When you said 'grabbing space' a lightbulb went off in my mind! Guard retention isn't merely recentering but also grabbing space. Such an important concept. Thank you Jon!!
What a great, informative video. The conceptual / principal approach to teaching is really effective. I’d love to see a similar approach to other positions and situations.
Excellent conceptual layout that really helps contextualize guard positions as well as the “goals” of successful positional play. Thank you for sharing and am looking forward to more videos of this type
Kron Gracie is a great example. Ive watched his matches in the past and noticed that he had a great guard but couldn't really put my finger on what made it so special as he wasn't really doing anything flashy or what I would normally perceive as technical. Also, I really like how you showed the sort of, hip switching, walk backwards from guard. That's interesting.
I’ve always had issues with taking the drills/techniques we practice and using them in actual sparring. These conceptual videos are great! Can’t wait to watch more
Absolutely mind blowing, thanks for that!!! In my opinion, understanding these concepts is what really allows us to evolve our game, because it gives us the confidence to adapt to the different situations that can arise during the fight.
Thank you for such an analytical video! I love that you focus on principles first, build that foundation, and then apply techniques on top later. Your analytical approach makes a lot of sense and helps things click.
I learn alot from rhe narration then the clips from the mat or actual competition. This description prepares me for my daily sessions in the evenings. Much appreciated...
Holy crap this was great! You talk very well and clearly deliver the message. Nice to see videos focusing on essentially a basic movement and complexity, but that which has a huge impact. .
This is the kind of video I like to see. Conceptual based stuff gives you the tools to understand why certain positions work. Thank you and keep up the great work.
Im about 4 months into training and catching on quick. giving blue belts a hard time already (not boasting) but you are making lightbulbs pop on left and right with these conceptual talks. I think this way is best to start instead of reeling through as many moves as you can. I tried focusing on my favorite positions and nothing went as planned. But when i just defended myself, especially against stronger partners it usually went in my favor. You are a great communicator! 🙌💡THANK YOU!!
Yeah, it was something I been trying to push so I sent this to a lot of my students it is so important to keep space and distance mean whether you’re walking your shoulders or you’re moving your hips are you’re pushing off things super good
Been watching as much as I can, can’t wait to see you tomorrow at breakthrough in Amherst, we’re all very excited to have your expertise come this way!
Definitely enjoyed the concept as it pertains to an issue and positions I've been getting stuck in. This shined a light right on some of the root causes.
Your videos and concepts are awesome. They make so much sense. Goes to show Jiu-Jitsu is as much mentally strategic than it is physical. Thank you 🙏🏻 sir
I practice a striking art called Tsun Jo (only one school, in Seattle) which also dabbles in grappling - we are super self-defense focused, and so tend to use a pretty limited set of grappling tools. This kind of video is absolutely awesome for guys like me who benefit most from understanding how the overarching principles apply to our specific expressions of martial arts. It is a struggle to help my fellow practitioners understand the criticality of range management - you've done a great job of explaining that as it pertains to grappling. Best 15 minutes I've spent in a good long while. Thanks!
@@JonThomasBJJ seriously! I’ve only been watching the videos for a couple weeks and even my professor has noticed a difference. I’m almost at blue belt and feel that these videos are what will help me get over that hump! Along with showing up and getting choked haha
Really good insight here. I am definitely too grip focused when trying to reguard or establish guard from a neutral starting position. Im really going to try and be conscious of your advice of just maintaining distance and keeping aligned, and from there I can take whatever grip becomes readily available. Too often I am chasing double sleeve or what have you and the next thing I know I lose the angle and am being passed
Principles and concepts can always be applied to any situation even if you don’t really know the specific situation you are in.. they are like a guiding compass.. distance, alignment, use available grips, knee elbow connection, realignment, distance… any one who can keep playing this game will become un tappable…
Great video. I've got your Open Guard instructional you did in colaboration with Stephan Kesting, and it is helping me a lot to build a solid guard game.
Learnt so much on this video. I love your content. Very straight on, on the spot and direct to the point. Thank you professor. Do you have an instructional?
You talked about grabbing space, setting space, and centering. That's actually why e4 is considered the best opening move in chess. With e4, white makes the first move to attack and defend the maximum amount of the most important central space first. Humans have thought this for a long time and AI seems to agree. Of course, people play other moves first because they want to force their opponent to think and react in different lines. High level chess requires a lot of preparation and study to not lose in the first 5-20 moves, so people have to be prepared for the proper responses to other less optimal opening moves. If everyone just played e4, everyone would only prepare for that. As for AI, it's often forced to play other openings just to see how it does. If you didn't force AI to play a particular opening, it would always go e4 with the white pieces.
Oh is this Doc Petrenko? Hope you are doing well buddy! Hope I can come visit and see you guys soon! Has an amazing time in Kharkiv with you guys and really enjoyed the conversations.
Great video! I start JJ this year and I have much trouble to mantain my guard, never thought in get some space and how this is important. I always start the row thinking to do a specific guard (close) and when this doesn't work i get snowballed. Don't have much flexibility to restart my guard when someone get on my side, if I get more space is much easier. Thanks
Awesome video as usual. I love the distance as a primary goal rule, but it also seems like some elite people have the ability to break it with great success. Gordon Ryan for example always seems to be aggressively moving forward to close distance from his seated guard. Do you have any thoughts on that approach?
Well that’s just a definition of the core objective. The job of the passer broadly is to close distance and achieve chest over chest and the job of the guard player is to not allow that to happen. So how to stop someone from passing or closing distance in general is an unanswerable question you need to deal with it on a specific level depending on each way your opponent approaches. Basically these two things aren’t at odds it’s just a definition of the goals of each player
Thanks for video! Although I already understand that I need to keep distance from my partner, I manage to do this for only first several seconds of sparring. Afterwards my partner closes in and constantly attacks me, until he passes guard. I understand my mistakes much later, when trying to remember details of these sparrings. Still can't incorporate these theoretical principles in my practice.
Easily the best BJJ coach on YT.
When you said 'grabbing space' a lightbulb went off in my mind! Guard retention isn't merely recentering but also grabbing space. Such an important concept. Thank you Jon!!
You it seems like it should be so obvious but it really never occurred to me until last couple years how critical that is.
true
Amazing that we get this golden content for free, appreciate it Jon.
No problem buddy I have fun making them and it has helped me grow my brand tremendously! So it’s mutually beneficial!
I discovered this channel, and suddenly, bjj started to seem possible!🔥🚀 Very greatful for your work🙌
Three minutes into this and may I say:"well done sir, beautiful and clear explanation". 👌👏👏
I really like the way you explain things. Thank you for sharing!
Timeless coaching guidance on how to improve your guard play. Thanks Jon Thomas!
Rarely do we get taught the why everyone only teaches the here's how..
This channel will skyrocket teaching the why :)
What a great, informative video. The conceptual / principal approach to teaching is really effective. I’d love to see a similar approach to other positions and situations.
I will do a passing one like this sometime soon as well!
This is probably the best high overview guard video I've ever seen
Excellent conceptual layout that really helps contextualize guard positions as well as the “goals” of successful positional play. Thank you for sharing and am looking forward to more videos of this type
Kron Gracie is a great example. Ive watched his matches in the past and noticed that he had a great guard but couldn't really put my finger on what made it so special as he wasn't really doing anything flashy or what I would normally perceive as technical. Also, I really like how you showed the sort of, hip switching, walk backwards from guard. That's interesting.
Yeah Kron was always effective with basically no modern guards and in my opinion this principle is specifically the reason why!
Great vid/ comment
I’ve always had issues with taking the drills/techniques we practice and using them in actual sparring. These conceptual videos are great! Can’t wait to watch more
Indeed
this is why when i learned lasso i felt like its opened my eyes ..it opened up a new way for me to create sapce
Yes! More conceptual videos. It makes the moves make sense. Provides context for why moves work and where moves come from!
Really great concepts Jon! You're a strong communicator and express your thoughts and ideas effectively.
Yes!
I personally love concept videos like these. Keep up the great work!
Absolutely mind blowing, thanks for that!!! In my opinion, understanding these concepts is what really allows us to evolve our game, because it gives us the confidence to adapt to the different situations that can arise during the fight.
Thank you for such an analytical video! I love that you focus on principles first, build that foundation, and then apply techniques on top later. Your analytical approach makes a lot of sense and helps things click.
One of the most informative bjj and best conceptual video ive ever seen
Really appreciate it! I spent a ton of time thinking about these principles and organizing it in a way that makes sense!
Thanks Jon this is a game changer for me as a white belt, great content!
You and Jordan Teaches Jiu-jitsu are the best I've ever seen at explaining Jiu-jitsu in a conceptual manner. Really appreciate your work professor.
I learn alot from rhe narration then the clips from the mat or actual competition.
This description prepares me for my daily sessions in the evenings.
Much appreciated...
Holy crap this was great! You talk very well and clearly deliver the message. Nice to see videos focusing on essentially a basic movement and complexity, but that which has a huge impact. .
This is the kind of video I like to see. Conceptual based stuff gives you the tools to understand why certain positions work. Thank you and keep up the great work.
Absolutely when you deeply understand a lot of this stuff you can really self solve a lot of your own situation you get in
One of your best videos…
Super helpful concepts!
I swear I love watching your videos, I'm thankful you have a youtube channel!!
Thanks for another great video. I was lucky enough to attend your seminar @lapelarts in Vancouver. I look forward to trying these principles.
Great teacher. If only this vid had been out 20 years ago.
Im about 4 months into training and catching on quick. giving blue belts a hard time already (not boasting) but you are making lightbulbs pop on left and right with these conceptual talks. I think this way is best to start instead of reeling through as many moves as you can.
I tried focusing on my favorite positions and nothing went as planned. But when i just defended myself, especially against stronger partners it usually went in my favor. You are a great communicator! 🙌💡THANK YOU!!
Wow you must be so good! You should be a blue belt yourself!!
Clear, concise, and effective immediately. Thank you for great content. Liked and subscribed! Keep up awesome work.
Great video, this helped my defense better than any video I've seen so far
Yeah, it was something I been trying to push so I sent this to a lot of my students it is so important to keep space and distance mean whether you’re walking your shoulders or you’re moving your hips are you’re pushing off things super good
Been watching as much as I can, can’t wait to see you tomorrow at breakthrough in Amherst, we’re all very excited to have your expertise come this way!
I’m excited to be there too!!
Definitely enjoyed the concept as it pertains to an issue and positions I've been getting stuck in. This shined a light right on some of the root causes.
Yeah these principles really made such a huge difference in my guard over last couple years.
Your videos and concepts are awesome. They make so much sense. Goes to show Jiu-Jitsu is as much mentally strategic than it is physical.
Thank you 🙏🏻 sir
Excellent video! More conceptual type videos please !
Thank you! Yes, more conceptual videos. Great tips.
this is fantastic, I would love more concepts plz, thanks Jon!
Absolutely will be doing another one soon!
I practice a striking art called Tsun Jo (only one school, in Seattle) which also dabbles in grappling - we are super self-defense focused, and so tend to use a pretty limited set of grappling tools. This kind of video is absolutely awesome for guys like me who benefit most from understanding how the overarching principles apply to our specific expressions of martial arts. It is a struggle to help my fellow practitioners understand the criticality of range management - you've done a great job of explaining that as it pertains to grappling. Best 15 minutes I've spent in a good long while. Thanks!
More! More! As a white belt... learning these conceptual things is great. Keep Going!
I will definitely be doing more like it soon, although this principle is so profound it’s hard to really top it
I’m loving the way that you instruct, Jon!
Oh my god every time I watch one of these types of conceptual overview videos of yours I get a lightbulb moment, crazy stuff
Happy to keep providing the lightbulb moments!!
Love the very last statement about self defense.
really good watch! Love how clear it is
Love these conceptual videos
Absolutely stellar video Jon! Such great concise, yet super valuable points here! Well done!
Thanks a lot buddy really happy you see the value in these principle it’s insane how much studying they take to discover
Always such great videos from this channel!
Your concept videos are the best. thank you
Thanks a lot buddy I really enjoy making them!
Love your conceptual videos
Thank you professor. This was great. No technique to memorize. As a new purple belt, I am trying to use concepts to improve my jujitsu.
I appreciate you content and you clean deliver of topics!
Happy you have enjoyed it buddy!
Love the principles based videos! Thank you
Excellent video makes a lot of sense thanks for sharing
Another good video man I appreciate you you’re really helping me!
Really just love your channel overall. Jam packed with so much good information
Thanks so much buddy means a lot! Try to always have valuable information be the best rock of the channel
Very helpful, would like to see more 🤙
Great info pls keep doing your vids!
Thanks
Great concepts, you moves are so efficient and fluid.
Really appreciate I try to always make it efficient!
Incredibly helpful lesson, thank you for sharing!
No problem happy you enjoyed it!
Thank you for your tips. I will start to focus more on what you mentioned.
blue belt
love your videos! I make all my fundamental students study your concept content.
As a blue belt this opens my eyes. Amazing stuff. Can’t wait to put this to work
Hope it helps you on your journey buddy!
That was so useful. The principles that underpin the technique is what I’m interested in to make sense of the myriad of options available! Thanks!
Great stuff. Yes the conceptual videos are very helpful, please keep them coming. Thanks!
I will for sure! Happy you enjoyed it!
concept videos rock. Thanks Jon!
I think so too! Happy you enjoyed it!
@@JonThomasBJJ seriously! I’ve only been watching the videos for a couple weeks and even my professor has noticed a difference. I’m almost at blue belt and feel that these videos are what will help me get over that hump! Along with showing up and getting choked haha
That’s awesome advice , thank you .
Excellent break-down.
Thank you so much!
Great video as always. Love your content, man.
Awesome explanations. So thorough.
Thanks a lot!!
Great video, thanks. Cleared out a lot for me.
Man, this was great! Thank you!
Thanks man! I just started BJJ couple of months ago and your videos have been really helpful to understand basic things and all :) Greets from Finland
Thanks so much buddy! Hoping to visit Finland in near future!!
Awesome coaching 👊💥💯
Thanks a lot buddy!
Really good insight here. I am definitely too grip focused when trying to reguard or establish guard from a neutral starting position. Im really going to try and be conscious of your advice of just maintaining distance and keeping aligned, and from there I can take whatever grip becomes readily available. Too often I am chasing double sleeve or what have you and the next thing I know I lose the angle and am being passed
Distance over position will change your game! Happy to have helped buddy!
Thanks … great content please more
Principles and concepts can always be applied to any situation even if you don’t really know the specific situation you are in.. they are like a guiding compass.. distance, alignment, use available grips, knee elbow connection, realignment, distance… any one who can keep playing this game will become un tappable…
Love all your stuff.
Great video. I've got your Open Guard instructional you did in colaboration with Stephan Kesting, and it is helping me a lot to build a solid guard game.
Thanks sir. I'm sure these concepts will become useful for me as I am able to develop and incorporate them into my training.
Fantastic conceptual teaching!
Great stuff👍🏽👍🏽
You're at my gym, Jon! This is funny as maintaining guard is my big goal for my training over the next little while.
Yeah you can never go wrong working on the foundation of rock solid open guard defense!
Great details
so good information. so good at teaching
Learnt so much on this video. I love your content. Very straight on, on the spot and direct to the point.
Thank you professor. Do you have an instructional?
Great video, thank you. Lovely mane too
Thanks Jon. Love the concepts.
You talked about grabbing space, setting space, and centering. That's actually why e4 is considered the best opening move in chess. With e4, white makes the first move to attack and defend the maximum amount of the most important central space first. Humans have thought this for a long time and AI seems to agree.
Of course, people play other moves first because they want to force their opponent to think and react in different lines. High level chess requires a lot of preparation and study to not lose in the first 5-20 moves, so people have to be prepared for the proper responses to other less optimal opening moves.
If everyone just played e4, everyone would only prepare for that. As for AI, it's often forced to play other openings just to see how it does. If you didn't force AI to play a particular opening, it would always go e4 with the white pieces.
❤🎉 This is quality stuff!
Thanks a lot, John! That’s what I need to improve my game.
No problem some of these core big ideas can completely change your game!
Oh is this Doc Petrenko? Hope you are doing well buddy! Hope I can come visit and see you guys soon! Has an amazing time in Kharkiv with you guys and really enjoyed the conversations.
That’s me) Stas told me about your visit. Can’t wait when you come.
Amazing advice!!!!!
Great stuff. Thanks mate 💪🏻
Good Video, Thank you. Those are some great ideas to think about!
No problem happy you liked this former of video!!
Thanks Jon!
Excellent
Great video! I start JJ this year and I have much trouble to mantain my guard, never thought in get some space and how this is important. I always start the row thinking to do a specific guard (close) and when this doesn't work i get snowballed. Don't have much flexibility to restart my guard when someone get on my side, if I get more space is much easier. Thanks
Awesome video as usual. I love the distance as a primary goal rule, but it also seems like some elite people have the ability to break it with great success. Gordon Ryan for example always seems to be aggressively moving forward to close distance from his seated guard. Do you have any thoughts on that approach?
Well that’s just a definition of the core objective. The job of the passer broadly is to close distance and achieve chest over chest and the job of the guard player is to not allow that to happen. So how to stop someone from passing or closing distance in general is an unanswerable question you need to deal with it on a specific level depending on each way your opponent approaches. Basically these two things aren’t at odds it’s just a definition of the goals of each player
This is gold!
Thanks for video! Although I already understand that I need to keep distance from my partner, I manage to do this for only first several seconds of sparring. Afterwards my partner closes in and constantly attacks me, until he passes guard. I understand my mistakes much later, when trying to remember details of these sparrings. Still can't incorporate these theoretical principles in my practice.