The Trick to Progressing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is easily one of the toughest things to progress in. BJJ has one of the toughest learning curves in the world, and this is what makes the dropout rate so high. So is there any way to progress faster than others? It is difficult to answer this question, but in short, there are specific ways of training that can help you progress, especially when incorporating effective techniques and strategy. Engaging in regular sparring sessions allows practitioners to apply techniques learned in a live and dynamic setting, accelerating progress through practical experience. Moreover, focusing on specific strategies, such as mastering the art of the sweep, can contribute to a faster learning curve and overall improvement in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills.  Check out our article “White to Blue, the most important step.”

The best way to progress is to just get as much mat time as possible, but that is the obvious way to progress. Are there ways to progress if you only train a few times a week? Yes, the trick to getting good at BJJ quickly is to develop a game. What does developing a game mean? It involves discipline and dedication to refining specific techniques and strategies during your training sessions. Having a training partner who shares your commitment can further enhance your progress and overall understanding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Developing a game means getting good at a specific set of moves quickly and focusing on a few things. Basically, you want to adapt the philosophy Bruce Lee implements, “I fear the man who has practiced one kick ten thousand times more than the man that has practiced ten thousand kicks once.” Basically, work the same positions over and over, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, endurance, and mastering specific techniques for a more efficient and rapid progression in your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey.

Finding Your Game

Finding your game can be the most important part of BJJ, but also the most difficult. When you are a fresh white belt, you don’t know much, so it is difficult to progress quickly. You can start to see a more rapid progression at the blue belt level because you can pick and choose what moves are working for you and constantly use them. Participating in competitions, under the guidance of a knowledgeable instructor, can provide valuable insights into which techniques are effective for you, helping you refine your game and accelerate your progress in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Let’s look at some examples of high-level black belts that have very specific games that they constantly implement. Bernardo Faria is a 5x Black Belt World Champion who has a very specific set of techniques that he uses over and over again. His opponents know what he is trying to do but still can’t stop it. Bernardo, known for his half guard game, relies on his trademark over-under pass. This level of mastery and improvement in specific techniques is often cultivated under the guidance of a skilled instructor, showcasing the importance of structured training and mentorship in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Another legendary competitor who is famous for his simplicity is Marcelo Garcia.  Marcelo always plays butterfly guard, X-guard, and single leg x.  Although his opponent’s know what he is doing, they can’t seem to stop it.  This is because he has done these positions so many times that he has seen every reaction possible.  This is the trick to advancing fast. 

If you always try and play a specific guard you will see all of the reactions to it from different people, check out this video below of Bernardo Faria discussing how many people doing BJJ feel after their first 6 months.

Also, if you want to learn some tricks to progressing quickly, check out this DVD Set, “The Lower Belt Prescription.”  This is an excellent resource for anybody struggling to understand bjj and trying to put together a game.