What to learn and how?

Big picture

Brainstorming is a great tool to study a specific situation or a move, but it's important to have an overall vision on what do you want to learn. Yes, Polar JJ basic program, but the point of view on ones learning can vary.

First you might have your goals at bjj competitions or self defense - No gi or MMA? Same or similar technique, but small details on where to focus. At the moment I like the idea of "Street Jits". It's more grappling than MMA ground work, and has strikes to make it a little more self defense. To keep rolling alive the goal is to submit or atleast be safe. Why... it's fun.

Survive or don't get in to trouble

Very big concept is BJJ is to survive and here I need to make some changes. I have learned to survive in bad positions, but I don't think it's a good way to study Jits. It would be much better to deal with the problem as soon as possible than let it develop in a bad posistion. So most of the time you should be countering opponents attempts before it gets even close to being even control.

Focus in the learning should be in very first steps - position, pressure, retaining guard, finding setups or passing opponents guard - and controlling opponent like keeping your side control, keeping your mount and so on.

Gentle art - I want to learn it

Another big concept in most martial arts is softness - you should not resist opponents pressure, but flow with it. This is a skill that has to be learned. You don't want to go where opponent is pushing you, but more like take him where you want him to go. It's not just giving in for pressure. There is a lot more to it.

Can you see your opponents next move?

One interesting concepts is antisipation - do you know opponents next move? Saolo Ribeiro says that if you think, you are late. If you are late, you have to use muscle. If you use muscle, you will get tired. If you are tired, you will die. I'd say that's a vote for not thinking. Kit Dale is very much against drilling sequences so that they are automated and more on thinking and even greating techniques during a roll. I have a karate background and lot of drilling. I think that you need to repeat "tool" movements so that they work. By tool movements I mean movements like: scrimp, granby roll, grips, grip breaks, posture...list is not complete, just to get an idea. It's like writing. You need to know how to write your letters - but you can make any word out of them. So drilling is important, but real resistance is the key. With out it, you are working wrong skills.