Then YouTube came along and most instructional videos were pretty low quality.

I agree with Ben. I only practice 1-2 things per year myself.

Is it weird that I have never watched or purchased an Instructional? Pretty much just youtube whatever I want to watch for free and get ideas from that if need be.

It is an interesting time in Jiu Jitsu. Back in the day, instructionals were often simplistic or sparse. Then YouTube came along and most instructional videos were pretty low quality. Now, there is a plethora of high quality instruction seemingly everywhere. That’s wonderful, but, as you note, can be overwhelming. Personally, if you’re a lower belt, I’d limit you focus to foundational movements. If you’re an upper belt, I’d limit your work to one or two new movements per month so you can really focus on drilling them and working them into you game. Just my two cents.

I agree with Ben. I only practice 1-2 things per year myself.

Shew, I watched so many Submissions 101 videos back then. lol

Personally, I only watch instructional videos in the context of filling holes in my game, and even then it's always thematic. I noticed I was having a lot of problems with pin escapes, so I started focusing on that. I noticed I had a problem with my submission transitions, so I looked for material on that subject. In contrast, I'm not bothering with guard retention right now because it's not really where I'm having a problem, so no need to look at that section of my game for now. I also personally feel that having a consistent theme to focus on helps me retain the information. Just wildly buying videos because there is a special offer on BJJ Fanatics is both a waste of time and money, if it's just for the sake of buying a video and not with a plan on what it should address or how to integrate it in your game.

Lots of truth in here. That is something I never thought of. Normally I just do more of the stuff I am already decent at, because it is just more fun :D

Which would be more beneficial for a white belt to master and which one do people actually tend to pick and try out.

Obviously priority as a white belt would be to master the buggy choke. Why would you even ask such a silly question?

That is some solid advice!

Not weird. Aside from buying a couple of technique books twenty years ago, I’ve never used instructionals.

Hello folks, There are so many BJJ instructionals out there and I own more than I can watch in the next five years. I feel like I need to learn so much and jump around between different ressources, which stresses me out. Do you have similar experiences and any tips?

I personally don’t let me stress out. When I watch instructionals it is fundamental stuff I just rewatch, when I can’t train (recovery from illness for example). I don’t feel I am missing out something if I am not able to perform the newest techniques or most trendy leglock set ups. The day only has 24 hours…

I agree with Ben. I only practice 1-2 things per year myself.

This is where I need to be mentally. Massive fear of missing out I guess :D

I drilled the movements, and then the move itself at pretty much every open mat for like 6 months straight, and finally was getting it to work during rolling sessions. I decided to try and bust it out in a competition a couple years back, and now I have a pretty awesome looking clip for my highlight reel:

Watching that comp clip, after reading this backstory, made it sooo much more satisfying. All YouTube comp clips should have training backstories.

The amount of material out there is overwhelming but nothing beats finding a video to fix a problem you’ve been having in the gym without having to make it public, thus letting everyone know your weakness :)

Also, do we have a FAVOURITE INSTRUCTIONALS thread already? We should have separate threads on YOUTUBE ones and tapes. ..