The Importance of Inside Position in Jiu Jitsu

The Importance of Inside Position in Jiu Jitsu

In the world of Jiu Jitsu, understanding and mastering positional control is crucial. One key concept that stands out is the inside position. This term refers to maintaining your limbs (arms or legs) inside your opponent’s limbs, which can give you a tactical advantage. In this blog, we will explore the importance of inside position in Jiu Jitsu, how to achieve and maintain it, and the benefits it brings to your game.

What is Inside Position?

Inside position, also known as inside control, involves placing your limbs inside your opponent’s limbs. This strategic positioning allows you to manage distance, influence your opponent’s movements, maintain positional control, and effectively set up a variety of attacks and defenses.

Why Inside Position is Important

1. Control
   • Distance Management: Having inside position allows you to control the distance between you and your opponent. This control is crucial in both offense and defense.
   • Leverage and Balance: With inside control, you can better leverage your opponent’s balance and posture, making it easier to execute sweeps, submissions, and positional advancements.
2. Offensive Opportunities
   • Setting Up Submissions: Inside position provides a platform to initiate various submissions, such as armbars, triangles, and chokes, with greater efficiency. It is important to note that almost all control and application of submissions require some form of inside control.
   • Sweeps and Reversals: From inside control, you can execute sweeps and reversals more effectively, turning defensive positions into advantageous ones.
3. Defensive Benefits
   • Blocking Attacks: By maintaining inside control, you can block your opponent’s attempts to  acquire inside control, significantly reducing their offensive capabilities. The Panda system is based around this fundamental principle. Dominating your inside position defensively allows you to move and transition without being controlled by your opponent. This allows you to get back to an offensive position without having to produce an escape.
   • Escape Routes: Focusing on regaining your inside position offers better opportunities to create space and produce escapes once inside position is lost.

Drills to Enhance Inside Position

• Pummeling Drills
  • Objective: Develop hand fighting skills to achieve and maintain inside position.
  • Execution: Partner up and practice pummeling for inside control, focusing on smooth transitions and connection.
• Guard Retention Drills
  • Objective: Improve your ability to retain inside position while playing guard.
  • Execution: Practice guard retention drills, emphasizing keeping your legs and feet inside to block your opponent’s passes.
• Positional Sparring
  • Objective: Apply inside control concepts in live training.
  • Execution: Engage in positional sparring, focusing on inside position from both bottom and top for all positions (Side Control, Mount, Back Mount, Guard, Standing, and Turtle)
• Defensive Sparring (Panda System)
  • Objective: Apply defensive inside control concepts in live training.
  • Execution: Engage in positional sparring, focusing on inside position using the Panda System. See how long you can deny inside position from your opponent by only playing defensively. (Turtle, Hawking, Baby Bridge, Running man, and Panda)

Conclusion

Understanding and mastering the concept of inside position in Jiu Jitsu is fundamental to developing a well-rounded and effective game. Whether you are aiming to control your opponent, set up submissions, or defend against attacks, maintaining inside control gives you a significant advantage. By incorporating drills and techniques focused on achieving and maintaining inside position, you can enhance your overall performance and improve your skill on the mat.

Remember, consistency and practice are key. Regularly work on these concepts to make inside position an integral part of your Jiu Jitsu strategy. Embrace the journey, stay dedicated, and watch your skills grow.