Patterns of Control

Jiu Jitsu teaches through repetition, but true understanding comes from recognizing patterns beneath the movements. One such pattern governs almost every exchange, from the first grip to the final submission. It is elegant in its simplicity: begin at the extremities, and then progress inward, passing the barrier of limbs to claim control over the hips, then ultimately, the head and shoulders.

All positional dominance culminates at the head and shoulders. When the head is controlled, the body follows. But once you arrive at this apex, the direction shifts. To finish, you must descend again, isolating a single limb; an arm or a neck, sometimes a leg, peeling it away from the whole, exposing it to pressure and consequence.

This sequence, peripheral to core, then core to limb, is not just a roadmap for control, but a rhythm. You will repeat it countless times. At first, mechanically. Later, intuitively. The sequence becomes a language, and you learn to speak it fluently.

Consider a simple guard pass leading to submission. You begin by controlling the ankles, pinning the feet to the mat or redirecting them. As your posture rises, your hands move to the knees or shins, clearing the legs to initiate a pass. You advance your position, settling into side control with your weight centered over their hips and chest. Next, you climb higher, shoulder pressure, head control, chest-to-chest connection. Once their ability to move is diminished and their gaze is directed away, you isolate an arm. Perhaps you transition to a mounted position, and from there, trap the arm and apply the pressure of an armbar.

Feet. Knees. Hips. Head. Limb. The pattern reveals itself again.

Though the movements may vary, the structure remains constant. A skilled opponent will not make this path easy, they will fight for every grip, every inch of space, but no matter the resistance, this is the path you return to. Make it your habit, and your Jiu Jitsu will begin to express something greater than technique, it will reflect understanding.