03 May How to Allocate Practice Time for Maximum Benefit
In starting a school I’ve been thinking more and more about how to split up the time between different modes of training. The way I look at it you can break them down as such.
- Class Drilling: Move is demonstrated then practiced in some form of alternating with partner.
- Free Drilling: Drill a move of your choice for a set amount of time
- Specific Drills: Full on training but usually limiting options, designating a start and end point, and focusing on certain skill sets.
- Timed Training: Full training but utilizing a set clock to time the roll
- Untimed Training: Full training but removing the thought of the clock.
I think the needs of students change over time. Class Drilling and Specific Drills are of much greater importance to a novice student. They need exposure in a guided fashion to new techniques and then need to add live rolling in a way that allows the brain to process what is happening.
I think later in the athletes learning process free drilling and untimed training can be hugely beneficial. Free drilling allows a more self directed learning approach to develop, and untimed training brings specific adaptations that would not come about while on the clock.
So how do I implement that in my teaching. I encourage more senior students to Free Drill and train in an untimed fashion during open mats. However in structured class time our sparring time is roughly 80-90% specific training. Also within the structure of class time I like to skew the class to more time spent training as opposed to in class drilling as I think the utility is limited and diminishing marginal returns set in quickly with more techniques shown or more time spent drilling them.
Want to dive deeper on the subject?
Here are 4 incredible articles on different aspects. There are big takeaways from each.
The Art of Learning – Roy Marsh
How to Develop Your Jiu-Jitsu Game to a High Level – Henry Atkins