Invisible Jiu-Jitsu: The Power Of Connection

As I learn more and evolve my Jiu-Jitsu, it becomes more apparent that the moves and techniques are all well and good but the real powerful Jiu-Jitsu comes from feel; the appropriate application of weight in the right spot, at the right angle, with the perfect amount of force, not too much but just enough to achieve desired results. Connection between you and the attacker in the appropriate spots and the correct application of weight will make your opponent feel miserable in all positions, top and bottom, till they give up something or make a mistake allowing you to escape or capitalise on the situation. I can't tell you how many times people have had what they thought was a perfect choke on me but end up burning their arms out trying to apply their strength into a choke that only requires 5lbs of pressure to work. I am not saying I am immune to chokes as I prefer to be choked effectively but I won’t tap unless I know it is working. You can be the most technical practitioner but if you lack the feel from your connection between you and your opponent you are missing the secret power of Jiu-Jitsu that the masters rarely talk about because a lot of the time the BJJ public are not ready and it will end up confusing those people. This is why they may come off condescending by dumbing down the explanation for us mere mortals and it is hard to see them get comfortable with us in the Jiu-Jitsu community. I have had the pleasure of spending a bit of time traveling with Professor Pedro Sauer and the depth of knowledge he has in Jiu-Jitsu seems infinite. I have had a glimpse at the knowledge the masters have and it really is on another level. Looking back with new eyes at old fights and interviews you start piecing together how deep it goes. The way you look at Jiu-Jitsu is changed forever and you can find new paths that you never would have considered before. Rickson Gracie’s Invisible Jiu-Jitsu is all about this, Invisible Jiu-Jitsu being where the “details can be so small you don’t notice them, but you can really feel it”. (Source: http://www.mybjj.com.au/what-is-invisible-jiu-jitsu). But I feel there is deeper knowledge. You can learn invisible Jiu-Jitsu for just specific moves or situations which is great but at a deeper level, if you understand the concept of connection and feel, your invisible Jiu-Jitsu will work in all situations and you will not need to learn the specific invisible Jiu-Jitsu move for every situation and position.

Rickson Gracie and Pedro Sauer after presenting me with my purple belt.