3 Ways to get better at BJJ Without Drilling or Full Rounds (Also works for Wrestling)

In usual fashion, I'll have a bit of a controversial take when it comes to training and getting better at Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling.

Do you need to drill and roll more to win?

I don't think so, and I'll dive deep into why in this video.

I'll also give you 3 strategies I use to improve my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game in a sustainable and long-term fashion.

Hopefully you find this video helpful. You can find my instructionals linked below. Please leave any questions you have in the comments, and I'll pick the best ones to answer & put them on YouTube.

Thanks for watching.
Brandon

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[GameBred]

I train 2 to 3x a week and my team mater wonder how much better I am compared to people who train twice as much and I tell them the same thing. “Cos I am out of the gym doesn’t mean I’m not doing bjj”. I watch a ton of film break down on specific fighters in my weight class.

[tededo]

In 2005 on passing my blue, I was asked to drill 50 armbars left and 50 right. Magic happen when I hi the 12th rep, then my body knew how/when to hit it. Never needed to hit armbars since then according to my instructor back then, its like bike ride, dont need people to show it to you once you know it.
Years later, I was often drilling for fun, for conditioning (wrestling), and to engrain the move patterns so that it becomes a second nature. I drill cause I dont want moves to be reflected, I need them to be automatic, high level guys dont think that much when they roll. Today, I still drill a ton but like a kid who loves candies after a meal, I drill move I just love to drill and never get tired of enjoying those candy drills. Example: I'm in love with the wrestling armdrag, single leg, so on and so forth. I turn my radio on and just drill for fun.
I do, like you, watch ton of videos, but never in their entirety. I watch them by bites. If I view Ruotolo vs Meregali or Marcelo vs Ricco, its because I need trick to know how smaller guys wrestle big behemot.
Also, you forgot to mention, did you ? I watch ton of BJJ gi / nogi highlights: this helps me get the gist of, example, how to perform the Torreando guard pass under chaotic non-cooperative situations.
BJJ anecdotical short life story: I've visited at least a dozen grappling schools including about 25 groups about. Last year, the school I was was tough on conditioning, so i got mine there, then had to switch cause technically, there was a big lack. I then met Alexis, this high level brown belt, only 21 but the efficiency and knowledge of a 35 yo upperbelt black belt. My game improved by 300% under his tutelage. His format is simple: He teaches one technique, divided by 3 or 5 options, we drill some, then we roll under being encouraged to use the just taught move. I dont know how/why it works, but this format made my grappling go leaps and bounds.

[Mitch-tbmp]

Have a tournament this Saturday, going to try to hit some of your takedown techniques 🤙

[donaldnewell]

There are a lot of strategies to build a winning grappler. The Japanese wrestlers that are kicking butt go live an hour or more every day. This is on top of drilling and all the rest. I really think people need to experiment with what works for them. You’re clearly right about needing to watch video.

[ddwfw]

Man i came back to grappling after years of striking, I was a judo black belt and I got my butt handed to me on the feet...my ego is crushed lol I'm plotting my return

[genarohernandezjr.]

Can someone tell me the name of the competitor referenced here who has a great rear naked choke? I can't make out the name in the video.

[dorothyslippers]

im a white belt, just started - how did you find people that want to do situational rounds. does that just take time or you just keep asking everyone every roll?