You don’t need fancy moves to level up your Jiu-Jitsu. You need smarter habits. After years of coaching and getting my own butt kicked, here are five simple training hacks that will make you better, without adding more hours to your week.
Micro-Drilling (2–5 Minutes)
Before or after class, grab a partner and rep one movement for 2–5 minutes. Keep it boring-on-purpose: same grip, same entry, same finish. Tiny, consistent reps build timing faster than “once-a-week marathons.”
- Pick one technique from class.
- Set a timer for 2–5 minutes.
- Slow > fast. Aim for clean reps, not chaos.
- When ready, add light resistance from your partner.
One Primary Path Per Position
Stop collecting 20 techniques and start building one reliable path. From each major position, choose a go-to.
- Bottom mount: one escape you trust.
- Guard: one sweep you actually hit.
- Top half guard: one pass you can chain.
Mastery feels like “I always know my next step,” not “I’ve watched every YouTube video.”
Post-Roll Notes (2 Wins, 2 Fixes)
Right after sparring, write down 2 things you did well and 2 things to fix. It takes 60 seconds and compounds like crazy.
- Wins: a grip you kept, a pass that worked.
- Fixes: where you stalled, where you gassed.
If you don’t record it, your brain will forget it before you hit the showers.
Weekly Review Session
Take one session a week and review, not acquire. Reps on your A-game only.
- Re-watch a class clip or recall details.
- Drill your primary paths, WITH resistance.
- No new techniques. Consolidate what you already own.
Progress = repetition with attention and resistance, not novelty.
Film One Round a Month
Record one round, watch it once, fix one thing. No ego, just data.
- Look for posture, grips, and pauses.
- Pick a single correction for next week.
- Repeat monthly. Small tweaks, big returns.
None of this is flashy. But it works. Give these five hacks 30 days and you’ll feel sharper, calmer, and less lost when the rolls heat up. Train smarter, not just harder.
