Judo to Groundwork

Judo's throwing principles applied to BJJ. Kuzushi through takedowns and guard passes, into osaekomi pins, and on to submissions.

Flow outline

  1. Comp Game Plan Gi Points Centered

    • Once set, the strategic foundation: set kuzushi from standing, transition to ne-waza with control, and advance through dominant positions to secure the submission. points are secondary to proper technique and position

  2. Ankle Pick

    • Key detail: a sutemi-waza principle applied low: break the opponent's base by attacking the supporting leg, creating an opening to enter into groundwork. don’t force it

  3. Arm Drag

    • Most of the time Using kuzushi by pulling the opponent's arm across their body, disrupting their posture and creating an angle for back control or takedown entry

  4. Lift Foot And Inside Trip

    • From here, combination technique: first lift to break balance (tsurikomi), then apply an inside trip (uchi mata principle) to bring the opponent to the mat with control

  5. Maintain Control And Outside Trip

    • From here, usually keep kuzushi throughout the movement, then execute an outside trip (osoto gari principle) to take the opponent down while preserving positional advantage. don’t force it

  6. High Step Guard Passing Into Knee On Belly

    • Applying ashi-waza principles to pass guard: use high stepping movements to break the guard player's base, then transition to knee on belly (tate shiho gatame variation) for dominant control

  7. Knee Cut Into Side Control

    • Usually Direct passing method: cut through the guard with knee pressure (similar to entering for seoi nage), establishing kesa gatame or yoko shiho gatame position. Switch if it stalls

  8. Body Lock Into Mount

    • Key detail: secure a tight body lock (similar to preparation for ura nage), then transition directly to mount (kami shiho gatame) for maximum positional dominance

  9. Win Back Control

    • Key detail: secure the opponent's back (ushiro kesa gatame position), controlling both hooks and upper body to set up submissions or transitions

  10. Fight For Mount

    • Battle for superior positioning, using kuzushi and weight distribution to achieve kami shiho gatame, the most dominant pinning position in ne-waza

  11. Jump On Back

    • If they frame, usually explosive transition to back control when the opponent presents their back, similar to following through on a failed throw attempt

  12. Crab Ride

    • Key detail: if it shows up, unorthodox control position from the back, using leg hooks and upper body control to keep dominance and set up transitions or submissions

  13. Mat Return

    • returning the opponent to the mat with control after they attempt to stand, maintaining positional advantage throughout the movement

  14. Open Guard

    • The opponent's guard without closed legs: keep proper distance and posture (shizen hontai), using ashi-waza principles to pass while avoiding entanglement. Switch if it stalls

  15. Closed Guard

    • Once set, the opponent has closed their legs around you: focus on breaking their posture (kuzushi), creating space, and standing or opening the guard to advance position. angle matters

  16. Double Leg

    • most of the time classical morote gari: attack both legs simultaneously, driving through with proper form to secure the takedown and immediate positional control

  17. High Step Guard Passing

    • Once set, usually using high, controlled steps to navigate past the guard player's defenses, maintaining balance and pressure throughout the passing sequence

  18. Submit

    • The culmination of proper kuzushi and positional control: apply shime-waza or kansetsu-waza from a dominant position to secure victory

Branch conditions