Cornerstone Basics

It’s easy to overlook certain fundamentals in grappling, and one of the most common temptations is to downplay the importance of grips. However, there’s a reason why our professors constantly remind us to focus on this seemingly minor aspect of the game—grip control is a cornerstone of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, influencing nearly every technique we apply, both offensively and defensively.

The ability to establish, break, and adjust grips is crucial to your success on the mat. Grips aren’t just about holding onto your opponent; they control the direction of movement, limit your opponent’s options, and create opportunities for you to advance. Whether you’re passing guard, setting up a sweep, or transitioning to a submission, grips are often the key factor that makes the difference between success and failure.

When you’re stuck in a technique or struggling with a particular position, it’s easy to focus on what you’re doing with your hips, legs, or upper body, but often the real issue lies in grip management. The right grip at the right time can instantly improve your leverage, posture, or control. Conversely, a poor grip—or neglecting grips altogether—can leave you vulnerable to counters, sweeps, or submissions.

Next time a movement feels clunky or ineffective, pause and reassess your grip strategy. Are you gripping in the right place? Is your opponent controlling you through their grip? Sometimes, the key isn’t to fight harder, but to release a grip that’s working against you or to break your opponent’s hold that’s limiting your movement. Grips aren’t static; they need to be constantly adjusted based on the situation.

For instance, in the example of a pass entry. (The post image), Professor Canudo demonstrates the critical role of grip breaking. By successfully breaking his opponent’s cross-collar grip, he not only frees himself from their control but also significantly improves his posture, allowing him to maintain better balance and dictate the pace of the pass. This grip break is the first of several important details that make the knee-cut pass effective. Without this grip control, the pass might fail, or worse, open up opportunities for the opponent to counter.

So, next time you find yourself stuck, frustrated, or unable to execute a technique cleanly, take a moment to evaluate your grips—whether you need to establish, adjust, break, or let go entirely. Mastering grip control is essential, and over time, you’ll see how this “small” detail can unlock the true potential of your game.