In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one of the most important things to learn is how to adapt to your opponent’s moves and the new challenges you face with each roll.
Being flexible is not just useful on the mat; it can also change how you deal with problems in real life.
“The wise warrior avoids the battle until victory is certain,”
This means being able to change your strategy when and how to get the best result in Jiu-Jitsu.
Let us look at how Jiu-Jitsu can help you deal with challenges in your daily life and in your training.
1. Adapt Your Game to Every Opponent
Everyone you fight in Jiu-Jitsu is different. There are people who are faster, stronger, and smarter than others.
Sun Tzu says that the best way to win a battle is to know both your enemy and yourself. There are things you need to know about yourself and your opponent as a practitioner.
But if you are rolling with someone more skilled, you might want to play defensively and look for ways to get away.
With a partner who is not as skilled, on the other hand, you can work on more aggressive submissions and transitions.
The key is to change how you do things depending on what is going on.
2. Stay Flexible in Your Strategy
When you stay flexible with your strategy in Jiu-Jitsu, chances come up.
Do not waste time trying to make one method work; instead, move on to the next one.
You can take advantage of opportunities and turn the tide in your favor when you are flexible.
For instance, if you are trying to pass the guard but your opponent has a strong defense, you might be able to find new ways to win by switching to a leg lock or a different pass.
Being mentally and physically flexible will help you stay away from getting stuck in one way of thinking or acting.
3. Off the Mat: Thriving in Life’s Challenges
Jiu-Jitsu teaches you how to be flexible in many situations. People who can adapt to new situations are very useful in real life, where problems can arise out of the blue.
Whether you are dealing with stress at work, problems in your personal life, or changes in your environment, Jiu-Jitsu helps you stay calm and adaptable.
When things do not go your way, you can either fight them and wear yourself out, or you can give up and find a new way to do things.
As you practice being flexible, you get better at dealing with the unexpected problems that come up in life.
Wrapping Up: Be Like Water—Adapt and Flow
One of the most important things you can do in Jiu-Jitsu and in life is to learn how to adapt.
Remember the quote: “Be like water.”
It is like how water changes shape depending on what it is poured into. You should also change with your rolls and life’s challenges.
No matter what happens, you will be able to do well if you stay flexible and change your plan.
Learn in-depth about improving your mind and your Jiu-Jitsu, read our free ebook: Sun Tzu’s Strategies for Jiu-Jitsu Practitioners (All Chapters)
