BJJ: First Submission? Big Deal?

[Teharesudar]

Need your opinions. I have been training in BJJ for about 2 months. As you may read from my previous posts, it was not easy getting used to the rolling, which, to the untrained observer, may seem rather easy. To me, it was not.

Along the way, it seemed that I grew faster at being able to defend a submission, but was never able to gain a submission...until last night. After taking a two week layoff, I was able to submit an opponent twice (although he did submit me once) while rolling.

Just curious if anyone has had a similar experience.

Pablo

Cao Vehlo

[Kirves]

Well, it didn't take me two months, but I can relate. When I begun BJJ, I was both the oldest and the weakest of the lot. It took me a long time (several class sessions) until I got my first submission on anyone. I still can't roll as good as most others but I'm getting better. I think the first successful submission gave me a boost in confidence ("Hey, maybe I am getting this after all!") and also I begun to find openings more often than before.

[DJColdfusion]

Defense is ALWAYS easier.

I hope your having fun training. At your stage (really, at any stage) you really need to look at learning Jiu-Jitsu as a process and not a goal. It is not something that you try to learn all at once. Take your time, take one step at a time, and enjoy the journey.

[Tom Yum]

I got my first submission around the third week that I trained. The only reason why is that I came in with experience in other martial arts and kept myself in so-so shape.

Still I got tapped by most of the blue belts and a few white belts. Its part of the learning process.

[Blue Wave Gym]

I got my first submission thefirst night I trained achellies squeeze/lock(it takes the average person like 0.1 second to learn this move though we worked alot on top n' side arm lock in that class though

[KiotoQuinn]

I think for many people its a progression. To me I started at trying not to be taken down, or trying to gain a side control or mount. Then you start to think ab submissions. Its a long process but its good to get that first tap. Mine was a rear-naked to another white belt. It felt great.

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

I had started learning grappling basics like subs, sweeps and positioning in the beginning of my freshman year. Im now a junior. But the first time i had ever subbed anyone in a "real balls to the wall" grapple, was last year.

This dude on the wrestling team, a 189er, claimed he knew how to do all that "UFC tapout shit". I knew he didnt know shit since i had seen him doing his version of an armbar and triangle choke a few weeks before. I told him i knew submissions since my bro had taught me brazilian jiu jitsu. I challenged him right on the spot. I knew i could beat him at wrestling so i was pretty confident. But he was talking so much shit like how he was gonna make me tapout.

I was pissed, but acted like "whatever man lets do this". Just before we shook hands he even told me he was gonna tap me out. I was fired up. We start and i immediatly snap his head down and put him into a guillotine, but i dont have it fully locked in. So i was cranking his head to the side and semi choking him. We get into the four points position, i got his back, sunk my hooks in and RNC him and i let go after he tapped, about 5 times.

Now, when he gets up, he tells me,"You know i was just kidding, you were gonna win no matter what", or something along those lines. He wanted to go again since he wasnt tired. Well, niether was I. I do the same exact thing to him the first time except when i went for the RNC he rolled me and got on top. For a few seconds he had me in side control but i got into my guard. From there, we kept trying to pull eachother's head inward and eventually i swept him, got on top, and just claspped my hands around his neck and squeezed, and he tapped out again, but let go after everyone around me telling me to. His face was all red and he could barely stand. LOL!

[Nick]

It took me about two years before I was ever able to even be threat as tapping anyone out. But I was really good at avoiding being tapped out! Most people would be too tired to go on after about 30, 40 minutes of trying for the same choke from side mount. Old farts.

[cakegirl]

Took me ages to be able to submit anybody, and I'm constantly working on my defence.

Nowadays, when I'm training with newer guys who use strength, I tend to just give it to them - there's no poing me getting into a strength battle I know I'm gonna lose. I don't even try to go for submissions with those guys - I play the "how long can I defend" game.

[Kenny Chance]

i got my first "submission" tonight (my second night) but the reason i use quotes is im honestly not sure if it was because he needed to tap or was just tired and wanted to reposition... he almost had me in a triangle and i got my legs around him, rolled him back and squeezed. i had a hold of his leg too but since this is my second night of doing this i had no idea what to do with it haha