-- Training Smarter Questions --

Underground BJJ Ground
1

Hello Guys,

There was some interesting information in one of the Lloyd Irvin threads regarding traditional teaching practices at BJJ schools, and more current , progressive methods.

I'm talking about the usual approach of warm up , 2-3 techniques and then usually sparring.

What is a better approach than this ?

How does one develop his game ?

Can one progess quickly through the belt ranks with a few solid techniques or do you need to know all the techniques ?

These questions are very important to me. I recently took 1st place at a local Naga in my division, and I really want to improve my game. However for the most part , I have been self taught...building off of a small base in BJJ. I have a family and full time job , however I do love BJJ and want to become a better student and competitor.

I also feel like I'm racing against time..I've been a white belt since 98..lol and just turned 34. The belt problem is probably due to the lack of consistent training at a school though. I thought about after my recent win at Naga , visiting my old teacher..getting on my knees like George St Piere and begging for my blue ;)

Thanks for any discussion.

2

Hey let us know your name so next time you compete we call the cops on you!

3

This is an EXCELLENT topic that I hope gets lots of discussion.

I was watching a John Will/David Meyer seminar and John says the first month of training with him is nothing but learning how to train and learn correctly. I wish he would of went on.

M.G. gives good advice on training, and learning gross motor skills/movements.

Aeospan broke down some of the ways he trains specific techs and even gave references for the movements he practiced, this excellent and eye opening for me.

As far as the question regarding techs, and how many a person needs, i would say it depends on your goals. To progress through the belt system, I would think you would need knowledge of all basic principles and the techs needed to apply those principles.
To win competitions, you need only a few, just be great with them.

4

I'm not sure I understand the cops joke........unless you're one of my cop friend training partners.

cdog1955

Thanks for the input, it does seem that to win in competitons you need fewer moves..but the moves that you use are your normal bread and butter..if you know what I mean.

5

Broo you telling us that you have been doing BJJ since 1998 and since
then your instructor did not gave you your blue belt...
It was a positive joke but to tell the true is really not fair a guy training
since 1998 fighting a guy that start training 6 months ago...what do you
think about that?

6

We'll like I said, I haven't been able to train consistently within that
time frame. I'm talking on spurts of training at a time 2-3 months with
big ..big breaks....often a few years going without formal instruction...

It's only been the past year and a half now that I have been consistently
training no gi.......again with out the instruction of a bjj bb.

So I entered the beginner division not knowing what to expect..in a
weight class higher than I would normally want to compete. I guess I
need to apologize to them for winning...but in all seriousness , there
were plenty of beginners in the masters division that would have given
be problems , if not beating me.

So I'm wondering , beginner division again no gi ? Or intermediate ...I
would be still competeing in either as a white but that probably doesn't
matter. I think what does matter is that I don't have much mat time
under pressure in tournament settings...that has to balance out
something I would expect.

Anyways , I appreciate the advice and comments....I'm coming to this
forum specifically because it seems like a serious one about BJJ and
progress , etc.

7

When I train a new skill (notice I don´t say technique;-)) I do it the following way:

Let´s say I want to get better at my triangle from the guard position

1. If you are a beginner just train the basic mechanic of the move if you already know the move you may want to revisit your mechanic or just move on to step 2.:-)

2. I ask myself what is the most important step to launch a triangle from the Guard. So in my case I would say Guard control is the key to land a triangle (or another submission). Do I have guard control? If not I need to work on it.

3. I try to find out which entries I can do from the different guard control positions. Triangle from Overhook, Triangle from Underhook, etc.

4. Now I play with guard control and the different entries and try to understand when to use which entry while controling my opponent. Usually you find 5-7 entries, maybe three of them are your favorites and you work them most.

5. Now I would roll with some guy who isn´t near my skilllevel and do some positional sparring to get the chance to hit triangle while doing alive sparring. It´s important to have a "weaker" guy because you want to play and not go all out. All out doesn´t help your creativity and learning that much.:-)

6. After doing it you will see that your opponent has different reactions to your triangles. So what you need are combinations of attack and follow ups to the different counters. Go back to your technically work and train these moves then play with them.

7. Go back to your "weak" partner and do alive sparring again now incorporating the follow ups and combinations.

8. Roll with someone of your skill level to see which mistakes you still do and which counters are also available the "weaker"guys didn´t know. Pressure test your triangle skill to see where it fails

9. Go back to the technical stage and make some corrections from the experience you gained from rolling with the guys your level.

10. Go back roll with the strong guys again.:-)

By now you may spent six, seven or more weeks on these skills and you pretty much dont like the triangle anymore..-) That´s great.:-) You still have weaknesses but just call it a day and switch to a new area you want to train. Maybe after a few month or even years you come back to the triangle stuff and work with the knowledge you made over the years. Then you can push it to a new level.

Take care
Björn

8

bjorn - wow, that is great advice. i wish i had the diligence to actually
focus my training to that degree.

9

Zero1 , thanks man. That is indeed great advice. I normally just think of
working on a technique. Rarely do I think of working on the position or
setup to get to the technique.