How to train in newaza

There are two ways you can classify newaza techniques. One way (the conventional way) is to group them under the type of techniques they are (e.g. hold-downs, strangles, armlocks). The other way, which is less common, is to group them according to the position tori and uke are in relation to each other  (e.g. tori is riding on uke's back).

Although the first one is overwhelmingly the more common approach, I believe the second one is superior because when you end up in a groundwork situation, you will need to assess immediately what options are available to you from the position you and uke are in. You can only do that if you've been thinking about newaza from the standpoint of positioning rather than merely the type of technique you wish to use.

Start by choosing one technique you wish to specialize in. Let's say it's the rolling juji-gatame. Once you've decided on that, you have to attempt to do it every time you get a chance. That means in randori, any time the match goes to the ground, you've got to go for an armlock.

I have a player in the club who likes to try left and right side for every technique. That's a mistake because you need to build up muscle memory and that can only happen if you choose a side. If you're going to do juji-gatame, is it the left arm or the right arm you are going to attack? Decide and stick with your decision. If you've decided to attack the left arm, go for that arm every time.

Next, figure out how to quickly get into the juji-gatame starting position from every angle. Of course the ideal scenario is to be sitting on top of uke while he is in a turtle position. But what if the situation isn't ideal? How do you get from where you are at to where you want to be? That is what you've got to figure out.

Then, during randori, you've got to try it out. Whenever you and your partner fall to the ground, you must immediately attack with juji-gatame. Over time you will gain proficiency in getting into the technique regardless of the position you find yourself to be in during groundwork.

When you've mastered that technique, you have to identify a second newaza technique that will be your back-up in case the first technique doesn't work. Maybe your opponent is very guarded against juji-gatame and you need an alternative attack. That's when the second technique comes into play. Ideally, the second technique is easy to transition into (from the first attack).

Note that if you have a regular training partner, that person will be used to your attacks and will develop strong defenses against it. Over time, you will find it increasingly hard to catch your training partner with your favourite newaza technique. But that is good. It forces you to find creative ways to still catch him with it.

If you are able to catch someone who knows exactly what you are going to do and who is familiar with your techniques, imagine how effective that technique would be against someone who is not familiar with it.

This about it. If you can still catch your training partner, who is thoroughly familiar with your technique, that means your technical capabilities must be quite good.