BJJ: The Home Game!

Sometimes getting to the gym is just impossible. It's not an uncommon problem that all of us will face at one point or another in our Jiu Jitsu Journey; and it will happen more than once. You've undoubtedly felt the itch to be on the mats on your days off, or felt the need to get out there and go hard and leave it all out there--and that's good. But what if you get those urges but can't get to class later that day, or even later that week? Maybe you're sick, on vacation, maybe your significant other REALLY wants you to take a break (ugh), or maybe you just live in a Rebel base on the frozen plant Hoth and your gym is closed for the weather.

Working out at home isn't a new idea. Even today we can see infomercials on TV advertising the latest home workout system, product, or DVD. The idea of doing BJJ at home might seem silly, but I'm here to tell you that not only is it productive and easy to do, but also, "es normal."

First of all, you do not need a training partner to improve your Jiu Jitsu. Of course, having someone there with you will truly expand your options on techniques and what you're able to do. But not having that luxury doesn't mean you're screwed/out of options--NAY! Quite the opposite, my frien! Think about how your instructor conducts class: you have a warm-up, the stretches, line drills, and so on. There are a lot of things you can do right there to help supplement your Jiu Jitsu. Even just stretching alone will help you tremendously, as I'm sure you already know how much of a help flexibility is in Jiu Jistu. Here is a video showing some other exercises you can do at home, on your own, to keep progressing your BJJ.

It doesn't have to stop at just drills, though. Take what we JUST did RIGHT THERE for example (watching a video). Watching videos online is huge. There has never been a time when more resources are available to you at just a few keystrokes. There are a good bit of websites out there dedicated to BJJ instructional videos. Nearly every major BJJ player has their own website where you can pay a fee to learn their techniques. But even just YouTube stuff can be more than enough. Personally, I can tell you that the pay sites are worth it. I would, however, advise that you learn what YOUR Jiu Jitsu game is like before you sign up for a year of MG InAction. (Because you might not have the same game as Marcelo. You might not be the same size, body type, or aggression. Learn who best shadows your style and go from there.) But if you're on vacation, and maybe the Internet isn't an option, grab a book. We did an entire post once about BJJ Books for beginners. 

Be mindful of your diet, too. Your time off, for whatever reason it may be, can--and will--play hell on your diet. I'm not suggesting that everyone in the world that rolls BJJ is on some hardcore Gracie Diet or anything, but we can all relate to rolling on the mats after having a heavy meal and how that will really just monkey wrench your whole system when you're trying not to die. If you're going to be off the mat for awhile, do yourself a favor and be mindful of what you're putting into your body because sooner or later you're going to be back on the mat and you'll be hating yourself for that delicious double, Animal Style, from In-N-Out. Ya dig?

Strength and Conditioning, yo. Strength. And Conditioning. 

When all else fails, when you're in a hotel room, with no BJJ Gym in the area, no room to shrimp, no kitchen to eat healthy, etc. You can still do some push-ups, jog, sit-ups, jumping jacks, sit-outs, and so on. Most hotels have a dinky gym inside that you can hit up for SOMETHING (because something is better than nothing). I can relate, I've been in a Hilton with nothing more than a few ellipticals and considered myself "too manly" for that, but, on second thought, I'd rather elliptical-it-up than nothing. And the elliptical is a legit, hardcore, workout. If you're at the beach, do your BJJ drills on the beach (Remember when Rickson did it in "Choke?"). Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was (basically) born on the beaches. Pay homage, hit up the beach, do some drills, have fun.

Remember: Nothing can replace an actual class. But when an actual class is not an option, that does not mean that we have to abandon Jiu Jitsu all together. We're  BJJ players. It's in out blood. You owe it to yourself to keep your training going and mitigate the loss of your mat time as best as you can. Look, sometimes none of what we talked about is an option. But in that crazy case, then there's nothing you can do, then, hey, there's nothing you can do. But really, how often does that happen? You CAN control what you eat. You CAN control 15min a day to do some stretching. You CAN improve YOUR Jiu Jitsu even is you're not on the mats/in class. As in all things, it all depends on you.

  

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Do You Even BJJ, Bro? First Class Survival Strategy

So you've been hearing a lot about this 'Jiu Jitsu thing' and you think you want to give it a try. You figured out that it's not MMA/UFC and now you know that you're (usually) not going to get punched in the face; so you're on-board. GREAT! Welcome to the best thing you've ever decided to do. But now that you've decided to do it, and (let's just assume) you've found a gym, what can you expect in your first class and then going forward? In this post we're going to look at what a typical BJJ class is like, what to wear, and how you should conduct yourself in your first class.

If you've never been to a BJJ (or any martial arts) class before, relax. Being nervous is natural, but you'll find that the majority of your training partners are going to be very nice, kind, helpful, and excited at the chance and opportunity to share their knowledge and help with you. Your first day is a big deal, so loosen up and try to enjoy it. Make sure that you arrive to the gym early. If you haven't already, you're going to need to sign some paperwork like 'Hold Harmless' agreements and/or your membership contract. So arrive early enough that you can introduce yourself to the instructor, sign the paperwork, and get changed for class. All of that shouldn't take too much time, but I'd suggest come about 20 minutes prior to the announced class start time. That time will also allow you to get acclimated with any rules the gym may have, get a tour of the facilities,

If you don't already own a gi, that's cool; just show up in sweat pants and a t-shirt. Your school should have a loaner gi and white belt at the school for new guys to use for their first class, but don't bank on that. But most likely you'll wear your sweat pants, t-shirt, and the gi top that the school will loan you for that class. Obviously, it'll be a bad look if you need to borrow that gi top every class, so the sooner you get your own gi/belt combo, the better. Check out http://www.bjjhq.com/ for good (daily) deals on all sorts of BJJ gear--they usually sell a few gis a few times a week. But if you're training no gi, just show up in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. You'll eventually want bottoms without pockets, so get on the ball to secure those. That way your partner isn't breaking off fingers/toes in your pockets.

Once the papers are signed and your changed into your new uniform of awesomeness, it'll be time to get class going. Prior to warm ups, it'll be common for your new best friends to be hanging out on the mats waiting for class to start. Don't worry, we'll recognize you as new, but introduce yourself. You're probably going to work with a higher rank, and of about equal size, so that'll be a good place to start making friends. Just say "Hi" and smile. Soon enough warm ups will start. That will vary from school-to-school, but generally expect some form of standard calisthenics and stretching. After about 10-minutes of that, you'll move on to "Line Drills." Line Drills are your basic fundamental ground movements of Jiu Jitsu. The class will form a couple of single-file lines, then replicate the  instructed movement down the mat (SO PAY ATTENTION). Here you'll learn some basic body movement and mechanics that will help you out down the line. You can expect a handful of drills that will teach you--and your body--how to roll, fall, and wiggle out of situations all while continuing to limber up. 

After that you'll move on to the actual 'class' part of class where your instructor will teach technique. You'll partner up with someone your size; it's likely that your instructor will do that for you though, and select someone to partner up with you for the night. Once that's established, you'll watch your instructor demonstrate a technique and explain what they're doing to the other person (SO PAY ATTENTION). Generally they'll show it broadly once, go into a little more detail the second time they show it, and show it a last time more dynamically, but with less detail on the third time; then tell you to go give it a try. Your partner will usually go first since they're more experienced with everything and and help you out. Generally, you'll switch off every three repetitions. That process is called "Drilling." After some time passes, your instructor will call everyone's attention back to them where they can demonstrate another technique. The process will repeat itself from there one, or maybe two, more times that night until you learn/drill a few new moves/techniques. During the drilling process, it's important to remember to be aware of what you're doing. Try to replicate the instruction perfectly as possible, but also remember that you're just drilling and not trying to kill your partner. Also, if you're drilling any kind of submission (be it a choke, strangle, or joint lock) remember to tap out when it gets uncomfortable. You can submit and let your partner know you've had enough, and want out, by: Tapping them with your hand (anywhere (that's not too odd/weird)) on their body until they let go, Tapping on the mat with your hand or foot (make sure you do that hard, and loud), or by verbally tapping out by literally saying "TAP," which usually comes out as "taptaptaptaptap!" When any of that happens, a good training partner will recognize that and let go immediately.  After you've drilled your techniques for the night, the last 15-20 minutes of class usually consist of a sparring session that's generally called "Rolling."

Some schools will ask the new white belt to sit out the first time, watch how the roll goes, then ask them if they'd like to hop in on the second one. Some schools won't let new guys roll on the first night at all; while still others let the new guy hop right in there and go. There's no wrong approach to that, but expect to roll on your first night. Jiu Jitsu is a sport that the more you do it (mat time) and apply what you know, the better you get and the faster you get better, I won't sugar-coat this, you're going to get smashed your first time--unless you're some All-State wrestling champion or something. In most cases, your sparring partner will know you're new and won't twist you up too bad, but in that same hand, we're not doing you any favors by taking it easy on you either. A good training partner will know when to push you and when to let off. There are times when you need to turn up the intensity, times to dial it back, and times not to be intense at all. When you dial it up all the time, and use your muscles to get out, you're "spazzing." All white belts spaz, that's just how it goes. Until you know more technique than you know muscle, you're going to spaz. The goal is to use your smarts and know-how via technique to conquer and not your muscle. Think of a wolf caught in a trap: the wolf gnawing off his own let to get out is "spazzy," where if the wolf pulled out a headlamp and tool kit to disassemble the trap, that's technique. The trouble to that is, you don't have a lot of technique right now. But don't worry about that, it'll come with time. In the meantime, though, just try not to elbow anyone as you flail about, relax, learn, and try to have fun. After the rolling is over, your instructor will call an end to class where you will line up, get some encouraging words, then do a bow-out of class. If you're a new white belt, line up in the back. Don't line up in front of a higher rank, ever. Be respectful. Then, when the instructor calls the end (usually in their own personal way) everyone will bow and that will conclude class. At that point I like to go back to my training partners from the night, shake hands, say "thank you." That is also a good time to shake your instructors hand as well and thank them for their help and assistance.

You've made a great decision in starting to train Jiu Jitsu. There will be benefits upon benefits to your mind, body, and soul that you won't believe. Yours will be your own, and at the same time mirror many of ours as well. Be patient. Listen to everyone's advice. Remember to breathe. Have fun! Laugh at yourself. Be respectful. If you feel like you should bow, bow. And if worse comes to worse, just watch what everyone else does--fake it till ya make it, homies!

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