This mini-discussion dives into the fascinating world of slicer submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on their mechanics and how they differ from typical joint locks. It examines why slicers are often overlooked, especially in light of IBJJF rules, and shares insights into targeting soft tissue. The conversation also touches on personal experiences, trends in elite competitions, and a growing interest in utilizing slicers, making it a thought-provoking listen for grapplers.
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Quick takeaways
Slicers are unique submissions targeting both soft tissue and bone, requiring specific mechanics to immobilize the joint effectively.
IBJJF rules limit the practice of slicers to brown belts, contributing to their underutilization and reduced familiarity among practitioners.
Deep dives
Understanding Slicers in Jiu-Jitsu
Slicers are a unique form of submission in jiu-jitsu that target both soft tissue and bone, differing from typical joint locks like armbars or kimuras. When executing a slicer, the goal is not solely to apply pressure on the joints but also to create potential for bone damage or significant soft tissue injury, as seen in moves like calf and bicep slicers. This dual target mechanism can be compared to breaking a stick, where sufficient force is applied against the bone while controlling the surrounding tissue, effectively immobilizing the joint. To successfully apply a slicer, the practitioner must fold the opponent's limb and secure both ends, resembling the mechanics of a nutcracker, where the bone compresses the soft tissue, leading to a likely tap-out due to discomfort or injury.
The Underutilization of Slicers
Despite their effectiveness, slicers are rarely seen in competitive jiu-jitsu, largely due to the existing rules set by organizations like IBJJF, which restrict their practice until the brown belt level. This limitation means many practitioners do not train slicers until later stages, contributing to a lack of familiarity and innovation around the technique. The combination of these rules and the perception of slicers as potentially dangerous may slow their development and incorporation into training routines. However, as evidenced by recent competitions where slicers have been successfully executed, there could be an ongoing evolution of this technique that may lead to increased visibility and strategic use at higher levels of competition.
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Understanding Slicer Mechanics in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
In this week's mini-episode we continue our series of discussions on the different types of breaking mechanics in Jiu-Jitsu! This episode explains slicers, a submission that usually targets the bicep or calf, and discusses why these submissions may be underused due to IBJJF ruleset restrictions.
(A note on terminology: a "break" as described here is technically more of a "tear," as you're not breaking bone, you're tearing soft tissue. However, we'll use the term "break" as it's the more commonly accepted and understood term in Jiu-Jitsu.)
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