Aggression in BJJ Training

JoeU1741 · 10-05-2005, 05:55 PM

Do you BJJ practitioners find that a lot of the mental game in BJJ is about playing an aggressive game? There was a post previously about having the killer instinct and another about naturally talented white belts (which mentioned this), so it got me thinking.

I've been training BJJ for a while and really enjoy it. I'm a big (for my height) strong guy, but am a very passive guy to roll with in that I don't try and kill the other guy. I aim not to use my strength and work on technique. From day one I wasn't overly concerned about getting tapped or seeing how many people I could tap, but I'm wondering now if that is a mistake.

There are guys in the club who haven't been training as long as me or attending as often, who seem to win on pure aggression. Sometimes when we're rolling I feel like they're treating each roll like a competition, but afterwards, they're always very cool and relaxed, so it's not hostility as such. I work on technique a lot both in class and at home, but I'm wondering if more of the benefit comes from just overwhelming your opponent with everything you have.

I know a lot of BJJ is not just gaining position and being passive, it's always moving, thinking a step ahead etc, but just wondering if having a more passive attitude is not a good thing. I see it a lot in the higher belts, they seem very calm and relaxed when rolling (unless it's someone who is really testing them) - perhaps I am not experienced enough to be taking this approach?

LCDforMe · 10-05-2005, 08:09 PM

I tend to work on technique as well also. I don't mind tapping even to a newer guy. If they are going balls to the walls and I tap, I will tryt harder next time by throwing some aggression with my technique.

I don't think that overwhelming them with all you have is the way to go. BJJ is a marathon, not a sprint. You will gas going all out like that. Just flow with the go.

wingelefoot · 10-05-2005, 10:04 PM

the aggressive guys, from what i've had, will hurt you unintentionally. but, they do tire out fast :p. when guys go all aggressive and physical on me, i just try to avoid subs and get the position and sit on it. they eventually try to throw a fit/tantrum to escape and end up burning out. then i go for the kill

fun fun being cool and passive has always worked for me :p

**Zankou** · 10-05-2005, 10:28 PM

I think the better you get, the more okay it is to be passive. If you don't have much skill, being aggressive can get you surprisingly far against much better opponents. Eventually you are better off with a more controlled style, as your skills progress.

Kawlinz · 10-05-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCDforMe

I tend to work on technique as well also. I don't mind tapping even to a newer guy. If they are going balls to the walls and I tap, I will tryt harder next time by throwing some aggression with my technique.

I don't think that overwhelming them with all you have is the way to go. BJJ is a marathon, not a sprint. You will gas going all out like that. Just flow with the go.

I disagree. if someone trains for sprint after sprint after sprint, they won't gas

Jason Pair · 10-05-2005, 11:21 PM

Depends on the situation, working technique will surely make you better just do not be overly passive and DO NOT buy into that traditional brazilian jiu-jitsu bs about using literally no strength, speed, athletism ect.. For me it depends on what the guy gives me, sometimes with some of our guys I'll just play open guard, let the guy try to pass. Or I'll just get the takedown, pass, work positioning. Now if it's one of our guys who just really gets into it and tends to go balls to the wall but also has decent technique, I fuckin' love that and I'll usually have fun and throw being passive out the window.

Just be sure to work both sides, if you think you need to be passive and all "technical" all the time you will become very one dimensional and end up getting crushed in a comp. or against a guy from a good rival school. Just give the guy you're training with back what he's giving you some of the time.

ARIS · 10-06-2005, 12:45 AM

some times you have to work agressive and with intensity some times you have to go slow. If all the time you go slow then you have truble going "strong" if you go "strong" all the time you lack technique and learn to use force more than technique, which i think is wrong. You have to work both sides of the coin...

JoeU1741 · 10-06-2005, 01:03 AM

Cool, thanks for the replies guys and the good advice.

stevec · 10-06-2005, 01:43 AM

Being aggressive is not antithetical to being technical. Being aggressive just means attacking and pressing the action.

It's actually a very good strategy. I used to be hugely passive because I wanted to make sure I was as technical as possible. This is also the "old school" BJJ philosophy that you see Royce, Royler, and to a lesser extent Nogueira use. They're very comfortable on their backs and waiting for their opponent to give them an opening.

This strategy is becoming a worse and worse idea as most tournaments now have time limits and more athletic people (such as wrestlers) are starting to also become technical jiu-jitsu fighters. If you're attacking, 90% of the time they have to focus entirely on defending. If you keep attacking they're just as likely to make a mistake as you, but when they make a mistake you win; if you make a mistake you usually just get blocked or reversed.

Carlson is practically a champion factory, and he's always bred aggressive jiu-jitsu style into his fighters. It's certainly not the only factor, but it's a huge help, especially with two people of equal size and skill level.

FutureBxer · 10-06-2005, 03:44 AM

im new to bjj but ive noticed even when watching my instructor.. sometimes to pull off a technique on a fully resistant opponent, you need to be aggressive and use SOME strength to impose you're will, especially if the opponent knows what you're going for.