How I Formulate Game Plans
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How I Formulate Game Plans
One of the biggest struggles for students is understanding or implementing a game plan. Opponents are resisting, they’re often more advanced, or even larger than us.
Your ability to get better at Jiu-Jitsu quicker, will depend on the systems that you can create for yourself. In the beginner, those systems are going to be very basic, but over time it’ll become more eloquent and sophisticated.
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The Chess Analogy
A while back I learned how to play chess for the first time. I knew of the game, even owned a little magnetic chess set, but never actually learned how to play.
At the time I worked for at a Warehouse and one day someone brought in a chess set. I watched two of my coworkers playing the game, with what I knew was some skill. They obviously had some sore of game plan and strategy.
Unfortunately, I did not understand the pieces or even the strategy but I did know that there was purpose to their choices.
Knowing The Pieces
In order to build any kind of game plan, a rough outline or a more detailed one, you have to know how things work. You need to know the difference between the pawns, rooks, bishops, knights, and the king and queen.
They all play different roles, along with having individual strengths and weaknesses. Not to mention there’s an intrinsic value to each, to the specific game, and to any given player’s overall strategy.
Your job early is to do your best to understand the positions and the available pieces.
You cannot develop a game without understanding how the techniques work.
Application To Movement
While static drilling works for learning techniques and what they can do in terms of remembering where aspects of your body should go, physical application of movement is what will cement your understanding.
This comes from live rolling or drilling. So using Situational Sparring or the Ecological approach can really help you truly understand the application of a technique, not just the steps.
You’ll grow your understanding of the why along with the timing necessary to pull off the technique.
Making Connections
Jiu-Jitsu is very plug and play. It can be as unique and diverse as any player would like it to be. One of the best things that you can do for yourself when accessing your game is to to do a mind map or flow chart.
Get a piece of paper and draw a circle and inside of that circle, write a position that you want to review. For the example, lets go with Closed Guard. I’d draw a line that’s connected to another circle, and in that one write Collar Choke.
The match could finish there, but lets say it doesn’t. Draw another line along with another circle, and write a follow up option. It could be Scissor Sweep or even Hip Bump Sweep.
In spaces where you don’t have viable options, that’s where the void in your game is. You’re going to need to develop that area at some point in order to feel more comfortable.
Not all areas deserve your attention. You might decide that your Half Guard is a higher priority than your Closed Guard. Address the positions that you find yourself in most.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, building out systems for yourself isn’t easy. It does take time and it is a process that students need to take responsibility for. It is your game, no one else’s, so make it your own.
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Thank you for reading.
David Figueroa-Martinez
Founder, DFM Coaching
Coach | Writer | Grappler
DFM Coaching is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!