3 Tips to Improve Your BJJ Exponentially

We know that not everyone wants to “study” BJJ. Most people just want to turn up to class, learn something new, have a good session and leave happy. Nothing wrong with that!

But the better we get the more fun it is and the more information we can absorb more easily and quickly. Soon the good sessions become great sessions and our learning curve just gets steeper and steeper.

Here’s a few ideas for you, let me know if you already do any of these and think they’re beneficial and also comment if you have any tips for others.

1️⃣ Film your rolls

This has 3 benefits:
- You and your training partner will probably focus more and train better, knowing you’re being filmed
- You will have footage you can review later to help you see what you can improve on
- You will have footage to show your coach, which will make it easier for them to give you the best advice they can, rather than you having to (usually badly) recreate a situation for them after a roll

2️⃣ Before you roll, decide what you will be working on

It could be the same thing for every roll in a session, or could be different for each training partner in that session.
You can choose whether to tell your training partner beforehand or not. The results will vary, try both!
This really helps concentrate your efforts into one area and you will see improvement in that area much faster.

3️⃣ After your session take 5 minutes to make brief notes

Whether you use pen and paper or a digital method, notes don’t have to be long and time consuming and are best done as soon as possible after your training session.

Try to avoid collecting an encyclopaedia of step by step techniques and stick to small details you discovered, concepts you felt you suddenly understood or epiphanies you experienced. Also note any particular struggles you had, so you can help direct your rolls next time (see 2.).