BJJ Mental Models Ep. 360: The Perfect Training Camp, feat. Josh McKinney
Oct 20, 2025
This week features Josh McKinney, a Jiu-Jitsu coach and competitor known for his insights on training. He shares how to structure the ideal competition camp, balancing offense and defense days. Josh discusses the importance of choosing the right training partners and knowing when to decline risky rolls. He emphasizes the value of training frequency, tapering, and even provides a six-week tactical plan. Non-competitors can benefit too by applying performance strategies, showcasing the versatility of Jiu-Jitsu training for all.
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Think Like Pro Football When Peaking
- Treat a competition camp like pro football: break tasks into focused days so you peak for a single performance.
- Focused daily themes help practitioners with limited training time improve efficiency.
Separate Offensive And Defensive Volume Days
- Design offensive volume days to drill your best, highest-success attacks against slightly less skilled partners for more reps.
- Make defensive volume days by starting in bad positions and sparring to escape and recover under pressure.
Control Your Training Environment
- Use the room: choose training partners to create the environment you need rather than only changing personal tactics.
- Seek weaker partners for offense and stronger partners for defensive practice.
