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Home » Starting BJJ » How should I act at my first BJJ class?
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How should I act at my first BJJ class?

- John Q. Whitebelt

Posted by John Q. Whitebelt in Starting BJJ | 1 comment

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  1. This solution has been deemed correct by the post author

    76
    7-27-13
    Aesopian says:

    Contact the school in advanced to find a good time to do your first class. Some BJJ schools will have you do a special intro class that’s separate from the group class, and it helps to schedule these in advance, especially if they are one-on-one with an instructor.

    Also find out if they have a loaner gi for you to wear. Otherwise you should wear clothing appropriate for an athletic contact sport, such as workout pants (with a tight drawstring) and a rashguard or t-shirt.

    Show up early so you have time to get a tour, sign a waiver, get changed, read the school rules, and meet the instructor and any other staff. Don’t be afraid of asking how to tie the belt if you don’t know how.

    If they have rules about bowing (such as before you step on to the mats), the school rules or the instructor should explain them. No one will be offended if you don’t know the formalities yet. BJJ is very relaxed and informal.

    Pay attention to the directions of the instructor and any assistant instructors. They will gather everyone to start the class, either by just starting warm-ups (like jogging laps), or lining everyone up (usually by belt rank) to bow first.

    You may not be sure what you’re supposed to be doing, but just focus on what the instructor is saying to do, and try to copy the higher belts. In a group class, you will likely be partnered up with someone who will help you out.

    You are not expected to know what you are doing, so don’t worry that you’re wasting anyone’s time, especially the instructors. Their job is to teach brand new people like you. If you are paying attention and doing your best, a good instructor and good training partners will be patient and help you figure it out.

    If you are unsure of how to do something or are afraid of hurting yourself or someone else, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

    When the class starts doing live training and sparring, you can ask to sit out, or they may encourage you to participate. Training with resisting partners is very important to develop your BJJ skills, but it can be overwhelming on day one.

    Sparring will be very strange if you’ve never done anything like it before. You don’t know anything yet, and people are going to be tossing you around and choking you and cranking your arms. Sparring against more experienced students can very much be a trial by fire.

    You aren’t expected to be very technical or talented as a beginner. Just try to figure out what’s going on, don’t let people just shove you around, and go for any moves you’ve been taught.

    If you don’t want to make a bad first impression when you spar, follow these rules:

    • Don’t crank on anything below the waist (no leglocks, heelhooks, toeholds, or kneebars)
    • Don’t slam anyone. If someone has closed guard or a submission hold on you, don’t pick them up and drop them.
    • Don’t grind or crank on anyone’s face.
    • Don’t crank on anyone’s neck or wrench their head too hard.
    • Don’t do anything too explosive, crazy, or reckless.

    No one will really blame you for being rough and spastic since you’re a beginner and you don’t know anything yet, but they will appreciate it if you don’t do anything too dangerous or inconsiderate.

    If you think you are tough because you lift weights or wrestled in high school or watched a lot of UFC or rolled around with your buddies in your backyard, prepare to have your self-image crushed by people older and smaller than you. The good news is that if you keep training it will be replaced with a truer one that is based on real skills and experiences.

    Try to finish the whole class without needing to sit out or leave early. They may line everyone up to bow out. Shake hands with the instructor afterwards and expect to be talked to about joining. Assuming you liked the class and the price is reasonable, and you don’t plan to visit any other potential schools first, sign up and start training!

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