tapping people out? Is it knowing how to defend and escape from as many situations as possible? Or is it the mindset, that will enable you to keep training even when you don’t want to?
Well, it could be argued that all of these skills are extremely important…
But you won’t get to any of them without the most vital one: staying safe.
Because, if you don’t stay safe – if you’re injured and cannot train (either at all or to your full potential), then your training is going to suffer.
John Danaher explains more:
The first concern you must always address is avoiding needless self injury.
So, learning to tap early to submissions, learning to relax your body to give way to force rather than confront it head on every time, learning the correct body postures to keep yourself safe under heavy physical pressure, these are all truly essential skills.
He continues:
Remember always that the number one reason for extended time off the mat and detailed training programs is injury – so learning the essential skills of lowering risk of self injury is a big part of continued progress over time.
Just as every doctor begins his career with the adage “first, do no harm”, so too the jiu jitsu player must begin his career with the adage “first, avoid self harm” and learn the simple but vital skills of physical self preservation on the mat.
View this post on Instagram
