What to develop first

[Jacob Kelly]

Hey guys. I have a question regarding which areas of jiu jitsu to develop first.
I have started doing more and more private classes but I often find myself struggling to decide what I want to focus on in the lesson. As I'm early on in training I have weaknesses everywhere that need to be developed. I have covered the basics of the traditional positions but now want to start working on an area of my game. Is it best to develop everything as I go or work on one area for a while before moving on?

[steveramz]

Defense is my suggestion. Maintaining guard, not letting anyone pass your guard, escaping mount/side control/back, stuff like that.

[BradEdmondson]

Yeah defense. Escapes and when you need to tap or when you're about to need to tap.

[Dylan Robertson]

Yeah Defense/Escapes would be really good. Also, if they can't pass your Guard then they can't get to Mount/Side Control/Back Mount. Working on Guard Retention, and Guard Attacks would be a good idea.

[Jarrell Garcia]

Positional Awareness (balance/coordination/posture/postions)->Defense. You can't learn defense if you don't know when your in danger. Once you know positions, then you will at leats have point of reference for defense. There is a lot of techniques in jiu-jitsu, so it can definitely be overwhelming. Once, you know basic postions (whaetver basics are for you gym/style/desire), then you should start singling out techniques and focusing on those concepts for a time period.

[Miguel Kangaroo]

Defense comes first naturally since everyone that has been training longer than you will be attacking. I'd say working on 'passing the guard' is a good start.

[Scott Philips]

A good theory on framing and how frikkin important it is. A couple money escapes from every position. 1 or two attacks from common positions. Maybe pop triangle from full guard or armbar from guard. Guard replacement from side control. Heisman escapes. Shrimping a ton. Basic mount escapes, Alcatraz.