I start my first Jiu-Jitsu class on monday.

[veritas]

Originally Posted by Diode

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.

Thank you. That was a thoughtful and insightful post. I will rely my thoughts feelings after class tonight.

[Ghost1]

LMAO

A++ thread

[~RustyGunZ~]

I’ve a .500 amateur mma record

Criode is just going into his first barnyard match at 35

Slide in the PMs if you want real advice

[Diode]

Originally Posted by $chein Dolla $ign

I’ve a .500 amateur mma record

Criode is just going into his first barnyard match at 35

Slide in the PMs if you want real advice

you "fought" with headgear with a bunch of teenagers at an ammy promo in backwoods nowhereville. half you fucking turds have the footwork of a brick wall and march in upright like a goddamned mummy. you lay there like dead fish when you inevitably get shot in on and slammed on your ass. please stop with this mma record nonsense. it's about a legit as a backyard pro wrestling superstar.

anyway, the subject here is grappling, of which you have zero knowledge or ability. i've spent over 6 years 4-5 days a week on the mat teaching, drilling, and rolling while competing on and off as life allows. you stepped into a pressboard ring with a high school freshman and played pattycake once. not the same ballgame, not the same sport, not even the same fucking reality.

miss me with that nonsense and the hur hur hur i was just joking to get a rise up out of you. not even mad, just tired of your latest gimmick.

sit down.

[Amen]

Originally Posted by $chein Dolla $ign

I’ve a .500 amateur mma record

Criode is just going into his first barnyard match at 35

Slide in the PMs if you want real advice

I legit was going to tag you only because I remember you saying this as a troll - didn't expect for you to comment this shit, ROFL...

Stop CUH... Lmaoooooo

[Nick James]

Im scared to see the pm's between veritas n knuck where in which grapplin bodies is the topic

[Nick James]

#finishhim

[Ghost1]

Originally Posted by Nick James

#finishhim

that's my thing. cease and desist.

[veritas]

Originally Posted by Ghost1

that's my thing. cease and desist.

Please enlighten your cringey nephew.

[Destroyer]

Be prepared to learn how to fall for awhile
Im not attaching your abilities, I’m just pretty sure that’s taught first

[veritas]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Be prepared to learn how to fall for awhile
Im not attaching your abilities, I’m just pretty sure that’s taught first

Man lol tbh I am attacking my abilities because in this world I have none. I am legit preparing myself for a long and painful and rewarding journey. It’s nervous but exciting

[Diode]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Be prepared to learn how to fall for awhile
Im not attaching your abilities, I’m just pretty sure that’s taught first

No, that's more of a judo thing. If he's going to a gym that offers both then that's great. Otherwise, day one is typically shrimping, guard, and if a self-defense focused gym maybe technical standups.

[Amen]

Any particular reason why you have chosen jujitsu?

Do you plan to compete?

Are you doing it for health reasons? As in to "Stay in shape"?

Or just because it's kind of the norm for older Caucasians to fit in with the younger dudes doing it?

[Ghost1]

Originally Posted by Amen

Any particular reason why you have chosen jujitsu?

Do you plan to compete?

Are you doing it for health reasons? As in to "Stay in shape"?

Or just because it's kind of the norm for older Caucasians to fit in with the younger dudes doing it?

so basically the only point of this post was to say the last line.

[Amen]

Originally Posted by Ghost1

so basically the only point of this post was to say the last line.

No.

[Nick James]

aside from the obvious?

[~RustyGunZ~]

Don’t listen to criode he wants you to lose

Fuck reddit you aren’t a basic bitch are you? You’re a man, no?
You want to head over to a mirror site of the former KickAssTorrents that still has an active link to “Barry Johansson Ju Jitsu Justice 4”. Within that zip is another zip containing a file extension only usable on a Windows phone. That will tell you everything you need to know.

It’s important you read that and then revisit this post. Don’t go any further yet it’s laws apply directly to the building blocks I’m about to lay down.

1) Carbs. Eat a lot of them. And ham. You want to be your heaviest so no one can move you. Don’t fill up on greasy snacks though because you’ll have to tackle a jelly belly on top of everything else.

2) Ego. Bring it on. Get pumped. You are the MIND assassin and now it’s time to become the BODY assasin. Inflate your ego like a flat tire before a state inspection. Everything in life is a mind game. This is a big reason to not be a dime a dozen cunt like criode on reddit up voting all day. Everyone knows that stuff. You want that secret society knowledge. Use what you’ve learned to intimidate your new enemies. Segue to.....

3) Lie. Say you’re new to the area and we’re a 5th dan at your old dojo in North Dakota. Make up people with confidence you’ve manhandled. “Oh yeah, beat Gustav Pique in 9 rolls with a sidebar leg jerk back in the Morrison Era. Shit of a time.”
This will break them down to levels they thought unknown. So...

4) Also lie to yourself. Believe what they believe. Recreate bjj in your mind and put on a showcase. They can’t defend what they don’t know. Swing your arms wildly and stare at their limbs like your going to fuck them off.

This is all you need. You won’t need to stretch or breathe because you’ll never become exhausted. You’ll win in seconds flat. Sometimes without even touching your opponent. The belt is not a piece of clothe it is a trophy just like the scalps of your naysayers.

[Diode]

Originally Posted by $chein Dolla $ign

cringeworthy new gimmick

cool.

[Nick James]

bags is everything uve tried to be for the whole 5 yrs uve been postin here..

ur a delusional imposter n I refuse to let u skate by any longer

[veritas]

Originally Posted by Nick James

bags is everything uve tried to be for the whole 5 yrs uve been postin here..

ur a delusional imposter n I refuse to let u skate by any longer

Ask bags if that is true. He and I have actually developed a decent and respectful friendship in reality. Ask him if your assessment of me is true. Ask him bout me lil Nicky