7 Best Ways to Overcome Jiu Jitsu Plateau
Hey folks, it's Seb here. If you’ve been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a while, you may have hit a plateau where it feels like you’re not progressing. I'm sure you've found yourself there before. It can be a real bummer if you're not able to break through it. This can be incredibly disheartening and make your sessions feel like they’re going nowhere.
This doesn't mean that you're not learning more or becoming better at BJJ. It just means that progress has slowed down significantly, and it can take some time to break this impasse. If you're looking to power through the plateaus in your Jiu Jitsu journey, here are seven tips that will help:
1) Change Up Your Style: Sometimes we get stuck in our ways and keep repeating the same techniques over and over again without making any real progress. Consider changing up your style a bit and trying some different techniques to get out of your comfort zone and keep your development moving forward.
One of the best ways to get over that pesky plateau is to switch up your style a bit and try some new techniques. This will help shake up your game plan and keep you learning and developing new skills. For example, instead of always attacking from a closed guard, maybe try switching to an open guard and see what happens!
You could also look at different submissions or passing variations - anything that helps you stay out of the same old routine and keeps things fresh. If nothing else, it will help keep training fun and give you something new to work on each session.
2) Train With People Better Than You: It’s always beneficial to train with people who are better than you, as this will push you and help you improve in ways that training with lower levels won't. Find the best athletes at your academy and try to learn from them as much as possible.
Training with people who are better than you is essential for any Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner who is looking to improve. Not only will it push you and challenge you, but it will also help you learn techniques faster and more efficiently. You'll be able to observe the more experienced practitioners and learn from their successes.
When training with someone better than you, don't be discouraged if they are able to catch you in a submission or pass your guard. Instead, use this as an opportunity to observe how the technique was executed and ask questions about what could have been done differently. This will give you a much greater understanding of the move, which can then be put into practice during future rolls.
It's also important to remember that grappling is a very technical sport. Even though one person may have more experience than another, this doesn’t always mean that they are technically superior. Sometimes practicing with lower level students can help refine your technical abilities as well, since it allows time for slower paced techniques to be practiced without pressure of getting submitted or passed quickly!
So if you're looking for ways to break through those plateaus in your jiu jitsu journey, make sure that training with higher levels students is part of your routine. It will help push your progress forward at a much faster rate and provide great learning opportunities while doing so!
3) Focus On The Details: Plateaus usually occur when we stop paying attention to the small details of our technique. Take some time to break down each move and really focus on perfecting it so that you can be sure you’re doing it correctly.
When training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, one of the most important things to focus on is the details. Even if you have a solid understanding of the basics and fundamentals, it’s important to take some time to slow down and break down each move in detail. This will help you understand the intricacies of each technique and how they work together.
It’s easy to get stuck in a plateau when we start neglecting the details. We can become so focused on trying to string together as many techniques as possible that we forget about optimizing our existing skills and perfecting them. Taking a few moments before each practice session to review some core techniques or movements is key for progressing past those plateaus. Make sure you are focused on proper body alignment, weight distribution, footwork, timing, etc., as these small technical elements can make all the difference.
Additionally, it can be helpful to watch instructional videos from experienced practitioners or BJJ professionals in order to familiarize yourself with more advanced techniques. Watching videos can give you an understanding of how certain moves are performed correctly and what nuances may be required for successful execution. This will also give you insights into how different positions interact with one another and how subtle adjustments can bring about a greater understanding of Jiu Jitsu.
Overall, focusing on the details is essential for making progress in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Paying attention to the finer points of your technique and drilling basic movements repeatedly will help ensure that your foundation is strong while also giving you insight into more complex techniques that may help push past any plateaus!
4) Mix Up Your Training: It’s easy to get stuck in a routine and just do the same thing every day, which can lead to plateaus. Mix up your training by trying different drills, sparring partners, and techniques so you don't fall into a rut.
Mixing up your training can be incredibly beneficial for helping you avoid plateaus in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Not only does it keep things fresh and exciting, it also allows you to experiment with different techniques and strategies that may not have been part of your usual practice. When changing up your training, it’s important to make sure that you are focusing on improving technique rather than just learning new moves. Look for ways to optimize existing positions or techniques by drilling common mistakes and refining them until they become second nature.
Additionally, incorporating partner drills into your training can push you out of your comfort zone. With a partner drill, the goal is usually to develop a specific set of skills or techniques such as takedowns, escapes, sweeps, submissions etc. For example, if you are having difficulty defending against a triangle choke from guard then your focus should be on mastering the correct body positioning and flow so as not to get caught in the hold.
Lastly, trying new sparring partners can help break any mental blocks you may have about certain positions or techniques. By sparring with people who have different styles and skill levels than yourself, it will give you the opportunity to experience different jiu jitsu games which will ultimately improve your understanding of the sport.
5) Take Time Away From Training: Too much of anything can become boring or repetitive, so take time away from training if you need it. It doesn’t have to be too long but even a few days off can help break the monotony of your sessions and allow you to come back with fresh eyes and enthusiasm for learning.
Taking time away from training is an essential part of overcoming a plateau in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. When your training feels unproductive or stagnant, taking a break and recharging can be just as important to your progress as studying technique. Taking some time off allows you to clear your head and come back with a renewed sense of motivation and focus.
In fact, when it comes to BJJ plateaus, it’s sometimes better to take a few days off than push through the feeling of stagnation. Pushing yourself too hard can actually have the opposite effect and make it more likely that you’ll hit another plateau soon thereafter. It’s also important to strike the right balance between rest and recovery so that you don’t become complacent or over-rested in the long run.
The key is to rest without completely detaching from Jiu Jitsu. During your time off, try reading up on techniques, watching instructional videos or even just visualizing scenarios in your head. This will keep you mentally engaged in the sport while still giving your body a chance to rest and recover for future sessions.
Finally, remember that everyone experiences plateaus differently and at different times throughout their grappling career. Don't be discouraged if this happens to you - take it as an opportunity for growth! With a little bit of patience, dedication, and perseverance, you'll be back playing on the mats in no time!
6) Watch Professional Matches: Watching professional matches will give you an idea of what the highest level of jiu-jitsu looks like and will help you identify areas in which you could improve.
Watching professional matches of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be an invaluable learning tool for anyone who is stuck in a plateau. Professional practitioners often combine complex techniques into smooth, efficient movements that demonstrate the highest level of jiu-jitsu. While a live match won't necessarily teach you exactly how to execute those moves, it will provide insight into the strategies and tactics used by professionals and the way they think about Jiu Jitsu.
In addition to watching professional matches, it's also beneficial to study fight footage from different divisions at different levels. This will help you gain an understanding of how jiu-jitsu principles can be applied regardless of size or strength differences between opponents. By studying these matches, you can identify any weak points in your own game that need improvement, as well as acquire new ideas for submissions or sweeps which may be applicable to your skill set.
Finally, by watching professional matches you can also pick up on subtle details such as body posture and footwork which you may not have noticed before. These details are often overlooked during training but are essential components of good technique and flow which will help take your jiu-jitsu game to the next level.
7) Don’t Lose Sight Of Your Goals: Plateaus can often be a reflection that we have lost sight of our goals. Take some time to reflect on why you started training in the first place and remind yourself of your long term objectives. This will give you renewed motivation and focus to work through any plateaus that come your way.
By following these tips, you can get past any plateau that comes your way and continue learning and improving at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! Good luck on your journey!
