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Ten Principles of Jujitsu
1. BALANCE: Balance is the most important principle in
any sport as well as the martial arts. By keeping your own
balance, while breaking your opponent’s balance, you will
have use of your maximum power while your opponent uses
part of his energy trying to regain his balance. The more off
balance he is the more strength he will need to recover.
2. MOBILITY AND STABILITY: Your center of
gravity plays an important part in the principle of mobility
and stability. Lower your center of gravity and you will
achieve stability; raise your center of gravity and you will
gain mobility. The hub of your action is at your
midsection. When your center of gravity rises, you will
lessen your stability and increase your mobility, and vice
versa. For mobility, move on the balls of your feet, and when
pivoting, your knees should be either above or beyond your toes, and not directly over your heels. For
stability, lower your body slightly. Stability is essential in punching or throwing.
3. AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION OF FORCES: To avoid the full power of your opponent’
s attack, avoid the head on collision of force by evading, deflecting, blending, or redirecting. Unlike
other systems of martial arts training where you pivot in toward the opponent, this principle is just the
opposite. As in all small-circle moves, always pivot away from the opponent when blending, redirecting
or evading. Try to evade the opponent’s striking force by stepping back. Move 45 to 90 degrees to the
left or right, or laterally left or right.
4. MENTAL RESISTANCE AND DISTRACTION: Everyone has the ability to mentally
resist pain. Do not use physical resistance, but remain calm and relaxed as you give your total
concentration. If you are able to go into deep concentration you will be surprised to find that you will
feel no pain. Distraction of the opponent’s concentration is important when executing a counterattack.
During the application of a technique when resistance is met, distract your opponent by attacking the
weak areas of the body. This leaves him with less power and a split second loss of concentration. An
unexpected shout or grunt may also allow you sufficient time to escape or counter.
5. FOCUS ON THE SMALLEST POINT POSSIBLE: Try to pinpoint pain on the smallest
base possible. Transmission of energy to a wide base means that the energy is distributed over a
larger area and less energy is directed to the point where the pain should be felt. Be accurate with the
direction of force.
6. ENERGY TRANSFER: An example of
energy transfer is the application of the reverse arm
bar, using your knuckles against your opponent’s
tricep tendon. First, use a heavy palm by pressing
your palm heavily against the opponent’s forearm
above the elbow, driving your knuckles directly into
the tendon of the tricep. This energy transfer breaks
your opponent’s resistance more effectively then
if you were to apply force to the area of focus i
immediately. His weak resistance is caused by
applying the heavy palm below the elbow and then
transferring the energy above the elbow. Energy
transfer is effective if the distance o transfer is short.
7. CREATE A BASE: Whenever there is a lot of play in the hold your executing, create a base
to stop the extra play of the fingers, wrist, or any locks on the limbs. You can create a base by using
any surface to restrict the amount of movement the opponent may have, using your thighs, body, head,
wall, floor, etc.
8. STICKING, CONTROL AND SENSITIVITY: Sticking with your opponent during the
application of a hold or a series of holds is vital. To counter any resistance or escape attempt, you must
keep in constant contact with your opponent during the flow from one technique to another. This
requires sensitivity. To develop sensitivity, you must learn not to “muscle” the application of the hold.
You must relax to feel the slightest movement by the opponent, sensing its direction and quality.
9. ROTATIONAL MOMENTUM: It is a method of creating strong off-balancing moves as a
preliminary to throwing the opponent. By holding the opponent with both hands, you circle both hands
in the same direction. One hand pulls while the other pushes. As the opponent leans to oppose your
influence, you circle back, adding your force to his own body momentum to shift him off balance.
10. TRANSITIONAL FLOW: The purpose of
learning the art of transitional flow is to enable you to
counterattack any intentions of your adversary by
fluidly moving from one technique to another. Before
you can do this however, you must be able to apply
each individual technique proficiently. You must be
able to focus efficiently, stick to your opponent, and
distract your opponent’s concentration effectively. The
transitional changes enables you to constantly flow
from one technique to another and still maintain total
control.
The principles of transitional flow are as follows:
- Exert continual pain during transitions. This will not only deter retaliation, but by increasing the
pain as needed, discourage any escape attempt which must be anticipated since your opponent
is bound to sense that the transition is his best opportunity to escape.
- Create maximum pain without dislocating the joint. This will show the attacker that you can injure
him or her if necessary just by adding a little more pressure. This will cause him to fear you.
- Mobility is needed during transitions rather than stability.
