It might be unsettling to walk into your first jiu-jitsu lesson. Your first class may feel just like this: unfamiliar. A different tempo of movement, fresh space, and new manners.
Starting Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) involves doing it. A reputable training institution is aware of this and works to assist its students in getting settled as quickly as possible so they feel secure, at ease, and ready to start.
This post talks about many things to anticipate in your first BJJ lesson for beginners.
The Very First Impression in
BJJ Tacoma First Class
BJJ Training With Experts
- Spending a lot of money on a pricey outfit is not necessary at this point. Different training facilities will have different regulations. For the first session in most schools, a simple t-shirt and sports shorts without pockets or zippers are adequate.
- Both your instructor and our reception staff will provide a warm greeting to you when you arrive. You’ll see that enormous soft mats surround the training area. That serves as a classroom and a canvas.
- Additionally, you’ll notice that folks bow when they enter or exit the mats. That is a tiny gesture toward each other and the area where we study. This custom enables us to close the door to the outer world.
- Be aware of what you’re getting into! Even a small understanding of Jiu-Jitsu is quite beneficial. To ensure that your expectations match what is really offered, take five minutes to conduct a little Google search.
- Give yourself an additional ten to fifteen minutes before class starts, sign the disclaimer, change, and say hello to your teacher and other students.
- Your first class won’t require a gi, but you should wear a shirt with sleeves, either long or short. We are on the ground a lot of the time. Additionally, the substance of the mats and the motions of Jiu-Jitsu can cause an annoying case of mat burn. You can wear spandex tights, joggers, or shorts.
- Make sure your equipment is clean. The funk is intolerable because this is a close-contact sport. Additionally, keep your fingernails short to prevent unintentional scratching.
- Although most BJJ schools have a more laid-back vibe than other martial arts, fundamental manners and discipline are still highly prized. Please refrain from using foul language and treat everyone with respect.
The First Class’s Format
The Warm-Up
A teacher leads a warm-up before the lesson begins. This is your first encounter with the BJJ movement, as well as a way to start the circulation. A hip escape exercise, forward and backward rolls, and the fundamentals of crawling will all be practiced.
Technique of the Day
The instructor will give the order for the class to stand up after we have warmed up. Here is where we pick up knowledge. One or two simple methods will be demonstrated by your instructor. It might teach a fundamental posture like the “guard,” a straightforward release, or how to tie your belt correctly for a beginner’s class.
The instructor will walk through the exercise step-by-step. They will explain each step’s “why” in addition to its “how.” You will then practice in couples after that. Most of the time, your practice partner will be a fellow novice student who understands what it’s like to be new. They are there to support you, not to outdo you. Repetition should be done slowly and deliberately at this point. But if you’re not sure, you should ask questions.
Live Practice
Live practice often takes up the last portion of the lesson. Although it seems intimidating, this is really controllable for novices. You will start in a starting position, such as on your knees, according to your teacher. The goal is to try to apply what you have just learnt, not to win.
You could be paired with a student who is more advanced. They are there to protect and teach you, so don’t worry. They are able to keep up with your speed and intensity. It’s a unique feeling to roll for the first time. It resembles a physical game of chess. Five minutes of rolling will teach you more than a week of watching without rolling. This is where you learn, so it’s okay to get lost.
We feel it’s crucial to start with a solid foundation in Jiu-Jitsu so that when you have the chance to practice with more resistance, you are prepared to do so with deliberate and precise motions (and not damage yourself or your training partner).
What You Feel
You will feel a variety of feelings, such as a sense of belonging, physical exhaustion, and brain overload. New motions and information will be intensively processed by your mind. Naturally, you would believe that as soon as you learn anything, you will forget it all.
After the Last Bow
In order to foster a positive relationship, we thank the training partner after class and help clean the mats. Being excellent is not the goal of your first class. It’s about trying something new in a secure environment. It’s not necessary to be at the top of your physical game or anything.
Conclusion
Many people who have never engaged in grappling feel completely unfamiliar with BJJ. Although you may have witnessed grappling in the UFC or heard friends talk about how much they like Jiu-Jitsu, actually enrolling in a class may be both thrilling and intimidating.
After your first BJJ class, feel free to speak to other students and ask questions. To help you enjoy your first Jiu-Jitsu lesson, I hope this post gives you a clear idea of what to expect!
