This week I talk about:
- Keeping a journal
- Making a BJJ game plan
- Enjoying the process of training
- How I have changed the way I treat new students
- Organizational skills
This week I talk about:
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This week we talk about making changes to your BJJ and developing a game plan. We break it down into 3 main steps: 1) Define the objectives 2) Get help 3) Do the work. You are the only person how is ultimately in charge of your BJJ development take responsibility and make it happen. To help you obtain your goal we strongly recommend that your write it down.
1) Define the objective– Make a realistic objective that is attainable but not too easy. Your objective can be a new move or you can try to change your style. You might decide to make one of your best moves (a brick) even better, or you could make a week area of your game stronger. Your objective could also be to drop a few pounds or become more flexible. It is up to you what you want to work on, make sure it is something that will pay off in the long run. Try to avoid picking a fad.
2) Get help– Tell your coach what you are working on, that way you two are on the same page. Get a small group of training partners together that will be able to help you. Find someone who is good at the area you are working on. Find a book that covers what you are working on, or watch YouTube videos(if you have not seen this YouTube thing, it’s pretty sweet).
3) Do the work– No one can do the work for you, and no one knows if you are working as hard as you can. The bottom line is you gotta work hard to make changes happen. At first making changes will be difficult, it will feel like you took a step backwards.
Toward the end of the show Byron explains how he is doing this 3 step process. He will be working on his back defense. He then goes through the 3 step process with his objective.
Quote of the week:“Do you listen, or do you just wait to talk?” Pulp Fiction
Article of the week: “Beware The Belt Chaser” Grapplearts.com
Sponsor: FujiSports.com check out the High Capacity Duffle Bag
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Andre Tim Monteiro
“Like a lion, go for the neck.”
The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunes, and Stitcher radio
We talk to Andre about
Quote of the week: “Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.” Unknown
Links
Andre’s sponsors: Koral Fight co. Fightertech
Article of the week: “The Importance of Preparation” by Jake Whitfield
Everyone has different goals in BJJ or any martial art. From the fierce competitor to the casual student, everyone wants to get better. Knowing when and why to be a student, warrior, or martial artist will help you meet your goals. Being in the correct mindset during class will help you develop at an increased rate.
Student mode– If you are more than a couple of months away from competing you might consider thinking of yourself as more of a student. When you are a student you are trying new things. You will not be focusing on your battle tested techniques. For example: if you are normally a top player, you might decide to pull guard. This will put you out of your comfort zone. You will not be as effective during rolling if you are in student mode, but your learning will be at an accelerated rate. You may not end up completely changing your style, but it will at least help you understand techniques and positions that you don’t normally try. This is a great time for growth and development.
Warrior mode– When you are a month or two away from competing you should be in warrior mode. You need to tighten up your game; you are doing and drilling the moves you do best. You are working on a game plan and sticking to it; this is not the time to be playing around with some new trick you found online. When you are in warrior mode and you are rolling, your partners will know what you are trying to do, and you will still be hard to stop. For example: If your game plan is to get top position, pass and then choke – that is what you should be doing. Don’t pull guard just because you are too tired to fight for position. If you end up on the bottom work your “back up plan” or work to get back to your primary game plan. Don’t get caught playing around with moves you are not good at. Even if you do not compete you should occasionally put yourself in warrior mode, this will help you develop core techniques.
Martial Artist mode– Find balance in both student and warrior modes. If you are in student mode all the time you may fail to develop solid moves that you can rely on when you need them. If you only work from warrior mode you will slow your ability to learn and understand other parts of Jiu-jitsu. Decide what mode you should be in and put yourself to work. By doing both, you will accelerate your ability and knowledge.
Other articles you might like:
Take the Staff- A short story with a life lesson
One Handed Drill to Improve Your Open Guard
Starting from your knees- The good, the bad, and the worn out gi pants
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