Intermediate BJJ Practitioner: The journey of an intermediate grappler is very different from that of a novice. Making blunders as a novice is natural and even anticipated given that you are still learning the sport. As the beginning progresses, negative or excellent mat habits may linger as you move further along your path. So that you are aware of your strengths and limitations, it is crucial to periodically evaluate your game.
Developing your game requires time. The more you know, the less you use, as one of the most important personalities in BJJ, Jean Jacques Machado, once remarked. Jiu-Jitsu requires greater knowledge in order to utilise less. What you need to know as an intermediate grappler will be covered in this article.
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Who Is Known As A BJJ Intermediate Practitioner?
Intermediate BJJ practitioners are those with blue through purple belt designations. As the second adult level in BJJ, the purple belt comes after the blue belt. These practitioners are capable of defending themselves, teaching white belts, and even engaging in competition with more experienced competitors.
Although most Jiu-Jitsu clubs consider the purple belt the first advanced rank, it is still an intermediate adult level. Purple belts are the passionate youth of the martial arts, eager to advance and prove their skills to the brown and black belts. The factors you should consider if you intermediate BJJ practitioner are listed below.
Ace Your Fundamentals
All main roles, both top and bottom, are required to have a strong basis for intermediate practitioners. A blue belt and a purple belt are very different in terms of skill. A purple belt should start focusing on integrating attacks from techniques they are already familiar with, while a blue belt should focus on building a foundation of techniques for every position. While the emphasis may change, mastering the foundations is a necessary step in order to progress to more complex methods.
Even at the greatest levels of the sport, fundamental tactics are still effective. Consider Roger Gracie, one of the greatest BJJ practitioners ever. Roger’s game isn’t particularly showy and depends on strategies that many would consider elementary. Master the fundamentals since these are the strategies you will turn to when things get difficult.
Solidify Your Game
When you reach the intermediate level, you’ll start to develop and polish your game. Your on-the-mat persona is developed at this phase.
Are you considering developing a great submission game as a guard player? Do you want to be a vicious guard passer who is powerful in the standing position and an aggressive grappler? Do you envision yourself as the dreaded leg locker?
To truly comprehend who they are as BJJ practitioners, everyone will need to go through a protracted process of progress.
Your long-term objective should ideally be to develop into a well-rounded grappler who is skilled in both offence and defence. Since most white belts have a weak guard, being an intermediate grappler suggests you have already worked on it (or are working on it). You should at least have a firm grasp of guard work and passing.
Clarify Your Goals
Know exactly what kind of grappler you want to be in five years. It takes some effort to reach the intermediate level in BJJ. A well-known BJJ saying is, “Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone. But after a few months, barely half of them are left, and after a few years, just a few rare savages are left.
Every intermediate BJJ practitioner has undoubtedly grown to appreciate both the highs and lows of the sport. Some could cling on and carry on their journey as a competitor, while others would choose to go down the coaching route. Everybody has a distinct motivation for doing BJJ. To have a clear direction for what to do next, it is essential to link your intent with your aim.
Work On Leg Locks
Starting with the blue belt is where you should practise leg locks. Leg assaults are now generally permitted in tournaments, so you best have a few tricks on your sleeve. It is said that it is preferable to possess a skill than to require one when one is lacking. Learn a few leg locks. As you gain experience, start with the straight ankle lock and progress to the other leg assaults.
Improve Your Standup
Some of the most effective moves you can learn are takedowns. Because not everyone is willing to practise takedowns, developing your takedown skills can help you become a more all-around grappler.
The simplicity of learning standing techniques is that there aren’t many motions to memorise. You may become a threat with a consistent rotation of three to five takedowns. When choosing your methods, keep things like age, body type, injuries, and athleticism in mind. Pick the ones that would enhance your game.
Throws with gi grips can be a better choice for you if you enjoy practising in the gi. Always be aware of the attacks you may execute utilising particular gi grips since, as you know, the gi is an extension of your body. Since single and double-leg takedowns are high percentage actions in no-gi, wrestling takedowns may be the superior choice.
Remove Your Bad Habits
Eliminating even the simplest poor behaviours, like looking down when passing the guard, may make a big difference. You’ll be more susceptible to throws, takedowns, sweeps, and submissions if your posture is poor. Learn how to posture your body properly to protect yourself from approaching assaults. Always stick to your game strategy and move with efficiency.
Trial and error serve as the main engine for progress in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Every time you exercise, you must be willing to learn new things and discard old ones if you want to excel in your sport.
One of the most crucial phases in your grappling development is moving up to the intermediate tiers. Being a blue or purple belt indicates that you put in a tonne of practice time to perfect your profession. Keep your enthusiasm high and be happy about your successes since there are always new obstacles to overcome.
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