Beginner Jiu Jitsu Tip: You Can Survive!
Sunday, 11 July 2010 08:22 | 
Author: Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhaes |
As you'll quickly find in your jiu jitsu training, the amount of techniques and situations you have to process is overwhelming. People are getting you in bad positions and you are stuck and unable to get out - eventually leading to submission.
As you'll quickly find in your jiu jitsu training, the amount of techniques and situations you have to process is overwhelming. People are getting you in bad positions and you are stuck and unable to get out - eventually leading to submission.
Don't stress too much - you can survive!
A great aspect of jiu jitsu is that it is a super equalizer. The strong or speedy may likely lose against a trained jiu jitsu practitioner. The key is lasting long enough in your training to become skilled.
The solution is simple: basics. If you're great at just the basics in jiu jitsu, you can usually avoid bad positions and can handle yourself if you end up there. You can practice these at home by yourself, and should remember them during your jiu jitsu class to apply them when needed. After a short time you'll have a basic skill level that'll allow you to learn and apply your techniques instead of a getting frustrated by your opponent constantly.
What are these basics?
Hip Escapes
On the technique side, this is the grand daddy of jiu jitsu basics. During training you should always have "loose hips". Being able to transition from side to side and use your hips for generating leverage is critical. This cannot be said enough times. Being able to hip escape (aka shrimping) is important in creating space between you and your opponent for defense and attacks.
Breathing
Another basic you need to get down is breathing. If you tire out in training or a real life fight, you're dead. You CAN relax and you need to slow down and breathe while you work your game. If rolling/sparring becomes a sprint for you, you'll be done in 30 seconds. In a typical 5-7 minute training round, that would be miserable! So slow down, take your time, breathe deeply, and relax.
Open Mind
Many people come to train thinking that their strength is going to enable them to beat all challengers. This type of person quickly finds out they're are wrong when some lightweight with a bit of training demolishes them. To speed up your learning curve, embrace this new way of doing things with an open mind. Practice the techniques using perfect form and with minimal strength. Know that you are going to have a learning curve and that achieving competency takes time.
Ego
Most BJJ practitioners are men and as such have nice sized egos. Leave the ego at the door. You have to enjoy the journey of learning BJJ and understanding all of the nuances. If you have to be the guy that never taps, you are going to get hurt early and often. And if you are hurt, you really can't train then. Instead, be open to losing to others in your class. Help each other get better. Become a family. Enjoy the journey!
These basics aren't a fully exhaustive list of everything you need to master. But they provide a great foundation to build upon. Walk into class ready to learn, guide your classmates where you can, and train hard. This is a special martial art and it can change you if you let it.
- Draculino
As you'll quickly find in your jiu jitsu training, the amount of techniques and situations you have to process is overwhelming. People are getting you in bad positions and you are stuck and unable to get out - eventually leading to submission.
Don't stress too much - you can survive!
A great aspect of jiu jitsu is that it is a super equalizer. The strong or speedy may likely lose against a trained jiu jitsu practitioner. The key is lasting long enough in your training to become skilled.
The solution is simple: basics. If you're great at just the basics in jiu jitsu, you can usually avoid bad positions and can handle yourself if you end up there. You can practice these at home by yourself, and should remember them during your jiu jitsu class to apply them when needed. After a short time you'll have a basic skill level that'll allow you to learn and apply your techniques instead of a getting frustrated by your opponent constantly.
What are these basics?
Hip Escapes
On the technique side, this is the grand daddy of jiu jitsu basics. During training you should always have "loose hips". Being able to transition from side to side and use your hips for generating leverage is critical. This cannot be said enough times. Being able to hip escape (aka shrimping) is important in creating space between you and your opponent for defense and attacks.
Breathing
Another basic you need to get down is breathing. If you tire out in training or a real life fight, you're dead. You CAN relax and you need to slow down and breathe while you work your game. If rolling/sparring becomes a sprint for you, you'll be done in 30 seconds. In a typical 5-7 minute training round, that would be miserable! So slow down, take your time, breathe deeply, and relax.
Open Mind
Many people come to train thinking that their strength is going to enable them to beat all challengers. This type of person quickly finds out they're are wrong when some lightweight with a bit of training demolishes them. To speed up your learning curve, embrace this new way of doing things with an open mind. Practice the techniques using perfect form and with minimal strength. Know that you are going to have a learning curve and that achieving competency takes time.
Ego
Most BJJ practitioners are men and as such have nice sized egos. Leave the ego at the door. You have to enjoy the journey of learning BJJ and understanding all of the nuances. If you have to be the guy that never taps, you are going to get hurt early and often. And if you are hurt, you really can't train then. Instead, be open to losing to others in your class. Help each other get better. Become a family. Enjoy the journey!
These basics aren't a fully exhaustive list of everything you need to master. But they provide a great foundation to build upon. Walk into class ready to learn, guide your classmates where you can, and train hard. This is a special martial art and it can change you if you let it.
- Draculino
About the Author:
Visit Draculino's online training site to train using the same BJJ techniques and approach he uses. Be sure to also check out the free jiu jitsu forum at the site and join the online community.