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
Yuri Simoes Taught Me About Intensity For Nice Guys
The first time I saw Yuri training, I learned a lot about myself before we ever even spoke. One of his biggest strengths was one of my biggest weaknesses. He knew how to train with intensity. (If you missed the interview with Yuri, go back and see it here!) I Remember It Like It Was
Interview With Yuri Simoes – “Training With Intensity” – A Case Study
Yuri Simoes was kind enough to sit down with me for a few minutes for an interview to talk about his philosophy and approach to Jiu Jitsu. His intensity was the first thing that caught my attention when I became aware of him years ago, and really opened my eyes. If you are interested in
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
Creating Dynamics In Jiu Jitsu
I remember playing dodgeball in my youth, and it reminds me of how dynamics in Jiu Jitsu work. A popular dodgeball strategy was to use feints to get a read on the dodger’s reactions. After a number of fakes I could often find a pattern to their responses. “This guy likes to dodge to the
Jeff Glover Unknowingly Made My Jiu Jitsu Fun Again
“So this is how a cat juggling a ball of yarn must feel,” I thought. I looked up at the ceiling, my back on the mats, and used my hands and feet to juggle a giant ball. Jeff Glover was teaching us his stability ball drills. This moment would have an enormous effect on my Jiu
Why You Should Bring A Pineapple To The First BJJ Class You Take
Starting off on the right foot in Jiu Jitsu is important. The first impression you make on your first instructor is essential. Don’t be the guy who forgets to bring a pineapple to the first BJJ class. In academic school, it is well known that bringing an apple to a teacher is a great way
Strategic Meal Planning And Preparation For Jiu Jitsu
Nutrition is important in general but especially so for high performance athletes. The rigorous training grapplers put their bodies through requires good nutrition to rebuild. After hard training toiling in the kitchen is the last thing I want to do, so I focus on meal planning and preparation. Strategic Meal Planning And Preparation Plan the