Jiu Jitsu Perspectives: Then Versus Now

On Good Training Partners

Then: The most useful training partners are the ones that are exactly in one’s weight category, that smash mercilessly, and force improvements through their relentless pressure. Also, one should measure their jiu jitsu by going against spazzy beginners and people who are bigger, because that’s the way you will know that your jiu jitsu technique works.

Now: Training is a collaborative process in which both people work together to increase their knowledge and skill. Sometimes that may involve maximal resistance and effort, but other times, it might involve active drilling at a conversational pace, such that one can draw valuable insights regarding the key details that continue to build on one’s jiu jitsu.

On Competition

Then: Competition is a sure-fire way to display legitimacy and prowess in one’s jiu jitsu. It will force you to recognize where your gaps are when dealing with an opponent whose game you don’t know. You should compete as often as possible to keep your feeling of competition “fresh.”

Now: Competition still has benefits, but man, does it have costs too. Perhaps the real point of competition is not only to win, but to see how you perform under pressure. The value of competing comes not only from the moments on the mat, but what you do to prepare for those moments: studying footage, analyzing mistakes, and displaying creativity in how you learn.

On Coaching

Then: If you coach, then you are taking away from your own training. Sure, it means that you’re learning the concepts and are answering questions, but nothing beats physical mat time, which you can’t get when you coach.

Now: There are actually different levels of support when you are not a student at an academy, with some overlapping depending on the school:

• Coaches are people who focus on the more competitive aspects of jiu jitsu, have a good understanding of different rule sets, and are tactical thinkers.

• Teachers are people who focus on in-class instruction, developing skill without a specific timeline, and creating the best educational experience and environment for learning jiu jitsu.

• Mentors are people who focus on the development of mental skills among the student population and care about how people grow in terms of handling adversity.

Whatever the role is, you are still engaging in jiu jitsu, and presumably, it is your choice to embody that role. It does not matter what you’re missing out on because it’s more about getting what you want out of the experience.

On Social Media

Then: Social media is a necessary evil in terms of doing jiu jitsu. Because if you didn’t post a training picture, then did you even train? Plus, social media connects you to potential sponsors and other famous athletes. It is where you can form connections and also raise your profile.

Now: Doing jiu jitsu as a private experience is perfectly fine. In fact, it may even be great for one’s mental health not to be constantly comparing yourself to thirst traps and highlight reels. It may actually be good to limit interactions to just “in person” ones that are likely more sincere and authentic to the present moment.

On Helping Clean the Mats

Then: People should not be obligated to clean the mats after class. Even if there is no obligation to do so, there should be no social pressure to clean either. You’re a paying customer at this establishment, not the janitorial staff. Cleaning the mats is considered unpaid labor.

Now: I like cleaning the mats because it’s a special time when I get to hang out with a small group of people and get to know them more informally. Cleaning the gym is one of many options for contributing to the community, showing that you care, and taking care of where you train. It’s a choice you can make, not a mandate.

On Mat Time

Then: Mat time is the most important thing in terms of progression in jiu jitsu. Show up to as many classes as possible and be at every single open mat for the entire time.

Now: Learning is different for everyone. Mat time needs a more precise definition - perhaps it’s not just time spent rolling, but time spent in a specific position or technique. If you like studying and understanding jiu jitsu from a cerebral point of view, then taking the time to study footage and ask yourself why something works or fails in a “live” scenario will help with one’s progression, too. And, mat time cannot be abused, because burn out is a real problem that can hurt you even beyond jiu jitsu.

On Having Fun

Then: If you’re just focused on having fun, your jiu jitsu won’t get better. Having fun means that you’re not setting an intention for your training that day.

Now: Having fun is necessary to doing jiu jitsu. It’s OK to have days, weeks, or months in which you’re not stressing out about the results or needing to accomplish a specific thing every day. Goals are there to provide focus and accountability, but they shouldn’t be a source of inordinate stress.

On Progression

Then: Measure progression only through objective means, because anything else is just fooling yourself that you’re getting better. For instance, competitive wins and number of points you scored is what you should be hungry for. If it doesn’t yield success, then you’re not progressing.

Now: Progression is not necessarily limited to achieving the end goal. It takes time to learn new techniques, and it isn’t worth it spending all that extra time being unhappy when you haven’t reached a certain goal. Instead, a more sustainable and motivating measure is whether your baseline technique has improved. Are you reacting a little faster than before? Did you defend the submission in a different way? Were you able to transition a little faster from one position to another? Trust that small shifts can transform into significant seismic activity.