Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an interesting type of martial art, using leverage, techniques, and ground fighting to defeat opponents who may be bigger and stronger than you are. Like anything in life, learning martial arts can be a challenging and daunting process, and it is not easy to gauge if you are improving at a decent pace. But is BJJ hard for beginners?
Initially, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (AKA BJJ) is a martial art designed for anyone to learn, regardless of weight, size, or fitness level. Because there are no prerequisites, BJJ is not hard to learn. However, it has a steep learning curve, which will be challenging initially; and if you adopt a beginner’s mind, you will get good at it.
Read on to find out quick and easy tips to help you take your BJJ practice to the next level. If you wonder if karate can help you get in shape, I wrote a whole article where I share the 16 Best Ways Karate Will Help You Get In Shape.
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Is BJJ Hard For Beginners?
Generally, in every class, the instructor teaches a new technique, allows the students time to practice, and then moves on to another technique in the next class, putting the responsibility on you as the student to practice these techniques between classes and get better.
BJJ is not physically hard to learn, but if you want to improve your technique, you will need to put in a lot of work and dedication.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a grappling combat sport, and the main goal is a submission of the opponent. And BJJ is not meant to be hard to learn because there are no prerequisites to practicing BJJ.
In addition, you do not need to rely on physical strength. However, mastering BJJ requires a lot of patience, discipline, and hard work.
7 Best Tips On Getting Good at BJJ
Below are my 7 best tips on getting good at BJJ and getting in shape faster
1- Train at least 2 to 4 times per week
Practice time is essential, and you should aim to train at least 2 to 4 times per week to get better. Acquiring complex skills, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, requires many sessions of practice per week.
The knowledge and movement patterns will fade from your memory if you never consolidate them in your muscle memory.
Some people watch videos to study techniques, work out, and strength train, but can you learn to swim without getting into the water? There is really no substitute for practicing and sweating on the mat wearing your gi.
It takes a few months to get a fair understanding of jiu-jitsu, including a sweep, armbar, passes, and choke look. But, connecting all this will take years of dedicated practice.
2- Consistency
Mastering anything in life requires endless hours of practice and dedication. If you are inconsistent, your progress will be slow.
In addition, being consistent will help you quickly learn and practice new techniques from your instructor while giving your body a break it needs to recover.
It is also essential to train with an instructor to receive feedback on your forms and techniques.
3- Join Open Mat Classes
With open-mat classes, you will learn new techniques in a live grappling situation. Rolling with different and more experienced students will allow you to learn new techniques.
It is also important to roll with less experienced people than you, allowing them to learn and explain your techniques to others, which helps solidify your technical knowledge. You might also enjoy reading: Crossfit Vs. Gym: Which One Should You Choose?
4- Find A Learning Style That Suits You
We all learn in different ways, and finding the learning style that suits you will help you learn BJJ faster.
In addition, finding the learning style that suits you will allow you to learn faster or even supplement your in-class instruction with materials that enable you to learn the techniques quicker and more efficiently.
5- Supplement Your Class With Self Study
Self-directed learning is fundamental to taking your BJJ level to the next level. You can watch instructional videos to expose yourself to different techniques or strengthen your understanding of techniques learned in class.
In addition, you can break down BJJ matches to help you identify effective techniques on the mat. Learning techniques from world-class BJJ competitors is an excellent way to learn BJJ quickly.
6- Improve Your Physical Conditioning
Regularly going to BJJ classes will dramatically develop your general fitness. Even though developing strength is not crucial in building your jiu-jitsu skills, you will need high physical endurance to perform at your best.
It is not easy to accurately execute your coordinated motor movements and maintain your technique when tired. And the truth is that you need to develop cardiovascular endurance, muscles, and strength to perform at your best.
The combination of high, moderate, and low-intensity actions during a BJJ match requires a high level of conditioning to perform better, found a study.
According to a study, muscle power and maximum muscle strength are essential elements for carrying out attacks, counterattacks, and defenses during a match.
See also: How To Start Endurance Training For Beginners? (Here’s How!)
7- Train with Higher Ranks
If you are a beginner, do not be afraid to call out a higher rank to drill with or to roll with after class. If you practice with a higher rank practitioner using 100% of your energy, they will reciprocate and kick your butt.
If you want to learn from higher-ranking practitioners, go at them at a slow pace to learn from their movements and ask them a question after your practice.
After your drills, you can ask your opponents the following questions:
- How do they sweep you?
- Why did your pass or submission attempt fail?
- What steps can you take to do better next time?
How Long Does It Take To Get Good at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
On average, it takes about 6 to 10 years to get good at Jiu-Jitsu, which will not necessarily lead you to get a black belt in BJJ.
Additionally, it will take you about a good year until you stop getting constantly bitten up. As you practice, you will not have some giant epiphany and suddenly realize that you are getting better. You will slowly realize that you are getting better gradually.
As a newbie, your primary goal is to survive during grappling sessions. If you roll with someone that generally taps you out quickly, if you last a minute a little longer with them in the next roll, then you have improved.
See also: Top 6 Best CrossFit Gloves For You!
Tips for Beginner to BJJ:
- Learn one solid guard break and pass; work on mastering that pass hard.
- Learn one solid sweep from guard.
- Learn one solid submission from the guard
- Learn how to do an armbar from mount
- Learn how to do a rear-naked choke
- Learn how to do an Americana from side control
- Learn a mount escape
- Learn a side control escape
- Learn how not to get your collar choked by the guard.
- Learn how not to get triangled as much.
Wrapping Up
Overall, BJJ is not very hard to learn, but to get good at BJJ, you will need a lot of patience, persistence, and positivity.
At the beginner, it is going to be hard, and you will not feel like you are learning something, but if you persevere and pass that period, you will be able to enjoy BJJ and reap all the amazing benefits it offers.
