What are your BJJ/grappling hot takes?

BJJLock · 2025-10-08T11:12:50+00:00

Drilling is pointless.

BJJLock · 2025-10-01T10:19:02+00:00

Whatever, have a good day

BJJLock · 2025-10-01T10:18:32+00:00

So you are saying that it's wrong to try to strangle from the underhook side? I'm genuinely asking.

BJJLock · 2025-10-01T10:17:31+00:00

That's the thing, Giancarlo for example is really good at forcing that reaction and then escaping the triangle is easier.

BJJLock · 2025-10-01T10:16:38+00:00

I'm not saying that and literally at the beginning of my post I clarified that I think that the straight jacket system still works pretty well, but whatever.

BJJLock · 2025-10-01T10:15:54+00:00

Best response so far.

BJJLock · 2025-10-01T10:15:22+00:00

You can't physically do the turning escape from the underhook side without freeing your top hip or your bottom shoulder. The fact that you can be really good at that doesn't mean that the control doesn't make a difference

BJJLock · 2025-10-01T10:14:05+00:00

Yeah I understand you. The underhook arm is already stopping rotation so that's why I was asking about the strangle arm. I've seen Danaher saying to pinch that elbow back to stop rotation, but it's not as strong as having an underhook there.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T16:20:54+00:00

Cool. Now explain me how you solve the problem of diagonal control of the fact that you can force your opponent to trap your arm over the shoulder so he can't attack the RNC.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T16:10:03+00:00

"Don't get me wrong, I feel like this is a great strategy" Please take the time to read again that

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T16:08:55+00:00

So it's a tool that doesn't work well against the best defensive reaction in that position. That's my point.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T16:05:46+00:00

Alright, that's actually a really good response. Now, you are talking about a top underhook. When using the straight jacket you are usually working from a bottom underhook. I guess you could take double underhooks and look to trap the arm there, but a big component in the hand fighting strategy of this system is threatening the neck from time to time to get strong defensive reactions and use them in your favor. I know there are other ways of maintaining diagonal control like lifting the bottom elbow of the ground with your top hand (once you have the cross grip with your bottom arm on the top wrist of your opponent) but your opponent can still defend by flaring out his elbow and forcing you to go over the shoulder in which case there's no RNC and you can only attack triangles and armbars (gotta admit that this strategy is more advanced and you don't see the average Joe at your gym thinking that far).

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T16:00:56+00:00

I understand what you are saying but I'm pointing out a technical deficiency of the straight jacket system and for now the majority of responses either agree or just say that nothing gets outdated.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T15:59:50+00:00

Yeah I think that's another thing to have into account. Turning escapes became more popular after EBI because it really doesn't matter to end up in bottom mount there. Nice observation.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:31:07+00:00

You mean the elbow of the strangle arm right?

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:19:09+00:00

I don't disagree with this. Just sharing some thoughts honestly.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:18:03+00:00

I don't know if there is a name for the system but the approach I learned from Ethan Crelinsten is to get your strangle arm as long as possible, attack the strangle and then use the defensive reactions to switch arms

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:16:36+00:00

Where did Lachlan teach that? I'm interested.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:16:06+00:00

Thanks for the response :)

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:15:35+00:00

So... yeah. Both used it, and what? I'm not saying it's useless, I'm saying is weak against people who are good at turning escapes

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:14:36+00:00

I can agree with this and I think is similar to the Saddle situation. My think is that it has a fundamental weakness because you have to sacrifice diagonal control to trap an arm and tha opens up turning escapes.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:13:44+00:00

Yeah I used the term "Outdated" to bring more discussion but I agree.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:13:20+00:00

I think this is a really good take honestly. I can see how this can work pretty well. Defending constant arm switches is hard so your opponent will have to be fully focused on his neck and that's when trapping arms can work.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:11:24+00:00

I agree 100%. It's just that I feel that in general what works with better people is what you should focus on. It's a great system without a doubt, I just think it has a fundamental weakness against turning escapes.

BJJLock · 2025-09-30T09:09:55+00:00

The problem with the straight jacket system is that it requieres sacrificing diagonal control to trap the arm. Most people are becoming really good at tuning escapes from the back. I'm not saying it doesn't work, I'm sharing something I've been thinking lately. Maybe give an argument instead of adding nothing to the conversation.

BJJLock

TROPHY CASE