The First Rule of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

March 10, 2008

Master Kravitz demonstrates the importance of a good defense. “Don’t get caught.” How many times have you heard Master Kravitz utter those words? “Defend yourself,” is another way he phrases the same advice.

He reminds us almost every class….don’t LOOK for the armbar, don’t LOOK for the choke…let it come to you, but first, “don’t get caught!” In the Monday and Wednesday evening classes, we’ve spent a lot of time practicing the top mount, the guard, and side control positions. And although we’re taught, while in the controlling half of these positions, to attack, through chokes and armbars, Master Kravitz has strongly, strongly emphasized that the greater value of these exercises is not working from the attacking position, but from the defensive. Avoid trouble, bug your partner, and when sparring, finish the round without having to “tap”.

Written by Mark Roknich, USBA Purple Belt · Filed Under Tips & Techniques