The answer is on the mat

I feel as though I have wasted entirely too much time watching Jiu-Jitsu videos about techniques that I wasn't ready to learn yet. This might work for other people, but I don't think I've ever learned one single new thing from any video I've ever watched. Unless I repeatedly drill a technique, it quickly gets forgotten. I should be spending my time really trying to understand the things I already think I know. The reason I can now triangle someone from almost anywhere is because I was frustrated over my inability to finish them, and so I studied them in depth. Not on any video either, I studied them on the mat.

I have decided to put myself on temporary restriction from watching any Jiu-Jitsu videos that feature techniques I have not already learned. I will also try to not watch any competition videos above blue belt (but that one is probably going to be hard to do). Videos are a great way for me to remember, or pick up on details that I've missed, so I will continue to watch the ones that cover things I do know.

Shihan is not a big fan of video training, he says "The answer is on the floor", and I agree with him. However, sometimes when I'm on the mat there is too much information coming at me at once, and I can't catch it all. The videos are good for reflection, to quietly focus on what I missed amid the clamor. I probably would not even be able to remember what happened in most of my competition matches if I didn't have them on video. For now, I am going to try to use videos merely as tools to shore up my existing game, not as places to learn new plays.