Five tried and tested ways to improve your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Discover five proven ways to improve your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu through smarter training habits, better recovery, and consistent practice on the mats.
Improving at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu does not require endless hours on the mat or chasing every new technique. The most consistent progress comes from focusing on fundamentals, training with intention, and showing up regularly. Over time, these habits shape a more reliable and confident game.
Here are five tried and tested ways to improve your Jiu Jitsu over the long term.
Focus on fundamentals
Strong fundamentals create reliable Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. When positions break down or rounds become intense, it is your basics that hold everything together.
Spend time refining your escapes from bad positions so you can stay calm under pressure. Develop stronger guard retention and posture to prevent unnecessary scrambles. Work on balance, pressure, and base so your movement feels controlled rather than rushed.
These core skills apply at every level and form the foundation of long term improvement.
Train with clear goals
Instead of trying to win every round, approach training with simple, focused objectives. This shifts your mindset from outcome to development.
You might decide to escape mount before attempting any attack, commit to one specific sweep per round, or maintain posture and balance for the entire roll. Small, clear goals give each session direction and purpose.
Training with intention accelerates learning because it forces you to practise deliberately rather than react automatically.
Ask questions and seek feedback
Coaches and training partners are valuable resources in your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey. Progress often comes from understanding the small details that are easy to miss.
Ask about the finer points of a technique, why something works in one scenario but fails in another, or how to correct a recurring mistake. Minor adjustments in timing, grips, or positioning can unlock major improvements.
Seeking feedback consistently builds awareness and helps you take ownership of your development.
Prioritise recovery
Progress slows quickly when recovery is ignored. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is physically demanding, and your body needs time to adapt.
Prioritise quality sleep and proper hydration. Include light stretching or mobility work to maintain joint health and range of motion. Take rest days when needed so you can return to training refreshed rather than fatigued.
Training smarter often leads to better results than simply training more.
Stay consistent over time
Consistency beats intensity in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Training a few times per week over months and years leads to steady improvement, even when progress feels slow from day to day.
There will be challenging sessions and plateaus along the way. What matters most is continuing to show up, staying curious, and trusting the process.
Improving long term
The most successful students focus on learning rather than winning. With patience, curiosity, and consistent mat time, improvement in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu becomes inevitable.
