“The 5 Most Common Wrestling Mistakes in BJJ: Insights from Former D1 Wrestler Joe Breza”

Former D1 wrestler Joe Breza discusses the five most common wrestling mistakes that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes make. Breza highlights the importance of stance, head position, and timing in wrestling, and provides valuable tips to improve BJJ practitioners’ wrestling skills.

The 5 Most Common Wrestling Mistakes BJJ Athletes Make…With Former D1 Wrestler Joe Breza

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and wrestling are two combat sports that share some similarities, but also have distinct differences. Many BJJ athletes often struggle when it comes to incorporating wrestling techniques into their game. To shed some light on this matter, we spoke with former Division 1 wrestler Joe Breza, who shared the five most common wrestling mistakes BJJ athletes make.

1. Neglecting the Importance of Proper Stance

One of the biggest mistakes BJJ athletes make when it comes to wrestling is neglecting the importance of a proper stance. In BJJ, athletes often start on the ground, so they don’t pay much attention to their stance when they’re standing. However, in wrestling, a solid stance is crucial for maintaining balance and defending against takedowns. Breza emphasizes the need for a lower center of gravity, bent knees, and an active stance to avoid being easily taken down.

2. Overcommitting to Submissions

BJJ athletes are known for their exceptional submission skills, but this can sometimes lead to overcommitting to submissions during takedowns. Breza advises BJJ athletes to focus on securing the takedown first before attempting a submission. This shift in mindset can help prevent opponents from escaping and provide a stronger foundation for executing effective submissions.

3. Lack of Explosiveness and Timing

Wrestling requires explosive movements and precise timing, which can be challenging for BJJ athletes accustomed to a slower-paced ground game. Breza stresses the importance of developing explosiveness and timing through drills and specific wrestling training. By incorporating explosive movements and focusing on timing, BJJ athletes can enhance their takedown abilities and gain a competitive edge.

4. Ignoring the Importance of Hand Fighting

Hand fighting is a fundamental aspect of wrestling that BJJ athletes often overlook. Breza explains that hand fighting is crucial for gaining control, setting up takedowns, and countering opponents’ attacks. Developing strong hand fighting skills can help BJJ athletes create openings, maintain distance, and control the flow of the match.

5. Underestimating the Power of Wrestling Conditioning

BJJ athletes often focus heavily on their ground game and sometimes underestimate the importance of wrestling-specific conditioning. Wrestling requires a tremendous amount of physical strength, endurance, and mental toughness. Breza suggests incorporating wrestling-specific conditioning drills, such as live wrestling rounds and high-intensity interval training, to build the necessary stamina and resilience for wrestling matches.

In conclusion, BJJ athletes can greatly benefit from incorporating wrestling techniques into their training, but they must be aware of the most common mistakes they tend to make. By addressing these mistakes and focusing on proper stance, takedown execution, explosiveness, hand fighting, and conditioning, BJJ athletes can significantly improve their wrestling skills and overall performance. Taking the advice of former Division 1 wrestler Joe Breza, BJJ athletes can bridge the gap between these two combat sports and elevate their game to new heights..

The 5 Most Common WRESTLING MISTAKES BJJ Athletes Make…With Former D1 Wrestler Joe Breza