In developing your jiujitsu, it’s important to remember that you have to be honest and true to your practice. This can be taken in many different directions, but here I want to talk about the importance of learning the trends but not necessarily following trends.

Trends are usually set by the best competitors, and those best competitors become that way because they have piled on hundreds and thousands of hours of training in understanding the subtle nuances of their technique. If you look at the best jiujitsu competitors, the black belts, you will probably notice that their system becomes quite distinct as a purple belt. They continue to develop that system as a brown and black belt until one day their technique that “no one has seen before” becomes the next best thing after frozen yogurt. (I love fro-yo)

There is something to be said about information control and having the upper hand when your opponent doesn’t know what is coming, and can’t retaliate properly. That’s why it is important to study trends and learn the art of the sake of learning the art. It adds an element of fun and excitement to learning and progressing in understanding the unlimited potential jiujitsu has to offer.

While there is a lot you can learn from the trendy moves we see the stars executing, it’s important to not lose touch with who you are as a grappler. You are your best when you play a game that you have been practicing and developing. If you are constantly following the latest trends, you will probably never get the chance to develop your own system and deeper understanding required for what I would call, “black belt” understanding.

Therefore, stay relative to the game and learn what people are doing successfully. Study the sport and the art for the sake of learning and developing your understanding of what jiujitsu has to offer. At the same time, don’t lose your self in the practice of learning what other people do best. Continue to develop your own game. Stay true to yourself. Deep your awareness of yourself and your limitations through the deeper understanding of refined technique and your technical capacity. Doing so will help you find your identity both on and off the mat.

Eliot Kelly