Jiu Jitsu Journaling for Kids!
In school, we take notes. At work, we take notes. At jiu jitsu, practice, we take notes!
One of my mentors, Jim Rohn, once said, “It is challenging to be a student of your own life, your own future, your own destiny. Don’t trust your memory. When you listen to something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important, write it down. Take the time to keep notes and to keep a journal.”
Writing in a journal is a great indication that you’re a serious student. If you want to be a champion in this sport, then you must be a serious student!!
I personally keep 3 journals. One for jiu jitsu techniques and strategy, one for business ideas, and one for my personal stories.
A journal offers an effective way to figure it all out and I’m sure your little scrapper will have a few questions about their journal, so let’s explore the incredible value of recording their jiu jitsu experiences.
What kind of journal is best?
A journal should reflect its owner. It is their book. So your child should select the size and style. Also, the book should be capable of going wherever they go.
Some children may like lined paper, others blank. Some will prefer wide ruled, and others college. Let them pick the journal that calls out to them.
Buying a journal is the easy part; the hard part is filling it up. So what should go in your jiu jitsu journal?
What am I supposed to write?
Writing about techniques, events and circumstances that occur on the mat will help your child to clarify exactly what is happening.
I recommend them writing the following in their journal:
- Techniques
- When writing techniques, they should be written in step by step order. Children need structure when learning, so bullet points are a great way for them to organize their thoughts.
- Each technique should have a name. I am a big believer in naming ALL of your techniques. Not only will this allow to better memory, but it will also allow for better coaching at a tournament.
- Your child should write each entry in their own words. We want them to remember and understand what they are writing about.
- Your child should also write questions that they might have about the technique or problems they might be having while trying to perform the move in live sparring. Every single day, at the end of class I ALWAYS ask my students if they have questions. The ones who do have questions, seem to be the ones who progress the best.
- Theory / Strategy
- Jiu Jitsu isn’t all about the techniques. Just as important in my opinion is the strategy behind the techniques. Your child should be writing about strategies that their coach is teaching them.
- IE – “Do not force the technique, force the mistake and take advantage of it”
- IE – “Distract your opponent into thinking you are doing one technique, and then go for another”
- High Point Techniques
- Many students who compete should keep a section of their journal for competition techniques. These techniques should be part of their competition game in order to earn more points and advantages then their opponent.
- IE – Focus on sweeps that land you in mount, as opposed to sweeps that land you in ½ guard. (6 points versus 2)
- Stories about Live Rolling
- Your child should document their rolls with other students in their class. This will allow them to study their partner’s game and hopefully show them their holes.
- If your child had a particular great roll, or a roll that they took a few lessons learned from, they should document it.
- Stories about Competition
- I tell me kids all the time that when you compete, the worst thing that can happen is that you lose, and learn a lesson.
- Have your child document their tournament experience. This will allow them to look back on their past tournaments and see the improvements in their game. It will also allow them to document specific children’s games that they competed against for future competitions.
- Questions
- All questions about techniques, theory, strategy, points, ect should be documented in the journal. Do not leave your memory in charge, because chances are it will not remember.
- Asking questions will allow your child to analyze their game and progress is accordingly.
- Record observations of others grappling
- One of the greatest thing about observing others roll is that you have an outside perspective and can learn from their mistakes and their victories.
- Draw pictures
- If your child enjoys drawing, let them draw in their journal about their jiu jitsu experiences.
- Insert photos
- Any photos from competitions, training, ect can be pasted into the journal
Explain to your child that if something worked well for them, then it is worth remembering. And if something didn’t work well for them, then it is even more important record so you don’t make the same mistake again
How often should I be writing?
In my opinion, you child should be writing in their journal as much as they train. I suggest having them bring their journal to each class so they can ask questions they might have written down and can immediately write down the techniques they did in class. Many children forget the moves on the car ride home. If they write their thoughts down while they are still at the gym, they can have any questions answered immediately.
How should my journal be organized?
I recommend having your child using an index. An index is a system used to make finding information easier. At the back of their journal, have your child list the above topics (Techniques, Theory, Story, Competition). They should also number the pages of their journal. After an entry has been written, your child should go to the back of the journal and add the page number to the topic that it corresponds too. This will allow for easy searching for later examination.
To recapitulate does writing in a journal take time? Yes. Does it take effort? Yes. Does it take discipline? Absolutely. And Time, Effort, and Discipline builds Champions on the mat.
