Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It? Simple Guide

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It? Simple Guide

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by black belts who have studied 100+ hours of instructional content | Last Updated: January 14, 2026

If you train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and you keep seeing long video courses online, you will ask: Are BJJ video instructionals worth it. Videos can help a lot, but only when you use them the right way.

This guide is for students in the US and Canada who want better results from video learning, without wasting time or money.

Quick Awnser

Yes, they’re worth it when…

Are BJJ video instructionals worth it when you train at least a couple times per week and you want extra reps in one position.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It when your gym’s class topics jump around and you want a clear plan you can follow for weeks.

No, they’re not worth it when…

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It less often if you hardly train and you expect videos to replace mat time.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It less often if you buy many courses, watch them once, and drill none of it.

What instructionals do well (and what they can’t)

What an instructional is

An instructional is a structured video lesson you can pause, rewind, and rewatch.

That replay is the real value.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It because you can study small details again and again, then bring them to class.

What videos cannot replace

Videos do not correct you in real time.

They do not feel your base, your balance, or your timing.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It only when you pair the video with drilling and feedback.If you’re still building fundamentals, start with basics first.

Our beginner guide explains what BJJ is.​

Our first class guide covers what to focus on early.​

When instructionals are worth it (and when they aren’t)

Worth it: 4 strong use cases

1) You want a clear roadmap

Many people train two to four times per week.

Classes change topics fast.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It when you want one roadmap, like “closed guard attacks” or “back control.”

2) You want focused practice

Most people improve fastest when practice is focused.

Deliberate practice is about working on specific tasks, not just doing routine work.

PubMed explains deliberate practice as active, focused training designed to improve particular tasks.​

This is why Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It for many students.

A good instructional turns a vague goal (“get better at guard”) into clear tasks (“win grips, break posture, angle out, finish”).

3) You learn well by watching

Watching a skilled model can help you learn movement patterns.

A 2023 study found that a training program based on video modeling improved performance measures in novice athletes.​

PubMed Central reports that video modeling improved technical performance after the intervention.​

That does not mean watching alone is enough.

It means Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It when you watch, then drill, then test.

4) You are fixing one repeat problem

If you keep losing the same position, you do not need ten new moves.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It when you buy one course that targets your problem and you stick with it for 4–8 weeks.

Not worth it: 4 common traps

1) You buy too many

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It less often when you collect videos instead of collecting reps.

2) You watch without drilling

If you watch two hours and drill zero minutes, the value drops fast.

3) You never test it

If you never start rounds from the target position, you never learn the hard parts.

4) You chase advanced tricks too early

If you can’t hold basic positions, the fancy stuff will not land.

If you are unsure where you are in the learning path, our belt system guide explains how progression usually works.​

Buying guide: how to choose the right instructional

Step 1: Pick one position with high carryover

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It when you choose a position you hit all the time.

Good examples are guard passing basics, side control control, back control, or a core submission system.

Step 2: Pick a fundamentals-first topic

If you want the cleanest return on time, build around core finishes.

Our armbar guide explains key angles.​

Our kimura guide breaks down control.​

Our triangle guide shows common finishing details.​

When you buy a video, look for a course that also teaches the setup and the common defenses.

Step 3: Match the level and teaching style

Some courses teach a full system.

Others are a loose set of moves.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It more when the coach teaches setup, control, and defense.

Step 4: Match your rules and clothing

If you train mostly gi, buy gi content.

If you train mostly no-gi, buy no-gi content.

If you compete, match the rules you compete under.

If you mention belts or standards, IBJJF outlines a graduation system many gyms use as a guideline.​

How to study instructionals (a simple system)

Step 1: Watch for the map

Watch one chapter to learn the main ideas.

Write the “big battles” in your notes.

Example: entry, control, finish, and common escapes.

Step 2: Turn the video into a 2-week plan

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It when you turn the course into a short plan you can repeat.

Example micro plan:

• Week 1: Entry and control (10–15 minutes drilling, twice per week).
• Week 2: Finish and defense (10–15 minutes drilling, twice per week).

Step 3: Drill the same day

Drill right after you watch.

Even 10 minutes is enough.

The key is consistency.

Step 4: Spar with constraints

Do two or three rounds where you start in the target position.

This forces you to solve real resistance.

Step 5: Review after class

Observation is a common learning tool in sport.

Frontiers reports that participants used observation to learn performance elements and preferred observing skilled models.​

Use that idea.

Review after training, then drill again.

Step 6: Keep one-page notes

Write one cue per move.

Examples: “head higher,” “hips closer,” or “elbows tight.”

You want fast reminders, not a textbook.

Alternatives and add-ons

Instructionals vs private lessons

Private lessons give live feedback.

Videos give repeat access.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It when budget matters and you can still ask your coach questions in class.

Instructionals vs training tools

Tools can help you drill when you are alone.

But tools still need a plan.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It when you pair one short video section with 15 minutes of drilling.

If you are deciding between tools, read our guide on whether BJJ dummies are worth it.​

What to expect in the first 30 days

In the first week, you will feel slow.

That is normal.

You are learning new steps, not just new moves.

By week two, you should be able to hit the entry during drilling.

By week three, you should start getting the position in positional rounds.

By week four, you should have at least one clear win condition, like a reliable grip break or a clean finish.

If none of that happens, it usually means you picked too much content.

Go smaller.

Pick one chapter and repeat it.

A simple “buy or don’t buy” test

Before you buy, ask yourself three questions.

First: do I have time to drill this twice per week?

Second: can I name the one problem I want to solve?

Third: will my coach help me pressure test it in class?

If you can answer yes to two out of three, the course will likely help.

If you answer no to all three, save your money and just show up to class.

FAQ and final verdict

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It for beginners?

Yes, if you buy fundamentals and focus on one topic.

Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It less often if you buy advanced systems before you can hold basic positions.

How many instructionals should I buy?

Start with one.Use it for 4–8 weeks. Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It more when you finish a plan before you buy another.

Are free videos enough?

Free videos can help, but they are often scattered. Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It when you want a full roadmap in one place.

Bottom line

So, Are BJJ Instructionals Worth It? For most students, yes—if you already train consistently and you treat the instructional like a small curriculum you drill, test, and review.For broader context on grappling roots, Britannica explains jujitsu as a grappling-based martial art, which helps explain why details and repetition matter.