When I started, I got an app to track my progress (BJJ Logbook). I only trained about once per week, so I tried to recall every single detail I could remember from each class and wrote them in the notes. As I began to train more, it became less and less feasible to take extensive notes on each class, nor did I feel I needed to. On the one hand, it’s a great tool to help solidify knowledge from a given class if you learned something new, but on the other hand, it can quickly get overwhelming if you do it for every class. Now I mostly just note what we covered and any memorable efforts, successes, and/or failures. I still track every single session, though, and I’m currently just over two years in with 633 mat hours, and 498 classes. Tonight will make 500 classes. 🙌🤙
Exactly what I do now. I track and write my notes using google calendar and currently have 116 classes down. I would write extensively and although it was useful in the beginning since I would look back and read them, I found just putting down what was taught for class and challenges I faced learning and then I would write down what happened during live rolls both things I did good and things I did bad
Journaling and note taking has been so beneficial for me! I think reflecting on my rolls and where I went wrong has really helped me get rid of some bad habits. Also taking notes on instructionals! I have multiple iterations of notes for the same thing which has helped it stick to my brain and by the last iteration I’ve picked up a lot of the smaller details that I missed in the first one
I’m a new white belt. I’ve been journaling a bit. I write what techniques we learned in class that day even if I don’t break the techniques down. I write them down so I can reference and expand about it later. But when I’ve been working in a technique for a bit - I’ll write it out step by step - kinda like if I were to be teaching it to someone else. It’s probably not perfect but it helps me identify “sticking” points in the movement. Even something “dumb” like “where exactly on their core should my knee be placed on their belly? Is it better to be higher? Lower? Right in the middle?” Then I’ll ask someone about it. It helps me mentally slow things down to process them. On the inside cover I’ll write “general rules” to keep in mind: elbows tight, make space, get to your side” etc.
White belt at 35 and been training for a little under a year. Did my first fuji tournament this past weekend. Been dabbling with Journaling the past couple weeks. This video is very helpful. Cant wait to see you when you come to stl.
I carry a small dollar note book with me always. I’m a purple belt and I’ll have it with me forever. Writing on paper is different than a phone. Do this for all of life not just white belt BJJ I highly recommend
Thanks so much for that !!! I have been struggling with no being able to be on the mat consistently because I sometimes have to work 14 to 16 hours a day and it’s been really challenging having this training roller coaster … sometimes even depressing … I will try the journal !
Thank you for answering my question!!! I have been doing some journaling already and it does seem to help keep the techniques we reviewed in my head, so it will at least be helpful in the right now. Who knows about years from now. I think it may be a work in progress, and evolve over time. I’ll try to make some adjustments to my format!! Thanks again!! Marc
I find it important to journal the rights and wrongs after each class and what I have learnt. Being a dad with a mortgage and responsibilities I can only make 3 classes a week and an open mat on the Sunday. So based on this I really try to take everything I can from class and after rolling with higher belts.
Yeah I was doing 4 classes and an open mat, but even getting to 3 classes is an effort. As long as I work with my partner and organise things in advance then I manage to hit those weekly targets.
I just brain-dump bullet points into a generic notes app in the parking lot after class. BJJ folder, title of the note is just the date, bullets are just moves or positions. Punctuation is how it went e.g. “armbar!” hit a nice armbar, “mount.” got smashed in mount, “kimura trap?” My Kimura Trap is sloppy. Free & easy.
