The Black Belt Blueprint By Nicolas Gregoriades

My Notes

if you want to progress as quickly as possible do not focus too much on finishing your opponent. Instead, look at the game from a positional strategy perspective and learn how to control your opponent comprehensively first.

To become a complete jiu jitsuka you need to be strong, have a familiarity of the concepts underpinning the art, and also have great technique. Try to identify any aspects where you are deficient, focus on improving them, and ultimately make them your strengths.

“I built my game off a solid defence. I first made it almost impossible for anybody to tap me out.”

I tell my students to repeat a technique until they are sick of it and then to practise it some more. Boredom is a sign of mastery. It takes patience and self-discipline to do this, but the reward of performing an attack or counter effortlessly and reflexively during sparring is well worth it.

Key tips for bridging: Drive through your heels Look over your shoulder Keep your hips square to the ceiling Practising the bridge with one foot off the floor is a good progression