Upon first reading The Art of War by Sun Tzu, I was unprepared for its profound impact.
In my mind, “This is about ancient battles and generals, not martial arts.”
But the more I read, the more I realized something:
Sun Tzu was basically talking about jiu-jitsu — just in ancient Chinese armor.
Old Wisdom on The Modern Jiu-Jitsu Mats
Sun Tzu wasn’t just a philosopher. He was a strategist. A thinker. A master of human behavior. Despite being written centuries ago, his book continues to impart valuable lessons that are still relevant today.
Stuff like:
- Strategy beats brute force.
- Calm minds win battles.
- Preparation changes everything.
Sound familiar?
Let me break it down for you.
Adaptability: Flow Like Water
One of Sun Tzu’s big messages is, “Be like water — shapeless, formless, always ready to adapt.”
Man, if that doesn’t scream jiu-jitsu, I don’t know what does.
I remember rolling with a guy who had this crazy guard game. Every time I tried to pass, he switched it up — spider, lasso, De La Riva. I got frustrated, tried to muscle through it… and boom — triangle city.
That day I learned the hard way: if you don’t adapt, you get trapped.
In BJJ, things change fast. You can’t just stick to one plan. You have to read your opponent, feel their energy, and adjust in real-time.
Those who embrace change typically emerge victorious.
Preparation: Know Yourself, Know Your Opponent
Sun Tzu said, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
That quote changed how I trained.
I used to rely solely on luck while rolling on the mat. But once I started watching footage, studying my game, and taking notes after class — that’s when things clicked.
I learned I had a strong top game but struggled to defend leg locks.
I also started picking up on my training partners’ patterns — who likes to wrestle, who favors guard pulls, who always goes for the kimura.
Suddenly, I wasn’t just reacting — I was planning. Setting traps. Controlling the pace.
That’s strategy. And that’s Sun Tzu.
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The Mental Side: Calm Beats Chaos
Here’s the truth: jiu-jitsu isn’t just physical. It’s mental warfare.
I’ve had matches where I panicked the moment I got stuck in mount. My mind raced. My breathing went wild. And just like that — I made a dumb mistake and tapped.
Then I remembered what Sun Tzu said: “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
So I started working on my mindset. Breathing exercises. Visualization. Staying present during the roll.
And guess what?
I started staying calmer, even in bad positions. I learned that being mentally tough often beats being physically strong.
Respect and Camaraderie: We Rise Together
Sun Tzu talked a lot about honor — treating allies and even enemies with respect.
And jiu-jitsu is built on that.
Some of my biggest growth came not from competition but from late-night open mats, laughing with teammates, learning from each other, and helping white belts find their footing.
We bow before and after each roll — not out of habit, but out of respect.
We grow together.
That’s how it should be. And that’s what Sun Tzu preached all those centuries ago.
Final Thoughts: Ancient Truths, Modern Warriors
Sun Tzu didn’t train in jiu-jitsu, but he understood the fight. He understood the mind, the heart, and the strategy it takes to win — on the battlefield and on the mats.
So next time you train, ask yourself:
- Am I adapting?
- Am I preparing smart?
- Am I staying calm under pressure?
- Am I lifting others up?
Because jiu-jitsu isn’t just about choking people out. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself — mentally, physically, and spiritually. And Sun Tzu? He’s got your back.
Now it’s your turn. What’s one lesson you’ve learned from jiu-jitsu that’s helped you off the mat? Drop a comment. Let’s grow together.
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