[Green Monkey]

Mostly great answers guys - thanks for them and the encouragement.

I'm thinking that I sorta posed the question the wrong way.

I probably actually meant to say:

Other than actually rolling and learning from my mistakes, is there a way to collect basic BJJ theory, rather than just reviewing techniques on my own?

or

What's the fastest way for me to stop embarrassing myself as a newb?

This response comes closest to what I'm looking for:

As you learn different moves, you'll realize that they share a lot of concepts, and taking those concepts to heart (rather than thinking too much about it) will make learning new moves/variations of moves, much easier

but, of course, I'm impatient and looking for a way to do speed up the process.

[Green Monkey]

Originally Posted by SFinclined

As far as you're closed guard, why are you trying so hard to keep them locked down, open it up and move on. I don't think you're learning by holding them in closed guard the whole time.

It was really just an example, but I was working with guys who are more advanced than I am and I was just trying to learn to relax a bit in guard and keep from getting tapped/passed.

[beatenup]

Originally Posted by Green Monkey

I started this off on the wrong track, so it's going to be a bit of a long post - sorry.

My basic question is - is there a decent resource for learning the theory of BJJ rather than a collection of techniques?

Right now, I'm in the begginer, learning-by-losing phase of rolling live and it's bugging me that I don't really have a way other than that of learning how to string things together.

I do know that I'm being impatient, but I'm just wondering.

Now back to the original post:

Okay - first I admit that I like to over-analyze things and learn more than I really need to.

My name is Green Monkey and I'm an info-holic.

I'm pretty new to BJJ (single-stripe white) and I'm have problems with the theoretical/strategic parts of rolling live.

I'm not explaining this well, but I think the trouble is that I understand the techniques, but I'm not grasping the fundamental ideas behind BJJ.

For example, yesterday we were doing some drills from the guard and I noticed that anyone who was patient could get through my closed guard by simply waiting for me to get tired out.

I asked a higher ranking guy about it and he showed me a few things about moving my hips and regripping/resetting the guard that really helped out, but I'd really love to have this kind of stuff at hand so I can start to digest it on my own time rather than right in the middle of things.

Is there a decent resource out there for theory rather than technique?

bjj is all about positions. there are good positions and bad positions. you want to escape the bad positions and get into a good position. if you are in a bad position you are in danger of being submitted. if you are in a good position your opponent is in danger of being submitted by you.

that basically is bjj right there

[Bosozoku]

Poster jaysculls used to give lists of tips, good for beginners and more advanced, just good reminders of things to keep in mind each class, what your 'mindset' should be as you approach techniques, etc. Search for some of those.

Personally I say think about your hips. Focus on your hips in every submission, transition, and escape. If you can improve your hip movement or placement in every aspect of BJJ, you will improve vastly and you'll start to understand what things have in common.

[Green Monkey]

More good tips - thanks all.

Here's nearly exactly the sort of stuff I was talking about:

Grappling Tips Newsletter

My little panics on the bottom aren't severe, but I think the kind of info in this article is crucial for the beginning live roller.

Edit - the link was originally posted in another thread - something about claustrophobia as well. Just wanted to give props to the OP.

[animalboy]

control the hips, look for underhooks, either stay close or far away from the other person, try to use your opponent strenght and weight against them, try to relly more in proper technique then into strenght.

try always going for submissions or at least making the other person react to it so you have more openings. be patient on dominant positions, especially on the top, take your time, keep things tight and control the distance.

thats some key points that seem to have help me!

[Will_N.O.]

TS, I'm a noob too and totally understand where you are coming from.

What seems to help me the most is something another poster said: try to get good at a handful of moves rather than working on too many things.

This is a good idea for a lot of obvious reasons, but also one that is maybe not so obvious and relates to your question: as you increase your reps on a given technique, the amount you have to think about it goes down. You don't have think through every little step, just focus on the points you need to tighten up. This gives you some "mental space" to think about what your partner is doing in response and what you'll do about that. It frees your mind up a little to think about the sequence of moves, not just the move you're currently doing.

Just like any sport, as you begin to be able to see the flow of the game, the theory becomes much clearer. Compare it to basketball, for instance...if you have concentrate really hard on how to dribble, you are never going to be able to run a good pick and roll. But as you start to learn to dribble without having to think about it, you can then focus on what the defense is giving you and whether you want to drive, pass, or shoot.

One practical way I try to stay focused is on my way to clases I try to think about 3 or 4 things I want to work on in sparring, and then remind myself again right before sparring. So one night it may be "I'm going to try to hit triangles from closed guard, set up DLR if my partner tries a standing pass, and try to get the early underhook when getting passed." That helps me stay focused on the techniques I am trying to improve and get extra reps on them when the opportunity presents itself.

[sha]

Watch instructionals and fights, and try to analyze why they are doing what they do.

Demian Maia's set is very good, because he will give you a technique (pushing the head to defend the guard pass), then explain the principle behind it (where the head goes, the body must follow), and then also the reason behind it (preventing the oponent from applying weight on your body).

Also, I know everybody always says this, but proper posture for each position is very important. But it's one of the hardest things to acquire, because your posture also has to adapt to the oponent's moves...