2015 is upon us.  People often make resolutions.  For Jiu-Jitsu students I’d recommend not making a general resolution like “get better at Jiu-Jitsu.”  After all, you’re going to want to do that anyway.  Here are some more specific resolutions that will help improve your Jiu-Jitsu game.

• Train more often

If you’ve made it a couple years in Jiu-Jitsu, you will notice people who train more frequently than others.  This is normal; everyone has different availability to train.  This is fine, sometimes, with work, school, or other matters, it is difficult to find your way to the gym more than twice a week.  Something is still better than nothing.  Forcing yourself to train instead of sitting on the sofa will be what you need to get better.

On a similar note getting back into the habit of training can be very difficult.  Some people take time off for different reasons.  Not everyone comes back.  Your resolution could be to simply start training again!

• Try a competition 

Competition can be very scary at first.  It’s a place where your skills are tested against some of the best in the world.  It will have you training for a specific purpose and be a driving force to take your Jiu-Jitsu to another level.   You will begin training differently and the improvement in your Jiu-Jitsu will be obvious.

• Eat healthier

The holidays usually consist of stuffing ourselves with all sorts of delicious foods.  Bad habits of over eating and consuming bad food can develop quickly.  Keeping a balanced diet is important.  What you put into your body fuels it to train Jiu-Jitsu but get you through the day.

• Try new techniques

BJJ isn’t easy.  Every day is challenging.  There is after all someone trying to choke you on a daily basis.  Improvement takes time and effort.  Students can develop a comfort zone.  In this zone, your Jiu-Jitsu will likely not improve as quickly as others.  Try to push yourself by trying a new guard, alternate variation, or using a weak side.

• Learn from every roll

I’m guilty of not taking every roll seriously.  It’s something I want to change in 2015.  I want to be able to use every roll as a learning experience.  There are many times I train and don’t take anything away from it other than I burned a few calories.  It’s good to focus on the training, analyze, and learn from each session.  This will help you find ways to improve your own Jiu-Jitsu, and develop a stronger game for your entire BJJ career.

Patrick J. Flores @bjjfotos 

Gracie Barra Chino