Most common worry about starting BJJ training

One common, probably the most common, worry I get from people who are trying out their first class or who are thinking about trying their first class, is that they don’t want to “get in the way.” These people are fully aware of how green they are and don’t want to impede someone else’s progress. Maybe this is you? Maybe you want to attend a BJJ class but you feel too intimidated. You want to train but you’re worried that you’re just too new and that you’ll slow down the class or bother people. I’ll tell you what I tell people that come into the gym with these same worries.

We were all new at some point

First off, don’t worry so much. We were all new at some point. We all sucked, it’s just how it is. No one starts off as an expert. If they did, I wouldn’t have a job. Some people have a natural disposition towards BJJ and athletics while others don’t, this is true, but EVERYONE was awkward and untrained at some point. You can use me as an example. I had wrestled in high school and had some grappling experience but I was still terrible when I first started Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Watching me perform a hip escape/ shrimp was pretty comical. If during my initial training, a higher belt had not taken the time to help me I would not be where I am today. So when I see newcomers I don’t cringe in irritation. Instead I get excited because it’s a chance for me to pay it forward to someone else. It’s my chance to help someone out just like others helped me in the beginning. This is also the way I encourage my trained students to view the opportunity. Just as someone at some point took a little time to help them out along the way; this is their chance to help someone out.

Pairing up with beginners can be a good thing for training

Let me also explain an added benefit that a skilled practitioner gains from helping out a newbie. This will help combat the feeling of you destroying their training for the day because you need a little extra assistance. This benefit I believe is that it helps them dissect and better understand the techniques. Being able to mimic someone else’s movements is far easier than being able to explain what you’re doing, break it down and make it consumable for others. Ask any blue or purple belt who’s been asked to teach a couple techniques for a beginner class. So maybe you as the newcomer view your lack of experience as an impediment to a higher ranking student’s progress. In reality though, it’s a chance for them to understand the techniques they are using even better, improving their understanding of BJJ.

Message to the higher belts

If you are reading this post and you are a higher belt who shies away from helping the new guys, maybe you should reconsider. Yes I know that sometimes you’re in the gym to drill hard and kill it. Perhaps a competition is right around the corner and you need those rough rolls to get ready. I understand that completely. But don’t forget that at some point you were a new person who felt awkward and out of place and were assisted by someone who was better than you. Someone took a moment from their training to give you advice or helpful critiques. They’re part of the reason why you’ve come to reach the point that you find yourself at now. Help the new guys on their journey.

Message to the new guys

If you’re reading this and you are someone who is either very new to BJJ or maybe you have not attended a class and you’re worried about dragging everyone else down. Please erase these worries from your thinking as they are irrational and unnecessary. I know it can be uncomfortable starting something new but remember no one starts off as a black belt. You might even be a little more awkward or less athletic than the average joe, but believe me, some of my best students now, were the absolute WORST when they first began their training. But they kept training and have since amazed me. The important thing to remember is that getting better at BJJ is not a secret, nor is it determined by how good you are in the beginning. Simply put, it’s hard work over a long duration of time. So, just come in the gym and train. I promise you’ll be just fine and you’ll more than likely be pleasantly surprised at how welcoming and willing many of the advanced students are to helping beginners.

As always, thanks for reading!

Chewy