Jiu Jitsu can often be overwhelming and difficult for people who just started training. They need guidance so that they can improve as fighters and enjoy training. It's with that in mind that I have come up with my top 5 Jiu Jitsu tips.
1.) Don't Rely on Strength:
alot of people, when they start, rely too much on strength. What they don't realize is that strength alone isnt enough. You need technique. If you use technique and strength together, that can be an effective combo but you need technique behind it. Strength alone isn't going to get you far. Jiu Jitsu is mainly about flow
2.) Relax and think:
When people start Jiu Jitsu, they don't know what to do in certain positions. The second they get stuck, they start panicking and flailing there bodies around as way to try to get out. This isnt good because you open yourself up to more attacks. With any form of striking martial arts there is technique but you also have a little bit of room to get away with random strikes as well so long as it hits and has power behind it. With Jiu Jitsu, doing random movements to try and get out of certain things is not going to help you. Jiu Jitsu is like chess. Every move you make has to be precise and has to have intent behind it. How you move during fights determines how well you will do In them. I know that getting mounted or attacked can be overwhelming, especially in the beginning, but don't just roll around. Take a minute. Relax. Breathe. Analyze the position you are in. Simulate certain things in your head, certain movements you could do and how it could fail and then work around those short comings. Unlike most martial arts, Jiu Jitsu is very methodical. Also be comfortable getting submitted because that's how you learn. Let's say someone constantly gets you in an arm bar. Remember what that looks like and what it feels like. If you learn to memorize peoples paterns and movements in certain moves you will be able to detect an attack before hand and be able to defend better. Developing that 6th Sense can take a while but be patient and it will come to you. It took a while for me but once it came, I was not only fighting better but also became hyper aware to certain attacks from my opponents and was able to move my body in ways to avoid my opponents attacks.
3.) Be Curious and Experiment:
I know I said that Jiu jitsu is methodical and you shouldn't just do random things, but don't be afraid to Experiment either. Look up Jiu jitsu videos online and if you see a submission or move you really like, make note of it and ask your teacher about. Experiment with different moves to see what works for you and what doesn't. That way you slowly build up a solid Jiu jitsu game for yourself. You learn through trial and error.Also Never be afraid to ask your teacher for help. He or she is there for you. Take advantage of there knowledge and experience and it will benefit you.
4.) Identify your weak points:
In order to grow in Jiu jitsu , You need to examine how you fight, identify and make note of all your weak points and work on sharpening that part of your jiu jitsu game. What better way to do that then to,again, talk to your teacher about it and ask what they also think you could improve on and then ask them for help improving those holes in your game. For me personally, I have a very crappy bottom game, so what do I do? I ask my teacher if he and I can have a three minute fight where I start from the bottom and he attacks me while I defend. It's a bit trial by fire but it personally helps me.
5.) Be Consistent:
Whether you train once a week, twice a week,3 times a week etc. Be consistent. Have a consistent schedule so that you can improve and learn effectively. Being consistent is also beneficial because ,over time, your body will get used to and become well accustomed to the physicality of Jiu Jitsu. At first you'll go home with your body feeling very sore but overtime your body will adapt to the sport and the soreness will fade.
