BASIC TECHNIQUES

There are at least two reasons to practice basic techniques (like the bridging mount escape, shrimping your hips to escape side mount, the technical stand up, etc.)

The first reason is that these techniques just plain WORK. Whitebelts with two months experience use them. BJJ world champions use them. UFC fighters win fights in the Octagon with them.

The more you practice these basic techniques then the faster and smoother you'll be able to do them. Eventually you'll use the basics automatically and without thought, as natural as breathing.

The second reason is that these techniques train and strengthen MOVEMENT PATTERNS. You can then use these movement patterns for other techniques.

For example, using a bridging escape to get out of mount strengthens your hip bridge. You will use this hip bridge to escape just about every other pinning position. In addition, your hip bridge also provides the power for many submissions, many takedowns and even some guard passes.

The better your bridging mount escape, the better your hip bridge. The better your bridge, the better your grappling.

Another example is shrimping your hips. This movement is an essential part of many side mount escapes, but it is also the core movement for setting up attacks from the guard, escaping positions other than side mount, and preventing your guard from getting passed in the first place.

A final example for today is the basic stand up motion. The stand up is used all the time to get back to your feet from the bottom, but I also use this exact motion on a daily basis in scrambles and to finish sweeps from X Guard.

Don't worry if you don't know what I'm talking about with X Guard sweep finishes - you will in time! (And if you do know then pat yourself on the back). The takehome message here is simply that if your basics are rock solid then it'll be easy for you to pick up and add advanced variations and techniques to your jiu-jitsu arsenal down the road.

The basics work, but they also make advanced techniques work.

Stephan Kesting