Your Reason For Training...

I would like to address something that I feel is critical to your success in BJJ, it is so important, it's probably the one thing the makes the biggest impact on your training in the long term.
Quite simply, it's your reason for training.
In general, most people train in Jiujitsu for either sport, self defense, or to stay fit and have fun.
Some train for a combination of these reasons.

The point is that by understanding the deeper reason for your training you can tailor the focus of your training to better acheive your goals.
If you're training exclusively for self defense then the focus of your game will look very differently than someone who is training for competition.
Sport competiton training will be the most grueling not to mention the most prone to your getting injured.
Self defense training will have you focus your game on a more practical high percentage move strategy that takes into account variables you can encounter on the street as well as harder surfaces and different tactics.

The faster you can identify and tie your training into your goals then the faster and more effectively you will reach those goals.

A Solid Training Aid For Beginners?

I get asked all the time by beginners on what I can recommend as a training supplement to accelerate their development.

Over the next few weeks I'll be covering a few of the best DVDs out there for beginners to develop their game at a faster pace.

On a side note I just want to address the topic of DVDs and state that although I do not feel that a person can adequately learn a martial art, especially one as sophisticated as Jiujitsu from DVDs. I DO feel that in proper perspective, they are an excellent training aid and supplement that can definetely help improve ones skills at a faster rate.

That said the first DVD set I would like to discuss is by BJJ Black Belt Roy Dean, called The Blue Belt Requirements.

One of the greatest things about this set is the precise detail that Mr. Dean goes into in explaining the techniques.
The demonstrations of techniques are so detailed that I can easily recommend anyone at the White Belt level to those testing for their Blue Belt to view these DVDs first as they are sure to help you focus on the details of each required technique.

Furthermore the organized approach of the DVDs helps beginners keep track of and build upon the skills they develop, further increasing their understanding of Jiujitsu and preventing confusion. Mr. Dean's skills as an instructor really shine through here as well, as he clearly and concisely articulates all the main points and keeps the viewer's focus on the important steps involved in each technique.

This two DVD set goes over all the basic positions, submissions and strategies that will allow those beginning in BJJ to help clarify all the information they get in class, helping them not only memorise but also implement the techniques and their precise details to develop a solid base in BJJ.

Roy Dean's Blue Belt Requirements should be required viewing for White Belts at all BJJ Academies.

The two DVD set can be purchased here:
http://www.roydeanacademy.com/dvds

What's Going On In The Back Of Your Mind?

This is a very important question I want you to ask yourself.

When you're training and sparring, what's going on in the back of your mind?

I mean, more than just what you're thinking, how are you thinking about it?
Are you telling yourself that you're just trying to survive?
Are you telling yourself to force through your techniques because you're not sure about them?

These two examples will tell you alot about flaws in your approach.

Whatever it is you're thinking, it's a great idea to be aware of it and write it down after your training.
This is one of the fastest ways that you can get out of whatever problems you have in your training.

For example, let's say you keep getting caught in a certain submission and can't figure out what you're doing wrong or what to do to counter or escape.
I can guarantee you that if you're telling yourself, "I always get stuck here." or "what am I doing wrong?" then you will keep doing that same thing and repeating the same pattern and getting the same results.
By becoming aware of this and writing it down you can start to get out of that habit and answer the question.

If you always get caught in a certain submission and say I always get stuck here, then obviously the next step is to find out why and what you should be doing to prevent or counter it.

If you find yourself repeatedly asking what you are doing wrong, then you are uncertain about something that you are doing before getting caught and need to figure out what that is.

Asking your instructor or training partner for help here in finding the solution is very useful.

You'll also want to change what you are saying to yourself.

Again with the two above examples, if you're "always getting stuck" or asking "what are you doing wrong?" Then you need to replace those with "I'll never get stuck here again" or "what am I going to do instead?"
By finding out what you are doing wrong and replacing that with what you should be doing and replacing what you're saying to yourself in those moments, you'll be changing your thinking and actions and getting new results instead.

There is a reason why Jiujitsu is called the thinking man's martial art.