If you’ve been threading along your Jiu-Jitsu path for quite some time now, perhaps an idea of specialization has crossed your mind. That is: you might’ve come to a point where you want to specialize in one type of submissions or another.
But should you do this? Should you specialize in one type of subs in your BJJ game?
Generally speaking, you should. Here is why and what you need to pay attention to.
DO NOT SPECIALIZE AT WHITE OR BLUE BELT
It’s important that you don’t go for specialization too early. Until you earn your purple belt, your goal should be to aim for a good development of your overall Jiu-Jitsu – in all of its positions, escapes, transitions, and submissions.
At this stage, you need to develop a solid understanding of what the whole of Jiu-Jitsu has to offer. You need to be able to do something from every position, be it a defensive or an offensive one.
Only after your grappling reaches this level of understanding, should you seek to specialize.
DON’T „FORGET“ OTHER ASPECTS OF YOUR JIU-JITSU
Specializing in one type of submissions doesn’t mean that you’re supposed to forego and forget other techniques… Nor any of the other aspects of your BJJ game.
While you’re actively working on the improvement of that one sub, put in the time (and effort!) into your continuous development.
Getting really good at the Rear Naked Choke won’t save you from being Crossfaced!
THE SEARCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES
As you aim for that one single submission, you’ll be trying to get it from all sorts of different setups. In other words, you’ll learn how to be on the search for opportunities in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Your mind will sharpen, your instincts will become more refined… And not just in regards to nailing that one technique; as a by-product, this opportunity-searching skill will transfer into the entirety of your grappling.
TYING IN OTHER SUBMISSIONS AND SETUPS
Furthermore, as you work to specialize in one type of subs, you’ll learn how to use other setups and submissions to your advantage.
You’ll figure out how to tie these other techniques together – in such a way that they’ll culminate with the one that you’re working on.
EFFORT AND DETAILS MATTER
Sooner or later, you’ll find out that getting really proficient at just one submission isn’t as easy as it seemed to be. That there are so many things that you need to be focused on and work on… That every technique is, indeed, an universe to be explored!
With that, you’ll develop an appreciation for the importance of effort in BJJ. You’ll have to work hard towards the refinement of that sub all the time, if you wish to improve in it continuously.
What’s more, you’ll begin to truly understand just how much the details matter. You’ll never run out of minutia that requires improvement; and so, your hunger for putting in the required effort will increase as well.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SPECIALIZE IN
If this is the „first“ time you’re specializing, be careful what your submission of choice will be. Don’t choose something like a Wristlock, but choose a submission that branches out into other domains of BJJ as much as possible.
The best example of this is the Kimura. You don’t necessarily have to finish the Kimura in order to win the match; instead, you can use it to set up other submissions and transitions, such as a Backtake.
The bottom line is that, even though you’re specializing, don’t get tunnel vision. Other opportunities for the tap will present themselves to you – take them.
There you have it, now you see the effectiveness of a strong Kimura grip and the versatility of it. If you want to take your Kimura game to the next level check out Robson “MAU-MAU” Lima’s 3 DVD set, “The Kimura System.”
