Answer: To understand the main concept of the art.
Question: Which is?
Answer: The Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner must know how to wear his opponent down. When the opponent is worn out, he's unfocused and his concentration level is down. That is when we use our brain and intelligence because our opponent can't think clearly. Jiu-jitsu is about using the proper strategy and tactics at the right time. You don't look for the technique. On the contrary, you set an environment in which the opponent gets himself in trouble. The submission technique is there waiting for you, but you need to know how to set it up.
Question: And how do you do that?
Answer: Good question. I'll try to answer that the best I can. The submission technique is the tip of the iceberg. You can only get the submission technique if you control the opponent at will, and the only way you can control the opponent at will is through perfect positioning. What do I mean by "positioning"? Well, every jiu-jitsu position has a certain amount of details that should be perfected. The closer to perfection you are on these technical points, the less chance the opponent will have to escape. Then, he is under your control. Now, when he is under your control, finding the submission technique is simpler.
--excerpted from Grappling Masters
