Reader Question: When I’m drilling a new move should I be working it for both my right and left sides or just pick one? How do I know which one to pick? Answer: Only work one side at a time. Pick a side and stick to it. The more proficient I become on one side of my
Having Trouble Finding The Motivation To Train Today?
I’ll be candid. Today I just wasn’t really feeling like writing a blog post. Rain has been drizzling most of the day, and I just got back from a trip out of town late last night. Discipline is why there is a post to be read. Will power isn’t always enough when motivation is lacking.
How Can I Get Better At Jiu Jitsu? (Advice To My Younger Self)
Question: “How can I get better at Jiu Jitsu? I know mat time is a big part of it, but what else can I be doing to optimize my growth?” – Me (7 years ago in an online forum) Answer: When I asked this question in a popular online forum I was mostly blown off
You Are Your Own Coach – Taking Ownership Of Your Jiu Jitsu
This post is what my entire blog has revolved around. You must become your own coach, and not rely on your instructor to micromanage your journey for you. I’m not saying this because I doubt your instructor’s abilities but because that is the natural progression of Jiu Jitsu improvement. When you are brand new every
Are You Cross-Training?
Cross-training with other gyms wasn’t always an option. A new age for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is here. The dark ages of the “us vs. them” mentality have slowly eroded. The growth of information available on the internet has eliminated “secret techniques.” Cross-training can be a huge leverage point for improvement. If your current gym is
But I Don’t Want To Compete In A Tournament!
Early in my Jiu Jitsu journey, I decided to compete in a tournament precisely BECAUSE I didn’t want to. My training partners gave me enough trouble trying to come out ahead during the rolls after class, so why would I decide to raise the stakes? I’ve talked before about being one of the worst grapplers
How Do People Deal With Long Hair In BJJ?
Reader Question: Would you give some advice for having long hair in BJJ. What have you learned over the years? There isn’t a ton of info out there… Josh Littleton has been a proud member of #teamLongHair for awhile now (his blog is featured on my “Best BJJ Blogs Of 2017” list) . Answer: Having Long Hair
How To Make A Seminar Rapidly Improve Your BJJ
Attending a spectacular seminar with Yuri Simoes this past weekend reminded me how important seminars are to improving at Jiu Jitsu. Every time I take a seminar I walk away adding new positions, submissions, takedowns, or scrambles to my game. This weekend’s techniques fit perfectly into a neglected area of my Jiu Jitsu development. I
Taking Notes For BJJ Improvement
Reader Question: “I have heard that taking notes after Jiu Jitsu class is a good idea, but I’m not sure how to get started. How do I actually take Jiu Jitsu notes? What things should I write? Should I be taking notes every class? Only after seminars? Once I have taken notes, how do I use
White Belts Teaching Other White Belts
Reader Question: “I know that a mix of upper belts and lower belts it what makes someone better at Jiu Jitsu. I have heard you say that it is my job to help make my lower belt training partners better, but I am just a white belt too. I don’t know that much and don’t