Problem Solving in Jiu Jitsu

Problem Solving

"You left just as you were becoming interesting!"- Sean Connery in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

A lot gets said about the Blue Belt disease- people leaving Jiu Jitsu after their Blue Belt. I don't know why it happens, but I suspect that some of it has to do with the learning curve getting more shallow and requiring a bit more intention as you develop your skills. For me, it's frustrating to teach someone the fundamentals, only to find they don't go on to the really interesting stuff, like what happens when it doesn't work!

A lot of that is Problem Solving, and this is where I love Jiu Jitsu.

If I spar on Wednesday, and someone passes my guard using a technique, I get to think about that and wonder why. Did I do something? Did he do something? Who got the first grip? Should I have reacted differently? Do I need to develop something to counteract that position?

So here's something I've used since I was a Blue Belt that you might find helpful.

Firstly, I refuse to think that it's a fitness, strength, speed, or size problem. It must be a technical problem that I'm doing. I have to solve it that way- through new technique, strategy, or tactics. I can never say "Oh he's too quick/strong/good". It has to be something I can solve.

Then I use this template, and write it down on a piece of paper or as a note on my phone.

Problem-

People passing my guard using the over/under pass

Duration-

3 weeks (minimum)

Technical Fixes-

• Review current techniques- is there something I'm doing/not doing?

• Research online- does someone else have something new for me?

• Coach feedback- did coach spot something?

• Partner feedback- did they see something?

  
  

Live Practice-

• Use partners- Who is good at this pass? Spar them more regularly.

• Variety- Use different partners to feel different pressures, less XP partners can provide less challenge to build skill and confidence.

• Start in position- Start every round on bottom position, some in Over/Under Pass position

• Reset rounds back once passed/defended.

Review-

• Week 1- how's it going? Adjust?

• Week 2- Rate improvements, Adjust?

• Week 3- Results. Do more? Happy?

Review Strategies-

• Coach Feedback

• Self Assessment

• Partner Assessment

This gives you a template for the problems you're coming up against in sparring. More often than not at Brown and Black Belt, I'd use it and discover that I was forgetting to do something fundamental. When I was less experienced, I used it to develop new techniques and sides to my game. Top Pressure, Back Finishing, a new Guard Pass and so on.

Try it! Enjoy!

See you on the mat,

Barry