Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Bernardo Faria has shared invaluable insights on what separates good practitioners from truly exceptional ones: the art of mastering a select few techniques rather than constantly chasing the latest moves.
In a recent discussion about skill development, Faria emphasized a philosophy that runs counter to modern training trends. While many athletes jump from technique to technique he advocates for a more focused approach that has proven successful among the sport’s elite competitors.
“Try to pick a few moves, like one, two or three, that you feel really match with your game and your style. And try to master those moves as much as you can for months or years, instead of just weeks or days,”
Faria explained. This patient approach to skill development forms the cornerstone of his teaching philosophy.
The multiple-time world champion warns against the common pitfall of technique hopping.
“Don’t try to pick a move, work on that move for a few days or a couple of weeks and then you jump to the next move. Because you’re not going to master anything,”
he cautioned.
Faria’s observations are backed by his analysis of jiu-jitsu’s greatest competitors throughout history. Each legend became synonymous with specific techniques that defined their competitive identity and success.
“Every time I look to the very best jiu-jitsu athletes in the world, they always had like a very specific game and a few moves that they were better than everybody else in the planet,”
Faria noted.
He pointed to Royce Gracie as a prime example of this focused mastery.
“Everybody knew that he would pass the guard with pressure passing. He would get the mount and he would go for the cross collar choke. And if he’s on bottom, he would play close guard.”
The pattern continues with other legendary figures. Marcelo Garcia, widely considered one of the sport’s greatest practitioners, exemplified this approach perfectly.
“He had a few moves that he was the best in the world. Like arm drag, x-guard, guillotine, crucifix,”
Faria observed.
Even contemporary stars follow this blueprint. Gordon Ryan, who has dominated no-gi competition in recent years, built his reputation methodically.
“He started with leg locks. He was the best leg locker in the world. And then he developed back attacks. But there were a few moves that he was the best in the world.”
The key insight from Faria’s analysis is that true mastery creates an unstoppable advantage. When these champions reached their signature positions, opponents knew what was coming but remained powerless to prevent it.
“Nobody could stop those moves if he would get there,”
Faria explained.
This philosophy challenges the modern tendency to constantly seek new techniques and quick fixes. Instead, Faria advocates for the patient cultivation of a personal game built around techniques that naturally complement an individual’s physical attributes and mental approach to the sport.
The lesson extends beyond technical proficiency to strategic thinking. By becoming genuinely masterful at a small set of interconnected techniques, practitioners develop the ability to consistently reach favorable positions and finish matches with reliable methods.
For students and competitors at all levels, Faria’s advice offers a clear path forward: resist the temptation to constantly add new techniques and instead invest the time necessary to achieve true mastery of the moves that form the foundation of your personal jiu-jitsu game.
