06/13/2026
A recent article features John Danaher explaining why technique doesn’t matter.
And while that sounds crazy at first, I think I understand exactly what he means.
Because learning a technique has never been easier.
Today you can open Instagram, watch a reel, go on YouTube, or buy an instructional and learn the mechanics of almost any move in the world.
If all it took was memorizing steps, everybody would be a black belt.
The problem starts when it’s time to apply that technique against someone who doesn’t want it to work.
That’s where understanding becomes more important than the technique itself.
Every person has:
* a different body type
* different timing
* different reactions
* different athletic abilities
* different ways of moving
So the real question isn’t:
“Do you know the technique?”
The real question is:
“Do you understand when, why, and where to use it?”
I remember this happening to me with the triangle choke.
When I was younger, the triangle was one of my strongest weapons.
But eventually I realized I wasn’t really looking for the triangle itself.
I was looking for a situation where I could isolate the head and one arm.
Once I understood that concept, everything changed.
I stopped waiting for mistakes.
I started creating them.
Sometimes I would bait people into positions that exposed an arm.
Sometimes I’d let them think they were passing my guard.
Sometimes I’d use the triangle to sweep.
Sometimes I’d use it to attack an omoplata.
Sometimes I’d transition to an armbar.
Sometimes I’d move from armbar back to triangle.
The submission itself became only one piece of a much bigger system.
And that’s when my game really started growing.
Because I wasn’t chasing a technique anymore.
I was understanding the position.
That’s one of the reasons I teach jiu-jitsu the way I do today.
I don’t start with techniques.
I start with the position.
Before we talk about submissions, sweeps, or passes, I want students to understand:
* What is this position?
* Is it offensive or defensive?
* What are the objectives?
* What mistakes should I look for?
* What positions connect to it?
Once students understand those answers, the techniques start making sense.
In my opinion, learning the mechanics of a submission is the easy part.
Understanding how to behave in a position is much harder.
Because now we’re talking about:
* weight distribution
* timing
* pressure
* balance
* reactions
* decision-making
And those things look different for every person.
That’s why I don’t believe people get stuck because they know too few techniques.
Most people get stuck because they don’t fully understand the positions those techniques belong to.
The technique is only the tool.
The understanding is what allows you to use it.
What do you think is more important in jiu-jitsu: learning new techniques or understanding positions?
