Blocks for legs vs. Traditional sends: the evolution of BJJ

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has always been a martial art rooted in evolution and adaptation. Since his first days of self -defense to his current Premier Grappling Sport status, Bjj has undergone numerous transformations. One of the most spoken changes in the last ten years has been the rise of leg locks and their impact on the traditional submission game.

For years, presentations such as AMBES, triangles and posterior nude nude chokes dominated BJJ competitions. However, the modern game saw an increase in leg locks, which were once considered risky or even anti -sports. Now, the attacks in the legs have become essential tools for high -level competitors. This article explores how Bjj has evolved through the interaction of sending of the old school and the new school and why an all -round grappler should both study.

A constantly evolving martial art

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Martial arts never remain static. Like all combat sports, BJJ has grown and adapted through experimentation, competition and innovation. At the beginning, BJJ mainly concerned positional control, favoring the sending that followed an approach from top to bottom. The fighters focused on dominant positions such as the control of the mountain and the back before looking for sending.

While sport expanded globally, professionals began to challenge conventional methods. Competitions and ascent of submission formats only encouraged more aggressive attack styles. This environment has allowed the locks of the legs to earn legitimacy, detaching itself from their stigma while moving “cheap” or “low containment”. Today, both traditional sending and leg locks have their place, making Bjj more dynamic than ever.

The art of observations

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At the base, BJJ concerns control and presentation. The essence of art lies in the use of leverage, technique and times to force an opponent to surrender. Presentations are available in different forms: joint locks, oddities and compressions. These techniques aim for specific weaknesses in the human body and are highly effective in sports and self -defense situations.

The philosophy underlying BJJ observations has long been based on control, attack second. Practitioners were taught to pass the guard, to guarantee a dominant position and then hunting for the finish line. Although effective, this approach has often slowed down the rhythm of the games and attempts to present limited to a predictable set of attacks. The evolution of the leg locks interrupted this formula, providing another level of complexity to the presentation game.

Sending of the old school defined

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Traditional presentations of BJJ are mainly concentrated on the upper body. Techniques such as arm, kimura, guillotine and triangles were bread and art butter for decades. These moves are effective because they attack the opponent’s arms, neck or shoulders. These are areas that can be easily controlled once the positional domain is reached.

The style of the old school revolves around the concept of “position before submission”. This means that protecting complete control, side control or back control should arrive before trying a finishing move. The reasoning behind this is that the dominant positions offer greater control, making it more difficult for opponents to escape or contrast.

Historically, the locks of the legs were considered risky because they often required the sacrifice position. Many traditional Bjj schools considered them risky for training and competition, since failed attempts could lead to an opponent who passed or opposed their submission.

The new school style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjz-kx414sa

The modern Bjj game has launched many traditional concepts in the head and the locks of the legs are at the center of this turn. The rise of competitions only by submission, in particular in non-gi-and formats, has made it possible to thrive the attacks on the legs. Many innovators, like the famous coach John Danaher, have helped to push Bjj to the complete and dangerous art we know today.

The locks of the legs offer a completely different approach to the presentations. Instead of working through dominant positions, practitioners can attack from positions as an open guard, half guard and even lower positions. This means that even if an opponent is at the top, I am never really safe.

Modern BJJ athletes have developed entire systems around the legs of the legs. These legs of the legs provide strong control during the attachment of the legs, allowing professionals to apply devastating communications aimed at foot or knee. The ability to finish the fighting without the need for positional domain has made the locks of the legs a turning point.

Benefits of learning both

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While the locks of the legs have gained popularity, traditional communications remain highly effective. The best approach is not to encourage one style on the other but both integrate into a complete game. That’s why learning both styles is useful:

An all -round grappler is more difficult to beat. If you focus only on a type of sending, the opponents who are prepared will be able to close the attacks. By incorporating the communications of both the upper and the lower body, the chances of ending up fighting from multiple corners increases.

Positional awareness improves when you learn leg locks. Since attacks on the legs often require to give up traditional positions, professionals develop a better defensive awareness and movement. This skill set helps both already in the games and not, making the transitions more fluid and more clear defenses.

Understanding the locks of the legs makes you better in defending them. With the rise of the leg locks, ignore them is no longer an option. Many bjj athletes who refused to learn the defense of the block of the legs ended up being captured by them in competition. By studying the locks of the legs, not only amplifies your offense, but also protects you from leg hunters.

Specialized but be complete

Each grappler has their strengths. Some can naturally gravitate to the locks and chokes of the arm, while others can find the locks of the easiest legs to perform. There is nothing wrong with the specialization in a certain type of sending, but a complete grappler should always have a basic understanding of all techniques.

The best competitors of BJJ, MMA and grappling of submission are not only based on an approach. They merge the old school and the new school is perfectly approaching. Grapples like The Ruotolo Brothers, Craig Jones and many others show how the locks of the legs can be integrated into an already solid submission game. At the same time, the more traditional black belts such as Roger Gracie and Bernardo Faria dominated with classic observations that continue to resist the test of time.

If you prefer arm and triangles, it’s fantastic! Just make sure you know how to defend yourself from a heel hook. If you love the locks of the legs, fantastic! But do not ignore the effectiveness of a well tempered rear naked choke. The key to BJJ’s growth is to be open to learning, adaptation and improvement of the game over time.

Conclusion

The battle between the locks of the legs and the traditional sending does not concern which it is best. Both are precious tools that are used for different purposes in the Arsenal of a Grappler. The evolution of BJJ has shown that innovation and adaptation are what pushes sport forward.

The best approach is to merge both styles, creating a complete presentation game that leaves no empty spaces for the opponents to be exploited. Whether you are competing at the highest levels or simply rolling in the local gym, being in the round will always be the key to success on the mats.

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