Alignment is Everything:

Alignment is the foundation upon which all techniques are built. Whether you are defending, attacking, or transitioning, your alignment dictates your success and safety in a given position.

Consider the closed guard. Here, Master Carlson’s impeccable alignment makes him feel immovable. His posture remains solid and controlled, allowing him to neutralize any threats from his opponent while maintaining the flexibility to open the guard and advance his position without fear of sweeps or submissions. His understanding of alignment creates a balance between stability and mobility—a hallmark of mastery.

On the flip side, the bottom player must also prioritize alignment. If you wish to sweep or submit your opponent, you must first maintain your own alignment. This stability enables you to work methodically, breaking your opponent’s posture—disrupting their alignment—so they become vulnerable to your attacks. Without proper alignment, your attacks will lack precision and your defense will crumble.

The key takeaway is simple: if you want to feel safe in any position, master your alignment in that position. Then, learn to move while maintaining that alignment. Conversely, if you want to launch a successful sweep or submission, you must ensure that your opponent is out of alignment.

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, alignment is truly everything.