Starting BJJ

[jaymackz]

Well...thx for the posts guys....i appreciate it.....but today at boxing class......i just realized how shitty my standup game is...i couldnt even last 2 rounds in the ring..i gassed out and embarassed myself infront of a beginner (who is my friend) who has been going there for about a week...i've been going for almost a month now.......i feel ashamed....and i dunno if taking BJJ would do me any good ..but they told me to pace myself in boxing...and did exactly the opposite and used all my power and went all out........i feel so fukin embarassed and that sucked the confidence right out of me....i feel like shit now and I DO want to take BJJ..but i think what im missing the most inside of me is ..dedication, confidence and heart...sorry for ranting...the beginner went the full 2 rounds.......i lasted about 45 seconds not even a damn minute i dunno what made me go full out....i usually last 2 rounds..the beginners father was there Everyone was there..im a very shy guy around a lot of people around me..i dunno what the hells wrong with me..

[shamster]

Excellent post by KiotoQuinn. Everything he said is true, especially how things take time. Hell, I didn't get my first submission till at least 4-5 months into it. I can't tell you how many times I would get tapped in one sparring session (I still do by the higher belts). You just need to change your perspective. You should look at tapping out as a learning experience. You may get armbarred or choked the exact same way a few times before you realize or ask someone what you have been doing wrong. Then after a little while, you will learn how to defend against that type of attack consistently. But then you will get submitted another way a bunch of times. It may feel like a never ending process (rightfully so cause there is always something to be learned), but that's all part of the game.
Keep your mind open that way. After all, you are not going to class to compete. You are there to learn, and sparring with your classmates should be nothing more than a practice and learning session. Who cares if your classmate taps you out as long as they do it with your best interest at heart (as far as safety and allowing you a chance to learn).

[KiotoQuinn]

yeah it does suck leaving people behind and saying youd rather do something else. but its kind of like breaking up with your shitty girlfriend. it sucks, it takes a while to feel better about yourself, but in the end it was the right thing to do because your happy where youre at. haha, damn, way too philosophical. do what you gotta do. he doesnt want you to leave cuz its money in the bank for him, not cuz he loves to see you or anything. do what you want to do. **** em.

[jaymackz]

Leaving a gym.........Easier said then done?.....well......i dont want to be rude or anything but i've been at my gym for only a month now..and if i leave to join this other gym for the sole benefit of doing BJJ/MT whereas my gym teaches boxing/kickboxing...do you think its right? to just walk out of there and show up whenever you want?....i really cant do both because if i do ill have to end up paying 175 at the end of the month....j/w if any of you have walked out of the gym and regret doing it vice versa...

[jaymackz]

I see tons of guys walk through those doors while were rolling, get a schedule, and never come back. I see a few guys take the free lesson, and never come back. I see a few take the lesson and sign up. Hell, I see guys come in do all of the above and stop coming. Its all in your heart. If you want it, youll do it. If youre worried about what people think, about being called a pussy because your training in BJJ and thats what you want to do than its their problem. Come back with a medal and get your respect. Fact is, do whats right for you. If your passion is kickboxing than kick the shit out of somebody. If your heart is in grappling and learning techniques that will never leave you, than choose BJJ. Try the lessons and if you can do it, do it. Follow your heart cuz if your heart isnt in this sport, you wont be one of the best. Set small goals. Try not to get tapped for a whole five minute match. Try to gain a side control. Now gain a mount. Now submit someone. Not submit that big guy. It will take time. IT isnt about anything but your passion and for me, its about being the best I can be and to learn as much as I can. I stopped worrying about my friends who watched and said "thats not for me man" or "dude sweaty guys, thats gay" and then they play two hours of shirts and skins basketball (?!?!?) You gotta try to be the best, and whatever sport you do, give it your all. Your master doesnt show you respect because he sees you lack dedication, not because you arent good. There are tons of heros that have never been champs, but there has never been a champ that never had a hero. Commit!!!

damn man....you write the most motivational/inspiring posts..i swear..and yes its all about heart just like you mentioned....i lack dedication/confidence.....i dunno..its just always been that way...whenever i get smacked on the forehead by my master for doing something wrong...i lose a shitlaod of confidence....i dunno how i can gain confidence or heart or w/e ....its something that i guess will build over time anyways, quinn..thx for the advice lol !

[KiotoQuinn]

well ...i see..i guess it is sorta rude if i just go there, complete the 1 free week trial and just leave.. lmaooo....i really just wanna see if im actually gonna enjoy BJJ....

I see tons of guys walk through those doors while were rolling, get a schedule, and never come back. I see a few guys take the free lesson, and never come back. I see a few take the lesson and sign up. Hell, I see guys come in do all of the above and stop coming. Its all in your heart. If you want it, youll do it. If youre worried about what people think, about being called a pussy because your training in BJJ and thats what you want to do than its their problem. Come back with a medal and get your respect. Fact is, do whats right for you. If your passion is kickboxing than kick the shit out of somebody. If your heart is in grappling and learning techniques that will never leave you, than choose BJJ. Try the lessons and if you can do it, do it. Follow your heart cuz if your heart isnt in this sport, you wont be one of the best. Set small goals. Try not to get tapped for a whole five minute match. Try to gain a side control. Now gain a mount. Now submit someone. Not submit that big guy. It will take time. IT isnt about anything but your passion and for me, its about being the best I can be and to learn as much as I can. I stopped worrying about my friends who watched and said "thats not for me man" or "dude sweaty guys, thats gay" and then they play two hours of shirts and skins basketball (?!?!?) You gotta try to be the best, and whatever sport you do, give it your all. Your master doesnt show you respect because he sees you lack dedication, not because you arent good. There are tons of heros that have never been champs, but there has never been a champ that never had a hero. Commit!!!

[Training]

Great post KiotoQuinn.

Today from a shoot, to the takedown, to a mount I caught a knee in the balls. I think I will pick up a cup now

[jaymackz]

Its means go train for a week, and yes they want you to join before the week is over, if not, go about your business, they arent going to chop off your head over it

well ...i see..i guess it is sorta rude if i just go there, complete the 1 free week trial and just leave.. lmaooo....i really just wanna see if im actually gonna enjoy BJJ....

[OmaPlata]

Also do you know anything about

"when they say "1 free week intro class" does it mean that they expect me to join after the 1 week is over?....cause...what if i dont like it..i just wasted their time then.."

Its means go train for a week, and yes they want you to join before the week is over, if not, go about your business, they arent going to chop off your head over it

[OmaPlata]

People wear cups in BJJ classes? lol. wtf?

[jaymackz]

Also do you know anything about

"when they say "1 free week intro class" does it mean that they expect me to join after the 1 week is over?....cause...what if i dont like it..i just wasted their time then.."

[sapatiero]

I've never worn a cup, for me the discomfort of them outweighs the tiny chance of getting a knock in the family jewels. In the last 3-4 years of training, I've only sung soprano twice, including training four times a week and tournaments. Just wear briefs or fighting shorts instead of boxers that allow you to swing low if you know what I mean...

[jaymackz]

Wow thank you for the long response quinn....i actually might go today..but yet theres is another problem...EVERY fukin time theres always a problem in my life.....my friends gonna think im a pussy and probably my master will think that way too..i quit Boxing/Kickboxing last year and just recently i have been training there for about a month....now if i leave and join BJJ....and return back to boxing/kickboxing......i dont think they'd treat me the same way they treat me they way they do now..im getting paranoid and i dont know what to do..i knew i should've learned BJJ...because in the gym that has BJJ it also comes with boxing/muaythai/greco wrestling but cost more..and i wotn have many friends there.....it sounds like so much fun....and i've always wanted to learn the armbar..but i think i dont really have much choice but too keep training boxing...and just take it later after a few months or so....

when they say "1 free week intro class" does it mean that they expect me to join after the 1 week is over?....cause...what if i dont like it..i just wasted their time then..

[KiotoQuinn]

damn.....15-20 years....without doing any activity?? i'd wouldnt even have the motivation to even take BJJ or w/e the hell it is you're doing..what made you say "you know what, i think ill take BJJ class" lmao....and im planning on buying a jock/cup for sure...i just hope it wont feel uncomfortable...i really reallllly want that shock doctor looks comfy as hell....ahhaha as for cardio....i'm fine with it...im still in highschool and i dont do any sports...other than boxing/kickboxing and i do a lot of running/swimming and HIIT...so im fit enough for BJJ (i hope)......im really nervous when it comes to new things.......and i have no confidence in myself whatsoever in anything i do....i need motivation...badly lol

BJJ is one of the few sports I have ever done that has given me true confidence. If you have the right attitude and that is "Im going to tap every time and if I dont once its a victory," than you will learn a lot. Learn from why you tap. Learn how to play defense. Everythign in BJJ is learning, it never stops because it is a relatively new sport than involves only your body. Just like basketball is the same game, they always come up with new ways to dribble, pass and dunk the ball. Same is Jiu Jitsu, we are given two legs two arms and ten fingers but there are new submission ideas all the time. As far as a cup goes, I have been training for eight months now and never used a cup in training...However, I just purchaseed one. I did this because Im gettign to the point where I am doing armbars and other movements where my junk is exposed and vulnerable to injury. It is not necessarily a shot to the goods, or any strikes. Mostly for me it is when I armbar, or when I am just simply rolling and a get a knee if the nuts when my opponent is trying to pass my guard. It happens. Most of the time it doesnt get hurt, but man, once or twice and you start to think about it, because when it hurts, and you crank that armbar and YOURE ready to tap, thats a bad thing. Get a good gi, I love ATAMA-kimonos.com stuff. Single weave or gold weave is good, double, not so necessary. If you are scared about your smile maybe get a mouthpiece but unless you have braces it isnt necessary. Get some good flip-flops, because after your gripping gis for an hour or so you wont have the dexterity to tie shoe laces. Or maybe thats just me. Get a gear bag and be ready to air dry your gi so it wont shrink. Best bet is to have two of them if yu are training twice a week, it could take a couple days to completely dry out and you dont want a smelly, wet gi now do you? Your opponents wont either. Maybe get a decent book on BJJ, I suggest "The Bible of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu" by Grand Master Francisco Mansur. He is one of only a few student under Helio Gracie himself, and the highest ranking belt in America. Hes also my schools master, but ya know. Its honestly a great book, and something to review after a training session if you wanted to look at how a move was executed. These are all unnecessary you know because the only thing you need is a gi, a place to train and someone to train with and that is what I started out with. The other stuff has just helped me to become a better athlete and BJJ practitioner. First thing is to be ready to dedicate your time, and sometimes your life to BJJ. It is one of those things that, whether you want it to or not, will take over your whole world, and hours of thinking every day. You will dream of tapping people. You will have nightmares of being tapped. You will have unique visions on moves that might work while your in class or at work, or driving. Its an addiction and it might make you spend a lot of money. But it is never a waste and you will be quite willing to spend more. It might just become your life.

[NYBJJ]

nybjj,

type 2 diabetic is why I started trying to get in to shape in the first place, if I had found this place earlier I wouldn't be in this boat. I have a 6 and a 3 year old that are good for motivation also.
Because we are close in age, how long did it take for you to start putting it together? After 3 weeks my pacing is better but I still am having trouble putting together moves (seeing and doing are to different things, where did my muscle memory go?). I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as how different positions tie into each other.

kebam

kebam

It took a few months before I started getting comfortable. And by comfortable I mean remaining calm and using technique over muscle. I'm still far from where I want to be... but I have definately improved.

I'm still shakey when I have someone in my half guard, I can sweep, but I still feel like a turtle flailing on my back. I try to do passes or just get out when rolling right now, over submissions. I feel that if I can't defend well, then I shouldn't be going for subs just yet. I have learned the subs, but try not to use them.

One of the best feeling I have had in class is when my instructor started to coach the other classmates instead of me... before he would have to coach me.