Congratulations! You have taken the first step and signed up to experience Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It can be an intimidating experience – but it does not have to be. Here are a couple of things to know prior to attending your first class.
1. BECOMING “GOOD” AT JIUJITSU TAKES YEARS, AND LEARNING TAKES TIME
No one starts Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as an expert – and it takes years of focused study. Many of the blue, purple, and brown belts you may see on the mats have hundreds (if not thousands) of hours on the mats!
Keep in mind though, that even those grizzled veterans started where you were – at white belt, learning fundamentals and basics. Everyone starts somewhere – and you are taking that first step is something many people will never do.
At the Winchester Jiu Jitsu Academy – our curriculum and coaching staff are here to create an environment that makes learning fun, engaging, and challenging. The skills will come – just have patience.
2. YOU ARE NOT AN INCONVENIENCE TO COACHES AND UPPER BELTS
Asking questions or needing extra help does not make you an inconvenience – in fact quite the opposite. The coaching staff are here to support you and share the knowledge they have. Need to see the technique we are learning again? It’s never a problem to ask. Not understanding where to put your foot? Ask your partner and/or a coach to review the technique with you again.
If you are partnered with a higher belt to work on the moves, feel free to ask them questions as well. A valuable part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is being able to explain a technique, and not just execute it. It becomes a valuable learning experience for your upper belt partner, as well as a learning experience for you.
The next generation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu students – YOU – are the lifeblood of the academy. One day, it will be your turn to share knowledge with that brand new white belt. And the beautiful cycle begins again.
3. OUR UPPER BELTS LOVE MENTORING NEW BJJ STUDENTS
At our Academy, we strongly encourage our upper belts to assist in mentoring newer students. In our BJJ Basics and BJJ Fundamentals classes, you will often see upper belts. They are there to learn and also to provide encouraging feedback for newer students, or showing them a thing or two after class.
Fostering this kind of community of mentorship in our academy is very important to us, and is a testament as to why people love training here.
4. BASICS AND FUNDAMENTALS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN FLASHY MOVES
Much of the content you will learn in our Basics and Fundamentals programs will last you for life – they are tried and true techniques and concepts relevant to those looking to compete in Sport Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or those looking to improve their self-defense skills.
While flashy techniques or the newest YouTube BJJ trend is fun to analyze and see – they are not always realistic or something that can easily be assimilated into your “game”. Many of the old school competitors used “basic” skills to win fights or competitions or used basic escape and survival skills to achieve a better position.
A solid understanding of fundamental concepts will last forever and serve as a foundation for advanced techniques when you are ready.
5. BJJ CAN BE FRUSTRATING – BUT IS WORTH A LONG-HAUL COMMITMENT
Whether you want to train once a week or 10 classes a week – understand that BJJ is a long-term thing. We want people to train as much as their schedule allows! Understand however, that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a marathon – not a sprint. Many on the mats have thousands of hours of sparring and drilling time under their belts, catching up to these individuals is an almost impossible task. It will require years of hard work and effort.
Instead of “catching up”, the focus should be on you and your journey. Each of us walks a different path in life with different sets of circumstances and goals. If your goal is to attend one class a week and learn as much as you can – we are here to make that happen. If you want to be an avid competitor and challenge yourself – we have a path and procedure to ensure you realize your vision.
The bottom line is – we work hard to ensure the Winchester Jiu Jitsu Academy is a safe and fun place to train for people from all walks of life. See you on the mats!