There are several aspects to jiu-jitsu training that we all should do but all too often neglect. These things may not be included in your academy’s regular class time and require some personal effort in your part.
Here they are:
1) Stretching
Unless there is a period devoted to stretching in your BJJ class, most guys will perform a few half-hearted toe touches while they discuss the weekend plans and leave it at that.
We don’t need to go into the obvious merits of stretching for injury prevention here. I would recommend developing a short routine of 6-7 of the most important stretches for you (considering your personal injury history and body weak points) and doing it at the beginning of class, or ideally in between rolls or at the end of class when you have blood in the muscles and connective tissues.
2) Drilling
This is at once the most important part of adding and developing new positions to your BJJ game and yet also one that is easy to neglect. Truth is, it is difficult to add techniques to your game without drilling.
You are going to have to make extra effort to set aside time with a partner to knock out repetitions of the moves you are looking to sharpen.
It is all too easy to plan to drill that sweep and then promptly forget about it when someone asks, “Wanna roll?” Rolling is the most fun part of class but it usually not possible to execute those new techniques.
You are going to need to recruit a training partner for focused drilling. Set a goal to bust out 50 reps in a drilling session. Alternate with your partner and be focused.
3) Takedowns
This one is going to ring true for many BJJers. Some jiu-jitsu schools only talk about takedowns the week before a tournament.
One of my new students had previously trained at a school that never did takedowns and started all rolls from the knees. Upon getting a few months of takedown instruction, he remarked how significantly more comfortable on his feet he felt.
Here are two tips to include takedowns in your BJJ if your school does not teach them regularly:
A) Warm-up by performing the entries for your double leg or trips. A few sets of 20 will develop your balance, timing, and speed without risk of injury.
B) Start some of your rolls from standing. This is easiest at the end of rolling when most other students are fatigued and sitting on the side of the mats. Starting standing will at least help you feel more comfortable and not like a complete fish out of water when a tournament comes.
What is the part of BJJ that you struggle with neglecting?
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