Projecting Mass

Strength is not just a question of how much force you can generate — it’s a question of where that force is applied. A small amount of strength, when directed efficiently, can overcome far greater resistance. One of the most overlooked yet powerful expressions of this principle is the concept of adding mass to the end of the lever.

At its core, every human body is a system of levers. The hips, shoulders, elbows, and knees all serve as fulcrums through which we transmit force. When we apply pressure near the base of a lever — for instance, pulling on an opponent’s shoulder — our influence is limited. But if we extend that same pressure to the far end — say, the wrist or ankle — the same effort produces a dramatically greater effect.

To “add mass to the end of the lever” means not just extending your mechanical reach, but bringing your bodyweight into that extension. It’s the difference between pulling with your arms and dropping your weight through the structure of the lever itself. Instead of a small tug, you create a cascade of pressure that begins at your core and transmits outward with exponential effect.

Consider the armbar. A beginner may focus only on prying the opponent’s grip apart with the arms. A more refined practitioner understands that the true power comes from aligning the hips, shoulders, and spine — and then adding mass by sinking the hips as the lever (the arm) is extended. The result is not strain but inevitability.

Whether applying a sweep, a choke, or a pin, the principle remains constant: the more of your structure and weight you can commit to the farthest point of control, the less effort you need. You are no longer fighting your opponent directly — you are fighting through the lever, with gravity as your ally.

Once again improvement is often less about discovering new techniques and more about deepening your understanding of these mechanical truths. When you learn to add mass to the end of the lever, you stop working harder — and start working truer. Your movements become quieter, yet far more decisive. What once felt like a contest of strength begins to feel like a law of physics unfolding in your favor.