In a recent Instagram post, John Danaher broke down one of the most valuable aspects of training in Jiu-Jitsu: the immediate feedback loop built into the art itself.
According to Danaher, Jiu-Jitsu has a built-in truth detector – one that doesn’t require long explanations or theory.
Simply put, “when a hold is poorly applied you can literally feel its feebleness”, and your opponent will brush it off with ease.
But when a submission is applied correctly – when the alignment, pressure, and mechanics are dialed in – it’s unmistakable.
Even a white belt knows they’re in danger.
This is what makes Jiu-Jitsu such a powerful and honest learning system.
Mistakes are rarely hidden. They reveal themselves in real time, forcing practitioners to adapt and evolve.
“In this sense, the game is self-correcting”, Danaher explains.
Every adjustment made on the mats has a tangible effect. If it works, it sticks. If not, it gets discarded.
As students gain more experience, Danaher notes, they develop a sharper eye.
What once required physical feedback can now be seen from across the room.
A veteran practitioner doesn’t need to feel a submission to know if it’s on – they can spot its effectiveness just by watching the mechanics.
Danaher emphasizes the importance of learning that “unmistakable feeling of effective application”.
Whether you first encounter it in drilling or during live sparring, what matters is your ability to recognize it – and then replicate it across every skill in your arsenal.
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