In a competition, or a ‘serious’ match you DON’T want to play the other guy’s game. His game is what he’s good at.

Your goal, instead, should be to change the rules of the duel.

Here are some concrete examples and suggestions to illustrate what I’m talking about:

• Does your opponent have a killer guard game? If so, then maybe YOU should pull guard on HIM, even if that’s not your normal gameplan. Alternately you could start setting up a leglock attack.
• Is your opponent super strong and powerful? Maybe it’s time to switch to a mobility-based game.
• Does he come from a ‘traditional’ BJJ school? Well then leglock him silly, or use positions that come from other grappling arts.
• Maybe your opponent is known for his powerful grips and collar choke attacks – if so, I would strongly recommend standing guard passes.
• Etc.

You’re probably getting the idea by now. Sometimes it’s NOT about using the techniques you do best. Instead it becomes all about doing what’s worst for your opponent.

Usually this will also be a technique or strategy that he doesn’t expect, or a situation that he isn’t faced with in training very often.

Hit ‘em where they least expect it. And where they leastdefend it!