SFGT Curriculum

Introduction and Overview:

Definition of Grappling:

Immobilization as it leads to submission (strangulation and breaking)

Philosophy:

Jiu-Jitsu is the philosophical lens through which we view grappling.

The philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu can be summed up in one word as: efficiency.

Central Problem:

The Movement Problem

Central Process:

1 - Segment the periphery (Legs, Arms, and Head)

        in order to access center mass (Hips, Shoulders, and Torso)

2 - Destabilize/Immobilize center mass 

3 - Isolate and re-attack the periphery

Fundamental Engagement:

Make and maintain connections for the purpose of controlling distance

   - for the purpose of Segmentation, Destabilization, Immobilization, and Isolation

Fundamental Situations:

1 - Standing

2 - Grounded: Guards

3 - Grounded: Pins: Chest to Chest

4 - Grounded: Pins: Chest to Back

5 - Submissions: Leg Entanglements

6 - Submissions: Neck/Arm Entanglements

Tactics and   Strategy:

Strategy Principles:

1 - Grappling is a physical system

2 - All combat is a zero-sum game

3 - Situations dictate tactics

Global Strategies:

1 - Standing: Takedown, or Pull Guard

2 - Guard Top: Guard Pass, or Isolate and Attack Legs

3 - Guard Bottom: Stand, Sweep, or Isolate and Attack Upper Body

4 - Pin Top: Improve Pin and/or Isolate and Attack Upper Body

5 - Pin Bottom: Stand, Sweep, or Recover Guard

6 - Entanglements: Isolate and Attack Legs, Escape to Top Position

Local Strategies:

Hand Fighting (Segmentation): Working past the upper periphery (head and arms) to access center mass (shoulder, hips, torso). Attacking the center line or flanking.

Takedowns (Destabilization): Separating an opponent's center mass from their base of support (lower periphery) from a neutral position. Towards the hips or hands.

Guard Passing (Segmentation): Working past the lower periphery (legs) to access center mass   (shoulder, hips, torso). Attacking the center line or flanking.

Standing/Sweeping (Destabilization): Separating an opponent's center mass from their base of   support (lower periphery) from a bottom position. Towards the hips or hands.

Pinning (Immobilization): Connecting an opponent’s center mass to the mat; using pressure, wedging, or both. Chest-to-chest or chest-to-back

Pin Escapes (Mobilization): Creating movement through pushing, pulling, or rotating to create distance, to mobilize center mass, and de-segment the periphery.

Submissions, Neck/Head (Isolation): Separating an opponent's neck/head from the rest of the body for the purpose of strangulation, suffocation, or spinal manipulation.

Submissions, Arms/Legs (Isolation): Separating an opponent's arm or leg from the rest of the body for the purpose of joint manipulation. via extension, contraction, or rotation.

Concepts and Principles:

Global Principles:

Top Supremacy: Top position allows for greater mobility, wedging, and the ability to create pressure via gravity. Therefore, top positions are always superior to bottom   or neutral positions.

Hip Centric Grappling: The Hips are the body's seat of power. Controlling an opponent's hips will always give greater access to destabilization and immobilization tactics.

Inside Control: Whoever occupies the space from their opponents’ knees to their armpits (Center Mass) has the inside control. Inside control presents greater access to destabilization, immobilization, and isolation tactics.

Kuzushi: Japanese term for unbalancing an opponent. The noun comes from the transitive verb kuzusu, meaning to level, pull down, destroy or demolish. As such, it refers to not just unbalancing, but the process of putting an opponent to a position where stability, and hence the ability to regain uncompromised balance for attacking, is destroyed (breaking posture).

Submission Control Points: Around the neck (strangulation), under the armpits (upper body breaking), between the knees (lower body breaking). These are the points on the body that must be accessed for submissions to be available.

Position over Submission: Submissions are like leaves on a tree. The ability to win the battle for top position, inside control, kuzushi, and hip position are the roots, trunk, limbs, and branches. Without the ability to win these battles, submissions will never exist.

Concepts and Principles:

Strategic Principles:

Direct vs. Indirect Control: Understanding that the body is a system of levers (Legs, Arms, Hips, Shoulders, and Neck/Spine). Any part of an opponent's body can be controlled through direct contact, or through indirect contact via the lever system.

Basing to Stand: There are several levels to basing/standing. Turning to a side, coming up to an elbow, hand, knee, or foot are all different levels of basing/standing for the purpose of mobilization and stabilization.

Center Line vs. Flank Attacks: There are two paths to accessing center mass; working inside the legs or arms to access the hips or shoulders (center line) or working outside the legs or arms to access the hips or shoulders (flanking).

Posterior vs. Anterior Destabilization: Posterior destabilization puts an opponent's hips directly to the ground. Anterior destabilization allows an opponent to prevent their hips from going directly to the floor via basing, using the hands, knees, elbows, or head. Posterior destabilization is superior for immobilization; anterior destabilization is superior for back exposure.

The Hip Degeneracy Dilemma: The Hips and lower body can be used as a base of support for center mass or for making and maintaining connections to an opponent. But, not for both at the same time.

Posterior Plane Dilemma: Taking position behind an opponent solves the problem of framing and holding (pushing and pulling against an attacker’s center mass). However, this position introduces the problem of shelling (hiding arms and legs from attack) and basing (pressing against the ground to stand).