The ABCs of Jiu Jitsu — the first techniques to learn — should provide order for the development of all skills.
All schools teach armbars, butterfly sweeps and chokes as the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu. But without an organizing principle behind them, learning these techniques in Jiu Jitsu can be confusing and frustrating. They seem so different and separate.
In fact, they are similar. They rely on the same organizing principle. I call it the zone.
The zone is a way of attacking and defending through angling to the side against an opponent. This ensures better balance, strength and freedom. If you are square or flat, you have to rely on the relatively weak muscles of the abdomen for movement. (To make it known this position is crap, I call it bungus.) The zone allows you to leverage the large muscles of the femur — the strongest muscles in the body — to achieve maximum efficiency with minimum effort.
This multi-dimensional position quickly becomes complicated the more you try to explain it, which is why it’s most helpful to view images and videos of Jiu Jitsu athletes using the zone (see below). In my experience, the zone clicks for athletes because it is the way we naturally learned to move our bodies.
Read More: The “Magic” Of The Zone In Jiu Jitsu
The ABCz of Jiu Jitsu
Much of Jiu Jitsu instruction has become an endless stream of techniques, concepts, games and systems. It seems like it’s become a numbers game to increase views and sales.
At Zenyo, we’ve gone beyond training Jiu Jitsu as a numbers racket. As coach, I organize our Jiu Jitsu with what I call the ABCz of Jiu Jitsu — armbars, butterflies, chokes and zone.
We drill the armbar and choke paying particular attention to how we can use the zone to set up these submissions. We use butterfly hooks as a quick and effective method of sweeping made stronger by the zone.
Everybody can learn and improve through the order that the ABCz provide. What I’ve observed during drilling is that my students are quickly able to link together positions and moves so that their Jiu Jitsu is effective, focused, and beneficial for both partners.
Let’s take a look at some videos to see how the zone works in Jiu Jitsu competition.
Butterflies
Watch Adam Wardzinski butterfly sweep with impressive control provided by the zone. (No bungus in butterfly is imperative.)
Chokes
Watch Mica Galvao control every aspect of the choke using the zone.
And More :: Escapes
Nicky Rod escaping a tight armbar by turning away to the zone.
Don’t be a dingus! No bungus or bingus!
Finding “the zone” for myself and forcing my opponent out of “the zone” is an effective heuristic.
Keeping training simple & effective.