Thought #2: "Success" of Technique

Thought #1: Efficiency. 
a. if you want him to come forward, push him and he'll usually push back. And vice-versa. If you want his arm to the left, pull it to the right. He'll resist. If he doesn't, then have a move that uses his arm on the right.
b. it's easier to move yourself, then to move him.
c. stay a step ahead: if he defends one move, go to the next one, then back to the first one.


Thought #2: What's key to making a Move Work?

1. Cluelessness of Opponent. If your opponent is a first-week White Belt, chances are the move will work. Or even if he's an upper belt, if he's never seen this super-secret, sneaky move, you have a good chance of pulling it off. But what if he's seen it? What if he knows it's coming? Then what determines if the move will work?

2. Setup/Angle. If you set up properly, get all your grips, get correct pressure and controls, then the Sweep/Submission will work.This is related to the "Position before Submission" mantra you hear all the time. Fail Example that I see with low Blue Belts and on down: they get to mount and get so excited when they see an arm, they just grab it and lean back for the Armbar. So bottom guy is able to come up or link his hands in defense.

3. Timing. Related to Efficiency. The moment he's leaning one way or is off balance -- that is the moment for you to hit the move. Related to Setup. The moment you've set up, that is the time to hit the move.