These Jiu-Jitsu Drills Are the Building Blocks of a Solid BJJ Game

If you’re a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappler who trains every day, and who spends hours drilling and grinding it out on the mat, you may eventually become bored. Fortunately, there are ways to improve your game without a partner. The following Jiu-Jitsu drills can be used alone and are beneficial towards your overall skill-set.

Jiu-Jitsu Drill #1: Shrimping

Commonly referred to as a “Butt Scoot”, shrimping is a drill that you can use to improve your ground game. To do this, start on your back with both of your arms pushing up. Follow up by hipping out to the opposite side of your arms. The drill works great for helping you escape side control and on certain occasions, help you escape mount position.

 

Jiu-Jitsu Drill #2: Kicking Heels over Your Head

While Jiu-Jitsu drills like this one may seem trivial, you’d be surprised by how many grapplers fail to practice it. With this drill, start by laying down on your back and then kick your heels over the top of your head. This will eventually bring you to your knees, in which time, you can repeat the drill. Mastering this drill is a key component for developing your grappling game as a whole.

 

Jiu-Jitsu Drill #3: Rolling Over the Shoulder

This drill is quite similar to the previous one, with the only exception being that you roll forward instead of backwards. Whenever you are stuck in turtle position, rolling over your shoulders is an excellent way to prevent an opponent from taking your back. Try doing a minimum of 10 rolls over each shoulder at least four times each. This will dramatically increase self-awareness while on the mat.

Jiu-Jitsu Drill #4: Sit-Ups (With Kimura Shoulder Lock Simulation)

Jiu-Jitsu is all about core strength. If you find yourself becoming fatigued during completion then it’s likely because you aren’t performing enough core building exercises. When on your back, perform the sit-up while simulating an attempted Kimura lock. This will ultimately let you master your shoulder lock technique while building a solid abdominal area.

 

Portland Jiu-Jitsu Technique: Armbar from Cross Choke

Jiu-Jitsu Drill #5: Helicopter Kicks

Start by lying down on your back with your feet in the air. Now, start to rotate each leg in a circular motion and in the opposite direction as the other. Swirling your feet in this manner is great for helping you prevent an opponent from grabbing your feet while they are standing and you are on your back. Perform this drill for a minimum of three minutes each time that you do it. Each of the Jiu-Jitsu drills above should help decrease boredom and help you become a better grappler off the mat.