Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the fastest growing martial arts in the world, and for good reason- it is effective. It is considered by many to be one of the most effective and realistic martial art in real-life combat situations.
Going to your first BJJ class may seem daunting at first, but fret not, this article will help prepare you for your first foray into the gentle art.
Aside from the lessons themselves, an average BJJ class will have different components:
For a gi class, you should ask your academy if they have a required gi uniform first. Some academies require that you purchase the gi from them directly, while others do not.
Aside from the gi, a shirt or rash guard for men, or a sports bra and/or rash guard for women, is normally required to be worn underneath the gi for hygienic purposes.
For no gi classes, a shirt or rash guard is worn for both men and women. Board shorts, MMA shorts or spats are also required.
There are some things that you are not allowed to wear or bring to the mats:
It may be more convenient to wear flip flops or easy-to-remove shoes to BJJ as there will be a strict “no shoe policy” on the mats.
Since BJJ is a close contact sport, proper hygiene should be given the utmost importance. Below are some things that you need to remember to do before and during BJJ class.
Before class:
After class, make sure that you take a shower. Wash your gi as soon as possible, and never wear the same gi if you are planning to do another session on the same day.
Jiu-Jitsu is basically fighting on the ground. The goal is to get to a dominant position and apply a submission.
There are plenty of rules in BJJ, and there are also certain techniques or positions that are forbidden.
As a beginner, you only need to concern yourself with these:
Sparring or “rolling” can be quite confusing at first, but you will usually get the hang of it after a few rounds. There are some academies that let their students roll on their first day of class. A round is usually 5-7 minutes long and, for beginners, will start with both practitioners kneeling down. The goal is to get into a dominant position and look for a submission. If you are not familiar with submissions, then your goal is to just get to the most dominant position you can reach, usually the mount or rear mount, and maintain it.
The JJI is amazing place to train if you’re looking for a friendly and knowledgeable place to practice Jiu Jitsu. The Instructor and higher belts know what they’re teaching and go at a moderate pace for all levels. Between the dynamic class hours to the well cleaned gym floors, I can’t think of a single reason as to why I would want to train somewhere else.
Excellent instruction and atmosphere. Gil is an excellent instructor with a great deal of training in the art from the Mendes Brothers at Art of Jiu Jitsu. He makes everyone feel welcome. Robert Taylor does an excellent job with the kids program, creating a positive and fun learning environment that encourages growth and learning. If you are looking for something new for your kids or you are considering something new for yourself, come check it out!
The JJI is amazing place to train if you’re looking for a friendly and knowledgeable place to practice Jiu Jitsu. The Instructor and higher belts know what they’re teaching and go at a moderate pace for all levels. Between the dynamic class hours to the well cleaned gym floors, I can’t think of a single reason as to why I would want to train somewhere else.