Whether you are a white-belt just starting out in 2018 or have been practicing BJJ for many years now, it doesn’t matter. We all should read these 10 tips in order to get the most out of our BJJ training and make sure we’re up to speed in the future.

1. Trust and be trustworthy.

NEVER hold a sub past the tap-out. When in doubt as to whether your training partner has tapped, let go—better safe than sorry. By striving to be a more reliable training partner and trust your teammates and coaches, the environment becomes a safer and more pleasant place in which to learn. If you’re not having fun, none of it makes any sense. BJJ is something you carry with you for the rest of your life. Each stage should be great; after all, the art is the most wonderful addiction you could possibly have.

2. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is done in a gi.

As much as no-gi is a sport in its own right, make sure to have a good understanding of the techniques in classical BJJ before venturing into no-gi. It’s easier to adapt your gi techniques to no-gi than the other way around.

3. Don’t ask black-belts to roll.

You can train with black-belts, but make sure you’re invited. This tip is kind of old-fashioned and is often resented by recently promoted students. What happens is that the higher-ranked feel like they are being challenged when a lower-belt fighter asks them to roll. You have to realize that they know who is available just by the way the person looks at them. Look at them humbly and make it clear you’re available—if they want to, they’ll invite you. And take my word: it’s always more rewarding to roll when you’ve been invited than when you do the inviting.

4. Find the best instructor for you.

Students are often discouraged when their start in jiu-jitsu is less than ideal, so it would behoove the beginner to do some research before committing to a class, making sure the instructor they pick enjoys what they do and is kindly to all students, not just their best ones. If after starting classes you get the feeling the instructors aren’t paying you enough attention, don’t accept that as being normal—it isn’t. A much better alternative to quitting is to switch to a gym where you feel welcome.

5. Have faith.

Believe in the techniques. As frustrating as it may be at first, try your best to defend by using the techniques already in your repertory. If you feel like you’ve run out of options, have a word with your instructor; they’ll be glad to get input on your needs.

6. Communicate.

One of the coolest things about jiu-jitsu is the exchange of ideas on how to perform a technique. Feel free to ask the more experienced students questions. Ask what you could have done to foil an attack or pull off that submission you were so close to getting. They’ve surely been through those situations before and can clue you in on all the ins and outs. Higher-ranked students tend to enjoy being appreciated and get a kick out of being able to help.

7. Do your homework.

It’s frustrating to a teacher when they do their best to teach a new move or concept, and then a short while later a student has already forgotten it. Doing lots of repetitions is essential, even if you feel a particular technique doesn’t fit your style. Keep in mind that as a beginner, you don’t have a set style yet, so what seems useless to you today may turn out to be your greatest asset tomorrow. Besides doing repetitions, take a few minutes each day to go over the techniques in your head.

8. Tap out.

Nobody wants to see a student intentionally tap out, but good students aren’t afraid to take chances or put themselves in positions of disadvantage. If you do tap, so be it; let it serve as a lesson. During moments of real danger, your chances of prevailing are all the greater when you’re accustomed to such harrowing situations.

9. Try new things.

There’s no point in sparring like you’re fighting in a championship final the whole time. Sure, there are times when you should go hard, but let your coach be the judge of when that should be. Generally speaking, I recommend always trying new things, putting the move of the day to practice. The more diversified your game is, the better the tools you’ll have at your disposal in the future.

10. Self-defense is of the essence.

There are plenty of teachers out there who are oblivious to the importance of teaching even basic self-defense techniques—some for lack of familiarity, others because they feel they moves are outdated. Down the road, self-defense techniques will provide you with an understanding of moves you so far haven’t a clue about. Not to mention that they’re fun. Keep in mind that each of the current techniques, even the tournament-level techniques, in some way or another originated from the basics. Knowing and understanding the basics is like a lesson in history, and will keep you from making basic mistakes.

Fix mistakes in training. Photo: Erin Herle

Our GMA member Travis Tooke from Team Tooke MMA in Houston, Texas lets us in on three things he believes can help a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner learn whether an expert or a beginner.

He says these things may be obvious but sometimes we all need reminders. The best tip of all is not only is it okay to make mistakes, we need to acknowledge them and not resist change. But we’ll let Travis, a Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie, Jr. since 2004, tell you himself:

Nathan Basseto, Worlds rookie. Photo: Disclosed

The 2013 World Championship promises to break all records for number of athletes, with athletes of all ages, belts and nations, veterans and rookies.

In addition to young talents, in blue and white belt, there are also experienced professors ready to test themselves for the first time.

GRACIEMAG, for example, found a black belt that will make his debut in the Worlds. Right in the heavy division, infused with athletes like Xande Ribeiro and Rodolfo Vieira.

We are talking about professor Nathan Basseto, 30 years old, who lives in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo. He explained his motivations:

“It is the most important Jiu-Jitsu championship on the planet. It will be an honor to represent Ribeirao Preto and my sponsors. I will do my best to make everyone proud. I’m not enrolling just to participate and I’m not going just for fun. I’m going for the medal,” says Nathan, who has been training Jiu-Jitsu for 16 years. He even managed to gain support from the local soccer team Botafogo FC, which will have their logo printed on his gi.

“I was dedicating myself to training athletes and social projects here in São Paulo for a long time. Now I feel the need to compete more. I felt unfulfilled and competition will solve that problem. I am in search of it. I want to further motivate my students to follow the same paths. The level of competition is high, but I will do everything possible to fight on equal terms against all,” said the experienced rookie, who travels on Wednesday in the company of brown belt Evandro Nunes “Pezao”, who fights in the super heavyweight division.

Nathan Basseto became a black belt in April 2009.

And you, what is your motivation to enroll in the World? Let us know below!

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