Jiu Jitsu can be complicated. Grab here, push there, loosen up, tighten up... huh? It's easy to get lost in all the details and specifics. In many ways, the details are what make Jiu Jitsu so powerful. Small adjustments in your movement and decisions can reap huge rewards. But the details can also seem overwhelming and hard to remember. It's important to keep all the details and steps in the context of your bigger picture goals. Whenever we start a new positional series, I always try to define what these goals are. All the techniques and we learn from there are always within the context of accomplishing those goals. But let's step back, and keep it simple.
For all the action in Jiu Jitsu these are your goals. Technique aside, if you keep these goals in mind you will always have a pathway to advance.
Deny Their Grips
Grappling begins at the hands. You want to get towards body connection, but you have to get there first. If you are constantly denying someone's ability to grab you, then they will have an incredibly hard time getting control of you. This is true for stand up, guard passing, top game, or bottom game. If they can't control you, you will have a lot easier time controlling them.
Chase The Back
The back should be a primary goal no matter what position you are in. When you are on someone's back all their frames are pointed away from you. You have very strong offensive options, and they have virtually none. Can you see the back? Then you can take the back. If you can't see the back, get behind the elbows. Then you can gain access to the back.
Point The Legs Away
When passing guard, look to direct their feet and knees away from you. To either side of you, to both sides of you, to the ceiling, or to the floor. The guard is dependent on using feet and knees to prevent you from getting connection to the upper body. Point the legs away to deny your opponent these frames.
Get On Top, Stay On Top
I get it. The guard looks cool. It's pretty fun too. It's also an inherently defensive position. We develop effective guard games in Jiu Jitsu not to stay there, but to get the heck out of there. You need to spend time in the gym developing your guard game, but when it matters most, get on top, and stay on top.
Frames First
Everything above failed? Chances are you are now playing defense. When looking to escape a pin always get frames first. Your elbows create a frame. Your hips create space. Your knee fills the space, and you are back in business. If you try to create space without frames, your opponent will just move back in and get connection. Frames first, then escape.
That's it. Jiu Jitsu in a nutshell. Keep these goals in mind and you will always have a plan to succeed.