Tag Archives: visualization

Kids Jiu Jitsu

The Power of Visualization in BJJ

BJJ isn’t just about strength or speed—it’s about strategy, problem-solving, and muscle memory. One of the best ways to improve, even when you’re off the mats, is visualization.

What is Visualization?


It’s mentally rehearsing techniques, movements, and scenarios without physically doing them. This builds neural pathways in your brain, making it easier to execute moves in real time.

Benefits of Visualization for BJJ

Enhances Muscle Memory – Mentally drilling moves helps reinforce them, making them feel natural when you roll.

Improves Reaction Time – Visualizing different scenarios helps you react faster in live sparring.

Reduces Anxiety & Boosts Confidence – Seeing yourself succeed in your mind makes you more prepared and confident on the mat.

Maximizes Training Off the Mats – If you’re injured or can’t train, visualization keeps your game sharp.

How to Use Visualization

Pick a technique (e.g., armbar from guard).
Close your eyes & picture each step in detail.
Feel the movement—grips, weight shifts, control.
Repeat regularly—just like physical drilling.

BJJ is just as much mental as it is physical. Spend a few minutes visualizing daily, and watch your game improve!

Adults Jiu Jitsu

Training and staying healthy

 Something I’ve been struggling with lately is staying healthy while preparing for tournaments. I tend to always get sick when I am a couple of weeks out from competing. It is stressful and frustrating for me to take a break from training so that I can rest and if I try to ignore how I’m feeling and train while I think I might be getting sick, I end up getting worse and worse until I cannot ignore it.

In these situations it’s really important for me to decide what is in my control and what is not. If I stress out and obsess over the things that are outside of my control I am putting myself in a losing battle. When I figure out what I can control I can give those things my best effort. In this situation where I keep getting sick before tournaments I can’t control how I feel, I can’t control that I am sick and am missing practice. Some things that I can control are how well I take care of myself to get better, how consistent I am with my rest and supplements to try and prevent this from happening as much as possible, and my attitude. When I separate things into those two categories it makes it really clear what I need to work on. For me in this situation I have bad rest/recovery habits that I should change to see if that fixes the problem.

One of my coaches was telling me about a book he read. In the book it talked about athletes continuing to train through injury and sickness through visualization. I’ve been trying that out a little bit. It feels kind of silly but they have done studies on it and it’s proven to work so I’m going to keep using it. 

Danny