A few of months ago an instructor at Boulder Grappling said this to me:
“Go for the top. Everyone can fight from the bottom.”
These words helped my game grow to a new level relatively quickly.
I think there is a point in many people’s training (well, mine at least) where the novelty of playing on your back becomes comfortable. There is something really interesting about being on your back or shoulders and still having some control over your opponent (when you are in open guard or a similar position). For lack of better words, it’s just cool.
But soon enough, as you fight higher belts or people around you improve, it gets harder and harder to play open guard successfully. It’s possible, but it takes time – years, according to people and instructors I’ve talked to.
Anyhow, when I really internalized the advice to fight harder for a top, dominant position, I felt it helped my game change in a positive, good way (full disclosure: I still play open guard every now and then – but it’s no longer a central strategy at this point in my Jiu Jitsu career). I began to get to dominant positions more frequently – which led, naturally, to more submissions from dominant positions.
I felt it was a good “kernel” of knowledge, shared at just the right time, to help me grow in my game.
I'm a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) fanatic and blogger. Currently a blue belt under Relson Gracie, this is where I share insights, stories and reviews related to the sport and martial art of Jiu Jitsu. I train in Colorado at 
So funny, this is the opposite trajectory of my jits development so far. I am a lone wolf at Relson Gracie Austin because until recently, I almost refused to play guard. Hated being on the bottom. Fought for top alllll the time. Great– until I realized at the Pan that virtually every match is all about the guard. Now as a 3 stripe blue I'm playing a baby-whitebelt guard! Ack