Identifying Gaps in Your Game

What positions do you train most? Least? Finding holes in your development.

Why Gap Analysis Matters

Your technique library reveals not just what you know, but what you don't know. Gap analysis helps you:

• Find positions where you have no options
• Identify technique types you're neglecting
• Create focused training plans
• Avoid developing a one-dimensional game

Position Coverage Analysis

Look at your Position Trackers or Master Checklist. For each major position, count:

Reading the Analysis

Strength: Positions with multiple Level 3-4 techniques Weakness: Positions with few techniques or only Level 1-2 Critical Gap: Positions you land in but have almost nothing

In the example above:

• Guard and top positions are strengths
• Defensive positions are weaknesses
• Back defense and standing are critical gaps

Technique Type Analysis

Count your techniques by category:

Reading the Analysis

This shows a submission-heavy game with weak escapes, takedowns, and defense. Not unusual for newer students who focus on offense.

What Balance Should Look Like

There's no perfect distribution, but consider:

• Bottom players need sweeps, submissions from guard, escapes
• Top players need passes, top submissions, takedowns
• Everyone needs escapes and defense

If any category is near zero, that's a gap to address.

Sparring Data Analysis

Your sparring logs also reveal gaps:

Position Time Analysis

Where do you spend most of your sparring time?

This shows:

• Passing is weak (spending too much time in guard)
• Side control escapes need work (getting stuck)
• Closed guard is safe but maybe too comfortable

End Position Analysis

Where do rounds end for you?

This shows more rounds ending badly than well. Defense and escapes are likely gaps.

Common Gap Patterns

The Guard Player with No Passes

Heavy guard development, but can't play top. When they sweep, they end up back in guard.

Sign: Few pass techniques, low pass success rate Fix: Dedicate training time to passing

The Top Player with No Guard

Can dominate from top but falls apart on bottom.

Sign: Few sweeps/submissions from guard, lots of defensive time Fix: Accept more bottom positions, develop guard game

The Offensive Player with No Defense

Lots of submission attempts, but gets caught a lot too.

Sign: Low defense rate, positions with no escapes documented Fix: Drill escapes, work on recognizing danger earlier

The Defensive Player with No Offense

Rarely gets submitted but also rarely submits.

Sign: Low attempts in all categories, high survival but few finishes Fix: Start attempting more, accept some failures to develop offense

Creating a Development Plan

Once you've identified gaps, prioritize them:

Critical Gaps (Address Immediately)

Positions you find yourself in regularly with no techniques:

• Back defense if you're giving up your back
• Escapes if you're spending lots of time pinned
• Guard retention if you're getting passed constantly

Important Gaps (Address Soon)

Technique types that round out your game:

• Passes if you can sweep but can't capitalize
• Takedowns if you're always starting from guard
• Top submissions if you get to mount but can't finish

Nice to Have (Address Later)

Techniques that would expand your options:

• Additional sweeps when you have several working
• Fancy guards when basics are solid
• Leg locks when upper body attacks are established

Gap-Focused Training

Ask for Specific Drilling

When you have open drilling time, work your gaps:

• "Can we work mount escapes?"
• "I want to drill some passes"
• "Can we start me in bad positions?"

Accept Specific Positions

In sparring:

• Purposely play your weak positions
• Don't avoid places where you'll struggle
• Use the discomfort as learning opportunity

Targeted Video Study

Watch instructionals or matches that address your gaps:

• "Passing series" if passing is weak
• "Escape systems" if defense is lacking
• "Guard development" if you have no bottom game

Your Week 3 Analysis Task

1. Count techniques by position
2. Count techniques by type
3. Identify 1-2 critical gaps
4. Identify 1-2 important gaps
5. Make a plan to address one gap in Week 4

Analysis Template

Fill in for yourself:

Position Gaps:

• Critical: ____________________
• Important: ____________________

Type Gaps:

• Critical: ____________________
• Important: ____________________

My Development Priority:

• This month I will focus on: ____________________
• Specific techniques to develop: ____________________

Next Step

Complete the Week 3 Review, then move into Week 4 where you'll tie everything together with your first monthly review and goal-setting.