Think There Are No "Secrets" In BJJ? Think Again...

It amazes me that people think there is nothing secret about performing at a higher level.
Just practice more and you'll figure it all out they'll say.

Well maybe it shouldn't amaze me because most people never excel or reach their potential, should I dare say that they are just lacking belief?
Or is it something more?

If you've only been practicing BJJ for under a year then you'll want to especially pay close attention to the post.

I hear many people new to BJJ say that improvement will come with more mat time. And although this is very true it isn't completely true.

What you do with your mat time is more important than just how much time you spend on the mat.
If you haven't heard this before then listen up as I reveal a "secret" that most people starting out in BJJ don't realise or weren't told enough.

Make the basics second nature.
My instructor once told me long ago, the basics are basic not because they are the easiest aspects of your training but because that is what you will use most in your training, without strong basics your game will never be what it can be. You'll always spend too much time to execute techniques that should be second nature to you and your game will suffer because of it.
Think about it, picture the best out there.
Whether Rickson Gracie, Marcelo Garcia, Xande Ribeiro, or anyone else. Do you think they execute any of the basics differently than anyone else? The difference isn't in how they execute the basics it's in their mastery of the basics.
It's in the fact that they don't have to "think" about applying the basics they just "do it" without any thought and that's one of the secrets to their mastery of their game.

So to make the most of your mat time identify all the basic moves you need to work on, shrimping, upa, the sit out, etc,... and dedicate mat time to perfecting these basics that you will use most of the time for the rest of your grappling years.

The secret of defense.
Although everyone knows that submissions are the most attractive part of BJJ, it's the part that leads up to the submission that eludes most beginners. The way to evolve past this stage is to develop a solid defense and this is where escapes are crucial. Being able to escape from bad positions and further yourself into a dominant position is what the game is all about so focus on developing an iron-clad defensive game early on.
Your long term success in BJJ depends on your ability to escape and better your position.

These are but two of the "secrets" in Jiujitsu but two of the most fundamental if you are ever to advance your game beyond your foundation.
Remember the strength of your bascis and escapes are what will allow you to advance your game to a higher level.