Greetings Grapplers,

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again, “forcing techniques is the primary cause for injuries, whether we’re on the ground or going for takedowns.”

Jiu-jitsu should only be hard in two cases: one, if you are doing the technique wrong, and two, if your opponent is doing the technique better than you.

If you have to 'force' any technique, including takedowns, you are doing Jiu-jitsu wrong.

This means that you are not making use of leverage properly or you are using an incorrect technique for the given situation.

We should never have to force takedowns or any other techniques.

I would like to offer some solutions that can help us stay efficient on the path to complete grappling.

And again, let’s connect this with ground grappling concepts you are already familiar with.

So, here's the real secret: Options.

Simply put, the more options you have available to you, the less likely you will be to 'force' a technique.

Instead of trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole, we can choose the right technique for the right situation.

It's all about being versatile.

We learn multiple pathways to get to our opponent’s back while ground grappling, but we think one or two takedowns are going to work for all standing situations.

Just as we have alternative methods of transitioning to the mount position on our opponent, we should have multiple ways of transitioning from standing to the ground.

Those methods should fit the given situation, stance, and posture.

Ideally, you should have a preferred takedown for each of the 8 directions of off-balancing.

You should have multiple variations, combinations, and counter-attacks.

Those takedowns should also take into consideration the level of risk.

If I miss this takedown, what is the best or worst possible outcome?

Will I lose position?

What is my plan B?"

Reverse engineer from the ground up to the takedown that would make that transition smoothly.

Practice those scenarios and look objectively at how to avoid forcing a technique.

Remember, if you have to force it, it isn’t really Jiu-jitsu.

And remember, when you learn one technique you know one technique.
When you learn a concept you know a thousand techniques.

See you on the flipside. - Larry Keith