Exploiting the gaps
When you’re in a bad position (e.g., bottom of side control or mount), the first goal is always to stay composed and avoid panic. At this stage, your focus is on defending effectively, not giving up more control, and being aware of your opponent’s movements. As you develop your composure, you begin to recognize that even in seemingly tight situations, there are always small gaps—slight spaces or moments of less pressure. These gaps are the key to survival initially, but they can also be turned into opportunities for more dynamic actions like escapes and reversals.
Turning Gaps into Opportunities
Once you’ve become proficient at surviving under pressure, you can shift your attention from merely defending to actively exploiting these gaps. This means transitioning from passive defense to a more aggressive, proactive approach. Rather than just using the space to alleviate pressure and breathe, you now use it to initiate movement.
For example, an athlete notices a small gap, maybe the opponent’s hips are slightly raised or there’s a slight shift in weight distribution. It’s not much, but they recognize that small space as enough to begin his escape. He doesn’t require a lot of space to start—just enough to initiate a move.
• A spin or pitch under the opponent: He uses the gap to rotate his body. This kind of movement is often seen in techniques like a granby roll or shrimping movements, where the bottom person moves to change the angle of engagement or to create more space.
• Wedges: When you insert a part of your body—like a knee, elbow, or hand—between yourself and your opponent to create more distance and control, preventing them from closing the gap again. By doing so, you start to break down an opponent’s control while simultaneously improving your position.
The Sweet Spot
The goal of exploiting these small gaps is to find a balance—a sweet spot—where you’re no longer completely trapped under your opponent, but you’re also not so far away that you can’t engage effectively. From here, you’ve created enough distance to regain mobility and freedom of movement, but you’re still close enough to launch a counter-attack or advance your position.
This is a strategic position, because:
• Mobility: By creating just enough space, you’ve improved your ability to move, pivot, and change angles, allowing you to initiate sweeps, submissions, or escapes.
• Proximity for attack: While you’re more mobile, you’re still close enough to your opponent to take advantage of their mistakes. Whether it’s transitioning to a better guard position (like half guard or full guard) or even reversing the situation entirely, you’re always within striking distance.
In essence, the sweet spot represents a dynamic equilibrium—where you’re safe, but not passive. You’re actively looking for opportunities to improve your situation while maintaining enough space to maneuver.
This is a key concept in BJJ, as it embodies the transition from being purely defensive to blending defense with attack—using the smallest details to shift the momentum in your favor.