How BJJ Works

When you first begin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you may not understand what exactly a match, rolling, or sparring is. What is the difference? How do you start? How hard should you go? It seems simple enough, but there are a few nuances that will help you get the bigger picture. In this podcast episode, we will talk about: Understand the context of the roll. Establish how to start the match. Touch hands (or don’t) and begin the match. https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/10/25/bjj-matches-context-starting-and-sparring-info

The bottom line is that you should train both Gi and No Gi--if you can. There are advantages and disadvantages that come with each style, and each will make you a better grappler. For the most part, you shouldn’t commit yourself entirely to one style vs. the other, and the people who do this are only limiting their growth (more on this later). In this podcast, we will cover: Don’t Overthink Training Gi vs. No Gi Why You Should Train in the Gi Why You Should Train No Gi When You Should Train Only Gi or Only No Gi Bonus Tips for Gi and No Gi https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/9/12/should-you-train-gi-or-no-gi

When you first start training, you will probably learn individual techniques without the context of how you arrive to that point. This is done to keep things simple, and it’s an effective way to teach newcomers. For example, if you are learning an armbar, you start in an armbar position, with the arm captured and full control of the opponent. You probably learn sweeps the same way. However, you’ve probably found that it’s hard to hit these sweep when sparring, especially against a larger opponent. Why is that? Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Sweeps can work on anyone, but know the limits and what it takes to create a successful sweep. OPPONENT: HOW GOOD ARE THEY AT BJJ? ABILITY: HOW GOOD ARE YOU AT BJJ? SETUP: DON’T TRY TO FORCE IT. TIMING: DON’T WAIT TOO LONG. EXECUTION: DON’T HALF-ASS IT. General training tips that will help with BJJ sweeps. PICK A FEW SWEEPS THAT YOU LIKE AND FOCUS ON THEM. YOU NEED TO PRACTICE SWEEPS TO GET GOOD AT THEM. DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL OR GET YOUR GUARD PASSED. KEEP WORKING ON IT; YOU’LL GET THERE ONE DAY. UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROCESS NEVER ENDS. Advanced: Counter-techniques and how to deal with them. KNOW WHEN A TECHNIQUE IS COUNTERED. HOW TO DEAL WITH A COUNTER TO YOUR TECHNIQUE. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR IMPROVEMENT. Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/10/11/bjj-sweeps-and-do-they-work-on-bigger-people

At the simplest level, a frame is a part of your body that is used to create and maintain space. To take it one step further, a good frame is a part of your body that relies more on the bone structure of your body than it does muscular strength. The Basics of Frames A DEFENSIVE CONTEXT USE YOUR BONE STRUCTURE CONTROL THE MOVEMENT  How Frames are Used FRAMES USE STRUCTURE TO CREATE SPACE ONCE YOU’VE CREATED SPACE, DON’T GIVE IT BACK USE THE SPACE YOU CREATED TO MOVE OR ESCAPE DON’T DO NOTHING WITH YOUR FRAMES  Details of a Successful Frame GETTING THE FRAME IS HARD WORK USE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR BODY DON’T WORK HARD, WORK SMART KEEP MOVING AT ALL TIMES USE YOUR FRAMES TO ESCAPE Why are Frames so Difficult to Learn? Why it’s Hard to Escape Even After Getting Frames ARE YOU AFRAID TO RISK AN ESCAPE? HAVE YOU NOT LEARNED ANY ESCAPES? Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/9/5/what-are-frames-and-how-do-they-work-in-bjj

If you are thinking about starting a martial art like jiu jitsu, you might be asking yourself, “Can Brazilian Jiu Jitsu help me lose weight?” Many people have lost weight simply by joining a BJJ gym, even when they didn’t follow a dietary plan. Does that mean Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can help you lose weight? Well, sort of. Though it is not a cure-all weight loss solution, it can help immensely, and it comes down to a few different reasons. Before we get started, understand that diet can be a complicated topic. It is important to note that I am not a doctor, and you shouldn’t accept this as medical advice. If you are thinking about starting BJJ, you should consult your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough. If your doctor has given you the go ahead, here are some reasons why doing BJJ can help you lose weight. 1. You’ll Burn More Calories From the Increased Activity 2. You’ll Spend Less Time Eating and Drinking or Going Out 3. You’ll Only Have the Energy for Work and Training 4. You’ll be Around Healthy People who Will Influence You 5. You’ll Feel Better and Want to Keep Getting Healthier Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/28/5-reasons-why-bjj-can-help-you-lose-weight

What to Expect After you Start BJJ The following days after your first BJJ class might be an interesting mix of soreness and excitement. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, drinking a lot of fluids, and getting in some stretching when you can. You will also probably be feeling excited about this new romance with BJJ. Do your best to not shout your love from the rooftops. Good luck. You Will be Excited About BJJ You Will be Exhausted all the Time Your Body Will Hurt all Over Read the blog post (Part 6): https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/30/what-to-expect-after-you-start-bjj Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Your Personal Life You will probably get addicted to this sport, and you will likely never shut up about great BJJ is to your friends and family. This is only kind of a joke. In reality, this happens quite frequently. It really goes to show how much of a positive impact this sport can have on people’s lives. Just keep in mind that from the outsiders perspective, it may look closer to a cult than enlightenment. The tone of this section is going to border on snark, but you need to hear the truth. Friends Family Significant Other Work Read the blog post (Part 7): https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/31/how-bjj-will-affect-your-personal-life

Doing anything for the first time can be daunting, and it can be nice to know what to expect ahead of time. Not all gyms are going to be the same, and so the following advice will not always apply. However, this guide should still provide a general idea of how your first day of BJJ will go, as well as some recommendations for how you might want to prepare. Pre-Class BJJ Hygiene TAKE A SHOWER  WEAR DEODORANT BRUSH, FLOSS, AND USE MOUTHWASH Arrive Early to Your First BJJ Class ARRIVE EARLY AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF SHOW UP IN REGULAR CLOTHES AND SHOES WEAR FLIP-FLOPS WHEN APPROPRIATE Why you Should Wear Flip-Flops DON’T WEAR SHOES OR FLIP-FLOPS ON THE MATS WRESTLING SHOES MAY BE ALLOWED ON THE MATS Changing Into Your BJJ Uniform GETTING DRESSED IN THE CHANGING ROOM SECURING VALUABLES AND PERSONAL ITEMS WHAT TO DO IF YOU FORGOT SOMETHING GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME What the Average BJJ Class Looks Like WARMING UP TECHNIQUE AND DRILLING ROLLING AND SPARRING Staying After the BJJ Class is Over ROLLING OPEN MAT STRETCHING TALKING Post-Class BJJ Hygiene SHOWER QUICKLY WEAR YOUR CLOTHES PUT DIRTY GI IN BAG WASH YOUR GI Post-Class Recovery and Rest BE CAREFUL ON DRIVE HOME EAT SLEEP Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/29/what-to-expect-at-your-first-bjj-class

If you stick with BJJ long enough, you’ll realize that you spend nearly as much time doing laundry and organizing your workout gear as you do actually training. It is not necessary for you to purchase every item on the following list when you first start BJJ, but you will likely find that each component becomes necessary as time goes on. 1. Gym Bags 2. Footwear 3. Hydration 4. Body Hygiene 5. Oral Hygiene 6. BJJ Uniform: Gi 7. BJJ Uniform: No Gi Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/27/the-gear-you-need-to-get-started-in-bjj

You asked questions, did your research, and picked a gym to sign up at. Congratulations! This is a great first step, and you should be feeling excited to go to your first class. Before you can jump on the mats, though, there are a number of things you will need to do. 1. Call Ahead Before you Show up to Sign 2. Arrive Early if you are Signing up Before Class 3. Signing a Waiver is Standard Practice 4. Try one or More Free Classes Before Signing a Contract 5. Look out for Surprise Fees When Signing Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/24/how-signing-a-contract-at-your-bjj-gym-works

There are a number of important factors that go into picking a good gym, though not all of them will apply to your specific search. If you find yourself overwhelmed by this list, keep in mind that you don’t need to know the answer to every question. The purpose of this list is to get you thinking before you jump into a situation that is not right for you. Read through the questions, make note of what seems important to you, and take the time to think about questions you may not have considered. The following list is categorized by a mixture of priority and difficulty; you may not know the answer to some questions until you've spent time training at the gym. If you aren’t interested in getting granular when picking a gym, then just take a look at the first few items in the priority list. If you are the kind of person that wants to be as prepared as possible, then read each question, and try to think of additional questions that may have been missing from this list. #11 - Is the Neighborhood Safe? #12 - What are People Saying? #13 - What are the Facilities Like? #14 - Do They Have an Online Presence? #15 - How Does the gym Track Membership? Read the blog post at:https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/19/ask-15-questions-before-signing-bjj-gym-contract

There are a number of important factors that go into picking a good gym, though not all of them will apply to your specific search. If you find yourself overwhelmed by this list, keep in mind that you don’t need to know the answer to every question. The purpose of this list is to get you thinking before you jump into a situation that is not right for you. Read through the questions, make note of what seems important to you, and take the time to think about questions you may not have considered. The following list is categorized by a mixture of priority and difficulty; you may not know the answer to some questions until you've spent time training at the gym. If you aren’t interested in getting granular when picking a gym, then just take a look at the first few items in the priority list. If you are the kind of person that wants to be as prepared as possible, then read each question, and try to think of additional questions that may have been missing from this list. #6 - Are Specific Uniforms Required? #7 - Do Students and Instructors Compete? #8 - Is Cross Training Allowed? #9 - What is Their Schedule? #10 - How Difficult is the Commute? Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/19/ask-15-questions-before-signing-bjj-gym-contract

There are a number of important factors that go into picking a good gym, though not all of them will apply to your specific search. If you find yourself overwhelmed by this list, keep in mind that you don’t need to know the answer to every question. The purpose of this list is to get you thinking before you jump into a situation that is not right for you. Read through the questions, make note of what seems important to you, and take the time to think about questions you may not have considered. The following list is categorized by a mixture of priority and difficulty; you may not know the answer to some questions until you've spent time training at the gym. If you aren’t interested in getting granular when picking a gym, then just take a look at the first few items in the priority list. If you are the kind of person that wants to be as prepared as possible, then read each question, and try to think of additional questions that may have been missing from this list. #1 - Is the gym Beginner Friendly? #2 - Are There Female Members? #3 - How Much Money Will it Cost? #4 - What are the People Like? #5 - What Kind of Contracts do They Offer? Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/19/ask-15-questions-before-signing-bjj-gym-contract

When BJJ first started gaining traction in the US, practitioners would drive hours just to learn from a blue belt. Nowadays, finding a BJJ gym that is both near you and offers black belt instruction is easier than ever. You may still have to do some driving if you live in a rural area, but you may be surprised by how far you’re willing to drive once you get started. For those living in or around a city, you should have multiple gyms to choose from. 1. Search for “bjj near me” in Google Maps or Bing Maps 2. Search for “bjj + your city + your state” in Your Favorite Search Engine 3. Look for a Website With Images, Location, and Schedule 4. Look for Current Reviews and Testimonials Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/19/how-to-find-a-local-bjj-gym

Within the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), a “position” refers to the bodily arrangement or placement of two grapplers. Each position comes with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. While there are a handful of generally accepted basic positions, not all practitioners agree on what to call them or which are the best. Additionally, new positions are being created and expanded upon all the time. Naming Conventions Positional Hierarchy POSITIONS IN THE TOP-LEVEL HIERARCHY POSITIONS BEYOND THE TOP-LEVEL HIERARCHY Top and Bottom Positions TOP POSITION ADVANTAGE BOTTOM POSITION ADVANTAGE WHEN TO CONCEDE TOP POSITION Position Before Submission Positional Tactics and Strategy Positional Changes TRANSITIONS REVERSALS SCRAMBLES ESCAPES Developing a Game Continued Learning Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/6/how-positions-work-in-bjj

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, “rolling” is an all-encompassing term for sparring or drilling at varying degrees of intensity. BJJ practitioners may specify the degree of intensity by using a qualifier such as flow rolling (a low degree of intensity) or hard rolling (a high degree of intensity). When someone says, “Let’s roll,” it’s similar to a wrestler saying, “Let’s wrestle.” In this way, rolling can be similar to wrestling, sparring, playing, or horsing around with a friend. The degree to which both parties will exert force probably depends on the context of the situation, such as a warm-up roll before drilling or hard rolling to prepare for a competition). Additionally, other factors may come into play, such as your familiarity of your training partner or gym, such as someone you just met as opposed to a lifelong training partner. Rolling to get Warm FLOW ROLLING POSITIONAL ROLLING Rolling to Submission LIVE ROLLING HARD ROLLING COMPETITIVE ROLLING Rolling Partners PICKING A PARTNER BEING PAIRED WITH A PARTNER DECLINING A ROLL Awkward or Inappropriate Situations ROLLING WITH ANOTHER GENDER HOW TO ADDRESS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR Safety and Discomfort STOP IF YOU FEEL UNSAFE DISCOMFORT CAN BE FINE Rolling Gi vs. No Gi Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/7/29/how-rolling-works-in-bjj