How Much Jiu-Jitsu Do You NOT Know?
The Limits in Learning an Infinite Art
The other day, I was teaching a kids’ class covering headlock escapes at Ralph Gracie San Jose, Ca. I had Josh, my uke (the person you do the move on), place me in a headlock, and I demonstrated one of the escapes I knew. The kids loved it. Later in the class, a young 9-year-old boy, particularly fond of the technique, asked me, “How much jiu-jitsu do you NOT know?” I found this to be profoundly thought-provoking.
Now, he asked because he thought I knew it all. My ego never even received the implication. I thought about it for a moment, put my hands together like a slice of pie.
“This slice is the knowledge and skill it takes to be a black belt.” Then I spread my arms as wide as I could. “This is all the jiu-jitsu that’s out there.”
For a millisecond, his jaw started to drop, then he shook his head negatively, like
“This dude’s trying to play me.”
He looked at his partner, and they shook their heads simultaneously.
“You don’t believe me?” I said, chuckling.
“Ok,” I said with excitement. I put my hands together as if I was holding a big ball in my hands. “This is the Earth, right? Looks cool, right?”
They smiled affirmatively.
“But how magnificent is the Earth compared to this galaxy or the whole solar system?”
They nodded in sync. This thing is infinite — like chess. Here are 5 examples of this comparison below:
The gap in knowledge between the functionality and scope of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and the totality of its moves and themes of attack is vast, akin to the complexity seen in chess. Both BJJ and chess involve intricate strategies, countless variations, and an ever-expanding array of techniques. Here are five points of comparison:
Fundamentals vs. Totality:
— BJJ: Beginners focus on fundamental techniques like escapes, sweeps, and submissions. However, the totality of BJJ includes an extensive range of advanced moves, counters, and transitions.
— Chess: Novice chess players start with basic principles like controlling the center, piece development, and king safety. Yet, the complete scope involves an immense variety of openings, tactics, and endgame strategies.
Positional Play:
— BJJ: Understanding basic positions (guard, mount, back control) is foundational, but the depth lies in mastering positional transitions, control nuances, and strategic setups.
— Chess: Similarly, while chess players grasp fundamental positions, advanced play involves recognizing and exploiting subtle advantages, understanding pawn structures, and navigating complex middlegame plans.
Submission Chains:
— BJJ: Beginners may learn individual submissions, but advanced practitioners focus on creating chains — sequentially linking submissions and attacks to increase the likelihood of success.
— Chess: In chess, players aim for combinations — linked sequences of moves that lead to a favorable position or a winning tactic. Advanced players excel in recognizing and executing intricate combinations.
Adaptability and Creativity:
— BJJ: Given its ongoing evolution, practitioners constantly adapt and create new techniques and strategies. Creativity in chaining moves and adapting to opponents is highly valued.
— Chess: Similar to chess, where players can devise new openings or strategies, BJJ practitioners often innovate, creating variations or combinations to surprise opponents.
Endless Outcomes:
— BJJ: Every roll in BJJ is unique, with countless potential outcomes. The dynamic nature of sparring means that adapting to unexpected situations is crucial.
— Chess: Chess, with its vast number of possible positions, offers an almost infinite number of potential games. Players must be adaptable and able to think on their feet.
In both BJJ and chess, the journey from beginner to expert involves continuous learning, adaptation, and strategic development. The depth and complexity in both disciplines allow for a lifelong pursuit of mastery, with practitioners discovering new facets and refining their understanding over time.
It is the infinite, ever-evolving spectrum of jiu-jitsu that keeps me up at night. On that day, I had left my belt of the 47 Ronin from Sengakuji Temple at home. So, I chose to wear a white belt. One of the girls laughed when I started to teach. She said, “Prof. Adisa, did you forget your belt?”
“I did indeed forget my belt. However, I also like wearing a white belt because it reminds me to always stay a student. When I teach you, I get better at my understanding of the move. I also help you get better, and I learn to be a better teacher. Nobody can know it all.
When I told my friend Prof. Leo Jones Jr. in Oregon about it, he said Charles Gracie once said to him about his knowledge of jiu-jitsu, “Jiu-jitsu is all I know. But I don’t know it all.”
I think every BJJ black belt should contemplate that fact every time they lead class.
Adisa Banjoko is a BJJ black belt and teacher of stoic philosophy (he also runs a men’s mental health online group). He is also the founder of 64 Blocks, which fuses jiu-jitsu, meditation, and chess to help teens and young adults thrive.
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