Master the Battlefield: Turn Your BJJ into Asymmetrical Warfare
Turning Technique into Tactical Domination
Choke Point Chronicles is where strategy meets storytelling. Each post explores the tactics, psychology, and culture of Jiu-Jitsu, written for students and coaches who want to train with intention and think deeper about the art.
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E31 | Bonus Ep - The Weight I finally Learned To Carry
Master the Battlefield: Turn Your BJJ into Asymmetrical Warfare
I often try to equate or compare Jiu-Jitsu to subjects that people can relate to. Sometimes it’s Chess, a video game, or even a movie a saw. Jiu-Jitsu unfortunately can be complicated and finding those connections can help students understand specific aspects of the art.
Since I’m was in military and often work with Law Enforcement, some of the principles of combat and war relate really well to the tenets of what we do in Jiu-Jitsu.
Tenets Combat
Control The Terrain - I have a student who’s fantastic at North South. He recently put me there and I had the hardest time escaping. The following roll about a week or so later went completely different. I refused to let him get to his best position, forcing him to have to fight from where he’s weaker. Terrain is vitally important in this art. Whoever controls it, will usually get to the submission.
Force Decision Through Discomfort - This works in connection to Divide and Conquer. The goal being to create choke points in both their ability to move, along with their decision making ability. Your job is to offer bad and worse case scenarios, then take what they give you.
Deception and Feints - I will routinely lie to you during a roll. I’ll leave openings and present false attacks, all while waiting for the most common responses and taking advantage of them. If I can present a threat, real or otherwise, and entice you to respond a certain, it makes my life a bit easier. I don’t have to force things.
Economy of Force - You ever outpace yourself during a roll? It’s happen to all of us and sometimes we can’t help it. I like to roll at a pace that allows me to roll for as long as is needed. That doesn’t always happen though, as some training partners have the ability to push the pace and push me further than I’d like.
Initiative and Momentum - One of the biggest mistakes that is often made during rounds is the relaxed approach of the early engagement. We’re casual with our grips and will allow for bad starting positions. This often becomes our detriment. The goal should be to hand fight early and establish a dominant position from the onset. That puts both mental and physical pressure on your opponent.
Adaptability - I remember I had a training partner who’s A-Game was stellar. They had this ability to implement and dominate from the onset. Their weak point was when the round took a turn that they didn’t anticipate. I could feel the the tension and frustration build in their body, which often lead to other mistakes.
Divide and Conquer - I remember hearing the phrase, "You don’t fight the whole person, you dismantle them one part at a time.” For the smaller grappler specifically, we’ll never be stronger than a good percentage of our opponents. The goals is to isolated weaker body parts, and keeping them from any possible reinforcements. Like when you isolate an arm, do your best not to allow them to gain a defensive grip to their other hand for example.
Preserve Morale - Your ability to remain calm during the rough patches will allow you to overcome those storms and mount valid responses to the issues. When you get down on yourself for mistakes you make, your taking up vital mental resources away from defending what comes next.
We will often look at Jiu-Jitsu as just a sport, separating from the rules of battle, but it’s all connected.
Thank you for reading.
David Figueroa-Martinez
Owner, 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!
Economy of Force may be the single biggest divider at the highest level. After a certain point, it's not a matter of building athleticism--most people think black belts are physical specimens--but if you watch two of them roll, often their physical skills neutralize one another. It's often the case that whoever is more efficient wins out in the long run.