What is BASE? And How Do You Get a Fistful of It?
Base is one of the most important fundamentals within Jiu-Jitsu that all other skills are built upon. Bruce Le said so. Kind of.
Bruce Le has a famous quote about water and martial arts where he says, “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Rickson Gracie also has a famous quote specific to Jiu-Jitsu where he says, “Flow with the go.”
Each of these ideas by Bruce Le and Rickson Gracie can be applied to base within Jiu-Jitsu. In another article we will dive deeper into Rickson’s famous quote, but for now we will focus on how it applies to base.
Understanding Base
Base, within Jiu-Jitsu, is the ability to sustain a stable and balanced position. This involves maintaining three or more points of contact for support (two if you are standing). What can help you deter an opponent from knocking you backwards? Base! And what can aid you in stopping an opponent from pushing you to the side? Solid base! How do you standup properly? A fistful of base!
In Principle - Be Like Water:
While Bruce Le was using water to refer to martial arts and life philosophy, it can also be applied to base within Jiu-Jitsu. It focuses on adaptability, flexibility and the ability to adjust to different situations. Base, within Jiu-Jitsu, also involves these principles.
Adaptability - Water adapts to the shape of its container
Within Jiu-Jitsu, strong base involves adapting and adjusting stances and positions based on the dynamics of the situation.
Fluid Movement - Water flows smoothly
Solid base should move seamlessly and gracefully between positions to maintain stability while transitioning on the ground or in standing positions.
Resilience - Water can absorb and disperse force
Strong base in Jiu-Jitsu will exhibit these same qualities. Good base will help withstand pressure from an opponent and maintain balance during an attack.
Balance - Water seeks its own balance
By maintaining a strong base during defensive positioning and offensive positioning practitioners can ensure equilibrium in any position.
Flow and Control - Water can flow gently or exert force when necessary
Having good base allows for smooth movements that can also exert control when needed. Doing so can aid in dictating the pace of a match.
In Practice - Base:
Let’s now look at some of the situations where base is specifically applied within Jiu-Jitsu.
Stand-Up in Base
One of the first things you learn in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is how to standup up properly - all the time, every time. This is one aspect of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that distinguishes it from BJJ. Students are taught to stand up in base every time they rise from the floor. This involves using your fists or the palms of your hands to help you rise from your knees to your feet. When testing, examiners will also look for this each time you stand and it is an element that can help you pass or fail a test. Details matter and standing up in base is one of the key details students must adhere to when practicing Jiu-Jitsu.
Standing Base
To have base while standing allows a practitioner to maintain balance that can defend against takedowns and throws. It allows a practitioner to better prepare attacks and counter-attacks. It requires shifts in balance and stance to stop an opponent from knocking you backwards or to either side.
Ground Base
Base from a ground position helps to prevent sweeps, reversals and submissions by an opponent. Strong ground base can also help destabilize an opponent and their attempts to off-balance you. Good ground base allows you to set up more effective defensive strategies and counterattacks.
Maintaining Posture
The right posture in Jiu-Jitsu is extremely vital in effectively maintaining dominant positions and preparing for submissions. You will want your body to be very high or very low, depending on the situation or the technique. Implementing solid base with good posture requires understanding how to distribute your body weight effectively. To do this, you will need to adjust your center of gravity in a way that responds quickly to the changing movements of the opponent.
Base and Control
Strong base not only necessitates control over your body, but also that of your opponent. Maintaining this control over your opponent through your base allows you to dictate the pace of a match and defend against attacks while you maneuver into your own offensive strategies.
In Mindset - Flow With the Go:
Rickson’s quote of “flow with the go” applies to many aspects of Jiu-Jitsu, but it can also be applied to base. It emphasizes a mindset of adaptability, dynamic balance as well as the efficient use of energy, which is one of the core principles to Jiu-Jitsu.
Adaptable Base
Instead of a rigid and static base, adapt to the opponent’s movements. Adjust stance, weight distribution and positioning to your opponent’s use of energy and direction.
Dynamic Balance
To maintain strong base does not mean to be immovable. “Flow with the go” means to be dynamic. This requires being able to adjust and shift your weight smoothly while maintaining stability.
Efficient Defense
To be efficient with base is to not always resist force with force. Rather it is adaptable and can flow with the direction of energy within an attack. Use your opponents energy to maintain balance and prepare counterattacks.
Fluid Transitions
Strong base allows to you fluidly move between positions and adapt to changes in situations without losing balance.
Mindful Base Control
Integral to maintaining your base is being mindful of the base of your opponent. Be aware of an opponent’s attempts to disrupt your base and respond with controlled adjustments that maintain a solid foundation to build attacks and counterattacks.
Strategic Use of Base
Having a strong base requires knowing when to yield and when to apply resistance strategically. By maintaining a strong foundation for stability and balance, you can respond with controlled movements based on the unfolding circumstances of the match.
Be Like Water - Flow With the Go
The concepts of “be like water”, by Bruce Le and “flow with the go” by Rickson Gracie can both be applied to base within Jiu-Jitsu. Each emphasizes the use of energy to be adaptable and fluid. This balance is the foundation that a strong mindset in Jiu-Jitsu is built upon as well as the techniques that are orchestrated from it.
Interested in learning more about Jiu-Jitsu? If you want to learn more about the principles behind the techniques, strategies and tactics of Jiu-Jitsu check out Part 1 and 2 of Embracing the 32 Principles of Jiu-Jitsu. To find out more about the fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu check out Unlocking the Art: Delving into the Fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu.