It’s easy to focus on the beginning and end of a technique, but a lot happens in the middle. Small adjustments, changing angles, controlling distance, or improving your position are often what make the technique successful. Don’t rush from one step to the next. The transitions between movements are where many of the important details […]

As you train longer, you’ll notice that experienced students don’t always move more, they actually move less. They avoid unnecessary movements, stay balanced and use their energy only when it matters. Efficiency isn’t about doing less work, it’s about making every movement have a purpose. Over time, you’ll find that using less energy often gives […]

Sometimes students wait for the perfect opening before they attack, but the opening never comes on its own. A big part of Jiu-Jitsu is learning how to create reactions from your partner. A grip, a shift in pressure, or a small movement can force them to respond, and that’s often where the real opportunity appears. […]

Your training partners have a big impact on how much you learn. If your partner does nothing, you can’t drill the technique since Jiu-Jitsu requires reaction. The same happens if your partner uses too much strength and treats every drilling session like a fight to the death. Give real reactions, but don’t turn drilling into […]

Oftentimes, students ask what they can do to improve faster. Unfortunately, there is no easy trick; it comes down to the time you spend on the mat training and problem-solving in each position. Class time is spent introducing and learning the techniques. If you stop there, you might find yourself forgetting what you’ve done by […]

Unlike many other physical activities, in Jiu-Jitsu, we use our entire body. If you’ve just started training, you’ve probably noticed how quickly you get tired. Learning to use your body efficiently is what will make you better faster than any amount of conditioning. The warm-up movements at the start of class are what we use […]