Study Jiu-Jitsu Like a Pro

As much as each of us would like to spend all day, every day on the mat, most of us don’t have that luxury. Even those who do, would quickly find that they don’t want to.

No, the fact is, we can only handle so much time on the mat. Physically, but also mentally, too much time on the mat is counter-productive to actually learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu efficiently and effectively. That’s great news for those who have other obligations – work, family, other interests and hobbies – that limit their time in the jiu-jitsu academy. Those who spend most of their waking hours on the mat actually don’t have as much of an advantage over those who don’t. There is a little benefit, not going to lie, but it’s not as large or unattainable as one might think.

What does make a difference, is the amount of time spent studying the gentle art. The act of studying can take place both on the mat and off, and there is an optimal balance between the two that is unique to every person. However, there are a few things that contribute to whether that time spent studying is going to be produce real benefits to your jiu-jitsu game.

Here are some strategic considerations to help you transform the way you study – and practice - BJJ:

Know Where to Start

There is A LOT of jiu-jitsu related content out there, from content creators both legendary and not as well known. Much of it is pretty good. Some of it is trash. There will be personalities, voices or accounts that you connect with, and others that you simply don’t. So, where do you start?

Begin with what you know. What are your A-game techniques and positions? Maybe you’re a brand new white belt, and you only know a single armbar from mount. Start there. It’s easier – and more efficient – to build upon the foundation you have, than to dive into some fancy new move from a position of which you have barely any understanding.

In searching for content that builds upon a technique you already have a foothold on, you’ll find those coaches and instructors that are able to provide you that little extra something in your pursuit of mastering that technique. Odds are, he or she will have an entire library of other content that will build upon and work with your game.

Translate Your Knowledge

If you want to retain what you study, it’s not enough to just watch. Everyone has their own learning styles, but there is a substantial amount of evidence that supports the idea that people learn better when they engage in the physical process of writing.

That doesn’t mean that you need to create volumes of notes on each and every thing that you study. If that’s what you need, go for it. But a more visual learner like myself might be better served by translating what I just learned into something that makes sense in my mind, and something that I can easily reference. For me, mind maps are the key to accelerating my learning process and retaining the majority of the content. For others, the way to go might be simple outlines, narrating short audio notes, drawing pictures, or even taking screenshots of key moments and drawing arrows to key details.

The point is: do something extra when you study. Something that aligns with your learning style and reinforces the knowledge you are consuming.

Drill with Intention

This is “where the pavement meets the road,” as they might say. It’s not enough to just observe and think about jiu-jitsu. You need to practice it.

There is absolutely no substitute for feeling a movement or technique, in physically exploring the angles and momentum that make it work. Why? Because every “body” is different, and the way one person might execute a move, may be different from another’s. It might require minute modifications for you to execute the same move. You might have longer limbs, more weight, less weight, different distributions of weight, tighter hips, an old nagging injury, or any number of things that make YOU different.

With that in mind, drill with intention. Have your notes nearby or your technique in mind, and recognize that you might have to do it differently. In fact, explore those differences, and modify your notes accordingly. Not only will that improve your success rate in executing the technique “live,” but it will also help you help others learn the same technique, and the differences that he or she might have to employ.

Question Everything

Just because someone is wearing a black belt or has a popular social media channel, doesn’t make that person the absolute expert on everything. Nobody is infallible. Additionally, the social media algorithms favor “click-bait,” whether or not the technique actually works live.

A few things to keep in mind:

• This person is an expert in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Not life.
• The details may work for them, but there’s no guarantee they’ll work for you.
• The mat doesn’t lie. The technique might work on an unresisting uke (and look really cool), but add a resisting opponent who doesn’t move the same, and it may fall apart.

Remember, your jiu-jitsu journey is yours alone. That’s the beauty of BJJ: every person can have their own game, different from any other person.

Studying jiu-jitsu will only add to the unique character of your game, especially when you study like a pro.