One of the most fascinating principles in Jiu-Jitsu is Creation—and not just because it helps you win on the mats. It's because it changes your mindset from reactive to proactive. If you've been training with us at SHBJJ, you've heard us say it often: "Be first. Be third."
But what does that mean?
The Creation Principle: Jiu-Jitsu is not just reaction—it's action.
In Jiu-Jitsu, opportunities don't always just appear. You have to create them.
- Your opponent is stalling in closed guard? You create movement.
- They won't give you the underhook? You bait them into giving it.
- There's no opening for a choke? You create one with a fake grip switch or a pressure shift.
Creation is about initiating movement with a purpose—to force your opponent into a predictable reaction that you're ready to capitalize on. When you use the Creation Principle, you're not just playing defense or reacting to what's happening. You're shaping the direction of the match.
"Be first" means you're taking the initiative. "Be third" means you're also ready to counter their reaction to your action. That's the beauty of it: you're playing both sides of the chessboard.
What This Means Off the Mat
The Creation Principle doesn't stop when class ends. It shows up in the rest of your life, too.
- Want more confidence? Create it through daily discipline.
- Need a new opportunity at work or in school? Don't wait for the perfect moment—create momentum by taking the first step.
- Feeling stuck in training? Instead of waiting for it to "click," create a plan. Talk to your coach. Watch film. Drill with purpose.
In Jiu-Jitsu and in life, waiting passively for the right moment often means the moment never comes. But when you take action, when you create movement, you create change.
How We're Using Creation in the SHBJJ Beginner Program
As we enter the final phase of our 26-week beginner curriculum, you'll start to notice more of this principle in action:
- Combining the threat of sweeps and submissions to force your opponent into a decision which gives you an opportunity to capitalise on their reaction.
- Using grip changes and position shifts to bait a reaction.
- Creating transitions through movement—not just waiting for them to happen.
This is where your training gets exciting. You're no longer memorizing techniques. You're starting to understand why they work—and how to engineer those moments yourself.
Final Thought: Make Your Move
If you've been hesitant to start training, to come back after a break, or to push into the next level—remember the Creation Principle. Make your move. Create the opportunity. Be first. Be third.
The mats are waiting.
-Alex