Jiu Jitsu's unwritten rule of not using strength must change.

[jcandoitbig]

'don't use strength' is outmoded and, I think, already on the way out. Though it's important to understand the context of why coaches say that: they're usually talking to white belts, and they're trying to get them to focus on technique rather than just beasting people (if they have that ability). In that context, it is good advice. You don't want an athletic white belt to not try to use good jiu jitsu in rolling just because he can beat other white belts on physicality alone. That said, any coach who is telling purple or brown belts not to use strength is full of shit. By that point your technique should be more than good enough to utilize strength effectively, which is the whole point of BJJ anyway.

this is what happened to me, I was muscling out of bad positions and gassing because of it. So when I asked my coach what I needed to work on for blue, he said technical escapes and to put myself in side control or mount at the start of every roll for a few weeks. it was sucky but it definitely helped a lot

 

[71Fish]

I think people misunderstand this, but to be honest, most people going to light is not a problem. Strength in support of good technique is of course legit, but when I think of "don't use strength" I think of the white and blue belt forcing something that is not there, and won't be there no matter how hard you are pushing, pulling, or squeezing. And I firmly believe that most technique will work without a lot of umph behind it. It is a common problem that a lot of beginner and intermediate players have in trying to force something that isn't there and If someone can honestly scale the attributes back a little in some of the rolls I think the that can be improved upon. I've seen people that do have the opposite problem, but the former is far greater than the later.

That's exactly it.

 

[lechien]

This philosophy is at the heart of GI Jiu Jitsu..

But the old complaint I have always heard is starting to rear its head "try not to use so much strength" "use technique". I've had the pleasure of meeting several world level BJJ competitors. And many of them strike me as being arguably yoked or on PED'

thoughts.

There is so many different views.

Helio said to only rely on techniques because your opponent could always be stronger than you.

Carlson said that technique is great but when both opponents have the same level of techniques. It is about who is the strongest.

Renee said to keep it friendly.

From my experience, a leopard does not change his spot.
A white belt that use strenght will become a bb that uses strenght.
A white belt that use technique will become a bb that use techniques.

You cannot verbally tell someone to use less strength.
You have to be able to use your technique to make them understand.
Otherwise, your words are meaningless.

 

[Jack Handy jr]

I too think it applies to a lot of beginners if not mostly beginners.. I have been training a long time and it depends on what rank I roll with on how much "strength" I use. Face it.. if you roll with brown and blacks its all hands on deck and then some.. strength, stamina, trickeration whatever... watch the top dogs roll or in competition like Andre Galvao, Roger Gracie, Xande etc.. even the great Marcelo.. they all use strength when they "turn it on"

completely agree.

 

[Jack Handy jr]

There is so many different views.

Helio said to only rely on techniques because your opponent could always be stronger than you.

Carlson said that technique is great but when both opponents have the same level of techniques. It is about who is the strongest.

Renee said to keep it friendly.

From my experience, a leopard does not change his spot.
A white belt that use strenght will become a bb that uses strenght.
A white belt that use technique will become a bb that use techniques.

You cannot verbally tell someone to use less strength.
You have to be able to use your technique to make them understand.
Otherwise, your words are meaningless.

spot on...poetic even.

 

[HtomSirveaux]

The no strength thing only applies to beginners, particularly the strong and athletically gifted ones. They could waste a lot of time manhandling other white belts without really learning anything. But after the techniques are developed you should most definitely be applying the techs with strength, use all your speed, flexibility etc during hard rolling. A gym that discourages that is a shit gym

 

[Striderxdj]

The idea that techniques work with absolutely NO strength is ridiculous.

What should be said and understood is strength is used to supplement technique, but is not a substitute beyond beating inexperienced scrubs.

The more technical you are, the less strength is required to do most techniques and as you get better (and when facing opponents of similar experience levels), strength and technique start to meld together as both need to be utilized to defend and attack successfully.

 

[Ton]

I knew there was a reason my bb prof does strength training regularly. Haha. But seriously, to add to everyone above: how is an experienced bjj practitioner supposed to be able to deal with a muscular and athletic dude on the street if all they are used to is technical sparring? It just doesn't make sense. BJJ is a physical sport, and like other physical sports, conditioning and strength matter alot. Of course I agree that beginners are different.

 

[BJJ_Rage]

I knew there was a reason my bb prof does strength training regularly. Haha. But seriously, to add to everyone above: how is an experienced bjj practitioner supposed to be able to deal with a muscular and athletic dude on the street if all they are used to is technical sparring? It just doesn't make sense. BJJ is a physical sport, and like other physical sports, conditioning and strength matter alot. Of course I agree that beginners are different.

its normal to see higher belts avoid the spazzy explosive white belt, specially in no gi classes, those fuckers with some experience (a couple of months) and some IQ could give you them problems, egos get hurt, and excuses to not roll with them flow.

I think they are a good reality check to have in every gym, if you cant control someoen like that in class, do not expect to control someone like that in a fight.

 

[Thrawn33]

"You're using too much strength"

Has different meaning depending on the situation.

Advanced belt to begginer during rolls between the two: Work on your technique and you will be unstoppable with that strength.

To a larger opponent mauling a smaller opponent (i have used this with WBs in Judo, and when we drill throws in BJJ): You're brute forcing this technique without the fundamentals. Its working because you're a Fucking beast that outwighs dude by 30-50lbs. Please try it again on HWT here...see you must train your technique to throw him.

To one newbie from another newbie: I'm upset because you're "beating" me in a roll and I need validation that it's not my fault.

From larger partner to smaller partner: Work on the technique.

 

[Codger]

The "don't use strength" thing is just another way of saying focus on technique first and foremost and this is most certainly correct.

It's not just BJJ saying this, Judo and other arts and sports also point out this truth.

 

[mattemate]

why didnt you like my post lol...

likes received is the new post count

 

[Dirty Holt]

Just imagine how dumb it would sound if boxing coaches said "dont use speed."
Wrestling coaches saying "Dont use power"

BJJ attracts a large portion of athletes who do not have the will or desire to put in the work to develop strength, therefore, they demonize it and make it the boogey man, only used by moronic heathens who dont understand the sport.

 

[Thrawn33]

I still think it's been taken out of context from the original intent and has been taken too literally for too long.

Have I used muscle to slam a guy at my weight in a judo comp? Hell yes, proudly.

Would I do the same thing to a lighter partner in training? No way, that's when it's time to work tech

And since I'm no Mifune or Helio, I'm using strength and technique against a heavier partner because I'm not skilled enough to win by tech alone, so I'm adding the muscle.

 

[CYKO]

It's "unwritten" because no such "rule" exists. The assumption underlying this thread is simply false. Actually, this thread sounds like another thinly-veiled "BJJ is for pussies" troll thread.

There's nothing wrong with telling someone not to use strength if they're just muscling it without technique, regardless of belt level. Besides, people going to do what they do. They'll either learn the easy way or the hard way.

 

[jack36767]

It's "unwritten" because no such "rule" exists. The assumption underlying this thread is simply false. Actually, this thread sounds like another thinly-veiled "BJJ is for pussies" troll thread.

There's nothing wrong with telling someone not to use strength if they're just muscling it without technique, regardless of belt level. Besides, people going to do what they do. They'll either learn the easy way or the hard way.

No its not a thinly vieled anything. As far as I can tell the TS is a bjj guy. Don't get defensive about a common issue. Thrawn33 broke it down perfectly

 

[berimBOWLoh]

strength is awesome. wish it was unlimited. gotta be smart where you use it is all. technique presh does go a much longer way than strength does but strength def not a bad thing.

 

[QingTian]

White belts have too much to juggle with to go full speed, but after that it's essential training or else you will never develop tightness and control.

 

[Uchi Mata]

strength is awesome. wish it was unlimited. gotta be smart where you use it is all. technique presh does go a much longer way than strength does but strength def not a bad thing.

Pressure is nothing but strength + technique. No pressure without strength.

 

[McA]

Nobody ever wants to go full strength with guys who outweigh them by 50 pounds. It's always the guy who wants to roll with the teenager or girl or fat old dad, and then wants to hulk his way out of a bad position. The same guy who needs to take a break every other roll because he's gassed, and the gym is too hot, and he has a cold...