How to Tell if You Are Getting Better in BJJ/Jiu-Jitsu! - Kama Vlog 

I train at a Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu academy here in Texas and one thing that we focus on heavily is self defense for the street more than anything else. In the beginning I would literally get my ass handed to me as a white belt within the first few minutes. But then after about 6 weeks I noticed that I was able to survive one 5 minute round without getting submitted. Then it slowly progressed to 2 rounds, and then to 3 rounds. It takes time and patience to see improvement but I truly believe if you put in the hard work and dedication you will see for yourself how far you've came within the first year. Im a purple belt now but a few things that I've learned over the years that I'd like to pass along is that in Jiu Jitsu there is no losing, only learning. The more I tap the better I get. Never let your ego get in the way, be humble. And last but not least always look out for your training partner. Awesome video. 🤙🏽

This is a common phenomenon in sports which require extremely difficult and complex motor skills to develop (e.g. , bjj, ice hockey). I train with the same people, and we are all progressing at similar rates. It's very difficult to see one's own progress over time, but it is possible - can you execute complex moves on demand, can you now start practicing even more complex combinations? There are many, many levels. And skills development will vary in different areas.

Thank you. I love my school and it does a great balance between self defense and competition, but I always come here to hear more about JuJitsu Philosophy that I feel not many schools talk about. Thank you

This video is so true. I didn’t feel like I was improving for the first 6 months, consistently getting beaten every class. Then I was paired with a new student in class. He was younger, visibly larger, and stronger. When it came to rolling, I was able to submit him 3 times in a 10 min span. That’s when I realized that I had improved but my classmates were also improving so that’s why they kept mailing me.

You're not mean, professor. You're brutally honest, which I appreciate. I prefer that over someone blowing smoke.

It's like you're in my head listening to my questions LOL

i train at Cobra Kai under Joe Stevenson, been there 3 times a week for the past 6 months consistently and i agree with everything you jist said, from positive feed back loop to, switching out partners to seey progression. I am 40 years old but im super conditioned, lanky and slim, 6'1 170 pds, i can easily roll 3 x7 minutes rounds, and i take notes and everything, i absolutely love bjj, and my school. and how we train. I know I'm better because these 20 years old wrestlers can't smash me anymore, i dont submit them, but they cant pass my guard or submit me within 7 minutes, thats a success for me.. ive learned a lot in the past 6 months and it shows. and you are right, taking time off, can be a step forward, ive clocked in about 80 hours a months. so when i took a 2 weeks break, i thought ibwas gonna loose some of my progress, but it was actually the other way, my body and fitness was even better after the break, certain movements became easier, and most importantly, my mental bjj iq... i started seeing and understanding the path to a certain submission, that i usually go for. Ive only focused on the deep half guard and use the dela riva and spider guard asweeos a lot. O absolutely love bjj and these videos are great. Thank you professor 🙏

When your professor comments that you are moving better. When I caught a brown belt, legitimately I asked him. When people I have a hard time with comment I am starting to give them a hard time. I also always try and say something positive to my partner as well. It's always good to hear positive. Sometimes when the instructor also starts paying more attention good or bad.

The best jiu jitsu content on RU-vid 🤙🏽

Great, very timely video. I just made 6 months in BJJ and I've taken the time to map out an "equalizer" chart (for my personal BJJ journey) of sorts, and now I'll focus on checking off the boxes. It's MINDBLOWING how much BJJ info I've been exposed to (the four basic positions, offensive/defensive sides of all four, various attacks from each position, sweeps, open guard use, mount escapes, side mount escapes, guard escapes, etc). *Now, the REAL WORK begins.* There's a LOT of stuff on this "chart"... but it's a marathon, not a sprint (thank God!!). This is another video (like all the others dealing with "equalizer", "check list", "hands-on", "take control of your learning" concepts , rather than just "coming to class" or "just rolling") that I'll be watching over and over to help me make sure I'm staying "on track". Thanks for the videos!!!!!

I personally write down all of the techniques I know in a given position,(mount/rear mount/etc.) organized in sections by submission, sub escape, position escape, and pass. I then put check marks based on >50% effectiveness against a certain belt rank. 1 check mark= better than 50% success against white belts 2 check marks= better than 50% success against blue belts and so on. It helps give me a reference of where I'm weak/strong and an idea of where to focus. Especially if core curriculum techniques are far under developed and when you write down a position and realize you don't know anything technical from there. Hope this helps some others organize!

I just remind myself to ask myself “How would you go up against the person that walked into the Gym on day 1, Lesson 1 if you both went full blast at each other ?”.

Again, great information!

Great topic and solid suggestions Ryan! I am part of a new gym that's less than 4 years old. Same core group of guys, all whites and blues all working the same techniques...

Fantastic content! Subbed

Ryan, could please make a video on this issue which is not being talked about whether people can learn BJJ, Gracie Jiu Jitsu or MMA if their underweight, anorexic or extremely weak it would be very helpful

If you are doing less but getting more done then you are getting better

I wish this channel have it's own Spotify podcast

my coach would definitely tell me if I'm not getting better. I think it needs to be heard. I think there was one class where he told me praised me for a technique we were drilling and shortly after came back and said "your first one was good but your other two were bollocks."

Cool old school, needle on the record intro!

Yo I'm gonna need that "music by" credit

Dope music

What makes a prodigy a prodigy?

Next time you’re here you need to visit Buffalo Trace if you’ve not!!

Love your videos Professor Ryan. Please no music in the background though.. lol..

You are psychic.......

awsome video, how ever i think you missed a point . I think to many people focus on the next belt and that keeps them in a rut, or not getting better. trust me i love belt promotions. but i love the accual training more. when i get stuck i like to take vacation, or lighten up my training. i found a few things that work for me and maybe it will help a few viewers who are stuck. if your stuck, in a rut try to figure out if your focusing on that next belt promotion or that next tournament too much. next take a break. and try to find a way to make jiu jitsu training fun. play a little. try stuff you never try. if your always rolling hard. stop for two months and only flow roll. or drill specific techniques that you feal are stopping you. like for me i try to focus on not focusing. and just try to enjoy the training. most schools, if you just talk to your coaches and training partners they will understand and go light or try to adjust. for me i remember having major issues with side control buttom, i just would freak out for almost 3 months i told my training partners. im having issues with side controle buttom do you mind mind if we can fight from there for a few. i startded to get better at that one position hence i got a better over all game. what helps for me is to not focus so much on the next level but to just let my jiu jitsu training be. i got this tip from a bruce lee book the tao of jet kundo where he talks about not trying to focus on the outcome, but focus on not focusing.. idk it helps me to remind me that jiu jiu is a stress release. i dont want to be stressing on my progressing. cheers great video..

Music in the background is not a great new thing of yours. Love your stuff!

Please no music.. otherwise great stuff!

Thanks for the great content. I suggest you lose the music in the background, except for the intro.

open mat