What Are the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

You must have heard the quote which says that you can improve the quality of your life by asking questions. The logic behind this is if you ask questions about your confusions, weaknesses, and any other thing, you can ultimately become better at that thing. The same thing applies to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You must have questions in your mind. If you don’t have any questions, it means you are not trying to learn new things. Ask questions, solve your confusion, and continuously improve yourself at BJJ. Questions might be different for everyone. But there are some questions that hit the minds of most BJJ students, particularly beginners. This article focuses on frequently asked questions about BJJ.

• We all want the quality of our Jiu-Jitsu life to be as high and as good as possible. That quality can be improved by asking questions and clearing our minds. So, where do we ask questions? The first one is when we ask questions from our instructor. Now, we have to have a fine line here. We should not ask too many questions. Also, don’t ask questions that can annoy your instructor. We should ask questions if we want to get something. So if you are on step one of a technique and your instructor says do an arm drag, you think, what is an arm drag? Then you should definitely ask that question. Don't be afraid to seem stupid or not knowledgeable when you are asking a question. Just ask it.

• The second one is when we ask questions from our training partner. Now, this is best done after training and not during training. Don't waste your rolling or drilling time by talking. But ask questions like what was that submission you caught me in? What was that position? Why couldn't I get my posture? Why didn't you have to tap into that choke? Asking those kind of questions is going to radically improve the quality of your BJJ learning experience. It makes for a great dialect in the gym, the way you really help each other.

• The third one is asking questions from yourself, and this is the biggest one, and the one that you, just like everyone else, will get the most beneficial questions you ask yourself about BJJ. What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? How would I beat myself in competition? Am I being the best me possible? Am I giving my all? Am I paying attention? Am I studying? What is my game? What is my style? What advice would I give to myself as a coach? What elements of my game that I see on the mat are reminiscent of the mistakes that I could fix or if I fix them on the mat? I will fix them in my life.

• Do you run away when things get tough? Do you pick out easy opponents to roll with? Is that something you want in your life? So, if you want to be the best role model in your life, make sure you are being the best role model. Asking those questions is the most important thing. Ask the right questions to your coach and to your training partners, and, of course, most importantly, ask the right questions of yourself. Make sure that the answers you come up with note them down, and then go out and follow them.

The following are the answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about BJJ:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is specifically designed to empower the weak against the strong. Many other martial arts rely on strength, speed, and athleticism, but there are no physical prerequisites to do BJJ. Everything you learn in BJJ is based on leverage. So, literally, anyone can do it. The best thing about BJJ is that it allows you to neutralize a violent person without causing any permanent damage. BJJ focuses on learning the specific techniques and moves that will make you better than your opponent. It does not matter how strong you are. You only have to learn the techniques and practice them as much as you can until you become a master at them. Then, whether you are in a professional BJJ match or you are in a street fighting, you can easily win against your opponent even if they are stronger than you.

You don't need to be worried about if you don’t have any previous experience. That is not a problem. 99.9% of all new students have zero previous experience. The beginner programs in all of the certified training centers are designed for new students. In this way, they can start at any time during the year and not feel confused or overwhelmed. Even you don’t need to be a physically fit person. You don’t need to be strong to learn BJJ. The only thing you need to do, BJJ, is passion. You must have a passion for learning and practicing BJJ. Without passion, even if you are stronger, you will not be able to do BJJ. Passion keeps you on the path of learning and practicing BJJ until you become the best at the art.

• The common concern that most people have regarding BJJ is whether they need to be in great shape or not to start to learn BJJ. Even many people have a belief that you should be in great shape and physically fit for learning BJJ. They are wrong. The way you should look at it is you don't get in shape to do BJJ. Instead, you do BJJ to get in shape. Because it is so unbelievably fun that you will love training BJJ. For those of you with previous injuries, you also don’t need to be worried. The classes are so safe and structured that you will move at your speed and work without any limitations.
• As you start training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you will feel that you are becoming better in terms of your fitness. You will start getting in shape because of training BJJ. You will feel more active throughout your day compared to before training BJJ. So you don’t need to be in good shape for BJJ. You will get in shape after BJJ training.

• Most BJJ training centers provide you with the uniform, which is also known as a BJJ Gi, for your first class. Under the Gi, people typically wear underwear, leggings, or spats. Under the GI top, they usually wear a t-shirt or a rash guard. When it comes to the belt, if you need help tying it the first time, they have got you covered. Because there is no sparring in beginner classes. You won't need any additional protective gear, such as a mouthpiece or groin protection.

• If you wear glasses, that will not create problems in your BJJ training. Keep them on during the technique presentations so you can see all the details. When it comes time to actually practice the techniques, just store them safely near the edge of the mat. BJJ comes in two forms: BJJ Gi and No Gi BJJ. You can practice any one of the two which you like the most. In No GI BJJ, you don’t need to wear the uniform. The uniform is only necessary for Gi BJJ.

The fifth most asked BJJ question is whether you need to bow or call someone sensei. The answer is No! While formalities do change from one martial arts school to the next. BJJ grandmasters Carlos Gracie and Helio Gracie preferred to teach on a first-name basis with a handshake. So, this is the tradition that most BJJ training centers have continued around the world.

People also ask whether they can bring a water bottle and where they can store it during the class. The answer is Yes! Most BJJ schools have drinking fountains but feel free to bring your own water bottle during class. You can also store it next to the mat, and feel free to hydrate whenever you want. Hydration is very necessary for your body. You can do BJJ training more effectively by having a properly hydrated body.

People are often afraid at their first class in BJJ training. They often ask who they will partner with in their first class of BJJ training. Practice grappling with someone that you just met can be an intimidating thought. So, BJJ training centers have gone to great lengths to make it as fun, safe, and enjoyable as possible. Specifically, they are going to partner you with someone who knows the technique of the day. So they can help you every step of the way at any time. If you are not comfortable for any reason, let your coach know, and they will find you a new partner.

• You don’t need to worry about getting injured and embarrassed. If you get injured or embarrassed in your first class, you won't come back. So, BJJ training centers have done everything possible to make your first class fun, safe, and very encouraging. You are not going to get punched and kicked. You are not going to get hit with the bamboo stick. You are not gonna get called out. No one will mock you. You are definitely not going to be fighting for your life against another BJJ beginner.
• This is the thing that makes BJJ different from other martial arts. In other martial arts, the chances for you to get hurt are very high compared to BJJ. You can’t train such martial arts safely. Even in the beginning, you are not without the risk of getting hurt. But in BJJ, you are safe. You are safe to learn any technique and train as long as you can without being worried about getting hurt.

Yes! Since most BJJ beginner programs require absolutely no previous experience to get started, you can bring a friend to your first class or any class thereafter. They can do training with you and learn the technique you are learning.

• You will check in at the front desk. You will get a uniform and an attendance card. You will get dressed in the changing room. You will line up at the beginning of class. The head instructor will take you and any other first-day students aside for a personal 10-minute introduction while the rest of the class reviews their techniques. The instructors will teach the techniques of the day, and you will be partnered with someone who knows the techniques.

• So they can help you every step of the way. As you practice, you will have the opportunity to ask questions. The instructors will be there to help. At the end of class, everyone will line up, and if there are any belt promotions, they will be awarded belts. That is all about the first class. After the class is over, you go home a little bit happier, a little bit healthier, and a little more confident than the day before.