Trading Up

When you commit part of your body to a technique, make sure you're getting more than you give.

We all know Jiu-Jitsu is about leverage, right? But did you know there's more than one form of leverage, and you might be neglecting the one that helps the most?

We often talk about mechanical leverage in Jiu-Jitsu. This is the “simple machines” stuff they teach you in high school. In the context of grappling, it's the idea that we should control limbs as levers, and the closer to the end of the lever you control, the greater your leverage.

But there's also strategic leverage, which is a more abstract concept that's easier to neglect. Strategic leverage isn't about physics, it's about getting more done with less.

When you take out a mortgage to buy a more expensive home than you could afford in cash, that's strategic leverage.

When you play the board game Monopoly and you trade four houses for a hotel, that's strategic leverage.

When you hire specialists because they'll do the job better and faster than you, that's strategic leverage.

These are all examples of how strategic leverage can be used for “trading up,” or getting more than you normally would given your investment.

But we're talking about Jiu-Jitsu here, so let's discuss a leverage strategy that's especially helpful for grappling.

“Trading up” is incredible leverage.

“Trading up” is when we use strategic leverage to exchange something for a more valuable thing.

In Jiu-Jitsu, this normally happens when I commit one of my weapons, like a limb, in exchange for control of your body. I'm “trading up” if I get more control than I give.

For example, if I wrap one of my arms around your neck, that's almost always a good trade for me because I can still fight somewhat effectively with one arm occupied, whereas you'll struggle to fight effectively if I'm controlling your head.

Another example: You may have noticed black belts often use their chests to pin and trap your arms when they're playing top position. Trapping your arm with my chest is an awesome trade for me because I take away one of your weapons without having to commit any of mine.

But there's one thing about trades that you absolutely must understand...

Not all trades are good trades.

Three results can come of a trade:

#1: “Trading up,” where the trade is in your favor and you got something more valuable than you gave up;

#2: “Trading even,” where the exchange is more or less equal; and

#3: “Trading down,” where you got a bad deal.

“Trading up” is always a good idea, and “trading even” is fine if you think it benefits you strategically, but never “trade down.”

Telling people to avoid “trading down” might sound obvious, but it's important to say because white belts are notorious for making “bad trades” in Jiu-Jitsu. Less experienced grapplers often neglect to think consciously about the trades they're making when they roll.

It's important to understand that trading math isn't always simple in Jiu-Jitsu. For example, you might think that me exchanging two of my arms for one of yours is a bad trade...but is it really?

If I use both my hands to grab your wrist, that's a bad trade because I've committed two weapons while you've only committed one, and I've gained no control in return. But...

If I use both my hands to control your wrist and elbow, now I have some control of your body (Remember the 3 joint rule?). I'm able to do arm drags and get to a dominant angle. That's worth it, so that's a good trade, even if I gave up two weapons for one. What I got in return was more valuable.

Making good trades isn't about the number of limbs you're committing versus theirs; it's about the quality of your body's alignment versus theirs. If I can keep my base, posture, and structure while taking away yours, it doesn't matter how many of my limbs are tied up.

So here's my advice on the matter: much like how you'd shop, look for “good deals” when rolling. Avoid mid-match “impulse buys!” Be a filthy coupon clipper and find those deep discounts!

On the podcast:

• Ep. 307: Agents & Representation, feat. Sara Rafferty

Further study:

• 3 Joint Rule
• Theory of Alignment
• Countergripping