At its most basic level, the foundation of Jiu Jitsu is movement. A key component to any student’s progression is having a fundamental understanding of body mechanics. By providing students with a comprehensive knowledge of body awareness, and its relationship with a specific technique, we can help provide a deeper, clearer understanding of all technical applications of the art.
However it’s important to understand that moving without proper technique or purpose can be just as detrimental to no movement at all. One of the central tenants of Jiu Jitsu is efficiency. As such, we must consistently practice these movements like any other technique in our training regimen to ensure we are maximizing their effectiveness.
Over the next few months we will be breaking down some core movements.
We will be focusing primarily on proper technical execution of the movement and discussing its intended application in the context of Jiu Jitsu.
The first movement we will discuss is the bridge.
The bridge is one of the most important foundational movements a student should master. The bridge is a key component in understanding the transfer of weight. An effective bridge provides an understanding of how to create space and move when trapped in the bottom position. It also applies to attacking. Understanding the technicalities of the bridge and its many applications will put you on the right path wherever you are in your Jiu Jitsu journey.
In the following video we will show the 3 core bridging movements. Beginning with a simple hip elevation, then moving into bridging with a step over, and bridging with a step under.
The main purpose of these three options is to improve your ability to escape from underneath your opponent. This month’s focus is on understanding the correct technique and then drilling correctly.
Being stuck on the bottom is challenging enough. We don’t want to make it worse by wasting energy on improper movement. Understanding the proper body mechanic, its practical application, and proper timing makes being on the bottom much less overwhelming.
While it’s not a magic pill that suddenly makes all your escaping problems disappear, It will certainly increase your chances for success.