This Will RUIN Your Jiu Jitsu

[@evrose]

We do a LOT of positional sparring at my academy (GB). As a new white belt, I love it. It really simplifies the environment and allows me to focus on one thing at a time with full resistance.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

One hundred percent at the beginner level specific training should really be the main training type you do!

[@jedsanford7879]

yeh positional sparring is the shit. It really makes you feel like you are learnng

[@julianmann8738]

I agree! I train at Gracie Barra, at the end of every session we do positional sparring from the position we've been learning techniques from. As a white belt, I felt pretty lost in normal sparring, especially from the feet lol

[@aliparman]

@@julianmann8738it takes time. It’s a mystery puzzle and as you for the pieces together the picture becomes clearer and clearer.

[@EeeTeePwnHome]

I joined a GB gym a while ago too but I’m bummed the block of specific training time is only about 15 minutes of rotating in. I’m always sad that it feels over so soon. I’m 40 and still in terrible shape but I feel like I wanna go another hour just because I think specific training is so fun. Already considering another gym where I can train longer since I have the time.

[@Junnerubio]

Absolutely adore your approach to Jiu Jitsu. I ve got your Open Guard & Closed Guard instructional, and they radicaly changed my guard game. Very direct and no messing around. So easy to review the whole instructional over and over.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thank so much means a lot buddy! Happy my content has made such a big difference for you!

[@johndavis7407]

I found this video extremely useful. I especially love the parts about following my intuition and avoiding overanalyzing the situation. I tend to overthink during sparring and hesitate alot. I can't wait to apply these principles to my sparring next time.

[@CambridgeHopkins]

0:27 - focusing too much on performance instead of positional training 2:19 - not asking too many questions, even if they are dumb questions 3:52 - not watching good instructional content 6:09 - being too rigid / being too locked into rules / play w/ different ideas, concepts 9:01 - overthinking technique/moves

[@cheesejkliop]

Thanks

[@kylejames7040]

Your videos are awesome! When I'm not training or right before I go into training I'm in the parking lot watching your content hahaha. The thing you mentioned about just doing what your body tells you has helped me tremendously. A little background on me I'm a new white belt just hit my 3 month mark on December 13th I train 3 to 4 times a week and attend open mats when possible, I'm 42 years old and BJJ has me using my body with muscles I didn't even know existed. Here's the thing with me though and I don't know if it's like this for everyone. I didn't even know I was making progress and by progress I mean it's probably only 1% harder to smash or ragdoll me now, I still suck and I'm sure I will for years to come. Where I'm going with this is you mentioned not asking enough questions and that's what I started doing especially with the higher belts and that's when they say "Hey you're doing this right when I used to catch you in a certain position." "You're passing my guard when you were unable to do that a month ago." Stuff like that, it's encouraging to hear you're making progress and you don't even know it. It's like a mind body connection that starts happening and this is coming from someone who couldn't even shrimp on day 1 S mounts were a foreign concept to me hahaha. So yea great video man. Keep them coming

[@honulea]

I'm adding the "jumping in slow motion" analogy to my bag of explanations, that was excellent! This vid is on point as usual! Thank You!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thank you so much! Yeah I use that one a lot I need to try to add a few new analogies into my routine now days lol

[@DenisK007]

Thanks for continuing to share your wisdom.

[@tededo]

This video is unexpectly what I was waiting for. Excellent video, grat video, ok no words is precise enough. Will view it over throughout this year and the next. After 20 years of grappling, its not easy to find good advice that meets my needs.

[@25davidhenry]

Excellent video, with great advice and analogies! Jumping slow showed how important it is not to overthink !

[@norak5845]

Freezing during my sparring is my biggest issue, that last section of the video explained it well lol

[@matdamon471]

Yes please. More of this type of content.

[@chs9996]

Always excellent clarity.

[@seana7251]

Thanks @JonThomasBJJ, as always, really appreciate the thoroughness of your videos and guidance. As a white belt, it helps to also hear perspective on the theory of jits.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy happy to hear people enjoy these style of videos! I’m going to be doing a lot more soon.

[@jedsanford7879]

Ive been breaking my positions down a bit. Like we were working on x guard yesterday. First objective- off balance opponent. If I can do that with a hook and a grip, success. Second, get hips in and get pant grip. If I can get there, I am good, I have a knee if I need it and a pant and a sleeve. Then slide x in. Then do whatever to get the sweep lol. hook the other leg, pull him to his knee and sweep, do it perfect and get the far leg also- Its a cool way to learn. Learning the neccesary parts of the technique to stay safe. We worked on back takes today from turtle. What I took away- if I can get the knee in and a seatbelt or wrist, Im chillin. Then I have a moment to get my foot in. Then I need to decide on a roll, either forward and down, or across. Then I am in side and need to have a hook in. If I get there, kinda chillin lol, but kinda not. Then start fighting for the RNC.

[@808BJJ_Black_Belt]

Good advise 👍learn from your mistakes and keep rolling ☝️💯

[@FR-ty5vn]

Great 👍🏼 video - reminds me of what Saulo Ribeiro said, something like: if you think you’re late, if you’re late you use strength, if you use strength you tire, if you tire you die!! 😂

[@3nt3rtain]

Last night was 100% positional sparring. First half was 2 min rounds switching back and forth from top to bottom of different positions, resetting on successful passes and going for the whole two min. 2nd half was 4 slot king of the hill. Person on the hill picked a guard and incoming person had to pass... If they passed, they took the slot away. Which is weird because, humbly, I stayed in my slot for the whole class... but today I don't feel like a winner 😂 Was super fun and exhausting as we basically rolled for an hour straight in a shark tank...

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah lol it’s basically get punished for doing good! I like this training a lot it pushes the students really hard, sometimes I like to just rotate the person in middle ever round because the lower level students don’t get any practice because the best guys stay in middle for so long

[@BH-ix7nq]

Yeah if you're coach doesn't have you switch after winning 3 times he's missing the mark a little

[@mraBJJ33]

We do a ton of "sweep, submit, or pass" from different guards, as well as escape or submit from positions like mount or back control

[@JonThomasBJJ]

That is one of my favorite training modalities as well! It’s fun and allows people to really open their game up

[@jakelieske1211]

Awesome video brother, thank you! I love what you said about jumping in slow motion. I was kind of spazzy when I first starting rolling. Then I realized I need to slow down and think about my moves more. But, by doing that I end up going too slow and my opponent gets the advantage because of their speed. So lately I am thinking to try and be a little more explosive. Not rushing, but not overthinking either.

[@MirsadBajramiAgA]

Needed to watch/hear this thank you very much ❤

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help

[@jonpitale2619]

great stuff and much appreciated...we don't do much positional sparring in my gym but i've taken on coming to some agreements with my rolling partners...Thanks so much for continuing to share your knowledge!

[@sumiowrestler]

I really appreciate the conceptual approach to BJJ. My coach stresses us to feel, not think which aligns with this video. Thanks!

[@SmartyTV-io2xe]

Best video of that kind i have seen so far. Love your work keep it up 🤙🏾

[@BretSiakel]

You gave me some new practices and better context on the ones I already had. Thanks!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to hear it! I’m so happy people are enjoying these talking videos as they are fun to make an I personally think very valuable

[@zacharywong483]

Really great video, Jon! Really great overview of these very important topics!

[@barrett5229]

I really like these sorts of videos. If you need an idea for a video could you maybe do one on how to get the most value out of an instructional? I know many times I buy them and the sheer amount of info is somewhat overwhelming. I know there must be a more practical way to benefit from them than what I currently do

[@JonThomasBJJ]

100 percent! Great topic and I can definitely make something around this!!

[@АринаКодина-л1у]

Jon, your channel is the best one I've ever seen on topic of BJJ! Thank you so much for your amazing work!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks you so much!! It means a lot have put so much work into it and slowly getting refocused on it again last few months have been a bit off because of splitting of priorities

[@davidduonghau5332]

Thanks for the video! Appreciate the lessons!

[@patterbyglasgow5119]

The descriptions are so clear. Some of the best instructional content I've found 😎🙌

[@maxlove5896]

I love this! How bad is it if I miss a week? Will it put me in a large setback?

[@williambarton5681]

In my experience as a white belt, if I miss a week then I end up forgetting the things I learned most recently. But when I go to relearn them I'm not starting from zero. So it's not the end of the world but if you have an erratic training schedule it's probably going to significantly impede your progress.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah that definitely happens that’s why it’s important to focus on positions for a while then move to new one because you develop depth of understanding and are more likely to be able to recall it when out for a while, where instincts fade sometimes when you are out

[@Shaka_Garami]

Another brilliant video by you Jon. In a sport plagued with bad analogies your one about jumping in slow mo is actually really clever. On a seperate note I'd love to see a conceptual video about how to develop your teaching skills. At what belt did you start teaching, did you plan out the lessons beforehand, etc. I'm at the point now where I'm getting to opportunity to teach the odd class here and there and it's both intimidating and exciting at the same time. Would love you hear your thoughts buddy!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah would love to make a video on that topic! It’s a fun one. There is a lot of different components to it

[@ActiveSolutions1]

Great idea. I’d love to hear your thoughts

[@BH-ix7nq]

​@@JonThomasBJJI'd really like a video on that one too. Not a lot of people talk about what it's being a coach, which is quite funny actually. Lots of content there

[@ramboalthor6094]

Jon Thomas is that instructional content!!

[@kingchief4038]

Sometimes i worry i don't spar enough as i usually only attend the classes that teach specific training as you mentioned, these classes do finish with 10mins of specific sparring in the position of the day which is good. I do think its enabled me to be better in positions than the others who just attend sparring classes and the occasional specific training class.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah I think you need both, my classes are usually 30 min specific training then 20 to 30 min regular training after that.

[@jerryh2954]

As a long-time brown belt, this still seems like good advice for me. Thank you

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah it’s really for all levels, including my self easy to fall back into bad habits and not focus enough on learning from others and getting too into your own topics of focus

[@DarkLordSwoledemort]

A ginger jiu jitsu channel! I'm home.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Welcome to the family brother

[@shoxggz645]

You’re my favourite Bjj KZbinr definitely my go to

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much! That means a lot!

[@gmartins]

good stuff and great reminders!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy you liked it!

[@alexandreplaziat9704]

super content as usual thanks!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thank you so much!

[@uknowwhatimsay]

Senior belts with lower belts is also great. If you can teach a technique or concept then you can apply it yourself better.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah I have honestly learned so much from teaching through this channel, you have to organize your ideas well and really get everything clear before presenting

[@RoyBlumenthal]

Thanks. This is superb content. Very useful.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thank you so much!

[@frilloz4]

thanks coach!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help

[@Shojushoju]

Oooh, I like the NLP reference; “the map is not the territory.”

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah I think it fits here

[@arashooo]

awesome stuff!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy

[@jesperg]

Funny enough I regularly teach an agile course at work with an activity on WIP - Work In Process. Participants first get 1 minut to write 1-26 over and over. Second step is one minute on A-Z over and over and the third step is writing 1A, 2B, 3C to 26Z over and over for a minute. This last minute is by far the trickiest due to all the context switching from numbers to letters. So the general advice is to lower the work in process and avoid context switching, the so called single piece flow is gold standard.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Sounds super interesting! Let’s discuss this next time in class would like to hear more about it!

[@stephaneprevost_1967]

thank you.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to help!

[@maalipaas]

Great video, thank you! It gave me a motivation to watch instructionals (without feeling like I’m wasting my time) :) Not sure if this is a ‘conceptual’ topic, but (as a beginner) I’m curious about what makes a good drilling partner and what one needs to do to allow the other person the best opportunity to learn?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Excellent topic I can definitely make a video discussing what makes a good partner for drilling or specific training. This is so critical as a good partner is essential to developing. You can’t do it alone

[@seanyd5698]

This is all super important and still feel i need to do much more of all of this.... and im a brown belt! 😅

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Absolutely this is really for all levels

[@seanyd5698]

@@JonThomasBJJ great stuff as always. Love from the UK 👍

[@alphazulu2645]

The last section is dead on for me. Lately I've stressed being in the moment and go with what is in front of me and react. I have been too passive in position drills. I just recently started with the mindset to speed up my position battles and just react and keep moving. It has helped tremendously not having a "set" play. Let the drills be a moment to see where I am skill wise in the moment. Win or lose.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah I think analysis paralysis is one of the biggest killers for almost everyone. I’m gonna a full video talking about it soon as well

[@UnskilledGrappler]

Great advice as always. Wish I could be your student.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Come visit sweden sometime!

[@UnskilledGrappler]

Ya know, I just might do that

[@edburdo]

Hi. Love these conceptual videos. Do you do "mind mapping" at all? If so, I'd like to see a video on your take on the concept.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I can definitely discuss this topic! I mainly do it when I am teaching what I am doing currently but I try not to get too attached as my understanding is always evolving

[@Jonobos]

Most of your time should be positional rounds. Take note of problems. Then go look for a broad spectrum of approaches/solutions/ways to prevent that problem. Your coach can only tell you what they do. They can't tell you exactly what you should do. People spend way too much time on average on open rounds and drilling.

[@ubcroel4022]

To quote craig jones, "if you don't have autism you won't be good"

[@TrishCanyon8]

Appreciation

[@deashibrah]

With so many sources to watch, your stuff can be drowned out by all the noise out there. At some point, I'll start turning your videos into ebooks, to have them on my phone to read periodically. But my main takeaway from your talks matches to what Roger Gracie says (or at least, this is how I've processed it): do a lot of specific sparring. Thank you for making these. Maybe consider adding videos like these to your online site, but with the less click bait-y titles.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Definitely will I hate the click bait. But it makes such a tremendous difference in video performance I have to, I’m going to be relaunching website with massive upgrade here soon so that will be included with a lot more for sure. Also I think I’m gonna go back and change older videos to titles that work better for search

[@scorpion32]

Hey Jon , do you have anything to escape the closed guard?.

[@scarr1349]

great vid man

[@Berlin36-fh8tf]

I've just started BJJ. It's really fun but recently I am getting lower back pain every time I go. Is there anything you recommend for this?

[@ivanoleynikov7033]

Was that map-territory quote from Eliezer Yudkowsky?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Haha I have no idea, I have heard the quote before but didn’t really know where it came from originally

[@teodycue]

In short, the last one is Ultra Instinct

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yup instincts are really under appreciated by some people

[@alexjam1868]

First? Great advice!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I think you were the first! Thanks for the comment

[@TonySilva-w5n]

👍🏽👍🏽

[@Gimmeabreak460]

Jobs, wives and kids is the real reason your jiu jitsu sucks! Get rid of em!

[@Tomas-ki2kf]

Oss

[@chengfu7063]

Ranks ropes none of that has anything to do with fighting a piece of clothing doesn't determine how good a man is when it comes to battle only a man determines how good he when it comes to this game if one understands how to sidestep how to counter and use a bunch of basic attacks and subdue the target then you easily mastered the art of fighting when you know how to adapt and understand freely that this is no different than that same where you punch your Kick the same you use a weapon the whole point is to protect defendant be the very best you can be what show many aspiring fighters have got to realize that better fighting Arts were created in better fighting lands that the u.s. is a woke joke could have cleaned the greatest of all-time the legendary Bruce Lee but because of so much stupidity racial dumbness and just typical American nature that option was severely missed and all the glory that goes behind the simple truth of battle the man makes art vision and hearing is one everything synchronized understand offense and defense to protect and defend you can go far in this line of work if you're going to be a fool and have to question things then you're not going to go far at all just go ahead and go get into any conflicts don't start anything with anybody and certainly if the going gets tough like so many lady boys today just to hide behind your cell phone and call the cops

[@weaponxiv9701]

Bro.. don't start doing those cringe thumbnail faces 🤦‍♂️

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Lol I agree they are stupid, but the difference in performance is substantial, there is a reason people do them. You still clicked on the video because the quality of the videos are good. If enough other people don’t click the video KZbin stops showing the thumbnail to people. So even if you don’t like them if the thumbnail doesn’t do well enough KZbin won’t even show you the video so you wouldn’t know it came out anyway.

[@Mus4shi15]

I am an instructional junkie 😭. I would say 60% of my game is what I’ve picked up from instructionals.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

That and watching competition footage makes all the difference

[@Mus4shi15]

@@JonThomasBJJ absolutely