Train for tomorrow not today. Meaning, train so that you are able to come back and do it again and again. I’m talking about eliminating the intensity hazard of going too hard today, which might lead to not being able to train tomorrow. It can be hard for people to understand how to roll without being a hazard to themselves or their partner.

“Why would I want to go less harder? I’m going to get beat!” “Slow down? If I slow don’t they guy will take my back.” “Try to relax? They guy is trying to choke me.” All sorta funny situations that we might have heard on the mat. All this comes with the intent to get the student to focus on practicing technique.

Let’s change the setting to a weightlifting gym and put you on the bench press. Trying doing 10 sets of 10 reps with 100lbs. Now try doing the same with 4 seconds to lower the bar to your chest with perfect form. It just got harder, much harder. You might need to even lower the weight to accomplish all the sets. Your jiujitsu coach is trying to make a similar reference. Don’t worry about the reps and sets you can’t do with good technique. That’s junk anyway. Focus on quality.

Short term you might see bigger results with the first type of workout, hammering out your reps and sets, but long term you will probably make the most progress when you use less weight and focus on slower, technical repetitions.

I believe jiujitsu is similar. The more technical you can challenge yourself to remain the better you will progress longterm. That might mean you are “lifting” lighter weights now but that doesn’t mean it’s easier. Chances are they are just as, if not more, grueling as less technical repetitions and sets. So, focus on long term potential. Use technique and less fight, more finess in your rolls.

Many can’t grasp the meaning of this because it’s hard to understand how using lighter weight with better technique will lead to better long term results. In weightlifting it stimulates the muscle better and as the weight increases you can keep lifting higher weights because your body understands the technique. You are ready for more intensity. The same in jiujitsu. When your technique has been polished, you can handle more intensity.