If you’ve been practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, it’s likely you’ve heard your coach say at least once to ‘trust the process”. For newcomers, this phrase might come across as vague or a little ambiguous, which in some ways it is. However, there is also a straightforward answer to what this saying means.
You’re learning more than you think
On some days at training, you may feel like everything that is taught to you goes in one ear and out the other. However, one important thing to know as a BJJ student is that you are learning a lot more than you realise! It is very common for students to learn a technique and feel like they completely forget it the next day. Coaches will even reassure you of the normality of this, as we absorb information in interesting ways. The main thing to remember is that although the technique may not be at the front of your mind, it is still in your memory and will come into use when the time is right. This can mean learning the same technique for many classes to even feel comfortable executing it from start to finish. In a roll, you may even perform a technique you didn’t even think you knew very well, which is a rewarding and unique experience for Jiu Jitsu students.
Translation from mind to body
We tend to think that the body and the mind work together seamlessly. However, when learning a new skill, the mind and body are not always completely in sync and it can usually take some time for the mind to process technique and translate it to the body. This is why when we learn a new technique in class, we then practice repeatedly with a partner to support the process of mind to body translation. Many students will have the experience of watching the coach demonstrate a move and will feel confident in executing it, only to find themselves stuck when it’s time to actually do it. The connection between mind and body is an interesting phenomenon and one that BJJ students will understand more and more over time.
Relevance of Technique
As students of BJJ, we all go through phases of focusing on different techniques and styles of playing. This is why some techniques tend to ‘stick’ more than others – they are more relevant to you at that time. So, even though the advanced move you learned in class last week seemed like the most interesting technique you’ve ever seen, the relevance aspect is the reason you may not remember it as well as others. This is especially true with advanced techniques from a beginner’s perspective, because, during a roll, there may not be an opportunity to implement the technique, no matter how much you’d like to. As a beginner, it is normal and actually very helpful to focus on fundamental techniques, as this is what will create the foundation for a long and successful jiujitsu career.
So, when you hear a coach or fellow student say, ‘trust the process’, we hope you have a clearer understanding of what that means. Trusting the process goes hand-in-hand with attending regularly too, so don’t forget to show up, even if you don’t feel like it…because all your hard work will pay off in the long run!
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