Starting BJJ

[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!!!

[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 !

[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...

[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.

[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).

[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..

[KiotoQuinn]

well at least you know what you need to work on. good luck with everything.

[OmaPlata]

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..

take BJJ also so you know you can take those guys to the ground and tap them out before they KO you, youll be glad u learned it

[NYBJJ]

take BJJ also so you know you can take those guys to the ground and tap them out before they KO you, youll be glad u learned it

Not only that.. but BJJ will definately help with your conditioning... Its like lifting weights, and cardio all in one. Plus you are learning ground work.

[jaymackz]

Not only that.. but BJJ will definately help with your conditioning... Its like lifting weights, and cardio all in one. Plus you are learning ground work.

that sounds great! haha...also..as for this "rashguard"..i recently bought an "under-armour" its a type of fabric type clothing...that supposedly wicks the sweat off of you or something when it is heat activated in whatever sport you do...whats the difference and where can i buy it at a retail store?

[cakegirl]

I don't know about underarmour, because I've never seen it, but a rashguard can be bought at any surfing/swimming type store. It's basically a long-sleeved shirt made out of swimmers material. It's called a rashguard because it stops surfers getting a rash on their chest/inner biceps when paddling a surfboard, but it's perfect for BJJ - if you wear it under your gi, you won't get a rash from having the gi pressed and twisted against your skin, and for no-gi, it makes you slippery and difficult to grab.

[sapatiero]

Also reduces the chances of picking up/spreading ringworm or impetigo etc.

[cakegirl]

Hm, yes, which is also true and very important!

[jaymackz]

Is it a smart idea to get a tight fit..or a loose fit...and getting ringworm from bjj seems a little odd....

[grappler-jordan]

I would recommend tight fit, and Under Armour shirts work GREAT for grappling, however, if you don't want to dish out the $40 for one, go down to walmart or target and get the generic Champion tight fit shirt... it is the same material, same construction and mine has lasted me well over 300 hours on the mat for only $10.... can't beat that....