How Can I Get Better at Jiu Jitsu Faster?
If you want to get better at Jiu Jitsu faster, it’s not just about training harder—it’s about training smarter. More hours on the mat doesn’t automatically equal more progress. What actually accelerates growth is intention, reflection, and focused repetition.
Focused Intention > Random Reps
Most people assume that more classes mean more improvement. But repetition without feedback often just hardwires the wrong habits. If you keep repping a guard pass with bad posture or escaping side control the wrong way, all you're doing is reinforcing inefficiency.
The athletes who leap ahead aren’t always the ones putting in the most hours—they’re the ones making the most of each hour. They show up to class with purpose. They ask questions. They drill deliberately. They reflect on what they’re doing right—and wrong.
Ask yourself before every session: “What am I working on today?” If you don’t have a clear answer, you're just moving around. Movement alone doesn't equal progress.
Practical Strategies to Train Smarter
Here are a few simple things you can start doing immediately to get better, faster:
Set specific goals before class. Example: “Today I’ll work on escaping side control and keeping my frames strong.” One goal is better than none.
Write down what you learned after class. Reflection helps you connect the dots. What clicked today? What failed? What will you try differently next time?
Drill key movements pre- or post-class. Just 10–15 minutes of isolated drilling, 2–3x per week, leads to noticeable improvement over a month. Use this time to sharpen the specific areas you’re struggling with.
Watch one high-level match per week. Study athletes who compete at the level you aspire to. Don’t just watch for submissions—study how they manage distance, create pressure, or transition during scrambles.
Be curious and ask questions. One good question after class can unlock weeks of progress. Coaches notice students who are intentional.
Use a journal to track it all. The Practitioner’s Journal is a great tool for logging goals, notes, and your weekly training focus. It’s not just about keeping memories or writing techniques down —it’s about building momentum.
Bonus Training Cycle: Go Deep, Not Wide
One of the fastest ways to accelerate your skill is to zoom in. Instead of bouncing between 10 techniques, pick one position or concept and commit to it.
Example: Choose back control. Spend the next 2–4 weeks working only on maintaining the back, finishing from the back, and escaping the back. Watch instructionals, drill transitions, and test what you’ve learned in rolling.
When you go deep instead of wide, your brain starts to recognize patterns faster. You stop thinking through each move and start reacting.
What Most People Miss
Progress in Jiu Jitsu isn’t linear. Some days you’ll feel sharp, others you’ll feel stuck. That’s normal. But if you build your habits around intentionality, you’ll keep moving forward even when it feels like you aren’t.
Don’t let bad days derail you.
Don’t train blindly hoping something clicks.
Don’t skip reflection—it’s where learning locks in.
Action Step
Pick ONE area of your game that you struggle with. Just one. Spend the next 30 days watching footage, drilling techniques, and journaling about that specific skill. Track how you feel each week. Watch how much progress stacks up when your focus is that tight.
Improvement isn’t random—it’s the side effect of focused, deliberate effort. Get better at being intentional, and you’ll get better at Jiu Jitsu.
