Quote:
Originally Posted by veritas
Yes please I do.
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first and foremost, pay a visit to the bjj subreddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/
Leverage the sidebar for a lot of really good posts but there also isn't a day that goes by without someone making a thread about starting/thinking about starting for the first time and asking a lot of the same questions you currently have.
Some initial thoughts I usually provide that you'll also find replicated above. Most will take several months if not years to get a handle on.
1) Breathe. This will be difficult for quite some time, but when you find yourself getting frustrated or feel a bit out of control/helpless/etc, just breathe. Controlling your breathing and physical output is one of the hardest yet most important things to do. You'll marvel at both giant behemoths and tiny gymnasts having seemingly unlimited gas tanks rolling with you nearly to the point of effortlessness. This can be demoralizing but just know that all they are doing (aside from having spent far more time at this than you) is controlling their breathing and timing.
2) Ego. You have a good handle on this concept so I won't lecture you. It's a rare person that feels nothing when being physically manhandled by what perceptually is a less capable individual. Just remember at all times that this is not the beginning and ending of your world, your self, and your worth. It's pajama or pajama-less wrasslin. Nobody cares how many times you get submitted (and you will) or by whom. None of it really matters. You're there for the mental and physical workout. If you're getting caught in the same situation time and time again (and you will), think of it as a challenge. You are never competing against your training partners, only yourself. When the day is done ask yourself if you're better than you were yesterday - and if not, what can you do to improve it? This is the real lesson. Try not to get caught up in your ego. I promise that you nor anyone is going to walk in day one and become BJ Penn overnight. Tap early, tap often.
3) Stretch. Especially at our age, stretching and mobility exercises are vital to prevent injury. Those joints and ligaments aren't the same elastic pieces they used to be. Stretch before and, if possible, after every training session. Your body will thank you later.
4) Listen. YouTube and Social Media are a gift and a curse to the beginner. You get a sneak preview at all the cool, superhuman movements your body will
eventually be capable of making if you put in enough time. However, these are massive distractions against what you need to focus on for the time being: the basics. Passing guard, retaining guard, standup takedowns and defenses (if applicable), side control, mount, and especially posture need to be your vocabulary along with defense in your first year or two. Berimbolos and iminari rolls are sweet looking techniques but that's all they should be for now. Learning good fundamentals will ensure you have a path to success when the flashy movements go out the window as you get better at this (Miyao-types excepted).
5) Patience. A belt is just a piece of cloth that keeps your gi on. See #2 - you aren't going to become a black belt overnight. Average term is 10 years. There will be ruts and funks that last for months or even longer. It's part of the process of any sport, not just BJJ. As long as you keep showing up, you will improve. There are no shortcuts. Keep your head in the game and have fun. Unlike most legitimate martial arts, grappling can be done well into old age if you're smart and patient about it. Helio was still doing seminars into his 90s.
6) Drama. Avoid gym politics, cult mentality, bruised egos, and all of the other things that come with a crowded room of competitive human beings. You'll make great, possibly lifelong friends with your training partners and need to know where the line is. I've seen entire gyms torn apart because of infidelity, insecurity, and jealousy. Don't be part of that scene.
That's it off the top. If you have specific questions I'll be happy to answer.