7 methods to drilling and adding new techniques to your BJJ (Part 1)
So you are a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner and you are looking for some ways to nail down different techniques and movements. Well there is no secret to improving in BJJ, its hard work. However there are different methods of training deliberately and with a purpose, which can yield results more efficiently. Now I am not saying that these are the only effective techniques to drilling and incorporating new moves into your arsenal but they are some that have helped me.
So lets get started!
Method 1 : Doing Reps
This is the most common form of adding a new technique to your repertoire and this is pretty much always the starting point for a new technique. Your teacher shows you something or you see a video and start performing reps of the new technique. Doing reps is a corner stone to training that cannot be ignored but keep in mind you need to perform massive amounts of reps before the technique is effective. So 20-30 during a class typically doesn’t cut it. Unless you’re very adept at the position already the move will be a bit shaky
During my private lessons when students want to implement a new game plan I track down the amount of reps we perform during our lessons and then I have them report back to me if they are executing the techniques successfully during rolling. 100-350 reps of a move will make that movement comfortable for drilling while 700-1000 seems to increase mat effectiveness during rolling and tournaments. Anything above that is only going to continue to build the speed and timing of the movement. Don’t perform all these reps in one sitting. Instead do them in spurts over time, meanwhile attempting them during rolling sessions
- Tips when adding techniques to your game.
- Drill new moves slowly so that you hit every important detail and don’t slop up the technique. Speed will come over time but every time you perform a sloppy rep your body is building bad muscle memory.
- Drill the new techniques in segments broken up over weeks. Squeeze out 40 reps after class or come to an open mat and warm up with a 100 reps with a partner before rolling. Doing the techniques over a longer period of time will give the moves time to “simmer” and be absorbed by your body.
- Try to execute the new techniques during your rolls. This will only further enhance the learning process of the techniques.
- Always consult your instructor!
Finding a training partner I get along with who is at my level was the hardest and most important thing I’ve done in my efforts to learn BJJ. I wish it had been emphasized to me more strongly when I was first starting how important it is to drill outside of class. Now, my partner and I use the belt test sheets as guides for what to drill the most and we’re both making much better progress.
Glad you found a partner. I know that I’ve always had a partner to work with.I found it helpful to have a person to drill or work with, and it was also nice having someone to share my successes and failures with. I hope you and your partner enjoy growing and progressing together.
Great points Chewy,brings to mind what I read in this article: http://expertenough.com/1423/deliberate-practice
Nice article. I really like the idea of having “a method to the madness” when it comes to training.
The first time I heard deliberate practice or skill acquisition was in a book called Talent is Overrated. Then I read several books afterwards that touched on the subject. Learning more about it prompted me to adjust my training. Thanks for replying Tim. Ill see you when I get back from the Pans.
Great points Chewy,reminds me of the points made here: http://expertenough.com/1423/deliberate-practice about skill acquisition.