Starting Jiu Jitsu? What to Know Before Your 1st Class. 

First class tonight after nearly a year of procrastinating and making excuses. Very nervous, but excited too.

Just finished my first class after procrastinating it forever. I walked in and as I was signing a waiver they put my go on a table right next to a purple belt. I ended up taking the belt on accident and putting it on. What a start.

IF you have trouble with being comfortable around these new people: These people are your friends. youre all there to help eachother perfect a martial art to fight against people who are really tying to hurt you. Just remember dat.

Fundamental Movements 11:13 Bridge 11:34 Thread the needle 12:24 Shrimp crawl 13:50 Front Roll 14:02 Back Roll 15:28 Standing up in base 17:27 Fall

I've been doing Jiu Jitsu for about 9 years since I was 19. Four days a week with very rare three or five, maybe even six full days of training, 2 - 3 hours a day. I compete four times a year. Here's some things you have to know before you COMMIT to a dojo. #1 Unless u train 6 days a week, 6 hours a day, or unless ur gifted and talented, ur not getting that black belt in 6 years like some internet sites say u will... It took me 7 years to get my purple belt, and it's not cus I'm slow or non-athletic, I would actually consider myself above average, and a decent player, I do well. If u see a gym with alot of students who got their purple belts in three years, leave. I can understand if ur gifted, if ur this amazing beginner that's just kicking ass, yeah, you deserve the ranking, but then ur a rarity, u don't want a gym that gives out candy man... Chase the skill, not the belt color. #2 Training twice a week is nothing... Three days a week is honestly like the bare minimum, if ur not training that, then ur wasting ur time, put in extra hours, do the work, find a gym that can work with ur schedule, believe me on that. #3 It's normal if u still suck after one year... One year ain't jack shit, I get so many people that feel like they're not getting it after only one year (and by that, I mean they continue to lose to the higher ranks), keep training and learn proper technique, at my gym, it takes the average person two years before u get ur blue belt and maybe three to five years afterwards to get ur purple, from then on, Master Cyborg sort of keeps an eye on u during each seminar, and OMG is he tough on u man, he's blunt, he's brutal about ur sloppy technique, but trust me, it's good for u. Gotta be honest tho, Blue sucks more than white, cus then u got a target on ur back, and u feel like u gotta prove urself all the time. Purple is alot more fun as it should be. #4 If ur serious about Jiu Jitsu, then u gotta go up against the people ur afraid of. U know those guys that kick ur ass every single day, keep training with them, ask them questions, try not to lose, but don't let losing get to u. Don't just try to win, try to learn man. Me being in the Ultra Heavyweight, I've always had no choice but to go up against big guys, we've had high ranking big people and low ranking big people, and trust me, they're always more difficult than the smaller opponents. Those black belt ultra heavyweights man, jeeeeeezus, they're insanely scary. I get alot of people that avoid us, but sometimes, I do have to force students to go up against me and some of the other larger students, not for us, but for them. Not all of ur opponents are gonna be ur size, remember that, and whatever u can do to a large opponent, u can do to a little one. #5 You gotta shop around, I cannot stress this enough, you have to find a dojo that meets ur wants. Just my opinion, find a gym that incorporates good wrestling and is open to all submissions, even the unorthodox ones, and get into a dojo where yes, opponents are gonna be rough with u, now there is a difference between malicious and rough, a dojo that babies you too much, is probably not good for you if ur serious about learning how to defend yourself or competition, but hey if it's just a gentle hobby u want, then go for the gym that'll take excessive care of you, also be aware of the gyms that have fake black belts, check with other gyms, ask questions, good instructors will answer you, as they have more experience in the Fighting community and will more than likely know almost everyone, even in bigger cities.

Doing the shrimp crawl during my free trial class made me want to just leave the class lmao

im just starting jiu jitsu but what i have found most importand in my years of combat sports is that if you wish to learn YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR PRIDE OUTSIDE

Just got done with my first class. I feel so silly for being nervous before going in. The instructors know how uncomfortable it can be to start a new class. I guarantee you, they will help you more than you’re expecting. Their expectations for you are pretty much 0 so don’t be afraid to mess up.

I started at the age of 47 ,been training for 4 years and was really surprised at how helpful everyone was at my school . Don’t wait to start do it now. Everyone is different in their ability and fitness, don’t worry about it, you will learn from other students. If you have kids get them into it as soon as they’re old enough to learn. Jui jitsu is the best way to de stress, it’s character building and very humbling as well as being a really good workout.

*UPDATED 9/11/2022* Its been 9 months since ive commented on this video, still at it. BJJ 3-4 times a week. Today marks the day of my first tournament im competing in!! Literally just got home from my first class. IF YOU are a procrastinator and/or are nervous to get started. Just go, everyone is so damn friendly and welcoming. Right away everyone welcome me with open arms, jumped right into the warm up routines with shrimping and rolling. Spent some time learning a single leg take down, and a couple of open guard submissions, utilizing the Gi. End of the class I was introduced to “rolling” I was told to pair up and to “survive”. I felt like I did alright lol. Can’t wait to continue going back, keep up the videos. Definitely helped me for my first day. Cheers.

35 and out of shape. First class was this morning. I was very nervous. Everyone there made it easy by keeping things simple. Didn’t really “fight” me just taught me some positions and moves, including the fall, get up, and shrimp in this video. I think I found a new hobby.

I’m just getting started, two weeks in . This is exactly what is being taught. Thank you for the refresher

Thank you for these videos! They're just what I needed! I'm so nervous 😳

This was great. Thank you. My first class(es), I joined the group "already in progress." I had to mimic. I really appreciate this "basics" video. Please make more. This was my first video on your channel so you might have dozens or hundreds more 'basics' videos. Great channel. Thanks again.

Thank you! Love the vibe of your video! Cleared many doubts ❤️

That was an excellent video - thank you for sharing.

Best introduction online! You may have finally swayed me to get to a beginners class...

I’m a bit late, but I have my very first class on Saturday, granted it’s the free trial class, but I’m doing everything I can to ensure that I can continue with practicing jujitsu. I am very excited to actually begin the journey, this video is very insightful loaded with good information, I feel a bit more confident knowing some baseline information. I’ve been watching jujitsu competitions, and jujitsu techniques for a long time, and now it’s time to finally be able to get started!

Had a 1-1 session yesterday and starting my first class next Tuesday. Thanks for the great tips!

This was so great to watch, thank you for making the video 🙏💪

Great helpful video,I had my first class a couple days ago. I was a nervous wreck but there was zero judgment and everyone is super cool and helpful. I’m definitely glad I went and signed up,I’m looking forward to my next class. Chattanooga jiu jitsu 👍

Second day of training, I need to get used to the soreness and dealing with pressure on the body. Workout is amazing. I’m learning a lot and taking it day by day.

Thanks so much for making this video! It absolutely helped

Loved this video! What a great teacher… looks like such a nice guy also :)

This was so helpful. I'm in Istanbul and I was thrilled to learn that there was an academy here. 40 years old. I'm going to sign up.

Did my first class last night and took as much of these lessons as I could with me, good call on practicing the shrimp crawl before the class.

Love jiujitsu take it away is like taking one of my kids . This art took me from a young street punk to a respectable man . Also made me a better father son husband friend ect . The thing im most thankful for from jiujitsu is it made me cross paths with ppl i normally wouldnt .Those same ppl took me in like they knew me all my life .

I feel like I just had a 2 on 1 private tuition. This is amazing.

This has to be the most wholesome and on-point video on BJJ I've seen

Thank you for the quick lesson! I am joining my first BJJ class tonight. This was really helpful 😊

Finished my second class last night and your video helped a lot. Thanks!

Starting next week, this is probably going to be insanely helpful, thanks a lot!

Signed up 3 days ago but have been making excuses to attend my first night. After watching this video I’m definitely going tonight. Thank you!

Fun fact : I’m from one of the original Gracie schools here in rio, brazil And the most valuable thing any jj practitioner should know is that the hips are everything, they are what makes good scapes and they really dictate those “scramble” moments ( the shrimp crawl is called “rolling of the hips” in Portuguese here in Brazil , that’s just to show how important hips are)

Really helpful video! Thank you. You guys are actually only an hour away from where I live. Looking forward to hopefully meeting in person sometime soon!

Thank you so much :) I really appreciated this.

I had my first day today! It was an open mat i was invited by a friend. I think the most important thing for me now Is to learn how to breathe properly. I was going exhausted and very quickly. I am very excited for this new adventure learning Ninjutsu .Thank you for your instruction it was very informative!

I just started my 1st class today at Renzo Gracie in NJ, I was super concerned about feeling dumb and looking stupid, but everyone was very kind and really helpful

Both of you seem so sweet and knowledgable, thanks so much for the video.

Very helpful. I used to train when I was a kid a got out as I got older. A million different distractions. I’m ready to get back into and so is my wife and our daughter is really excited about starting! She LOVES to wrestle and “play the beat up game.” This was definitely a great refresher as I remember a lot but have forgotten the basics, which is the key. Thanks for these type of videos.

I’m 19. First class tomorrow at noon. You guys are great

Super duper helpful!! Thank you so much for making this video.

This was very helpful, I’m going to sign up today and this definitely helps with the nerves!

Yes basic fundamentals for ground fighting or jujitsu. I haven't heard that called thread the needle but we've done it in catch wrestling it does come in handy .keep it up .

Super good my six positions that I teach at first is mount, cross body, the guard, crab, shell, & standing. I still work on Half guard, and when I get to purple I really start working on there’s north-south stuff and what I do is I work on their take downs in the throws. So what I do is I have about 36 to maybe 60 techniques and white belt I try to do about six or so techniques from every position. When they get to the next rank which is blue I have them work on the opposite of everything from that position so it’s the guy that’s in cross body on the bottom it’s the guy in the guard on top stuff like that. Then on the shrimping I do that that’s very important but I also do butt scooting and I do everything from cartwheels to round off the back falling and different kinds of rolling! Yeah and my ruling is exactly like yours except for my back was a little bit different I do that do another way, and I just want to say thanks for being a great instructor brother my instructor is Professor Pedro Sauer:)

thank you, this really helped, how thick of a mat do you recommend using?

Good stuff now i know what to expect and be prepared! I'll be doing a watch class first. Thanks!

A very nice intro !! Thank you so much !!

At 54 years old I want to learn the basics of jujitsu. I have no martial arts training of any form. This video was by far the most informative I’ve seen! Thank you for your time and for posting this.

Yeah the belt tie at my first class was way more convoluted than that. Thanks for the video though. I experienced a lot of the same things.

Thank you for sharing what to know before your first class you are truly awesome and wonderful ^^

Great video.....many thanks 😊❤

I know you’re in the gym, but something about this lighting makes it look like a green screen hahaha, thank you for the video! I’m looking into martial arts and i’m very excited to start

The "osu" sound made in Japanese martial arts is a verbal acknowledgement that you have heard and understood when given an instruction. So it's usually made by a student to an instructor after they have told them to do something. You have exactly the same thing in the military when a drill instructor gives an order. A standard verbal acknowledgement is required. Something that you could have included in an introduction video is that after your first class, if you are not used to this sort of activity then you are likely to feel very stiff and sore the next morning. This is perfectly normal, will be a lot less after even just a second class and quickly goes away altogether.

I am very happy to find that the place I just started with is giving the exact same instruction as you are. It feels very consistent across the discipline.

Very much appreciate this video. Such good content with depth explaining things. Excellent

Great introduction! Had my first class yesterday, wish I had seen this beforehand. My body is sore from learning the shrimp!

I been trying to find a martial arts to join for a few weeks now and after watching endless videos on different ones I think I am finally convinced to join BJJ! Thank you for the info and putting me a little more at ease

Great video. Hoping it will come in handy. Family starting this week. Thank you

Starting tonight. Thank for this 💚🙏🏻

Cool video. You look like Tenzin from the legend of korra and that’s pretty cool.

Taking my first bjj class next week and I just turned 34, it’s never too late.. can’t wait, I’ve always wanted to train bjj and I’m finally doing it..

Aaahh I loved this. I haven’t rolled in years but going back this coming week…. So thanks for brushing off the old cobwebs and familiarising me with the etiquette.

2nd class tomorrow! Wish i watched this but holy crap what an amazingly informative video. And your personalities shine through!

Outstanding video... well done. Humble, welcoming, and informative! Wish I lived in Ohio and would love to visit your academy.

Thank you so much for this. Taking my first class on Monday at the age of 55 after recovering from severe covid and looking forward to it. This was really helpful and I'll be practicing some of the movements before hand.

This is so humbling. I'm 45 years old, and just attending my first Jiu jitsu class ever. I'm weak, have had a bunch of surgeries, and have so much to learn. It's intimidating and overwhelming, but I think that's part of the reason why I should do this.

Great to see you making videos! I enjoyed my time at your Academy. I regretted not being able to continue there (I had to move away).

Thank you guys! I'm 41 years old and starting my first class today. Super nervous, but you guys helped ease some of my fears.

Had my first jits class last night and got crushed by 140kg dude and I'm 118kg, I loved every second of it. I hobbled out of class and I'm looking forward to the next one. 42 years old here. Lookin to get down to 90kg again through jiujitsu. Thank you for the video it was very helpful. Cheers from Tassie Australia.

I am finally starting jiu jitsu, at 43! Haha, I'm really looking forward to it even though it's going to be very humbling and not easy! Thanks for this video y'all, very helpful!

Thank you so much for this. I was considering going to Jiu Jitsu classes now I'm sold.

Went to my first class tonight. So very different coming from a striking martial art.

As someone who has been doing bjj for almost 2 years, I wish I had this video on my first week. Good info.

Thank u so much for that. I am 49 yrs young I just came out of a 20 year battle with poor physical & mental health. I have wanted to take it up for so long. The only thing that might be a problem is I may need to have a canvas tent & 2 belts connected together there is a lot of me. Can't wait to get gp all clear now.

Loved it. I am just starting up my first classes

Have to go to a doctor for my foot asap. As soon as it's healed I'll be showing up for my first lessons. Dragging some friends with me :D

Thanks for this video! I had my first two classes before watching this. The most uncomfortable part was not knowing the class flow or what any of the terminologies were. The handshake style and clap after instruction were all new to me. As well as lining up in order of belt rank to start the class. I look forward to many years to come of bjj.

Moving back to my home city early next year.. Planning on joining a BJJ class when I get back. Good information for me leading up to then. 5'11 280 at 28. Hoping this will help me change my life for the better. Thanks for posting this. Awesome information!

Thank You for sharing ... great advice.

Iv been practicing for 8 years and anyone who is nervous about starting your not alone everyone Iv asked has always said they were nervous for their first class but I promise you the nerves will be gone after the first week. Every school Iv been to every one is really nice and if there are gym bullies they are usually kicked out within the first week higher belts do not take that lightly so don’t be worried about getting killed every one will be friendly. And remember tap the second you feel pressure don’t wait for tunnel vision that’s how you get hurt or pass out.

I've always wanted to do Jiu Jistu I've had a natural feel and love for combat sports and I hope of being a pro wrestler and I know Jiu Jistu is a brilliant way to help get used to things like transitional holds, bumps, and basic footwork

This was very helpful!!! Great Video....Also, Mandy is STUNNING!!! Cheers

This was very helpful 👍 thank you

great video! i looked up jiu jitsu for beginners and found this one, first class in 5 days and hopefully it'll be fun! thank you

Week 3 and I'm still happy to learn so much and enjoy it so much..this video helped my first day

Hopefully soon once this Corona stuff is lifted I would love to take my first class, I started watching some videos today all from Gracie to get a basic overview of what it's all about and its definitely heightened my interest, thank you for this video as well. Part of me was expecting something a little more aggressive but after watching what I've seen so far it's starting to feel a lot more humble, open, and inviting! I look forward to when I'll be able to take my first class!

Got my first class tomorrow. Always been a huge fan of the sport but never actually tried it. I don’t plan on being a Charles Olivera but I’m very excited. Wish the best of luck !

Like a lot have mentioned, I’m starting my first class as soon as I get vaccinated. Looking forward to learning and losing some weight!

In our dojo we're actually really traditional, we call our teachers "Sensei", we do bow on/off the mat, and before/after randori. (I am from Canada). I think your tip for "When in Rome do as the Romans" is a great tip, actually most of them are, keep up the great work!

Very informative. Thanks for the content

I love this video, great starter tips. Are there any special considerations that I should think about when starting at 34? Obviously I'm not as young or agile as I used to be and a bad knee from the military doesn't help. I still want to learn jujitsu though.

Cool video- always great content! My first class consisted of everyone sizing me up then choking the snot out of me- good times.

Love the video!! My first class, I was very nervous but I knew a little of what to expect because I observed a class already. The instructors were great (Garrett and Scott)!! They would demonstrate a technique and when the class would work on that technique, they would come over and explain the technique and why it exists and answer any questions I had about it. After the class, Garrett stuck around for a while and answered any questions I had about the school, the curriculum, rolling, etiquette, etc. Totally put me at ease about training there. Still got nervous about looking dumb though. :)

Great video. I'm a long time on again off again student. This covered what every student needs.

Such a beautiful video tyvm.

thanks guys, this really helped. I joined a gym just this week that, unfortunately, does not have a fundamentals course. I drilled these exercises for like...15 reps per day per side for just a few days before going to the first class and... it really helped. If yay'll didn't have this up I would've been really, really lost. ...Especially rolling, but damn did I get dizzy after front rolling across the whole floor, but I could do it thanks to watching this.

I am a US Army Infantry soldier who has also studied Aikido whilst in DC. Your described techniques are extremely on par with everything I have learned in Aikido class as well as whislt in US Army Infantry training. Well done!

Just had my first class and I was wonderfully humbled the coach was great and today I'm sore can't wait to go back and get humbled some more!