Finding Your Flow

 One of the most amazing sights in jiu jitsu is to see high level practitioners move with speed and grace. There always seems to be little to no wasted movement whatsoever. Time and time again we try to recreate the beauty of this expression of movement, only to face sudden obstacles to prevent the flow from remaining constant. So what is the answer to maintain your flow?

Early in my jiu jitsu journey the concept of avoiding the resistance of movement was deeply instilled into my mind. Like most new practitioners this important concept sat on the back burner of my mind, all but forgotten. It wasn't on purpose, it's just that sometimes you miss the importance of certain pieces of information simply due to not knowing what bits are more crucial to retain than others. Yet as time went on, the opportunity to relearn that approach reappeared and positions that were once a sticking point became much more fluid.

Bruce Lee has a famous saying that is quoted/paraphrased as "Be like water..." By picture yourself as water, you are adaptable to your surroundings and there is no obstacle you cannot overcome. Translating this to a guard pass, if an opponent blocks your original direction of movement, you can change directions of the pass. You can also add another factor into the picture of going over the obstacle rather than around; jiu jitsu does not have to be two-dimensional! Embracing the change that unfolds throughout your roll will cut down on the chances of a stagnant match.

Taking the time to play catch and release with not only submissions, but also positions can help both you and your partner explore new possibilities. This helps you recognize patterns and opportunities as movement occurs. This style of flow rolling is not a new concept by any means, yet it helps both parties prosper in the art of movement. Look at some of the top level athletes in the game; each one of them manages to move effortlessly and still maintains space and pressure. Taking the time to flow can help develop that speed and consistency over time, it's just practice that gets you there.

Flow rolls and drills are an excellent way to warm up for a class assuming that the focus remains on the flow. Structure can help initiate the development of flow which sounds counter-intuitive, but just as Jocko Willink says, "discipline equals freedom." A good starting point may be to do a 2 for 2 ratio of movements, where you do two moves then your partner does two moves and so on and so forth. For example, you pass the guard to side control and then transition to mount. Your partner then escapes mount to guard and sweeps you to side control. Now you perform a side control escape and transition to an arm bar, where your partner immediately goes into a stacking escape and passes to knee on belly. The cycle continues for the pre-determined time limit. Of course there does not have to be a set time or ratio to flow roll, but if you don't know how to start out, it can be a very helpful blueprint.

As the flow rolls get explored, continue to keep in mind to create new scenarios with movement. The drill becomes stale and less enjoyable if you continuously use the same movement patterns and never try anything new. With risk comes new possibilities for growth. On that same note, some of the things you discover in flow are not conducive to a live match. It's important to perform these experiments to see what is worthwhile to add into your arsenal, and what is better to leave behind. The best way to decipher which movements translate to a live roll is to weigh the risk factors. Do these movements have a greater reward to risk ratio? Am I more likely to get injured by moving this way? What can my opponent counter this movement with? The more you explore, the more these questions will answer themselves.

Video feedback is an amazing way to catch the missed opportunities during not only your live matches, but flows as well. It logs what worked, what didn't work, and opens your eyes to your movement from a third person view. Having that footage is helpful to break it down with your partner or a coach to figure out why an area was lacking and what you can do to improve next time around. Just another great tool to help with your development!

Next time you are mid-roll and your partner stops the flow, don't force your way through the blockage! Go around, go over, or move with their inertia. Take the time in the gym to learn what works and doesn't for a reactionary basis. Each time you take those risks in the gym, you become better and more knowledgeable of those areas not overly explained in your classes. Jiu jitsu is a lot about self-discovery; you acquire the skills you need to perform the basics and then it becomes what you do with those tools that makes jiu jitsu so endless. The beauty of any art is the ability to create what you want, and through flow in jiu jitsu, you can do just that.

Finding your flow may not be an easy task initially, but with a little time and practice you may just find the next step in your never-ending development.