Before I ever stepped into my school, I had done a lot of reading. I wasn’t satisfied at my old school for many reasons, but didn’t want to make the same mistakes again. So, I did some research.
On a slight tangent, I owe a large debt of gratitude to the core participants at Bullshido.net. There is a lot of static that you have to get through. But there’s also a ton of knowledge and some very valuable, necessary resistance to popular martial arts dogma. It wasn’t until I began reading some of the articles on Bullshido that I could even begin to articulate the problems I had with my old training. I was already unhappy, but hadn’t yet figured out specifically why. Reading the articles, I found myself nodding my head in agreement to many of the things that were written. Learning about Matt Thornton and the concepts of “aliveness“, I actually found some tangible, concrete traits that I could then look for in my next school. And most importantly, that there WERE schools still doing things that way.
So, ultimately, that led me to BJJ. It’s been one year now since I first stepped into James Foster’s school and so I thought I’d commemorate the anniversary by sharing a few of the things that I would like to have known, or am glad that I knew before I went in. Some of these came to mind after Coach reminded us of them in class on Sunday. So, if you’re thinking about taking up BJJ, here are a few things that I would really recommend that you know before you go in. I expect that I’ll read this post as I will most others in 10 years and blush at how naive I am right now.
Some articles on this subject are available from people who are in a much better position to offer advice. If you’re in classes now, of course your instructor is a great resource. If you’re considering your first class, a great article on Grapplearts is available (http://www.grapplearts.com/Starting-BJJ-Classes.htm).
Ultimately, the thing I learned from Bullshido is this: don’t be a jerk (actually, the Bullshido term is more appropos, but in the interest of keeping a PG rating, I can’t post it here). Most of the following are just specific examples of either being or not being a jerk. There are many others.
- First, tap early and often. The first skill you will need to know in BJJ is how to tap. Before you learn to pass guard, before you learn your first sweep or your first submission, you will likely learn what it is to be at the mercy of someone else. The three ways to tap are to tap the mat or your partner with your hand (not your fist). You can also use your feet if your hands are unavailable. Or you can say, “Tap.” Normally, you’ll say, “Tap, tap, tap.” Doing this should cause your partner to pause and not break your arm. Saying “ouch”, grunting, growling, pinching, biting, or anything other than the three ways I mentioned will likely encourage your partner to continue, not make them stop.
- In conjunction with knowing how to tap is to know when to tap. If you are in an untenable position, tap. Recognizing the futility of a situation comes with experience. I’ve seen a particular situation occur over and over. A brand new guy’s arm is fully extended and there is no way he’s going to escape. Or he’s turning purple and making that strange gurgling sound that means he’s not getting any air. In other words, whomever he’s sparring with has a submission and it’s locked in. He doesn’t, however, understand the situation. He continues to flop around. By doing this, the lower belt has created a dillemma for the upper belt. Does he continue to grind the submission? This could potentially injure the lower belt, and there’s no excuse for that. Most will move on to a different submission. The potential problem I’ve seen with some is that they don’t understand the distinction between being allowed to continue and escaping or reversing a technique. This can be dangerous to someone who just doesn’t get it, as it doesn’t help them to learn when to tap. I don’t know what the answer is, but I do know that there’s no problem if everyone knows when to tap.
- Next thing is that you don’t win or lose in sparring. Sparring isn’t about winning or losing a match. Of course, one of the things I really like about BJJ and grappling in general is that one can really push a match in sparring. But, I understand now that my partner, regardless of rank, is either working on some techniques or concepts or allowing me to do the same. Often, both. So, if you spar to win, you’re missing the point.
- If people keep breaking when you spar with them, the problem is you. It’s like that old saying, “There’s only one thing that all of your failed relationships have in common: you.” While injury is possible regardless of who you are sparring with, if you are leaving a trail of rib, elbow, or neck injuries in your wake, you’re doing something wrong.
- Wash your gi and yourself. I mean, seriously.
- Try not to cheat. By cheating, I don’t mean breaking rules, fighting dirty or anything like that. I mean, don’t do things on white belts just because you know they work on white belts. My general rule of thumb is that if it doesn’t work on a blue belt, it doesn’t work. Or in other words, I try to spend my time developing techniques that work on a competent opponent rather than on techniques that prey upon the ignorance of my opponent.
That’s all that comes to mind. If anyone has any other tips for beginners, I’d be glad to hear them. I’m still very much a beginner. As I said at the beginning, these are the things that I’m either glad I knew before I started, or wish that I’d known.
Happy Anniversary! And “happy” to see you remain “happy” with your path…maybe too much happiness, but whatever! LOL
Linda D. in Seattle
As a fellow BJJer on his first anniversary: nice post.
I also found Bullshido very motivating, and I think its helped me avoid several of the pitfalls with BJJ training. In particular (and I’m constantly linking this because its so awesome), this thread by NSLightsOut. Essential reading.
I’d say the most important points to keep in mind, a number of which you’ve already covered, are:
1. Tap early and tap often. Pride is not worth missing months of training because you broke you arm.
2. Training is about learning, not ‘winning’ or ‘losing’.
3. BJJ is hard, so don’t expect to be smashing everyone after a few lessons, weeks, months or even years. Ego is only going to be a hindrance in this situation, so embrace the cliche and leave your ego at the door.
4. The only person you should be measuring yourself against is yourself, as others may train more often, be more athletic, have prior experience etc: bottom line, they aren’t you. Consider how the you of today would fare against the you or a month ago.
5. Come into sparring with a plan: treat rolling as your laboratory. For example, take a few months to work your scissor sweep, or elbow escape, or perhaps just working your hips more. Having that clear idea of what you want to work on will make your sparring much more productive than just “don’t tap” or whatever.
6. Don’t obsess about belts. You’ll get your next belt when you’re good enough, so concentrate on getting better rather than what’s round your waist.
7. Keep it simple. Get the fundamentals down before you start leaping into rubber guard or whatever. You want to be solid on basic escapes, sweeps etc, not become a compendium of exotic submissions.
8. Make friends with people in class. A good training partner will have a hugely positive impact on your development.
9. Always ask your instructor if you’re not sure about something. Always. After all, that is what you’re paying them for.
10. On a related note, try to ask your training partner questions after rolling. For example, say they keep tapping your with the same technique: what is it that you’re doing wrong to give them that opportunity?
I’d like to believe that the main key to all failed relationships is me. Then I could just work on myself, and all would start working better. But I have learned that a relationship takes two sides for it to work. I can be doing my best, and the other person can be centered on themselves, or on what they think is happening rather than what reality reveals. It is good to think about what I’m doing to contribute to the problem, and try to fix it, but I would encourage people to remember that there is balance.
Linda: I’m like PollyfrigginAnna. Deal with it!
Slidey: Excellent points. I agree 100%, although one of my goals for year two will definitely be to improve enough to earn a blue belt.
Supergroup7: Very nice to hear from you!
Regarding balance, I’m all for that. But what I’ve seen in training is that there are some guys who leave a trail of carnage in their wake. They tend to be the guys who say, “Hey, my baby toe is a little sore. Wanna go light?” Next thing you know, you’re out for 3 weeks nursing some kind of nagging rib injury.
Congrats on your one year anniversary
way to stick with it, from what Ive read and heard many people would have quit by now.
You paid your 1st year newbie dues and now you really want to stick with it because who wants to go through that again, right.
Im just approaching 6 months and already realizing that worrying about stripes and belts and even how your doing can be frustrating or even futile,and downright confusing, so I guess just keep breathing recenter yourself and go back to class and do 500 shrimps per day!..its all in the hips man!!!
Good advice.
One thing I would also suggest to people starting martial arts is to leave their ego at the door. Yes you are going to look stupid multiple times before you get the techniques, and yes someone will always be better than you. Once you think of martial arts as a way of competing strictly against yourself and no one else, you will be able to enjoy class more.:)
Sinan, maybe it’s easy for me to be philosophical about stripes and belts because I’m not the natural athlete. I agree that worrying about promotion is needless and can be counterproductive. What’s great is that sticking with it has never been a problem. I’m thoroughly addicted.
Silverstar: Ego is definitely counterproductive. Excellent point. I’ve said it before, but one nice thing about BJJ is that, while there is definitely ego in that everyone wants to be good… wants to improve, there is also a heavy dose of humility. I roll with any of the purple belts or even most of the blue belts and it’s clear how far I have to go. Thanks for the comment.
I also like to have one or two techniques in my head which I want to practice when I come on the mats. I try to apply them in sparring and also just practicing moves.
I think basically working on one or two techniques per week and trying to perfect them makes me feel like i am more progressing. Obviously you also learn from what you are shown but I like to have a few things that I am also focusing on for myself.
When I started bjj I used to just look up techniques on youtube and if i found an interesting one being shown, i would just go into the class and see if i can apply it. its just fun i guess!