BJJ Beginners

Lesson 13 – Clinch (Conservative Opponent)

Position:

Standing

Overview:

The goal in a fight is to avoid getting knocked out, establish the clinch, and get the fight to the ground. The easiest time to do this is when the bully commits to attacking you aggressively. For this reason, it is best to keep the distance and wait for their attack if at all possible. In the event that the bully approaches you conservatively during the fight, you can use the “surprise entry” method to establish the clinch.

Technical Slices:

Suprise Entry

• Indicator: Bully advances towards you conservatively.
• Essential Detail: Entering with conviction when the bully least expects it.
• Most Common Mistake: Ineffective footwork while stepping back or lunging forward.
• Safety Tip: Throw gentle open-handed strikes to verify face protection.
• Transfer Teaching Tip: Change the timing of your footwork to confuse the child as they progress.

Bully Battle

• Practice the Surprise Entry in combination with all of the previously learned techniques at various intensity levels. Give special emphasis to the Elbow Escape from the mount (Lesson 10).

Final Thoughts

• Against an aggressive opponent, establish the clinch without hesitation. Against a conservative bully, take your time and keep the distance so that they think you are scared, and then surprise them by shooting in during one of their confident steps forward. Most importantly, once you decide to shoot in, do not retreat and do whatever it takes to establish the clinch and get the fight to the ground.