A consistent theme you will see in my advice to white belts is to slow down and problem solve the situation. Problem solving the challenges you face in front of you is the pathway towards understanding Jiu Jitsu, becoming a technical practitioner, and relating your practice to life. The challenge when you begin Jiu Jitsu is that you need to a) develop this problem solving habit, but b) you don't have a lot of technical knowledge yet to help you along the way. This challenge can be overcome by asking yourself a set of basic questions that apply to virtually everything we do in Jiu Jitsu. No technique required.
Who Has Inside Positional Control?
Inside position generally refers to the space between the elbows and knees. If you imagine someone laying on their back with knees and elbows up. The shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees create a cube of space. That space is the inside position. If you are on the offense, you need to get into that space by getting past the knees and elbows. If you are on defense, you need to maintain that space by fighting to keep your knees and elbows in front of your opponent.
Do I Need To Break A Grip?
The grip fighting battle can be complex. Generally speaking, you do not want to allow your opponent to get their hands on you, because that contact is likely going to control you. Conversely, you can be distracted by ineffective grips. Is the grip controlling you? Is it framing you out, pulling you forward, or threatening a choke? This is the test as to whether or not you need to break the grip
Do I Need To Change A Grip?
So, grips are seemingly pretty important here. They are our engagement phase, they support our frames, they help create our kuzushi, and usually help us finish our submissions. Establishing strong grips is important, but grips should also be fluid. Is your grip serving you well? Don’t tunnel vision on a grip. Even great grips need to change once their purpose has been served.
Do I Need To Change The Height, Angle, Or Distance Of My Hips?
The positioning, movement, and angle of our hips defines much of our position. It also defines the direction that our legs can move, and our knee frames can be effective. Changing the parameters around your hips can change the nature of the challenge in front of you.
Do I Need To Change The Height, Angle, Or Distance Of My Shoulders?
Yup, shoulders are important too. In both scenarios, shoulders and hips, these body regions define what I can do with my elbows and knees, which defines our inside control. Do you have inside control? See what I did there?
Problems Solved?
These are the questions without the answers, but if you ask yourself these questions every day you will have solved a big challenge and begin training your mind to lead your Jiu Jitsu. Slow down, think them through, reflect on them on your drive home, ask your teammates and coaches. This is the way.