Training in BJJ can be tough. It is a long slog to get to where you can functionalize your actions against a truly resisting training partner or opponent. It is not really about individual technique at all. Rather, it is about mechanics, leverage, positional control, posture, base, pressure, grips, angles, and how to adjust all that on the fly. And the problem with all that is the difference between success and failure may be very close together. When the margin is so close, it can lead to a lot of frustration. That frustration can then start a downward cycle that gets you thinking you flat out suck at jiu-jitsu and that you should just give up.

Here is the antidote to that. Everyone who does jiu-jitsu feels that way at any given time! There has not been a practitioner yet that succeeds on a constant basis and never doubts themselves. That is impossible. We all feel it. All jiu-jitsu training is made up of peaks, valleys, and plateaus.

The peaks are great of course. We pull off that new pass or sweep against a tough partner and everything clicks when we roll.

The valleys suck so hard. Feeling like nothing is working, maybe to the point even that the stuff that used to work is no longer a sure thing.

I hate the plateaus the most. You don’t have the feeling of getting worse, you just feel like you are not getting better. You can do all the things you have been doing, but you can’t make that next step to actual progress. To me, this is the most frustrating place. It makes training true drudgery at times.

Every one of us will go through all of these at different times. Sometimes they will be short periods, but often they last for weeks or even months. I remember one plateau in particular after I had been a black belt for a few years. I think that particular plateau lasted almost a year. Truly awful.

How do we break this cycle and make sure we stay in the peaks? As soon as someone discovers one, we can all try it. The simple fact is, we can’t stop this. We will be in one of these areas regardless. There is no escape.

I can hear the audience moaning that I am making them depressed. So I will make it better. There is a good way to deal with the issue. What is it? Keep training! Just show up. Some days are good, some days are not, and some days are so-so. Just enjoy the time put in and the experience of being on the mat pursuing something you love with other likeminded folks, and don’t stop. The only thing to stop is expecting a particular outcome each session. Just train, don’t quit, and move forward and you will get better. Maybe not at your preferred speed, but it will happen. Just keep on keeping on.