Important Tips for the BJJ White Belt | Tyler TX

TYLER, Texas - Oct. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- http://www.purejiujitsutyler.com

At the beginning of a long, yet powerful and rewarding journey, BJJ white belts often have misconceptions about some of the philosophies and practices of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  Below are a few important tips on becoming a great training partner and a better white belt.

Slow down
In rolling and in progressing.  If you've been around the Jiu-Jitsu scene long enough, you've probably heard the term "white belt spaz".  Typically, most new white belts, while rolling, often move in a spaz-like fashion.  This is usually due to inexperience, a lack of knowledge in technique, and possibly some  ego mixed in there.  Although, the "white belt spaz" is a completely natural and expected thing, it is important, however, to concentrate on slowing down, learning the proper techniques of Jiu-Jitsu, and moving in a more controlled manner.  Controlling your movements will help you focus on technique over speed and strength, and will reduce the risks of injuries, not only for you, but for your training partners as well.  Don't roll to dominate and destroy.  Roll to learn and try new techniques.  Make sure you and your partner are having a good training session, that you both can learn from and enjoy.

Jiu-Jitsu is a long journey, so don't be in a rush to learn everything in a short amount of time, and don't focus on getting promoted.  This will only frustrate you and hinder your progression.  Instead, focus on becoming the best white belt you can be.  Come to class regularly, bring your A-game, bring a positive mental attitude, and learn the techniques.  If you follow these steps, the promotions will come.  Getting promoted in BJJ is about much more than just your ability to tap someone out; it's about becoming a good training partner, becoming humble, and training consistently.

Take the time to learn the basics and details
Many of the top competitors in the world, concentrate on advanced basics.  Fancy moves look impressive, but can also get you in trouble.  The basics of Jiu-Jitsu will rarely fail you, if done properly.  Take the time to learn them, even if it gets repetitive.  As important as basic positions and submissions, is the ability to properly "shrimp" and perform other escape movements, as well.

Details are crucial in the techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  As a white belt, understanding the importance of details can make a huge difference in the rate at which you progress and your ability to successfully pull-off techniques.

Dealing with ego and becoming humble
Everyone has an ego.  However, the important thing in BJJ is, how you deal with it.  Many people who are new to Jiu-Jitsu, often have trouble dealing with being dominated by another person.  Some spend years watching the UFC or other MMA promotions, and have the false belief that they know how to fight, as a result.  Then, they come into the academy with the confidence of a world champion, get submitted by someone smaller and weaker than them, then they don't know how to handle it.  As a new white belt, it's important to know that one can only get good at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, by training.  Watching videos and fights can give you the basic concepts of certain techniques, but there are things going on in those videos that you can not see or understand, without proper training and time on the mat.

Jiu-Jitsu is a very humbling sport and martial art.  It's a martial art, designed for a smaller weaker person to be able to dominate and neutralize a bigger stronger opponent.  BJJ is a martial art where a full-size grown man with no training, can be easily dominated and defeated by an underage boy with a few basic skills.  It's important to understand this, as a new white belt, as doing so, will lead to less frustration and more understanding of the gentle art.

So, embrace your ego and work on putting it aside.  Don't let it cause you to avoid rolling with certain people.  Don't let your ego keep you from competing.  Don't make it a personal goal to submit certain training partners or friends of yours who have more experience.  That's not what Jiu-Jitsu is about.  Instead, concentrate on being the best you can be, by training hard, having a positive mental attitude, and becoming humble.  The more you get tapped out, the better you're becoming.  Look for the guys in the gym, who are going to give you hell.  Look for that person or those people, who are going to come at you with no brakes on, sweep you, dominate you, and submit you.  Pushing yourself to roll with these types of training partners will force you to find new angles and your Jiu-Jitsu will become better, as a result.

Find the right academy
Be cautious in choosing the right place to train.  Understand, that the atmosphere, environment, vibes, and gym ownership should play a big deciding factor in where you train.  When choosing the right place to train BJJ, test an academy out for a month, then go to your other choice for a month.  Pay attention to how you're welcomed or not welcomed at each place.  Do you vibe better with one academy over the other?  Do you like the style of Jiu-Jitsu at one over the other?  Do you like the facility better at one over the other?  Does one try to force you into a contract?  Go over all the deciding factors and figure out the best place for you.  Beware of academy owners who bad mouth other academy owners.  This is usually a sign of negativity and bad sportsmanship.  This is not what Jiu-Jitsu is about and should be taken with extreme caution.

Be real with yourself and your training partners
Don't set unrealistic goals for yourself in Jiu-Jitsu.  Because, if you don't accomplish them, you're liable to get discouraged and quit training.  Stay consistent with going to class.  The most important time to go train is when you don't feel like it.  You'll feel much better about yourself, when your training session is done and you leave the academy, feeling invigorated and with a couple more skills in your toolbox.

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