Here are some basic principles for you to follow to gain maximum effect in Jiu-Jitsu.

1. Make the most of leverage to maximize your strength.
2. When Defending, keep your Centre of Gravity low to the ground.
3. Use your full body mass and not just the isolated muscles of the arms and legs.
4. Apply your energy in the direction your opponent is moving.
5. Keep your opponent moving to gain momentum, this momentum can be used to your advantage.
6. Focus all of your power in the instant you attack.
7. When faced with high power against you, don’t stop it - redirect it.
8. Keep flexibility in your body as this will help you keep your balance.
9. Use Distracting strikes before you attempt to throw or Take down.
10. Good Balance is a great benefit to you and know how to unbalance your opponent.
11. Attack your opponents weakness with your strengths.
12. Increase the force of your attacks with speed of movement.

You see that there are many ways that you can use to gain maximum effect in Jiu-Jitsu. It is of utmost importance to train for technique but do not neglect your physical training. There is no excuse for losing due to poor physical conditioning.

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So you want to learn Jiu-Jitsu!

There are many points to keep in mind. Firstly, skill must be attained on the mat. It’s OK to do your research by reading and watching video etc but at the end of the day you have to get on the mat.

To learn Jiu-Jitsu, You need to work with partners under the guidance on an expert Instructor, or Sensei. The word Sensei means teacher, or literally “one who has gone before”. A Sensei was once in your position and has learned the lessons you seek. The Sensei will demonstrate proper technique and be the model for you to learn from and monitor your own performance.

You also need to learn from your fellow students so be sure to train with a wide range of people. The techniques you learn in Jiu-Jitsu will very slightly depending on the person you train with. A slight variation may be required depending on the person’s stance, height, weight, strength and ability. With this information, you will learn to adapt as necessary, whether you are performing Take-Downs, Submissions, General Grappling or even striking techniques.

Practicing with new people will expose you to new ideas and encourage you to expand your skills.

The more time you spend to learn Jiu-Jitsu, the more you will begin to understand and appreciate the importance of good technique. In the early days focus on the technique without relying on strength. If you can gain the Maximum Effect from the Minimum of Effort, the resulting technique will be far more effective.

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The Body Drop Hip Throw is one of the techniques that best demonstrates how the use of momentum can be used to great effect against your opponent.

Learn the Body Drop Hip Throw in its basic format and when you are confident in both the theoretical side and much more importantly, the physical technique itself. Then you can go on and learn the many variations that are available.

Be sure to practice the Body Drop Hip Throw on a variety of people as you will have to make slight adjustments to suit their particular size and style.

Their are many variations of the Body Drop Hip Throw that can be made and the technique is still super effective.

Depending on the situation, you may have different body parts or even clothing available to grab and pull so it is well worth practicing some of those variations.

I will post some video of this technique right here on www.malcolmbale.com

Above all else - Train Smart - Fightwize

An understanding of why Jiu-Jitsu works really develops over time and with continued practice. Your real understanding will not come from reading and research but from physical application, this can only be accomplished through proper training.

There is a sound foundation behind each and every technique. At the core of Jiu-Jitsu, you can guarantee that size and raw strength are no match for skill, balance, flexibility and functional conditioning.

There some basic scientific principles that help explain why jiu-jitsu works. Proper technique must be stressed in favour of excessive force. Use the the natural laws and principles to maximize the effect of your techniques. It is emphasis on the proper technique that allows smaller people with proper training to beat a larger or stronger opponent.

By using simple concepts such as Newtons First Law of Motion, “Every Object Remains at Rest, or Moves at Constant Speed in Straight Line unless a Resultant Force acts on it” we can use a persons momentum and by applying a force in the opposite direction, below the opponents centre of gravity, allows us to unbalance and take them to the ground with ease, regardless of strength, without the use of strength.

Newton’s Second Law of Motion can be applied when using your own body’s momentum against your opponent to unbalance them. This is much more efficient than attempting to use the strength of an isolated muscle.

There are many other ways that we can use simple physical concepts such as Gravity, Leverage, Inertia, Friction, Velocity etc and then we come to all of the “Human Anatomy” factors that we can take advantage of too.

A simple knowledge of pressure points and motor nerve points can gain you an incredible advantage by gaining a guaranteed reaction from your opponent when you strike different areas of the body. This is not only useful in causing pain that will distract your opponents mind but creating a movement in your opponent that you can take advantage of for a throw or take-down.

There are many of these senstive areas spread through the body, Take some time to discover where they are and how you can use them to your benefit. Incorporate such knowledge into your training and you will certianly begin to appreciate why Jiu-Jitsu works.

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Sports injury Rehabilitation Clinics are kept very busy by the likes of us Martial artists.

If you are involved in Contact Sports like Jiu-Jitsu, you will inevitably encounter injury of some degree at some point. It’s just the way it is, injury is almost a part of the sport as the techniques themselves.

Yes, we still do as much as possible in order to prevent injury such as warm up before training, stretch to become more flexible, exercising in a mechanically safe manner, sparring and grappling with safety in mind.

Let’s face it, the techniques are designed to injure or debilitate so precaution must be taken during training with fellow students.

If you are involved in a competitive style of Jiu-Jitsu then the rigor of the training sessions themselves take a toll on the body and come competition day, you have competitors looking to defeat you on the mat.

Anyway, the point is that there’s a strong chance of you getting injured in some way so having a knowledge of sports injury rehabilitation would be a very good idea for you. The knowledge of how you go about getting yourself back online as soon as possible without further hampering your injury is a priority.

I have experienced several injuries myself but have managed to come back stronger each and every time through following exert great advice from such people as the Sports Injury Rehabilitation expert.

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