What do basketball, tennis, swimming, and Jiu-Jitsu all have in common? Drills!
The purpose of drills, no matter the sport, is to learn and reinforce technique through repetition, which is why if you look at the format of most Jiu-Jitsu classes, drills are almost always present.
- Warm-up
- Drills
- Instruction
- Sparring
- Cool Down
But if you ask a Jiu-Jitsu student what their favorite part of class is, drills probably aren’t at the top of their list. Instead, most can’t wait to get to sparring and rolling with a partner.
While it’s true that drills can seem repetitive and boring, repetition is key to long-term Jiu-Jitsu success.
Repetition and Long-Term Success
Repetition creates muscle memory.
Drilling the same movements over and over creates muscle memory. Through repetition, you create pathways in your brain that become so ingrained that you can move through a pattern with limited thought. Eventually, rather than stopping to think through every move you make on the mats, your actions become automatic.
Repetition builds self-discipline.
Drills and repetition require the use of your mind and mental skills. Staying engaged with your practice while drilling is not always easy. But when you pay attention and focus on what you’re doing, not only are you improving your technique, but you’re also building self-discipline. And the longer you stick with Jiu-Jitsu, the more discipline you need to maintain your effort and commitment to the process.
Repetition increases self-confidence.
Another benefit of repetition in Jiu-Jitsu is that it increases self-confidence. With enough practice, you no longer question whether you’re performing a skill correctly. You’ve done it enough times to know and to feel confident in how you move and apply what you’ve practiced.
Repetition strengthens your weaknesses.
One of the best ways to tackle your weakness in Jiu-Jitsu is by repetition and drilling. Once you’ve identified a weakness, break down the skill into its components, and then start drilling each component in your training. Improvement takes time, so try not to get discouraged if you don’t notice a change right away. Keep drilling, and eventually, your effort will pay off.
Team Rhino Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Meridian provides an excellent experience in learning Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense, competition, and fitness. To learn more about how to get started, contact us today.
