| When starting your jiu jitsu training, the vast array of | | | | you tire out in training or a real life fight, you're dead. |
| techniques and positional situations you have to | | | | You CAN relax and you need to slow down and |
| process is huge. You will constantly be put in bad | | | | breathe while you work your game. If rolling/sparring |
| positions by your classmates and you will be stuck and | | | | becomes a sprint for you, you'll be done in 30 seconds. |
| unable to get out. Of course this eventually leads to | | | | In a typical 5-7 minute training round, that would be |
| submission. | | | | miserable! So slow down, take your time, breathe |
| Don't worry, you can survive! | | | | deeply, and relax. |
| The neat thing about jiu jitsu is that it is a great | | | | Open Mind |
| equalizer. The big and strong may actually be at a | | | | Many students come to jiu jitsu thinking that their |
| disadvantage against a skilled jiu jitsu practitioner. The | | | | strength is going to beat all challengers they face. This |
| question is how do you last long enough in training to | | | | type of person is typically brutally proven wrong by |
| become skilled. | | | | some featherweight with a bit of training. To |
| The solution is simple: basics. If you're great at just the | | | | accelerate your learning, open your mind to the new |
| basics in jiu jitsu, you can usually avoid bad positions | | | | ideas this art presents. Work the techniques with |
| and can handle yourself if you end up there. You can | | | | proper form and without using strength. Understand |
| practice these at home by yourself, and should | | | | that you are going to have a learning curve and realize |
| remember them during your jiu jitsu class to apply | | | | that this is a journey that you can't just power through. |
| them when needed. After a short time you'll have a | | | | Ego |
| basic skill level that'll allow you to learn and apply your | | | | Most BJJ practitioners are men and as such have nice |
| techniques instead of a getting frustrated by your | | | | sized egos. Leave the ego at the door. You have to |
| opponent constantly. | | | | enjoy the journey of learning BJJ and understanding all |
| What are these basics? | | | | of the nuances. If you have to be the guy that never |
| Hip Escapes | | | | taps, you are going to get hurt early and often. And if |
| Hip escapes are the grand daddy of jiu jitsu basic | | | | you are hurt, you really can't train then. Instead, be |
| techniques. While training you should always have | | | | open to losing to others in your class. Help each other |
| "loose hips". Transitioning from side to side and using | | | | get better. Become a family. Enjoy the journey! |
| your hips for positional leverage is critical. This can't be | | | | These basics aren't a fully exhaustive list of everything |
| reinforced enough. Hip escapes (aka shrimping) are | | | | you need to master. But they provide a great |
| important in creating space allowing room for both | | | | foundation to build upon. Walk into class ready to learn, |
| defenses and attacks. | | | | guide your classmates where you can, and train hard. |
| Breathing | | | | This is a special martial art and it can change you if |
| Another basic you need to get down is breathing. If | | | | you let it. |