Dominate the Hand Fight: How to COMMAND your way to takedowns!

By Brandon Reed

In BJJ, the ability to control your opponent’s grips and create openings for takedowns is fundamental, and this is where hand fighting truly shines. Mastering the art of hand fighting not only helps you secure better positions but also gives you a strategic advantage in setting up successful takedowns.

Here’s why hand fighting is so essential for your takedowns:

• Grip Control = Position Control

   In takedowns, your hands determine the direction of the fight. Whether you're attempting a single leg, double leg, or other techniques, the ability to break or control grips ensures that you dictate the flow of the exchange. If you can control your opponent's hands and arms, you can control their body, leading to more successful entries for your takedowns.

• Disrupting Your Opponent's Offense

   
  Hand fighting prevents your opponent from establishing strong grips on you. When your opponent can't secure their grips or control your posture, they are forced into a defensive position, making them vulnerable to your attacks. This is the perfect time to shoot for a takedown or change levels without resistance.

• Creating Opening for Takedowns

    

  Effective hand fighting opens up opportunities for attacks. By constantly moving your hands and wrists, you’re always adjusting and testing your opponent’s balance, looking for weaknesses. With good hand fighting, you can pull their arms away from their body or get them off balance, giving you the perfect opening to hit a successful takedown.

• Setting Up Multiple Attacks

   
  A well-executed hand fight creates multiple options for your takedowns. Once you gain control of your opponent's hands or wrists, you can move seamlessly between different techniques, such as a snapdown, a trip, or a body lock, depending on how they react. This unpredictability forces your opponent to guess your next move, which increases your chances of success.

• Improved Posture and Balance

   
  Effective hand fighting also improves your own posture and balance. By staying active with your hands and constantly adjusting to your opponent’s movements, you create a strong base and posture for yourself. This allows you to move quickly, change directions, and adjust to any threat that may arise during the exchange.

How to Improve Your Hand Fighting Skills

• Drill specific hand-fighting movements: Practice controlling the wrists and breaking grips with a training partner.

• Work on timing: Effective hand fighting is all about timing and anticipation. Work on feeling when your opponent is vulnerable and act quickly.

• Stay active and move your hands: Keep your hands in constant motion to control the pace and throw off your opponent’s timing.

Incorporating hand fighting into your takedown game can be a game-changer. It’s a simple but effective way to elevate your level of control, improve your timing, and make your takedowns more successful in both training and competition.

Unlock the Power of Hand Fighting for BJJ – Without the Filler

If you’re looking to improve your takedowns but don’t want to wade through hours of unnecessary content, my Dominate the Hand Fight instructional is exactly what you need. I’ve designed this course to be straight to the point, easy to follow, and packed with practical techniques that you can implement immediately. No fluff, just effective strategies that will elevate your grappling.

Here’s why this instructional is perfect for you:

• No Filler – Just Effective Techniques
  I know your time is valuable, so every minute of this instructional is focused on what works. You won’t find any long, drawn-out explanations or unnecessary details. Each lesson is crafted to give you exactly what you need to improve your hand fighting and takedowns, without wasting time.

• Easy and Convenient Access
  This course is available online, meaning you can access it anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re at home, on the go, or at the gym, all the content is right at your fingertips. You can learn at your own pace, fitting training into your schedule whenever it’s convenient for you.

• Affordable for Beginners
  I’ve made sure the price of this instructional is affordable, so anyone—especially beginners—can take advantage of this valuable resource. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of takedowns or looking to sharpen your existing skills, this course offers incredible value for the price.

Hi, I’m Brandon Reed, and here’s a little about my journey in the world of wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

• 2024 ADCC Trials Bronze Medalist – I earned a podium spot at one of the most prestigious grappling events in the world, proving my skills at the highest level.
• ADCC Worlds Veteran – I’ve competed on the global stage at ADCC, facing the best athletes in the world and gaining invaluable experience.
• 3x College Wrestling National Champion (NAIA, USA) – I’ve won three national titles in college wrestling, dominating the competition at the NAIA level.
• 4x NAIA All-American Wrestler – I’ve been recognized as one of the top wrestlers in the country, earning All-American honors four times throughout my college career.
• 2021 NAIA Wrestler of the Year – I was honored as the best wrestler in the nation at the NAIA level in 2021, an achievement that marked the peak of my college wrestling career.
• 2021 NAIA Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler – My standout performance in the national tournament earned me this prestigious award, recognizing my dominance on the mats.

These accomplishments reflect my dedication and passion for the sport, and I bring that same commitment to everything I do, whether it’s coaching, competing, or helping others improve their game.

In the past 4 years alone, I’ve had the privilege of teaching over 3,000 students through seminars, classes, private lessons, and instructionals.