What is Ecological Training and why is it important?

What is Ecological Training and why is it important?

5 min read

There are tons of different training methods out there: drilling, situational live, games, etc. But there are only two major sects of training: Drilling and Ecological.


Drilling is back-and-forth practicing of techniques in a sequential manner. Ecological, on the other hand, is the exact opposite, strict constraint-based training via live matches, games, and dynamic scenarios.


They exist on opposite ends of a spectrum. Today, we’re going to go deep into what Ecological Training is, why it’s important, and where it should fit into your routine.


What is Ecological Training?


Ecological training, by definition, is strict constraint-based training. As stated before, it exists on a spectrum. Certain methods, like situational live, are closer to ecological than drilling, but are not purely ecological.


An example of pure ecological training would look like this:

  • Starting Position: Smash half guard

  • Top Player

    • Win Condition: Pass the guard using a leg pommel or knee slice while maintaining upper body control

    • → If the top player loses upper body control, reset.
  • Bottom Player
    • Win Condition: Get to full guard or sweep from the bottom


Switching on win


In this scenario, you have strict rules in place: the top player can only pass using two specific techniques and must maintain upper body control. This training format would be very close to, if not entirely, pure ecological training.


What is the Benefit of Ecological Training?


Ecological training is powerful for many reasons:

  • Increase in problem-solving ability
  • Increase in general grappling ability
  • Development of “soft skills” or grappling instincts
  • More fun than the other end of the spectrum, pure drilling


These attributes are hard to develop through drilling alone. However, like most things in life, ecological training is best in moderation. You can’t rely on it exclusively, because it also comes with some downsides:

  • Lack of technical refinement
  • Requires more mental effort
  • Requires more physical effort
  • Harder to recover from on a day-to-day basis


You cannot train ecologically every day without consequences. There needs to be a sprinkle of drilling in your routine.


So What Should You Choose? Drilling or Ecological?


The answer: You need both.


Both are valuable, reliable ways to improve, each with unique benefits and limitations. They complement each other perfectly.


Our recommendation is to balance your Drilling and Ecological training based on your current skill level with the position or move you're working on.

  • If you aren’t very confident with armbars, drill them more than you train them ecologically.
  • If you’re already proficient with the D’arce choke and want to refine it further, lean more into ecological training.


Conclusion


Ecological training is strict constraint-based training done through situational live matches, games, and other dynamic formats. It has significant strengths and weaknesses, just like drilling. The amount of each that you do should depend on your skill level with the technique or position you're focusing on.


Moderation is key. Balance your training style based on context.


See you on the mats!

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FAQ

Porrada is a Portuguese term commonly used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Brazilian culture to describe a tough, intense, and gritty style of training or fighting. The direct translation of porrada from Portuguese to English is "beating" or "brawl." It embodies the spirit of going all out, giving your maximum effort, and pushing through challenges. In BJJ, practicing porrada means training with high intensity and determination.
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There are two main ways you can get started with training: 1) You can find a BJJ gym near you and do a trial day, or 2) you can create your own mini home gym and start training with friends. Option #2 is how our team at Porrada got started! We ordered 1-inch thick puzzle mats in a 10’x10’ square and began training using online resources. If you do start with the second option, we recommend eventually finding a gym down the road in your career. It will help you by allowing you to roll with more people and receive high-level instruction.
BJJ is quite similar to wrestling. Both start standing and use takedowns as a method to score points. Both use very similar mechanics overall. The main differences are that there are no pins (you can be on your back in Jiu-Jitsu), BJJ involves submissions, and the points system for each is very different. BJJ grants points for takedowns/sweeps, back control, mount, guard passes, and knee on belly. Wrestling grants points for takedowns, escapes, and back points (back exposure for freestyle).
BJJ is a very unique sport in many ways. There are so many incredible benefits to training Jiu-Jitsu. The biggest reasons we advocate for it are the mindset training and the added ability to defend yourself. In BJJ, you are forced to humble yourself over and over again, every single day. This sport is a great way to mature rapidly and generally become a better person (in our opinion). You will also have a better ability to defend yourself than 99% of the population—a pretty big bonus.
You’re never too old to start training! We see people on the mats of all ages and sizes. Large and small, old and young can, and should, train BJJ. If you are on the older side, it is perfectly acceptable to take it slow and learn at your own pace. You don’t always have to go full speed—don’t worry. There are typically also classes that separate people by goals. Certain classes are for those who want to compete, some are for general instruction, and some are specifically for self-defense teachings. There is a place for everyone on the mats.