BJJ Game Planning Blog
How to Choose the Right Takedowns for Your BJJ Game Plan
Do You Even Want to Take the Fight to the Ground? Before we dive into selecting takedowns, let’s ask a basic but important question: Do you want to take your opponent down at all?In my book Roll to the Top and throughout my coaching, I emphasize designing a game plan...
Don’t Just Roll — Experiment! A Research-Based Approach to Sparring
Rolling as a Laboratory: A Smarter Way to Train Far too many students treat rolling in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as if it were a weekly competition, with every sparring session reduced to a frantic attempt to rack up taps and “win” against their teammates. They chase...
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Prioritize Scoring Points Over Submissions for Wins!
Why a Points-Based Strategy is Superior in IBJJF Tournaments In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, everyone loves a finisher. Spectators, coaches, and competitors all admire the athlete who relentlessly chases submissions and ends every match decisively. However, the reality of...
You Don’t Need Judo or Wrestling—You Need Better Takedowns
Why BJJ Practitioners Should Say "I Need to Work on My Takedown Skills" Instead of "I Need to Work on My Judo or Wrestling" As a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and coach, one of my biggest pet peeves is when athletes in BJJ say they want to work on their "judo" or...
“There’s No Such Thing as a Scramble” – A New Way to Understand Chaos in BJJ
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we often hear people say things like, “There was a scramble, and then he mounted me.” But when one of my clients tells me that, I like to stop them right there. Because in my coaching philosophy, there’s no such thing as a scramble. Yes, I know...
Common Challenges in Designing a BJJ Game Plan and How to Overcome Them
Designing an effective Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) game plan is a critical step for any serious competitor. A well-structured game plan maximizes your strengths, minimizes your weaknesses, and provides a roadmap for success on the mats. However, many athletes struggle...
Navy SEAL Mental Toughness and Its Value in BJJ Training
Mental toughness is one of the most powerful tools a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor can develop. It can mean the difference between pushing through exhaustion to secure a victory or mentally breaking when the pressure is on. While few people will ever experience the...
Playing to Win vs. Playing to Not Lose in BJJ: Smart Strategy or Playing It Safe?
In the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition, we often hear the phrase: "Are you playing to win, or playing to not lose?" It’s usually delivered with a tone of judgment—implying that playing to win is bold, courageous, and honorable, while playing to not lose is...