In jiu-jitsu we always start off learning so much. Much of the time spent at whitebelt (ie around 1-2 years) is spent just learning terminology and trying to get a handle on the system.

From there people start developing in their own direction and often times hit a plateau. There’s nothing more frustrating than feeling like your jiu jitsu isn’t progressing. Especially in light of how fast some of your class might be progressing.

World class coach John Danaher is often asked “how can i get good quickly?” and while he appreciates the fervor he directed his attention to a more valuable version of the inquiry – “how do I sustain progress over time.”

Here’s how Danaher answered that query:

The danger is that as time passes, progress can be destroyed in two main ways.

• First, by extended periods away from the mat.
• Second, by showing up and training without a clear sense of purpose for each session, just complacently showing up and thinking that’s enough.

The first will cause you to lose skills you once had; the second will simply maintain whatever skills you do have and no more – guaranteeing a plateau in performance that can go on for months or even years.

If you seek excellence – as time passes make a concerted commitment to the idea of MINIMIZING TIME OFF THE MAT AND MAXIMIZING THE VALUE OF YOUR TIME ON THE MAT.

Do this by having at least one clear goal every time you go to train and a plan to work towards that goal – showing up is not enough to avoid stagnation.

The single best example of this mindset in operation over long periods of time I ever saw was Georges St-Pierre. Despite winning the success that could have easily made anyone else kick back and relax, he trains constantly and learns constantly.

This week he caught up with the squad and went though all the latest leg lock work. Now he is flying home to work with some European tournament Karate champions to work on distance and movement skills. This constant push for volume and progress in training is deeply impressive and an inspiration to us all.

Always training/always learning: So often I am asked how to increase progress in learning jiu jitsu. The real question they are asking is “how can i get good quickly?” While I definitely believe there are ways to learn more quickly than most, there is simply no getting around the fact that you will need to invest large amounts of time and effort if you wish to gain competence in the kingly art of jiu jitsu. The better question then, is not, “how do I get good quickly,” but rather, “how do I sustain progress over time.” The danger is that as time passes, progress can be destroyed in two main ways. First, by extended periods away from the mat. Second, by showing up and training without a clear sense of purpose for each session, just complacently showing up and thinking that’s enough. The first will cause you to lose skills you once had; the second will simply maintain whatever skills you do have and no more – guaranteeing a plateau in performance that can go on for months or even years. If you seek excellence – as time passes make a concerted commitment to the idea of MINIMIZING TIME OFF THE MAT AND MAXIMIZING THE VALUE OF YOUR TIME ON THE MAT. Do this by having at least one clear goal every time you go to train and a plan to work towards that goal – showing up is not enough to avoid stagnation. The single best example of this mindset in operation over long periods of time I ever saw was Georges St-Pierre. Despite winning the success that could have easily made anyone else kick back and relax, he trains constantly and learns constantly. This week he caught up with the squad and went though all the latest leg lock work. Now he is flying home to work with some European tournament Karate champions to work on distance and movement skills. This constant push for volume and progress in training is deeply impressive and an inspiration to us all.

A post shared by John Danaher (@danaherjohn) on May 12, 2018 at 2:00pm PDT

One of the fastest bjj black belt promotions in history was Travis Stevens – Stevens made it to black belt in just 18 months.

Here are the words of admiration Danaher has towards Stevens:

The first day I met Travis Stevens he applied himself very well and spoke to me after class. He said, “John, don’t teach me jiu jitsu for judo – just teach me jiu jitsu.”

He launched himself into the study of the new sport and soon excelled in it. Now he mixes the two brilliantly. In his victory at the world masters this weekend he used a dynamic mix of tachi waza (standing technique) and ne waza (ground technique) to break through to the winners place on the podium.

Above is my favorite image of Travis in action – it tells so much about this man of the mats – All American, all Budo – built to last. Next time you feel tired or apathetic about training picture this image and ask yourself if you really have an excuse to keep you off the mats…”

So, do you really have an excuse to keep you off the mats?

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