Episodes
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When you first begin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you may not understand what exactly a match, rolling, or sparring is. What is the difference? How do you start? How hard should you go? It seems simple enough, but there are a few nuances that will help you get the bigger picture.
In this podcast episode, we will talk about:
Understand the context of the roll.Establish how to start the match.Touch hands (or donât) and begin the match.https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/10/25/bjj-matches-context-starting-and-sparring-info
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The bottom line is that you should train both Gi and No Gi--if you can. There are advantages and disadvantages that come with each style, and each will make you a better grappler. For the most part, you shouldnât commit yourself entirely to one style vs. the other, and the people who do this are only limiting their growth (more on this later).
In this podcast, we will cover:
Donât Overthink Training Gi vs. No GiWhy You Should Train in the GiWhy You Should Train No GiWhen You Should Train Only Gi or Only No GiBonus Tips for Gi and No Gihttps://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/9/12/should-you-train-gi-or-no-gi
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When you first start training, you will probably learn individual techniques without the context of how you arrive to that point. This is done to keep things simple, and itâs an effective way to teach newcomers. For example, if you are learning an armbar, you start in an armbar position, with the arm captured and full control of the opponent.
You probably learn sweeps the same way. However, youâve probably found that itâs hard to hit these sweep when sparring, especially against a larger opponent. Why is that?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Sweeps can work on anyone, but know the limits and what it takes to create a successful sweep.OPPONENT: HOW GOOD ARE THEY AT BJJ?ABILITY: HOW GOOD ARE YOU AT BJJ?SETUP: DONâT TRY TO FORCE IT.TIMING: DONâT WAIT TOO LONG.EXECUTION: DONâT HALF-ASS IT.General training tips that will help with BJJ sweeps.PICK A FEW SWEEPS THAT YOU LIKE AND FOCUS ON THEM.YOU NEED TO PRACTICE SWEEPS TO GET GOOD AT THEM.DONâT BE AFRAID TO FAIL OR GET YOUR GUARD PASSED.KEEP WORKING ON IT; YOUâLL GET THERE ONE DAY.UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROCESS NEVER ENDS.Advanced: Counter-techniques and how to deal with them.KNOW WHEN A TECHNIQUE IS COUNTERED.HOW TO DEAL WITH A COUNTER TO YOUR TECHNIQUE.WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR IMPROVEMENT.Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/10/11/bjj-sweeps-and-do-they-work-on-bigger-people
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At the simplest level, a frame is a part of your body that is used to create and maintain space. To take it one step further, a good frame is a part of your body that relies more on the bone structure of your body than it does muscular strength.
The Basics of FramesA DEFENSIVE CONTEXTUSE YOUR BONE STRUCTURECONTROL THE MOVEMENT How Frames are UsedFRAMES USE STRUCTURE TO CREATE SPACEONCE YOUâVE CREATED SPACE, DONâT GIVE IT BACKUSE THE SPACE YOU CREATED TO MOVE OR ESCAPEDONâT DO NOTHING WITH YOUR FRAMES Details of a Successful FrameGETTING THE FRAME IS HARD WORKUSE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR BODYDONâT WORK HARD, WORK SMARTKEEP MOVING AT ALL TIMESUSE YOUR FRAMES TO ESCAPEWhy are Frames so Difficult to Learn?Why itâs Hard to Escape Even After Getting FramesARE YOU AFRAID TO RISK AN ESCAPE?HAVE YOU NOT LEARNED ANY ESCAPES?Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/9/5/what-are-frames-and-how-do-they-work-in-bjj
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If you are thinking about starting a martial art like jiu jitsu, you might be asking yourself, âCan Brazilian Jiu Jitsu help me lose weight?â Many people have lost weight simply by joining a BJJ gym, even when they didnât follow a dietary plan. Does that mean Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can help you lose weight? Well, sort of. Though it is not a cure-all weight loss solution, it can help immensely, and it comes down to a few different reasons.
Before we get started, understand that diet can be a complicated topic. It is important to note that I am not a doctor, and you shouldnât accept this as medical advice. If you are thinking about starting BJJ, you should consult your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough. If your doctor has given you the go ahead, here are some reasons why doing BJJ can help you lose weight.
1. Youâll Burn More Calories From the Increased Activity2. Youâll Spend Less Time Eating and Drinking or Going Out3. Youâll Only Have the Energy for Work and Training4. Youâll be Around Healthy People who Will Influence You5. Youâll Feel Better and Want to Keep Getting HealthierRead the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/28/5-reasons-why-bjj-can-help-you-lose-weight
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What to Expect After you Start BJJ
The following days after your first BJJ class might be an interesting mix of soreness and excitement. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, drinking a lot of fluids, and getting in some stretching when you can. You will also probably be feeling excited about this new romance with BJJ. Do your best to not shout your love from the rooftops. Good luck.
You Will be Excited About BJJ
You Will be Exhausted all the Time
Your Body Will Hurt all OverRead the blog post (Part 6): https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/30/what-to-expect-after-you-start-bjj
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Your Personal LifeYou will probably get addicted to this sport, and you will likely never shut up about great BJJ is to your friends and family. This is only kind of a joke. In reality, this happens quite frequently. It really goes to show how much of a positive impact this sport can have on peopleâs lives. Just keep in mind that from the outsiders perspective, it may look closer to a cult than enlightenment. The tone of this section is going to border on snark, but you need to hear the truth.
Friends
Family
Significant Other
WorkRead the blog post (Part 7): https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/31/how-bjj-will-affect-your-personal-life
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Doing anything for the first time can be daunting, and it can be nice to know what to expect ahead of time. Not all gyms are going to be the same, and so the following advice will not always apply. However, this guide should still provide a general idea of how your first day of BJJ will go, as well as some recommendations for how you might want to prepare.
Pre-Class BJJ HygieneTAKE A SHOWER WEAR DEODORANTBRUSH, FLOSS, AND USE MOUTHWASHArrive Early to Your First BJJ ClassARRIVE EARLY AND INTRODUCE YOURSELFSHOW UP IN REGULAR CLOTHES AND SHOESWEAR FLIP-FLOPS WHEN APPROPRIATEWhy you Should Wear Flip-FlopsDONâT WEAR SHOES OR FLIP-FLOPS ON THE MATSWRESTLING SHOES MAY BE ALLOWED ON THE MATSChanging Into Your BJJ UniformGETTING DRESSED IN THE CHANGING ROOMSECURING VALUABLES AND PERSONAL ITEMSWHAT TO DO IF YOU FORGOT SOMETHINGGIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIMEWhat the Average BJJ Class Looks LikeWARMING UPTECHNIQUE AND DRILLINGROLLING AND SPARRINGStaying After the BJJ Class is OverROLLINGOPEN MATSTRETCHINGTALKINGPost-Class BJJ HygieneSHOWER QUICKLYWEAR YOUR CLOTHESPUT DIRTY GI IN BAGWASH YOUR GIPost-Class Recovery and RestBE CAREFUL ON DRIVE HOMEEATSLEEPRead the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/29/what-to-expect-at-your-first-bjj-class
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If you stick with BJJ long enough, youâll realize that you spend nearly as much time doing laundry and organizing your workout gear as you do actually training. It is not necessary for you to purchase every item on the following list when you first start BJJ, but you will likely find that each component becomes necessary as time goes on.
1. Gym Bags2. Footwear3. Hydration4. Body Hygiene5. Oral Hygiene6. BJJ Uniform: Gi7. BJJ Uniform: No GiRead the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/27/the-gear-you-need-to-get-started-in-bjj
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You asked questions, did your research, and picked a gym to sign up at. Congratulations! This is a great first step, and you should be feeling excited to go to your first class. Before you can jump on the mats, though, there are a number of things you will need to do.
1. Call Ahead Before you Show up to Sign2. Arrive Early if you are Signing up Before Class3. Signing a Waiver is Standard Practice4. Try one or More Free Classes Before Signing a Contract5. Look out for Surprise Fees When SigningRead the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/24/how-signing-a-contract-at-your-bjj-gym-works
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There are a number of important factors that go into picking a good gym, though not all of them will apply to your specific search. If you find yourself overwhelmed by this list, keep in mind that you donât need to know the answer to every question. The purpose of this list is to get you thinking before you jump into a situation that is not right for you. Read through the questions, make note of what seems important to you, and take the time to think about questions you may not have considered.
The following list is categorized by a mixture of priority and difficulty; you may not know the answer to some questions until you've spent time training at the gym. If you arenât interested in getting granular when picking a gym, then just take a look at the first few items in the priority list. If you are the kind of person that wants to be as prepared as possible, then read each question, and try to think of additional questions that may have been missing from this list.
#11 - Is the Neighborhood Safe?#12 - What are People Saying?#13 - What are the Facilities Like?#14 - Do They Have an Online Presence?#15 - How Does the gym Track Membership?Read the blog post at:https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/19/ask-15-questions-before-signing-bjj-gym-contract
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There are a number of important factors that go into picking a good gym, though not all of them will apply to your specific search. If you find yourself overwhelmed by this list, keep in mind that you donât need to know the answer to every question. The purpose of this list is to get you thinking before you jump into a situation that is not right for you. Read through the questions, make note of what seems important to you, and take the time to think about questions you may not have considered.
The following list is categorized by a mixture of priority and difficulty; you may not know the answer to some questions until you've spent time training at the gym. If you arenât interested in getting granular when picking a gym, then just take a look at the first few items in the priority list. If you are the kind of person that wants to be as prepared as possible, then read each question, and try to think of additional questions that may have been missing from this list.
#6 - Are Specific Uniforms Required?#7 - Do Students and Instructors Compete?#8 - Is Cross Training Allowed?#9 - What is Their Schedule?#10 - How Difficult is the Commute?Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/19/ask-15-questions-before-signing-bjj-gym-contract
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There are a number of important factors that go into picking a good gym, though not all of them will apply to your specific search. If you find yourself overwhelmed by this list, keep in mind that you donât need to know the answer to every question. The purpose of this list is to get you thinking before you jump into a situation that is not right for you. Read through the questions, make note of what seems important to you, and take the time to think about questions you may not have considered.
The following list is categorized by a mixture of priority and difficulty; you may not know the answer to some questions until you've spent time training at the gym. If you arenât interested in getting granular when picking a gym, then just take a look at the first few items in the priority list. If you are the kind of person that wants to be as prepared as possible, then read each question, and try to think of additional questions that may have been missing from this list.
#1 - Is the gym Beginner Friendly?#2 - Are There Female Members?#3 - How Much Money Will it Cost?#4 - What are the People Like?#5 - What Kind of Contracts do They Offer?Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/19/ask-15-questions-before-signing-bjj-gym-contract
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When BJJ first started gaining traction in the US, practitioners would drive hours just to learn from a blue belt. Nowadays, finding a BJJ gym that is both near you and offers black belt instruction is easier than ever. You may still have to do some driving if you live in a rural area, but you may be surprised by how far youâre willing to drive once you get started. For those living in or around a city, you should have multiple gyms to choose from.
1. Search for âbjj near meâ in Google Maps or Bing Maps2. Search for âbjj + your city + your stateâ in Your Favorite Search Engine3. Look for a Website With Images, Location, and Schedule4. Look for Current Reviews and TestimonialsRead the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/19/how-to-find-a-local-bjj-gym
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Within the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), a âpositionâ refers to the bodily arrangement or placement of two grapplers. Each position comes with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. While there are a handful of generally accepted basic positions, not all practitioners agree on what to call them or which are the best. Additionally, new positions are being created and expanded upon all the time.
Naming ConventionsPositional HierarchyPOSITIONS IN THE TOP-LEVEL HIERARCHYPOSITIONS BEYOND THE TOP-LEVEL HIERARCHYTop and Bottom PositionsTOP POSITION ADVANTAGEBOTTOM POSITION ADVANTAGEWHEN TO CONCEDE TOP POSITIONPosition Before SubmissionPositional Tactics and StrategyPositional ChangesTRANSITIONSREVERSALSSCRAMBLESESCAPESDeveloping a GameContinued LearningRead the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/6/how-positions-work-in-bjj
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In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, ârollingâ is an all-encompassing term for sparring or drilling at varying degrees of intensity. BJJ practitioners may specify the degree of intensity by using a qualifier such as flow rolling (a low degree of intensity) or hard rolling (a high degree of intensity). When someone says, âLetâs roll,â itâs similar to a wrestler saying, âLetâs wrestle.â In this way, rolling can be similar to wrestling, sparring, playing, or horsing around with a friend. The degree to which both parties will exert force probably depends on the context of the situation, such as a warm-up roll before drilling or hard rolling to prepare for a competition). Additionally, other factors may come into play, such as your familiarity of your training partner or gym, such as someone you just met as opposed to a lifelong training partner.
Rolling to get WarmFLOW ROLLINGPOSITIONAL ROLLINGRolling to SubmissionLIVE ROLLINGHARD ROLLINGCOMPETITIVE ROLLINGRolling PartnersPICKING A PARTNERBEING PAIRED WITH A PARTNERDECLINING A ROLLAwkward or Inappropriate SituationsROLLING WITH ANOTHER GENDERHOW TO ADDRESS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORSafety and DiscomfortSTOP IF YOU FEEL UNSAFEDISCOMFORT CAN BE FINERolling Gi vs. No GiRead the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/7/29/how-rolling-works-in-bjj
