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Preparing for BJJ Competition, Four-Part Framework
Jiu Jitsu is in its awkward teenage phase. One of Jiu Jitsu’s hallmarks of awkwardness is the way it approaches competition preparation.
Many schools and competitors remain stuck in a trial-by-fire paradigm to prepare competitors. While this approach may help cultivate some mental resilience (and even that’s debatable), it more often decreases preparedness, diminishes recovery, and […]
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The Compound Effect of Doing the Right Work
Everyone who trains has a practice — a recurring commitment to show up. You come to the mat, you put in the hours, you return. A practice is the container. It’s what separates “I do jiu-jitsu” from “I have a jiu-jitsu practice.” It implies continuity. Identity. The rhythm that makes growth possible.
But showing up is […]
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On Quality
When walking into a BJJ school many people are first drawn to the visual aesthetics that might commonly indicate that “this is a good school.” Is the facility nice? Are there a lot of people? Does it have good reviews? And while all of those things can indeed be helpful markers, they can also be […]
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A First Principles Approach to BJJ
Principles are fundamental truths that guide decisions and actions. A first principles approach gives you a north star to cut through noise, identify what matters most, and make your skills work for you rather than feeling perpetually insufficient. Without principles, the temptation emerges to accumulate more BJJ knowledge because you can’t qualitatively apply what you’ve […]
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Why Grappling Matters
“Self-determination theory holds that human beings need three basic things in order to be content: they need to feel competent at what they do; they need to feel authentic in their lives; and they need to feel connected to others. These values are considered “intrinsic” to human happiness and far outweigh “extrinsic” values such as […]
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PBJJ Blog: Lessons from my Teachers
“I did not fight to win. I fought to discover what was real.” – Yuki Nakai
Over my BJJ career, I’ve had the privilege of being exposed to incredible athletes, coaches and teachers. Looking back, I regret being too young and immature at the time to properly express gratitude for their attention. My teachers have been […]
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Training Your Tolerance: How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Teaches You to Manage Stress
As a practitioner of the sport for over 26 years and a teacher for almost two decades, I believe that one of the most profound, yet hidden benefits of the art is its ability to train our stress response. We practice work, relationships, sports, instruments — but not the thing that inevitably shows up to […]
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How to become a liberated learner: Desire, data and drive
By Emily Kwok
Sometimes feedback can be a painful thing. As a teacher, I can be disappointed or dismayed by a student’s reaction when I try to offer some helpful advice, but then I am reminded by how I’ve felt when people have tried to help me. When I think about some of my most embarrassing […]
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Skin Health in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: A Dermatologist/Grappler’s Insights
By Princeton BJJ Staff
The close contact of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) places a premium on maintaining excellent skin health, not only for individual practitioners but for the entire training community. In a recent episode of the BJJ Meditations podcast, Dr. Clayton Green, a board-certified dermatologist and BJJ blue belt, shared some of the best practices […]
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How to prepare for Jiu Jitsu competition
By Shane McCarthy
Jiu Jitsu competition is an excellent opportunity to test your skills against live, resisting opponents who share the same passion for the sport. Whether you’re a first-time competitor or a seasoned veteran, success hinges on your preparation. In this guide, we’ll delve into the specifics of each crucial step to ensure you’re well-equipped […]
