Question for Tim and anyone else. I always felt that the basics in any style are most important and that it's better to master a few moves than know a bunch of moves and not master them all.
My question is, do you feel this applies to Brazilian Jiu jitsu as much as it does to other styles? I've noticed that some BJJ schools have the style of teaching in that they teach a different move every class, but they also seem to do extremely well in competitions maybe more so than some schools who teach less movements and work on basics more? Thanks...

You can practice a lot of techniques to master a single principle.

Well, from my personal experience, which may not be much, but, it is usually the basic moves like armbar and cross-choke that win tournaments, not the fancy moves that you try to learn and master, so, I feel it's good to practice the basics frequently, but it's also good to practice every now and then some more advanced moves so you can learn to chain the moves togethor.

My two cents,
Daniel.

I'd say mastering the basics in BJJ is more important than in most other styles, since being able to apply the techniques live, against resisting opponent's is the primary goal of training.

All of the more advanced moves and techniques are based on the fundamental movements. Like Danny pointed out, the majority of fights between high level competitors are ended with the same techniques as beginning competitors (with the exception of leg locks).

It is similar to learning math formulas. It's pointless to jump to the back of the book as all the advanced formulas are based on the fundamentals. Constantly teaching new techniques comes from students getting bored quickly practicing the basics skills, but when it really counts, the basics always work.

Hey Tim, what exactly are those fundamental movements? Also do you know of any exercises that target the transverse abdominus(lower abs)only,as my upper abs seem to overcompensate and are alot stronger than the transverse abdominus.

it's not a matter of upper vs. lower, but rather deep vs superficial. The TVA lies closer to your interior immediately behind your Rectus in the anatomical position.

The only exercises that isolate this muscle are the suck-it-in type exercises that are popular in Aus/NZ. Look up Paul Chek's stuff, he plays for that team.

The TVA draws the belly button closer to the spine by pulling on the thoraco-lumbar fascia like a belt tightening. Anytime that your 'six-pack' doesn't turn on but you suck in your navel towards your sacral spine, you are working the Tranversus Abdominis.

Maxiscool,

There are fundamental body movements, strategy and techniques.

Fundamental movements include correct standing base, footwork, backstepping/body turning, how to change levels and do a penetration step, proper methods of clinching, grips on the cloth, breakfalls and standing rolls, bridging, several variations of the hip movement ("snake move" "shrimping"), how to apply hip pressure, various methods of circling the legs while on your back, how to stand into base correctly from the ground, forward, back and side ground rolls, jumping to base from your knees, how to sit out, how to scissor the legs correctly and a few others.

Fundamental strategy includes the proper timing for defending against and returning strikes, how to close with an opponent, safe positions to execute takedowns and throws, achieving dominate positions on the ground, escaping disadvantaged positions on the ground, when to apply strikes and submissions and how to recover the standing position.

Basic techniques include defensive skills, strikes, clinching skills, takedowns and throws, positional changes (escapes and sweeps), chokes and strangles, jointlocks, strikes on the ground, and pressure techniques/pins.

well tim, that answered all questions ever asked!
but now it's time to train all of it!!!!!?
it might be a while?????????
thanks!