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Have you seen a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter seem to know every move his opponent is going to make beforehand? While that may seem like instinct, research demonstrates that the reason elite athletes make better decisions is because they process patterns faster and not because they have quicker reflexes. Understanding pattern recognition over raw speed allows grapplers to unlock a much higher technical ceiling.

It’s easy to think that improvement in BJJ consists of practicing more techniques, increasing your strength, or spending hours on the mat. While such activities can help, they do not always teach the athlete how to think during a competition.

Latin American football can offer valuable insight. The region has given birth to some of the most clever and original players who have mastered the art of positioning, anticipation, and energy management. The article below explains a few things that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can learn from soccer players

The Similarities Between Soccer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

At first observation, football and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu appear to be extremely different from each other. One sport requires a whole field with teammates, while the other only needs two players on the mat. However, both types of sports have something in common. They both require athletes to have smart and analytical minds.

The best football players do not just react to what is around them. Instead, they manage to direct the situation and influence it. Elite wrestlers do the same. They do not only fight for advantages, they create them.

If you do not know the names of legendary football players to learn from, check out a list of the best Latino soccer players here. Seeing how these athletes approached the game makes it easier to appreciate why their mindset translates so well to BJJ.

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, one of the easiest ways to squander your energy is by trying to overpower an opponent who is in a strong defensive position. It is a lesson that soccer players learn from the beginning of their careers. Instead of charging at the defender, they learn how to change angles until they find an opening.

The same works on the mat. Instead of trying to break through a guard, you should change your footwork, hip position, or shoulder position. Usually, all it takes is a slight change of angle to cancel out the opponent’s structure and pass almost effortlessly.

An easy way to practice is to begin in headquarters position and spend thirty seconds moving around without actually trying to pass the partner. Concentrate on finding better angles, and only once you find one should you pull off an attack.

Control Space Before You Chase the Submission

Great teams don’t dominate merely by possessing the ball for greater lengths of time. Ultimately, they control the spaces their rivals want to play in. Experienced wrestlers succeed in positional control. Before they set out to attempt a submission, they make sure to do the following:

• Take away all escape routes

• Restrict movement

• Systematically diminish the space available to their opponent

Once space is effectively erased, the final submission becomes a smooth outcome rather than a chaotic scramble. You can train this mindset by starting in half guard and spending sixty seconds denying your partner full guard recovery. Avoid rushing the finish, and focus entirely on maintaining heavy positional weight.

Train Your Mind Alongside Your Technique

The most important thing that BJJ can take away from Latin American soccer is not a technique but a way of thinking. The best players in the region managed to gain their reputation based on intelligence, creativity, patience, and understanding of the space.

These characteristics are equally helpful while training. While you are continuing your training process, it will be wise to broaden your way of thinking and take your mind off a submission or a sweep you want to perform.

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