Advice to jiu jitsu hobbyists on how to improve | Craig Jones and B-Team 

Full podcast episode: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hLZ6PACCBy8.html Lex Fridman podcast channel: ru-vid.com Guest bio: Craig Jones, Nicky Rod and Nicky Ryan, together with Ethan Crelinsten are founders of the B-Team, a legendary jiu jitsu team based in Austin, TX.

"I feel like you should roll hard with a circle of people you trust. Injuries happen rolling hard with strangers and in competitions because you don't have that relationship with them." Great advice for rolling, relationships and business, for example...

The look on Nicky Rod's face when Lex said he let's people submit him twice to get it out of their system!

So, when Craig says "not every round has to be a fight to the death", that one REALLY resonates with me. I'm 48 now and just got my purple belt last week. I have severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and didn't start training until 2017. I spend roughly 19-20 hours daily in bed or in my chair, but my medications give me enough leeway to keep up the house and train. (I train 3 days per week and supplement on the off days with barbell work and Stuart McGill's core protocols.) I came to training with the idea that I was going to have to triage my energy because the rebound from overdoing it would put me back in bed for several days. I set my "throttle" at about 25% and make it my goal not to let anyone force me to panic and spaz out. I hardly EVER have to deal with anything in the way of injury, and when I do it's always something minor like a jammed toe or finger. And I've noticed something else, too. I'm ALWAYS one of the last two off the mats at the end of class. I'm not taking breaks when I roll, and we're usually at it for at least a full hour. I'm not out of breath like the younger guys, I'm not getting jacked up from injury, and I'm not having to deal with anything in the way of burnout. I get the real sense that folks who NEED the win or the progress (particularly young men) can REALLY take on frustration that they don't need because they're too focused on getting a submission, and not really paying attention to the small details that matter. There's data you can ONLY pick up if you're physically and mentally relaxed, information coming in from your opponent that you just can't feel if you're tense. Like Mister Jones alluded to, I'd be willing to bet that most people would improve if they would just slow down and enjoy the journey. And they wouldn't be as miserable, physically and emotionally.

This was such a great podcast. I listened to most of this as I was sitting in traffic after work going to jits class. To be honest, I was hyped to roll after listening to this.

4 stripe white belt on that 2-3 class/week plan. It's tough because progress feels slow, especially if you're going to different instructors at the same school. On the other hand, I'm not trying to kill myself becoming the best in the world, or even in my school. So, you find ways to make it work.

‘I’m glad the rest of you are here’ 😂 You had me rolling with this clip, Lex!

Lex is nipping at Rogan's heels with podcasts like this. Keep it up, ya cyborg.

Craig so helpful mate. Thanks Lex this was an excellent podcast

I’m 42. I started BJJ in 1999 and received my blue belt in 2001 ish. I unfortunately got injured in 2003. I finally got back around to BJJ in late 2019 and have worked exclusively no gi over the last 3 years. I kept my constancy at 3 times per week at 1.5 hours each class. I was also working on my physical strength and weight loss during this time. When I can back i was at 230lbs ish, at around 36% body fat and I’m 5’5”. I was definitely not at current blue belt level when I cam back. About a year ago I changed my diet and workout routine, plus I added Sat, Sun open mats into my schedule. I went from 4.5 hours per week to 10 hours per week. Over the last year I went down to 165lbs, 18% body fat, and finally about 6 months I hit that purple belt break through. Literally in a week or so everything started to click. My average submissions per class of (5) 5min roll’s would be non to maybe two. Now if I don’t submit the same person 2-4 times in one 5 min roll its a bad roll. My submission rate is in the 15-20 during those 30 minutes. Sometimes I submit the person with the exact same attack and submission to make sure I corrected errors with the first submission. The game changers combined were my weight loss, with strength gain, particularly interior hip flexor exercises and lower lat resistance training and shoulder pulling exercises. Then adding the 5.5 hours of open mats at different gyms. I was a hobbyist that kind of views it as a lifestyle choice. My whole life is just better now. Everything.

I roll hard in spurts. So in a 5 min roll only 2 is hard the rest is defensive and counters. I'm old and can't rev the engine up and keep it high like I did when I was younger. Also I have a lot of mat miles on this body. My goals now are to roll well into my 80s. Not be done early in my 50s.

How can you not luv The B-team🤙🏽

I need to work on that "not rolling hard with strangers". I always feel like as the upper belt in my gym I have to beat any visitors..which, as an older player, has led to injuries for myself.

Consistency is more important. If you have an injury that if you roll the wrong way it may worsen, and you’re rolling with someone new, focus on the little wins, don’t let them get too mount, don’t let them get deep into a submission, but most of all don’t fuck yourself up more for a single 5 minute round. Train to be able to turn up at the next session

Most amateur practitioners are aware of the strong and weak sides of their game and just accept this as permanent reality. They have their "go to" techniques and they may occasionally try smth when the teacher insists or when a white belt asks. However, investing in the weakest parts of your game pays off most. While some aspects of your game may degrade with time due to little ongoing practice and aging, this process can be compensated by filling the those gaps. Ask instructors, watch videos, think in your free time. Unlike pro level athletes, you don't have to master each technique to the level when it works on world champs. Once you turned your weakest side into your strongest side, keep moving to the next lowest point, etc. This approach not only improves your game and makes it more well-rounded but also keeps your brain fit as it constantly pushes you toward leaving your comfort zone. Three stripe white belt here.

They all 3 have that killer vibe about them right now

Everything Nicky Ryan says about Jiu Jitsu is the truth. Like him talking about Natty King mixing up body lock passing with other passes would have been the difference between a w over Felipe and the L (which he may not have deserved).

2 stripe blue coming off a 4 year layoff and doing 6 days a week, hoping to add night classes soon and double up on training, so 12 classes a week. Awesome advice, hoping to dedicate most of my time to really improving this year.

Masters 2 Black belt here, i could relate to what Craig Jones said at 4:30. I minimize going to random open mats (not to be confused with cross training) for the same reason i dont want to get injured

Burlington Vermont area is in desperate need of a good dojo some good instructiors please

They missed the difference between hobbyist and those desiring to be competitors.

35 year old blue belt, my sparring partner is early 20s and a super active and successful competitor. He makes me better, but the realisation of how far you’ll go .. that hurts 😂😂

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

3:38 😂

Is it ok to grease as a hobbyist JJ guy. I've been greasing and no one can touch me I just rip out of everything it's awesome! Someone called me out on it but I think it's ok because it's what Nicky Rod does. Do what the pros do. Should I stop greasing and learn some technique I'm pretty strong I can just rip out of everything so.... Why should I learn technique

It’s odd how people are referred to as “hobbyists” on podcasts, like that’s a kind of let down , when the vast majority of bjj practitioners are …. Hobbyists Cool vid though

lol 3 or 4 times a week is not a hobbyist

LMAO Craig stealing thunder by giving up taps. Genius.

Jeez, you sound bored even asking your own questions 😴

Filming and watching your rounds IS NOT for a hobbyist lol

I can beat anyone, even these guys. Everybody here sounds weak

Ju-jitsu is for people who don't know how to throw hands!!! Not to mention it would never work in a real fight.