Entries by savarese

First contact in Jiu-Jitsu

First contact in Jiu-Jitsu First contact in Jiu-Jitsu is important. Establishing a point of first contact with your partner starts the ball rolling is vital. When you face a swirl of pummelling legs and the snapping grips of an aggressive partner, it can be intimidating. This is one of the places where a clear first […]

Training vs fighting in Jiu-Jitsu

Training vs fighting in Jiu-Jitsu Training vs fighting In Jiu-Jitsu is a subject debated often. When I used to train with my friend John Danaher, I was lucky enough to witness many training camps of UFC champions Georges St-Pierre and Chris Weidman. One of my favorite aspects of watching them train in his classes they […]

The improvement triad in BJJ

The improvement triad in BJJ The improvement triad in BJJ is as follows..Everyone wants to “get betterâ€, but how do you know where you should focus your daily training? While you can (and should) rely on advice and suggestions from teachers, you also need to understand what YOU need in order to put their good […]

In BJJ, Time always catches up

In BJJ, Time always catches up In BJJ, time always catches up. Furthermore, Jiu-Jitsu happens in real time, so there are always new decisions to be made. We prefer to make proactive choices wherever we can, but with resistance in the mix, you also have to become comfortable with reactive choices (where you don’t initiate […]

Repetition and review are keys to BJJ

Repetition and review are keys to BJJ Repetition and review are keys to BJJ. But repetition and review are more than just memorization learning. There’s a brain-body connection that forms through repeated exposure over months and years. Regardless of your level or experience, if you look you’ll see that there are a dozen elements of […]

The beginning of your journey in BJJ

The beginning of your journey in BJJ At the beginning of your journey in BJJ, there are a variety of problems that beginner Jiu-Jitsu students face. When people begin the study of Jiu-Jitsu, the single biggest problem that beginning Jiu-Jitsu students face is they often see it as a matter of learning a sufficient number […]

Every grip counts in BJJ

Every grip counts in BJJ Every grip counts in BJJ. This is an important thing to learn on your BJJ journey. At Savarese BJJ Academy (northnjbjj.com), we preach that it starts before you even make contact. The moment you slap hands in a competitive match, it’s on. Even before you make contact, you should be […]

Curious or serious learner in BJJ?

Curious or serious learner in BJJ? Are you a  curious or serious leaner in BJJ?  This is one of the first question we ask potential students when they are joining our Savarese BJJ Academy Academy (www.njbjj.com). The curious vs. serious learner question has been a round for a very long time in BJJ schools/academies. It […]

Controlling your emotions in BJJ

Controlling your emotions in BJJ Controlling your emotions in BJJ is vital. Emotional state management is just as important as the techniques you learn. Jiu-Jitsu rewards you when you give attention to “the main thing”. For many of us, not having things go our way can be a frustrating experience that takes us away from […]

Coaching the big picture first in BJJ

Coaching the big picture first in BJJ When it comes to coaching the big picture first in BJJ, coach the big picture first: The growth and development of any given technique in our repertoire follows the same pattern as the growth and development of our physical bodies. A technique starts off weak and vulnerable, unable […]