Basics and solid fundamentals are key in jiu jitsu, to be sure. But I fully believe it is beneficial to occasionally put yourself in unusual positions- to get a little weird with your jiu jitsu sometimes. Well, weird in a safe way, I guess I should mention.
There are a few benefits to putting yourself in unusual situations: first and foremost, there’s a good chance it will fail and will give you the opportunity to figure out an exit strategy. It’s all fine good if it actually works, but putting yourself in less than advantageous positions also has value, as it helps you figure out how to squeak out of a sticky situation.
Second, it can possibly help you see opportunities for different sweeps or submissions. There’s more than one way to break an egg, and there are multiple ways you can initiate a technique. It doesn’t have to always be simply “A+B=C”. Play around, see what works best for you and the game you like to play.
And finally, it adds fun to your jiu jitsu! Changing up your game and approach, experimenting adds a bit of variety to your training sessions, which can be a lot of fun.
So go out there and get a little weird, everyone!
A Skirt on the Mat 