Pressure passing and limb isolation in BJJ

Here at Savarese BJJ (www.njbjj.com), we have really focusing on Pressure passing and limb isolation in BJJ. A master of position must perfect chest to chest and chest to back positional dominance, but a master of submission must go behind this and actively seek limb isolation as the basis of their craft. Futhermore, the basis of offense in traditional Jiu-Jitsu is position. Typically this is understood in terms of getting past your opponents legs and pinning them down either chest to chest or chest to back. However, the ability to submit an opponent requires you to go further and isolate a limb. The ability to draw a limb away from the torso and away from the other limb. Only then can you break an opponent. Ultimately, this will require you to develop subtle methods of maneuvering around a limb and trapping it in place long enough to apply the various submission holds of Jiu-Jitsu. But your first step is MINDSET. Don’t be satisfied with simply getting the chest to chest or chest to back positions. Train yourself to always think of going the extra step of limb isolation after you get to a pin. Initially, you will have some frustration here, as the act of isolating a limb often requires movement that can lessen control momentarily and result in an opponent escaping when performed poorly. However, only by persisting and developing this crucial skill will you make the jump from positional dominance to being a solid finisher, the highest ideal of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Look how our student Ariana Zeppetelli uses an underhook to wedge an opponents arm in place and move her opponents  elbow away from form hher torso to isolate and weaken the arm. She is close to moving beyond the safety of chest to chest into the world of isolating wedges that lead to the possibility of submission. This will make your  finishing percentages high. With patience and practice, so too can yours.