BJJ Over 40 · Read. Think. Improve.
Articles
Long-form thoughts on training, ageing, recovery and staying dangerous past forty. Take a deeper look at the decisions that shape your game.
Scrambling Is a Young Man’s BJJ
Scrambling is great BJJ when you’re young. When you’re 57, it can become a terrible strategy. I’m not saying older grapplers shouldn’t scramble, because I still do, but somewhere around 50 I realised I had to stop…
Why Technique Alone is Failing You: The Truth About BJJ Over 40
For years, we’ve been told the same story on the mats: “Technique conquers all.” We love the idea that a perfectly timed sweep or a micro-adjustment…
BJJ Principles: Why They Matter More Than Techniques
When I started Jiu Jitsu, I did what most people do. I focused on techniques instead of focussing on BJJ principles. I’d learn something in class,…
Old Man Strength Isn’t a Myth
I’ve been told more times than I can remember that I’ve got “old man strength.” It’s usually during or after a round with someone in their twenties.…
Coming Back to Jiu Jitsu in My Forties
I didn’t start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at twenty. I first stepped onto the mat at around thirty. I trained for a while, then life took over. Work,…
The 60% Rule: Why Training Smarter Beats Training Harder After 40
Most of us pick up an idea early in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training, especially in BJJ over 40, without ever really stopping to question it. The idea is…
The Longevity Protocol: How to Train BJJ for Decades Without Breaking Down
Most people don’t stop training because they lose interest, they stop because their body gives up before their spirit does. Over the years I’ve seen…