Inflection Points

Time to Pause and Look Around

I’m training with a student in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). We are rolling (live sparring, but with no strikes—just grappling), and I’m guiding their actions with my own, trying to get into a particular position.

We reach a point where I have just enough control so as to allow them two options: left or right. If they go left, I’ll probably get a sweep—a reversal of position from the bottom (guard) to the top, which is a dramatic improvement. If they go right, I will very likely get a submission (a finishing joint lock or choke that causes a person to tap, letting you know that they’re stuck).

In BJJ, the submission is the end of the game, akin to checkmate in chess. Naturally, people will try to avoid this when training, so that’s when finding these micro-positions—what I call “inflection points”—becomes all-important.

It’s a moment where you're in control, waiting for your opponent's next move, and regardless of what they do, you have an answer. And, it’s largely up to your partner to de…