Judo vs BJJ: 3 Important Differences

Emily Howell March 15, 2023 No Comments

Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) are two martial arts that often get compared to each other. Both have their roots in Japan and involve grappling

Taekwondo vs Jiu Jitsu: Key Differences

gbjj June 19, 2022 No Comments

When most people think of martial arts, the first things that come to mind are usually taekwondo vs jiu jitsu. They are both popular modern

The 10 Unspoken Rules of BJJ

gbjj May 30, 2022 No Comments

In the world of sports, there are always unspoken codes of conduct that govern how athletes interact with both coaches and other athletes. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

What Is Combat Jiu Jitsu?

gbjj May 28, 2022 No Comments

Since the inception of jiu-jitsu, it has experienced several modifications and birthed new versions. In recent times, a hybrid version of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been

5 Ways You Can Be a Good Student at Jiu Jitsu Near Me

gbjj April 21, 2022 No Comments

College and Jiu-jitsu are alike in more ways than one. There are professors and they demand attention and participation, sure, but most importantly, progression is

GBJJ Guide: Knowing When To Tapout

gbjj April 20, 2022 No Comments

Let’s face it – tapping out isn’t something we like to talk about. No one wants to be the person who tapped too late or

History of BJJ: Who Invented Jiu Jitsu?

gbjj March 28, 2022 No Comments

There has been some confusion about where and who invented Jiu Jitsu. Regardless of when or who established Jiu-Jitsu (also known as Ju-Jitsu), it is

How To Pick the Best Grappling Dummy in 2022: BJJ Buyer’s Guide

gbjj March 24, 2022 No Comments

A grappling dummy is an essential tool for people who practice jiu jitsu. Whether you are an expert or an amateur, you can master the

Brazilian martial arts is a physical and mental challenge. Thus, it’s no surprise that even the most dedicated BJJ practitioners don’t always get on the mats as much as they’d like when they’re aiming to hone their skills. There comes a time when it’s not possible to return to the dojo or training hall. Maybe you sustained an injury. Maybe the urgency of your daily schedule prevents you from attending BJJ sessions regularly. However, even if you’re unable to get on the mat due to time constraints, or injuries, you can still hone your skills in some ways. Therefore, what’s the solution for improving your BJJ when you don’t have time? To live your passion for Brazilian martial arts, you must be ready to take matters into your own hands. Here are essential tips you need to know. Know Your Goals Setting goals for your game improves performance, fight technique, strength, and endurance, as well as self-discipline. Without proper goal setting, both elements of the sport are less likely to be achieved. A successful BJJ fighter should be aware of their goals and should strive to achieve them. It is crucial to have a direction or focus to make your training efforts more meaningful. This is what sets the dedicated grappler apart from the rest. Set realistic and action-oriented goals, and you will be on your way to success! As a BJJ player, you’ll need to list down your long or short-term goals. What will happen in five days, five weeks, five months, or five years? The key is to get organized. Write down where you are now, your goals, and a list of the steps that will get you there. Once you have this structure, it will help you be sure that everything is aligned with your longer-term goals. Evaluate Your Strengths and Weaknesses It’s no secret that training in BJJ can be difficult. It doesn’t matter if you’re training for the first time or you’ve been training for 10 years. It seems like there is always more to learn. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced grappler, it is crucial to understand your strengths and weaknesses. You can assess yourself in different fields of the sport. Technique By this time, you probably may be aware that BJJ has lots of techniques such as: ● Submissions ● Leglocks ● Back attacks ● Defense Mental How do you rate yourself with the mental aspect of the sport? Do you have determination? If so, is it enough to push you through success in achieving your goals? By doing this, you can know which specific areas you need to focus on. Other aspects of it to focus on include self-discipline and control. These will not only get you through your workouts each week, but they’ll also give you the endurance needed to win a match. Physical Performance is vital in Brazilian martial arts. That’s why you also need to evaluate which area is failing to hone your skills. In this way, you can take action to improve them. Power, endurance, strength, flexibility, and durability are common attributes that you want to look into. Analyzing the results will tell you what your weaknesses are, and you can work on them for improvement. By tracking strengths and weaknesses while developing long-term goals, you will be able to pinpoint exactly where you need to allocate time, energy, and resources. This will help you achieve better results and ensure that you’re on the right way to achieving your goals. Bonus Tip: Of course, you don’t want to just set goals and analyze your weaknesses or strengths. As you do effective ways and further training to improve your lapses, it is necessary to track your progress, specifically your long-term goals. The key is you want to see if your efforts are paying off. Practice Your Game in Your Head Visualization is the way to hone your skills when you can’t physically be on the mat. It’s a way to build your confidence and train your mind to be more effective in your sport. Whether you’re laying in bed or standing in line at a coffee shop, train your mind to visualize the perfect performance. Through visualizing your techniques and strategies, you can achieve your goals effectively and efficiently. Here is a guide you can use in this method: ● What do you remember about your last sparring session? Think about that event and how it progressed. What are the mistakes you made? How will you fix those mistakes? ● You can also recall the last training you attended with your instructor. Visualize the techniques that the instructor has taught you and think about how you can incorporate these techniques. ● Close your eyes and concentrate on the technique you want to learn: the hand position, the grip, or the control. Look at your hands and mentally rehearse the approach. Do it again from a different point of view, but always keep one thing in mind: visualization is not just an exercise. It’s a powerful way to improve your skills! Develop a Comprehensive Game Plan Developing your grappling game plan is essential to mastering your art. Understanding the logic behind your game will also help you deal with the frustrating moments of trial and error that every grappler inevitably experiences along the journey of their training. For example, you can list techniques you’re good at and then ones that you’re not. Then, write the movement and strategies you’re doing for each technique. After that, you can list some possible good moves or strategies that come from your mind. You can think back to this when you’re in a match, as it will make you feel more prepared and confident. Condition Your Body and Health Strength and conditioning practices are as important to your Jiu-Jitsu training as the class itself. Conditioning your body with strength exercises and with a good diet will improve your performance, reduce the risk of injury, and even speed up your recovery after a hard day of sparring. However, it doesn’t mean that you need to go for in-class training to achieve these. If you don’t have enough time on the mat, you can perform squats, yoga, and other exercises to build your stamina. You already analyze your physical weakness above, so take it as a guide on which areas to focus and build. Good health and improved strength will prepare your body for the rigors of BJJ. This is the reason why you need to discipline yourself and focus on general health and strength. Conclusion At the end of the day, BJJ is a life-long journey that involves multiple factors. There’s no getting around it: mat time is one of the best ways to hone your skills and develop yourself as a grappler. But, it’s not the only way. Whether you’re injured, sick, vacationing, or just want to be more prepared for when you get back on the mat, these tips can help you continue to strengthen your game even when you can’t train live

5 Ways to Hone Your Skills In BJJ Off The Mat

gbjj March 21, 2022 No Comments

Brazilian martial arts is a physical and mental challenge. Thus, it’s no surprise that even the most dedicated BJJ practitioners don’t always get on the

6 Self Defense Martial Arts Classes For Kids

gbjj March 20, 2022 No Comments

Martial arts are an excellent way for children to stay in shape, learn self-discipline, teamwork, and self-defense, as well as build friendships. If a youngster