Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

I also use to note all the technics we saw in the club,
Yes it's difficult to put technics on the paper, but it is usefull to remember the technics you saw 2 months ago.
I also note a global schema where i note which technic to use to go from the back to mounted, then from the mounted to choke ...
Have color green as the predator, red as the victim to navigate from one position to another and of course, this web is enlarging every session.
It gives you a global seight of the different ways to travel from a position to another.
When it's your own schema, you can keep it on mind, as a map.

Thanks man. That's very like the Mindly app. I think I might have another try using that app. I don't think it has different colours but it does clearly show the steps from one position to another

When I was training regularly, I would use a little 3.5x7.5" moleskine notebook (with the binding on the top) to write notes on my lessons. I have two of them now and have referred them often. Not necessarily for every group lesson, but DEFINITELY for every private lesson. My lessons weren't usually the "last person in the club" timed, so I would write my notes while waiting for the showers to clear out a bit since there weren't enough for everyone. Just sat my ass down on the mat in a corner with pad and pen (I used a fountain pen because I'm special lol) and wrote out what we did that lesson; or points of things that I had to remember.

It came in real handy when I switched schools or teachers. I could literally take out my pad and show them what I had already learned.

Thanks man. That’s a good idea too. It took me a while to realise a diary was necessary, but looking back on what I have done, when I can find a quiet moment, is very beneficial

Hi all. Does anyone keep training journals, of some style, to remember drilling sessions? I have been using Notes on an iPhone but maybe there is a better way?

Absolutely buddy. A written log of everything is perfect for going over at a later date. But also the act of writing it makes you recall the steps etc you might have forgotten. I keep it in a google docs file so i've got it everywhere I am, and I can share it with my coach/mentor too. I also attached links of simialar techniques in my log with links to youtube. I wouldn't bother with written notes, they get trashed in a sweaty gym bag (assuming like me your rash guard and gi hold about 2 litres of sweat ;-) )

In fact I was refreshing my back control details from my notes just last night. Open mat of also a great time to go over your notes and grab a partner to try stuff.

Good advice too mate. One good thing about your system is that you could put links into YouTube videos to help with training. I think that’s a good idea, so might try that.

I tried keeping a notebook, never found it super helpful, stopped. I just couldn't synthesize what we were doing / what I had learned into written words which would stay helpful later. This probably doesn't make much sense to anyone whose brain isn't similarly wired (I found out much later this is an ADHD/neurodivergent thing). Then my coach suggested videoing my rolls. This made a huge difference. As for technique, I've found some jiujitsuYouTube channels which do technique tutorials who seem to have similar styles, and built playlists around whatever thing we were learning so I had reliable visual references. So, sort of yes, I do have a notebook.

Thanks for your reply too. I would agree that keeping a written note book isn’t easy for a lot of us. That’s one thing about using notes on the iPhone, because I just dictate it as it comes to mind. I don’t know whether I would have the patience to write it all out.
I do like the idea of videoing the rolls and drills. I think that’s going to be the next step for me to be honest. I’m not a big fan of watching myself getting beaten up LOL, but it would certainly be an excellent way of seeing where you’re making mistakes of what you should’ve done at the time. So are you using a video camera or are you using your phone to do it?

I use my phone. It's got a more than adequate camera. I record the whole session, then upload it to my own YouTube channel so it doesn't eat up the space on my phone.

I used to use app called coaches eye to make analysis mounts m notes; you could slow motion play, freeze, draw on the screen, dictate notes, and it would record all the and compile it into a new video. But it got buggy and last month the developer announced they're no longer supporting it. I haven't found an alternative I like yet, but options on Android for this seem limited. There are a number of such apps that I found for iOS, windows, and Mac Os while searching.

It's kind of great, if you ever get analysis time with your coach, you can replay and talk about exactly what happened, instead of trying to remember what happened a week ago while you were exhausted and low on glycogen. 🤣

Thanks man. That sounds really good to me. What were the apps you found on iOS?
I'm not a big fan of watching myself but but think its the best way forward.

At Core, my coach uses an app called Mindly. Its good for showing possible options for defence or attack, from different positions. The thing with it though, is you need to know all those moves, and in the right order, to get the best use if the app. But if you do, it gives an excellent map of what to do