I Suck At Jiu Jitsu Show #342 Henry Akins and Micheal Zenga: Stop Overcomplicating Your Jiu-Jitsu
Oct 2, 2025
Henry Akins, a seasoned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach known for his fundamental simplification, and Micheal Zenga, an accomplished competitor and coach, delve into the art of making Jiu-Jitsu less complex. They discuss the underestimated cross-collar choke and its mechanics, why mastery of fewer techniques leads to true skill, and the debate over mount versus back control. With anecdotes and insights on breathwork and teaching methods, they highlight how to refine your game by focusing on the basics and adapting strategies for various opponents.
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Unexpected Low Single Clinic
- Michael Zenga describes getting dominated by Henry's low single during a prep session before Worlds.
- The sequence surprised him because Henry usually doesn't shoot and hit it repeatedly from standing.
Mastery Means Simple, Deep Fundamentals
- Henry argues mastery means drilling fundamentals deeply, not chasing complexity.
- Top champions use simple blueprints executed with microscopic detail and body positioning.
Control Beats Scrambling
- Dominant grapplers minimize scrambles by maintaining control and predictable progressions.
- A scramble signals lost control, so elite players design positions that limit opponent options.
