Sports Realm

When starting your jiu jitsu training, the vast array of techniques and positional situations you have to process is huge. You will constantly be put in bad positions by your classmates and you will be stuck and unable to get out. Of course this eventually leads to submission.

Don’t get discouraged, because you can survive!

An awesome thing about jiu jitsu is that it is fantastic at leveling the playing field. The fast or strong can be at a disadvantage against a skilled jiu jitsu student, especially if they are untrained in ground fighting. The problem is lasting long enough in class to become skilled.

The key is right there for anyone to take: learn the basics. If you can get down the jiu jitsu fundamentals, you can typically prevent yourself from getting in bad spots but also handle yourself if you do end up there. You’ll want to practice these at home and reinforce them during your usual classroom time. After a month or so you’ll have a skill level that’ll let you focus on learning and applying your newly taught techniques instead of constantly getting stuffed.

So what are the basics?

Hip Escapes

Hip escapes are the grand daddy of jiu jitsu basic techniques. While training you should always have “loose hips”. Transitioning from side to side and using your hips for positional leverage is critical. This can’t be reinforced enough. Hip escapes (aka shrimping) are important in creating space allowing room for both defenses 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 get them through whatever challenge they face. And just as quickly they are proven wrong by some 120 pound-when-soaking-wet kid with a bit of experience. To learn the fastest, open your mind to a new way of doing things. Learn and use the techniques properly and without strength. Accept that you are going to have a learning curve and don’t try to power your way through things.

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

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.