Congratulations on your decision to dive into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)! Get ready for many fun rolling sessions as you learn some of the cool submissions you’ve seen on TV and make many new friends!
Learning BJJ is one truly of the best decisions anyone can make. It’s one of the best martial arts for one-on-one combat, yet you can spar hard with your training partners without your body getting to roughed up like other competitive sports.
While your journey as a BJJ player is guaranteed to be deeply rewarding as you watch your body and mind transform, you might face some challenges as you learn the basics. This article will discuss the most significant obstacles new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students face and share tips to help you overcome them.
The Six Biggest Challenges New Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Students Face
Here are the most significant challenges you will likely face once you decide to wrap a white belt around your waist and dive into the world of BJJ:
1) The Language Barrier
You might not understand some of the terms other students use at the dojo, especially if you’re not a die-hard fan of combat sports. You might hear your instructor issue commands like “cross face,” “gable grip,” or “pummel.”
Don’t sweat it; very few new BJJ students know what these terms mean when they first start training. You’ll start to pick up on their meanings the more you train.
One cool thing about BJJ dojos are that they’re typically judgment-free zones. No one expects you to know these things, so there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Even your instructor probably didn’t know what most of them meant during their first class. Your training partners will be more than happy to explain what any terms you don’t understand mean.
You can make the transition easier by watching BJJ vlogs and reading articles on BJJ terminology before your first class.
2) The Lesson In Humility That Comes With Training BJJ
Training BJJ requires setting aside your ego and showing respect to your training partners and instructors, especially as a beginner. As you continue to train, you’ll realize how much there is to learn and naturally grow in respectfulness.
Have you ever noticed that most BJJ players are very respectful? There’s a reason for that. BJJ is one of the most cerebral martial arts ever developed, and you can’t just will yourself out of submissions or disadvantageous positions.
Here’s a secret: you’ll tap out a lot more than you think, regardless of how tough you think you are. No one walks into a BJJ dojo for the first time and starts tapping everyone out. If that happens, you’re definitely at the wrong gym.
Getting tapped out is part of the BJJ journey and will teach you the value of humility. You’ll quickly learn that you’re not as tough as you think, but you’ll also learn that you can be much tougher than you ever thought.
Leave your ego at home when you show up at the dojo. Understand that most people there have probably trained longer than you, so don’t take it personally when they catch you in submissions. Instead, reflect on things you could have done differently whenever you get tapped out.
3) The Gi Conundrum
One of the cool things about signing up for BJJ classes is that you get to look like a ninja whenever you wear your Gi. Gis can be pretty cumbersome to carry around, and they soak up all the sweat your body produces.
While you might be tempted to wear your Gi multiple times between washes, please don’t do it. No one likes the person with a smelly Gi. One training session is enough to make your Gi smell stinky the next day, so plan to wash it after every use.
This means you should consider getting at least two pairs of Gi if you plan to train four to five days a week. Don’t spend too much on the Gis you plan to wear when training since washing them after each class will make them fade and wear faster. Instead, buy some cheap, decent Gis for training and a nice set for special occasions like belt promotions and tournaments.
4) Learning How To Roll
“Rolling” is what sparring is called in BJJ, and it can be pretty intimidating when you’ve never done it before. You might feel even more nervous when rolling against higher belts. While squaring up with someone who knows more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques than you might be scary, rolling is where you learn the most.
That’s where you learn to apply all the techniques you learn in class against resisting opponents. Besides, the advanced belts will be the gentlest opponents you’ll ever face. They know they’re better than you are, so they’re more likely to take it easy on you and allow you to work some of your techniques while offering limited resistance. Make sure you roll every chance you get once your instructor clears you. You’ll be a force to be reckoned with against untrained people in one or two months.
5) Initial Soreness
It will take some time for your body to get used to the rigors of BJJ, so make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep when you first start. Take some time off other strenuous activities, like weightlifting, during your first week of training to make the transition easier for your body.
A balanced diet with lots of protein so your body can repair muscle tissues will also help reduce the soreness you experience. You can also use recovery tools like massage guns, foam rollers, ice baths, and heat therapy to speed up your recovery.
6) Fundamentals
Building a strong foundation in BJJ takes time, so be patient. With practice and rolling, you’ll gradually become more familiar with techniques and learn which situations to avoid.
Becoming good at BJJ requires understanding some basic rules, like not laying flat on your back or keeping your elbows close to your body. This takes time, so don’t be frustrated during rolling sessions if your techniques aren’t working. The tiny details make you good at BJJ, and it’s a process.
Keep training hard, and you’ll eventually start doing these things without thinking about them.
Mastering BJJ Requires You To Embrace The Grind!
Signing up for BJJ training is like stepping inside a new world with unlimited learning opportunities and challenges. You’ll have more fun than ever, so embrace the grind, laugh at your mistakes, and celebrate small victories.
Thinking about starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training? Come to one of Evolve’s complimentary classes to work with our world-class instructors.
Book your complimentary trial class with our World Champions below!
If you have any other questions regarding Evolve MMA and the programs we offer, you can get in touch with our membership executives at the following locations:
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Phone: (65) 6536 4525
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Phone: (65) 6288 2293
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Phone: (65) 6539 9590
