Surface Area

Apply force using the smallest possible surface area of your body.

Apply force using the smallest possible surface area of your body.

Force applied against your opponent will generate significantly more pressure if you can reduce the surface area.  For example:

• When knee riding, drive the point of your knee into your opponent rather than equally distributing your weight across your shin
• When on top in side control, drive your shoulder into your opponent rather than lying on him like a blanket
• When climbing up your opponent's back for an omoplata, drive your elbow into his back rather than draping your arm across his back.

Further study:

• Ep. 80: Surface Area & Blading