I recently lost 2 of my training notebooks. While they were a jumbled mish-mash of technique descriptions, training ideas, strength and conditioning exercises, and random thoughts there were probably some gems in there that will be missed. This loss has given me the opportunity to reexamine what I want to do with a training log and the best way to go about it. I thought I would share some of my thoughts here in a series over the next few weeks, so without further fanfare here is installment 1 of ? on:
CREATING THE ULTIMATE BJJ TRAINING LOG
It appears to be a generally accepted idea that a training log is "a good thing." If you ask "Why is it a good thing?" you will often get the standard answer of "it will help you track your progress." However, BJJ is not like running or weight lifting where you write down your distance/time or weight/reps and hope to see evidence of continual improvement - farther/faster heavier/more. Other than logging our Strength and Conditioning training in this standard way, a BJJ form of this could be documenting all your rolls and describe what was attempted, what worked, and what got shut down. But there is still more I think. Another aspect of a BJJ training log or notebook is about capturing details on techniques taught in class so you don't forget. Finally, there is the aspect of wanting to journal or chronicle the "adventure" of training.
Hmmm, this gives us a "training log," a "technique notebook," and an "adventure journal." Should these be the same "document" or multiple documents. Do we capture and display the information the same way or are different formats better for each dimension. This is already starting to make my head hurt.
So I say to myself, "Self, my head hurts and I haven't even started" and myself answers back, "Well why don't we start at the beginning, why don't you tell me why you think a training log is a good thing and go from there. And by the way you have ketchup on your shirt." ...
MONITORING/ACHIEVING GOALS
A training log can help you keep motivated if you have a section where you record your goals. Over time you can track your progress against those goals. A detailed log of your training allows you to see the steps that you have taken towards your goal, where you currently stand, and how much further you have to go. Your goals can be multi-leveled and broken down into short and long(er) term. For example, short term - work on technical details of kimuras from multiple positions and try to work at least 3 attempts per rolling session for the next month. Long term - I want to achieve my black belt.
Periodically reviewing your goals is great for both motivation and accountability. Even if you don't specifically state your goals it is motivating to see how far you have come since your days as a naive young white belt.
MAKING THE COMPLEX A LITTLE MORE SIMPLE
A training log is very useful in helping to break down a technique. Trying to "grok" everything at once can make things more complicated than they need to be. We have grips, underhooks, kozushi, movements, and a million other details that we are trying to keep up with in training. By carving out a little time to capture some of the main things you are remembering you start to see similarities and principles that your brain will start to automatically organize around. Recognizing those principles leaves more of your brainpower free for the details.
Additionally, as we see techniques for the second, third, and fourth times we have a starting point, a frame, for hanging newly discovered/remembered details on.
VENTING (AND THEN EXAMINING) YOUR FRUSTRATIONS
When we are frustrated, venting that frustration in a log is probably good for your spirit. You let it out and let it go. But when we consciously document some of the technical details along with our feelings we have a new tool. When we periodically examine our rants and the details of our frustrations we can start to see areas of our game that we really need to work on and take corrective action.
GAINING CLARITY AND COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY
Taking notes allows you to examine what you think are the key points of a technique and express it more clearly. If anybody ever asks you about that technique or you teach/instruct, you will be able to easily offer a clear and detailed explanation of the technique. The other side of this coin is that if you can't produce a clear description of a technique then you have a good set of structured questions to ask your instructor.
DISCOVERING DEVELOPMENTS/TRENDS OVER TIME
A training log is helpful to analyze what training worked and what might not have worked so well. We can pinpoint potential areas of weakness and possible problems with recovery and injuries. For example, when reviewing your notes on rolling you see that certain positions/submissions bring success and others might not or you recognize that when you were ramping up to 2-a-day practices you were prone to injury (was there a positive trade off?).
There may be more, but that's all I've got for now.
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