What do I put in my Journal? Part 2 of 2
Organizing Jiu Jitsu in your head can be very difficult, so I like to use the analogy of your brain as a computer. And when you right click, a drop down menu pops up with all of your Jiu Jitsu Positions such as Mount, Guard, Side Mount, Back, etc.
When you hover over a position, such as mount, another menu will appear which will have the things you can do from mount, such as Submissions from Mount, Ways to Put Pressure, Ways to Maintain the Mount, Ways to Dismount, etc. Then each one of those areas, will have a drop down menu as well.
The longer you train in Jiu Jitsu, the more and more in depth your menus will become. Due to the infinite amount of techniques and how quickly jiu jitsu is evolving every day on the mat, putting your “drop down menus” on paper is the absolute BEST way to ensure that you will not forget your techniques.
There are many different ways to journal your jiu jitsu techniques. There are also quite a few Jiu Jitsu Journals on the market, Apps as well, however they are more geared towards the adult practitioner, so I attached a picture of a Journal Entry Sample. Again, a Journal is a PERSONAL item and should be created in the best interest of it’s user. You can always come and chat with me before and after class about what I believe a young grappler should be focusing on when journaling, but you can add or take away anything that does not fit their need.
On top of keeping a Training Journal, having an area where all of your techniques are separated in Categories (Positions) and Sub-Categories (What we can do from those positions) is a great way to begin your library of techniques.
If you or your child ever have any questions about journaling, or would like me to take a look at their journal, I would be happy to help!
“Don’t trust your memory. When you listen to something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important, write it down.” – Jim Rohn
-Professor Andell Alexander
BJJ Black Belt