29 Mar Making a Conceptual Shift
In MMA, BJJ, or grappling there are certain rules of thumb which “everyone” follows. These rules provide the general structure of the sport but can be easily adjusted to create a massive benefit. If you train and execute a strategy which is different from the masses, then you will become very well versed in using your unorthodox strategy against someone who is orthodox. Meanwhile the person who is orthodox rarely gets to see your unique style and therefore will be left at a disadvantage.
Josh Waitzkin talks about this extensively in his amazing book “The Art of Learning” In Push Hands tournaments people normally fight for the underhook just like in most grappling matches. Waitzkin developed his style due to an injury and became adept at beating world class competitors by using throws from an overhook positions since shoulder injuries left him unable to sustain long pummeling battles.
Some other examples of this are:
Attempting to pass vs attacking leg locks
Traditional wrestling defenses vs guillotine or rolling knee bars in response to takedowns
Attacking arm bars/kimuras vs going for the wrist locks at the end of submissions
Shrimp escape from side control vs funk roll or giving your back
Over under control from the back vs power half
Putting in both hooks on the back vs looking for the truck position
This concept can be applied in many different areas to achieve great results.
Think about other problems you can come up with a novel solution to that works for you that others have never seen. More importantly look in the places you might have previously considered a weakness as necessity is often the mother of invention.