
BJJ Mental Models
Mini Ep. 42: Body Tethering
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Quick takeaways
- Maintaining control over an opponent's alignment is essential to prevent vulnerabilities while using clamping techniques in BJJ.
- Smaller grapplers should be cautious with clamping techniques against larger opponents to avoid being manipulated and potentially injured.
Deep dives
The Concept of Body Tethering in Jiu-Jitsu
Body tethering refers to the danger of becoming overly reliant on a position where one's body weight is entirely controlled by the opponent, making one vulnerable to injury. For instance, being in closed guard is beneficial if the guard player maintains control over the opponent's posture; however, if the opponent successfully postures up, the guard player becomes tethered and is at risk of being picked up or slammed, which can lead to severe injuries. This concept emphasizes the need for grapplers to avoid situations where their body is completely dependent on their opponent's movements, highlighting that even if certain techniques like slams are illegal, the potential for accidental injury still exists. Ensuring that one has control over their opponent's alignment is crucial to mitigate risks associated with being tethered.