6 Ideas for Using Instructional Video

We are all faced with some time off the mats at the moment. Something I have always found useful both when I can and definitely when I can’t train Jiu-Jitsu, is watching instructional videos.

Take notes.
There is lots of content available nowadays from monthly pay sites to downloadable material and YouTube. Here are a few tips that have been helpful to me in getting the most out of these and actually getting some significant development in your development.

Firstly pick something to focus on and actually put in the work and study the material, YouTube and being spoilt for choice can be dangerous here because if you aren’t disciplined you can become a bit like Alice down the rabbit hole and jump about, easily distracted not actually learn anything. We are thinking study here NOT entertainment.

Tip 1:

Pick someone to watch who is of a similar size and body type. This isn’t an absolute BUT can be useful in finding techniques and game-plans that will suit your body.

Tip 2:

Although this is STUDY still look for someone who’s game you like and would like to emulate. It is important that we enjoy what we are doing but see Tip 1 when making your choice.

Tip 3:

Look for something that will fit into your existing game. It will be much easier to pick up material to implement into your game if it fits into aspects of your existing game that already work for you.

Tip 4:

Identify areas you know are a problem for you and need work. Again keep this simple and think Top- standing, passing guard, top/dominant position control and submission. Bottom – guard control, sweeps and submission. Finally escapes and defence, probably the most neglected and least interesting for many BUT in my opinion hugely important. Shoring up your defence will give you confidence in every other aspect of your game as you are more inclined to open up your game from both top and bottom and go for stuff IF you are confident that if you mess up and wind up in a bad spot that you can survive and escape back to your A game.

Tip 5:

Look for areas you would like to add or expand your existing gam into including. Again this will be easier to incorporate if it links to something that you already do IF not think about transitions and entries.

Tip 6:

Now actually study the material. Not just a cursory viewing while checking your phone. Switch everything else off and focus. You will get out what you put in, just like in class.

We can’t get together and train for the moment BUT your progress doesn’t have to stop. Get to work.

Written by Micah Atkinson, BJJ instructor at Phoenix MMA in Bournmouth, UK