Using Notes and Drills to Improve at BJJ Faster

July 1, 2018

jeff.shaw The White Belt Starter Kit No comments

Everyone loves to spar and roll. But there is nothing — nothing — more important for improving at BJJ than drilling. Think of it as locking in the benefits from the time you spend in class! If you’re investing hours of your life in learning, spending a few more minutes drilling can make sure that time is maximized. Here are some specific methods for learning BJJ through notes and drilling that I’ve found helpful. Once you get into a good drilling rhythm for single techniques, it’s important to start drilling transitions for jiu-jitsu as well. I’m lucky in that I Read more »

How To Be a Great Training Partner, Part Two: On the Mat

June 28, 2018

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Sparring is one of the most important components of jiu-jitsu training. If you can execute a BJJ technique against a fully resisting partner, you can have confidence that technique will work. But what are the guidelines for sparring — which BJJ people call “rolling”? I wrote a whole post about how to approach rolling in BJJ for maximum benefits, but for new folks, here are the pieces of advice I think are most important. It’s always OK to tap, and it’s always required that you respect a tap from your partner. Tapping is how we signal a need to stop, usually Read more »

Training, Gender and a Positive Gym Environment: Guest Post by Valerie Worthington

June 25, 2018

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By Valerie Worthington

It is unrealistic to say there are no potential challenges related to people of different genders training together. That being said, jiu-jitsu is about training—troubleshooting, brainstorming, learning—with people. For that reason, this article is a set of suggestions for anyone who claims a gender identity who has just started training or who is thinking of starting to train.

If we are willing, we can all learn more about how to become great training partners and how to support others in doing the same, no matter our gender identification. Some of this involves respecting differences between men and women and, increasingly, people who eschew a male-female dichotomy. I also believe a lion’s share of the answer is about individual commitment to consideration and self-awareness. These are simple fixes. But simple does not necessarily mean easy.

So, if you claim a gender identity, read on for suggestions about how to contribute to a positive training environment, especially if you are new to jiu-jitsu. Read more about Training, Gender and a Positive Gym Environment: Guest Post by Valerie Worthington …

Your First Day of Jiu-Jitsu: Welcome to the White Belt Starter Kit!

April 6, 2018

jeff.shaw The White Belt Starter Kit No comments

We all start somewhere. When you decide to try jiu-jitsu, you decide to start a journey that can be rewarding, fun, powerful — and yes, challenging. In the spirit of assisting you down this long road, we’re putting together the White Belt Starter Kit, advice for newer students. This series will answer some of the most common questions you might have, explain what you really need to know in order to maximize your training benefits, and highlight some of the practices that will make you a helpful and valuable training partner. Welcome!

Today we’re talking about what your first day of jiu-jitsu will be like: or, in other words, what should you expect from a typical BJJ class?

For any physical activity, you’ll want your body to be fully prepared. (And no, we don’t mean “you need to be in shape before you start training.” Just show up and train! Andrew Smith of Revolution BJJ explodes the myth that you need to be in shape first here.) What we mean is that almost every BJJ class starts with some kind of a warm-up. Read more about Your First Day of Jiu-Jitsu: Welcome to the White Belt Starter Kit! …