What Causes Slumps in BJJ Training?
If you’re like me sometimes just showing up to a one hour jiu jitsu class is the last thing you want to do in the world – for me this is the number one sign that I may be in a slump or plateau in my bjj training.
Some things that may cause these slumps are:
- over training
- lack of motivation
- stress
- poor sleep/nutrition
- boredom
- frustration
- lack of progress
In this post I will go over some ideas to help you best deal with slumps in your bjj training.
How you deal with these training slumps matters and effects how quickly you improve
How you deal with frustration and setbacks in training directly affects how far you will go in bjj.
“Progress is not linear.”
Its important to first realize that training Brazilian jiu jitsu is a marathon and not a sprint.
I know its not easy, but you really shouldn’t feel any pressure to show up a certain amount of times a week no matter how competitive your gym is.
There will be days you leave the gym feeling like a jiu jitsu god and days where you leave and want to sleep for the next three days to avoid thinking about that white belt who caught you in a quick guillotine.
If you are looking for how to best deal with slumps in bjj training you can consider trying some of these methods which involve creating more deliberate training, taking some planned time off, or try some other methods that don’t deal directly with your training.
Ways to Increase your Training Focus
Below are some quick bullet points for how to train more deliberately, I know for me if I’m just showing up to class and not really focusing on what I’m trying to learn or live sparring mindlessly its time to change some things up.
Some ways to increase you training focus are:
- focus on your A game (find a new entry or new piece to add to it or new transition/sub off of it)
- consider starting rounds from bad positions to work defenses/escapes
- choose to only go for a single submission in all rolls to get better at it
- consider signing up for a private lesson if you are able to afford it
- pick an area you suck at and come up with plan to fix it
- work passing/guard retention from your off side
- try to learn a new guard/position/technique
- have a goal for each class or roll
- compete in a tournament
- buy a bjj instructional
- record your rolls
- keep a diary
Scheduling some time away from jiu jitsu
Jiu jitsu doesn’t have to wholly encompass your life regardless of how much coaches and gym owners like to present it that way.
There’s times when slowing down your training or taking a break entirely can re-invigorate your enjoyment of the sport.
Here are some ideas to consider if you think slowing down your training is best to get over your bjj slump:
- take some schedule time off (this could be a week, a month, or however long you may need)
- consider possibly changing gyms if the gym culture is one you no longer enjoy
- lessen the amount of days you train
Some Other Options to Get over your BJJ Slump
Sometimes you just have to find your enjoyment of bjj again. There’s a reason why you started, and that reason may very well still be valid.
So these are some other options that don’t deal directly with your training that you may consider to reinvigorate your enjoyment of bjj:
- cross train in another sport (this can be weights, crossfit, yoga or anything in between)
- change your training schedule to roll with different partners
- consider teaching fundamentals to lower belts
- visit another gym for a class or open mat
- try bringing a friend or partner to class
Slumps in your BJJ Training
If you are looking for how to best deal with slumps in bjj training you can consider trying some of these methods which involve creating more deliberate training, taking some planned time off, or try some other methods that don’t deal directly with your training.
Coming across slumps in your bjj training is entirely normal.
I know I’ve experience a bit of blue belt blues and really struggled to make it to class even once or twice a week.
Hopefully, some of these tips and ideas can help you get past those slumps in bjj and get back to enjoying the jiu jitsu and all the highs and lows that come from it.
Thanks for reading and see on mat (after your much needed break from jiu jitsu)!
