Some of these are simple and self-explanatory. Some of them you won't understand without an explanation.
The items are in the order I thought of them.
Feel free to modify as necessary--what works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
- Technique is more important than strength. Leverage replaces the need for brute strength.
- Superior position is more important than submission holds. Superior position = hip control. Where the head goes, the body will follow. Where the body goes, the head will follow.
- Transitioning between positions is vital. Most of grappling is spent in transition. Do not transition needlessly.
- Do not apply submissions until your position is secure.
- For offense, space between you and your opponent is bad, unless you are deliberately creating space to set up a technique.
- For defense, space between you and your opponent is good, unless you are being set up for a technique.
- Keep your knees high; reduce your effective surface area.
- Don't give up your back. Face your opponent. Control the centerline.
- If you are applying a submission hold and don't have enough leverage, create the necessary leverage! Be imaginative!
- Your body should be relaxed. Do not use more energy than is necessary.
- Control your breathing. Preserve your energy.
- Even though the body is relaxed, the mind should be tight and focused.
- The ground can be your ally, but it can also be your enemy.
- Beware of multiple attackers, hidden weapons, eye gouging, biting, and other strikes.
- Don't forget to strike, apply pressure point attacks, eye gouge, and bite your opponent if necessary.
- Do not be afraid to give up on a failing technique. Move on!
- To grapple, use your whole body. Be sensitive.
- When in a neutral position, do not commit until you are reasonably sure that you can gain the advantage without putting yourself in danger. Immobilize your opponent as best as possible.
- Avoid risky techniques that could put you in danger.
- Avoid techniques that are too complicated to pull off in a real fight.
- Surprise is good.
- Manipulate the movements of your opponent by using feints.
- Give your opponent an apparent opening and he will take it.
- Do not rush needlessly. Give yourself time to rest and simultaneously tire out your opponent by putting your weight on him.
- Do not be too slow. You can't win by pinning your opponent. In a prolonged encounter, your opponent is more likely to escape and/or his friends might show up.
- Practice with people larger, smaller, and the same size as you.
- Practice with people better, worse, and the same level as you.
- Practice with all types of fighters. Learn how to shoot on (and clinch with) all of them.
- Learning other aspects of fighting will improve your ground game.
- Shadow-wrestling is a valuable training tool.
- It's not good to grapple in a multiple attacker situation.
- If you're going to the ground, it's best to have a few friends around to back you up.
- Don't be afraid to tap out in practice. Avoid senseless injuries. Leave your ego at the door.
- On the street, tapping out might not be an option for either you or your opponent. Remember that.
- It's better to let yourself down than to be taken down.
- Learn as many submission holds as possible, but concentrate on the basic ones.
- Condition yourself physically and mentally. Grappling is an exhausting activity.
- Practice while wearing different types of clothing (with gi, without gi, summer street clothes, winter street clothes, etc.).
- Practice on all types of surfaces (mats, hardwood, concrete, sand, grass, snow, etc.).
- Help your training partners get better. Better training partners, in turn, will help you get better.
