Reading Speed Secret: Why Fiction & Nonfiction Need Different Paces

When you read a gripping story, you may fly through chapters. But when absorbing technical manuals or battle instructions, you slow down to capture every detail. That contrast hints at something deeper: your brain processes fiction and nonfiction differently. And that difference holds the secret to how you can remember jiu jitsu moves more reliably.

In this post, we’ll explore how reading speed, comprehension, and memory interact -and how that understanding can help you internalize martial arts techniques more effectively.

Why Fiction & Nonfiction Demand Different Reading Speeds

Your brain treats narrative and technical text differently:

• Fiction leans on context, narrative flow, and emotional hooks. The brain fills in gaps and anticipates. You can allow your reading speed to be relatively faster because comprehension is scaffolded by story context.

• Nonfiction or technical text (manuals, instructions, technique descriptions) demands precision, clarity, and memorization of discrete steps. Reading too quickly risks skipping critical information.

When you apply Speed Reading Techniques to technical domains, you must slow the pace just enough that your retention remains high. Use methods from memory training so you can ramp speed without losing understanding.

How to Read with Intent When Studying Moves

Adjust pacing per type of content

• For narrative or conceptual passages (e.g. martial philosophy, motivational readings), let yourself flow faster.

• For movement breakdowns, technique steps, or sparring logic, slow down and engage deeply.

Tools to improve reading & memory together

• Preview the section: skim headings, sub-steps, diagrams.

• Use your finger or a pointer to guide your eyes through steps.

• Chunk phrases (3–5 words) rather than word-by-word scanning.

These tactics help you improve reading speed in general, but also maintain comprehension when reviewing technique texts.

Why Memory Training Courses Matter for Technique Recall

Speed reading can help you get through more content, but memory training ensures you retain the content that matters -like remember jiu jitsu moves long after practice.

Courses like the Black Belt Memory Course or the Ronnie White Memory Course teach you to:

• Visualize sequences of movement

• Use association and memory palaces to anchor techniques

• Apply spaced repetition so move sequences aren’t forgotten

In effect, you convert reading + drilling into longer-term knowledge.

How to Combine Reading Speed & Memory to Lock in Moves

1. Read with precision
   Use a moderate pace when reading technique descriptions. Use pointer methods, chunking, and previewing to keep comprehension high.

2. Visualize while reading
   As you read each step, imagine the body positions, grips, transitions. This dual encoding helps memory.

3. Embed into memory structures
   Use a Memory Palace or spatial layout: e.g. assign guard passes, sweeps, submissions each to different rooms or corridors in your mind.

4. Spaced recall practice
   Revisit the technique mentally at intervals: after 1 day, 3 days, 1 week. This is essential to turn short-term memory into long-term recall.

5. Mix fiction reading
   Reading novels or stories at higher speeds can train your brain for fluid transitions; but always slow down when you need precision in technique texts.

Real-World Use Cases: Applying the Secret on the Mats

• You read a technique breakdown in a manual or blog: slow pace + visualization → practice rolls it out.

• You read a story about a legend or fight recap: faster pace, engage emotionally, but don’t rely on remembering every detail.

• You combine both: one day of narrative reading, one day of technical study, each with its optimal pace.

This balanced approach helps you remember jiu jitsu moves without burning out or losing clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can reading speed training help me recall martial arts moves?
Yes -when paired with memory techniques, faster reading trains your brain to absorb steps efficiently and recall them under pressure.

Q2: Is slower always better for technique texts?
Not always -you need just enough slowdown to preserve comprehension. Over-slowing wastes time. Find your balance point.

Q3: How does memory improvement course help martial artists?
It equips you with tools (visualization, association, spaced repetition) so that the techniques you read or practice become lasting knowledge.

Conclusion

Fiction and nonfiction demand different reading speeds because your brain operates differently in each mode. The secret to mastering technique memory is not sheer repetition -it’s pacing with purpose, visualization, and memory structure. Use your reading speed wisely, reinforce with a memory improvement course, and watch your ability to remember jiu jitsu moves sharpen.

Ready to level up your mental game? Visit Brain Athlete to explore our programs -including the Black Belt Memory Course and memory training tools that help you master reading, retention, and martial arts.