Dictating pace and first contact in BJJ

Dictating pace and first contact in BJJ

Dictating pace and first contact in BJJ is very important. Dictating pace will determine that the fight or match is always where you want it to be. In addition, first contact will be the beginning of the dictation. Every grappling match begins with the closing of distance and first physical contact, whether it be in standing position or on the floor. It greatly benefits you to have a plan in mind BEFORE first contact rather than make contact and see what happens and figure it out then. At Savarese BJJ (www.njbjj.com), we teach there are only so many ways that two training partners can initiate contact. Having a good response to the major possibilities worked out ahead of time let’s you get off to a good start. And when you are facing tough opponents, that’s a great thing. In order to make an effective and proactive first contact you will need an appropriate stance, motion, grip fighting sequence and plan of action for the initial encounter. These will all vary depending upon what your aims are. Make sure you devote some time developing these skills of first contact. So many times the outcome is heavily influenced by those crucial opening seconds.