So you're starting up BJJ and looking for some beginner tips?
1) Always ask your partner how they beat you, and always tell your partner how you beat them.
2) There are only two movements in BJJ. Shrimping, and bridging. The rest is just knowing when to do them and holding onto stuff.
3) Be patient with yourself. Unlike a striking art, your progress is not visible as a student, but your instructor can tell when you're starting to get things way before you can.
4) If something isn't working, try the opposite. If that didn't work, go back to what you were trying, then do the opposite again but faster.
5) If you're stuck, tap out and ask rather than strain.
6) Strength DOES matter in BJJ. BJJ is a strength enhancer via leverage and superior positioning.
7) Watch at least one UFC to see how striking plays a MASSIVE role in ground fighting.
8) Watch at least one kino mutai instructional video to see how biting plays a MASSIVE roll in ground fighting.
9) Tap easy, learn easy, stay healthy.
10) Your partner will often mirror the energy you give them. If you want to learn, so will they. If you want to smash, so will they.
11) Try your absolute best to find three partners
Learn that there are different ways to win.
12) Learn how you learn. Do you like someone to demonstrate on you? Do you like it when someone narrates the move step by step? Do you like to observe the technique working on others?
12b) Ask questions in a way that will facilitate #12 (eg "could you show that to me again" vs "could you show me how that feels")
Bonus tip: If you want to quit, that's fine.
But don't quit today, when it's hard.
Don't quit today, when you're just not getting it.
Don't quit today because you're sore.
If you gotta quit, quit when you're doing amazing, when you're winning, when you're helping others get better. If you quit then, it's a choice, not because you're giving up.
NEVER
Give
Up
1) Always ask your partner how they beat you, and always tell your partner how you beat them.
2) There are only two movements in BJJ. Shrimping, and bridging. The rest is just knowing when to do them and holding onto stuff.
3) Be patient with yourself. Unlike a striking art, your progress is not visible as a student, but your instructor can tell when you're starting to get things way before you can.
4) If something isn't working, try the opposite. If that didn't work, go back to what you were trying, then do the opposite again but faster.
5) If you're stuck, tap out and ask rather than strain.
6) Strength DOES matter in BJJ. BJJ is a strength enhancer via leverage and superior positioning.
7) Watch at least one UFC to see how striking plays a MASSIVE role in ground fighting.
8) Watch at least one kino mutai instructional video to see how biting plays a MASSIVE roll in ground fighting.
9) Tap easy, learn easy, stay healthy.
10) Your partner will often mirror the energy you give them. If you want to learn, so will they. If you want to smash, so will they.
11) Try your absolute best to find three partners
- A person who is bigger than you, but less skilled
- A person who is the same size and the same skill as you
- A person who is smaller than you, but more skilled.
Learn that there are different ways to win.
12) Learn how you learn. Do you like someone to demonstrate on you? Do you like it when someone narrates the move step by step? Do you like to observe the technique working on others?
12b) Ask questions in a way that will facilitate #12 (eg "could you show that to me again" vs "could you show me how that feels")
Bonus tip: If you want to quit, that's fine.
But don't quit today, when it's hard.
Don't quit today, when you're just not getting it.
Don't quit today because you're sore.
If you gotta quit, quit when you're doing amazing, when you're winning, when you're helping others get better. If you quit then, it's a choice, not because you're giving up.
NEVER
Give
Up
