Common Mistakes Beginners Make in Jiu Jitsu and How to Avoid Them
Starting your Jiu Jitsu journey is both exciting and challenging. It’s a complex martial art that requires patience, persistence, and humility. Beginners often make common mistakes that can slow their progress or lead to frustration. Fortunately, these pitfalls can be avoided with the right guidance and mindset. This post highlights the most frequent errors beginners make and offers practical advice to help you overcome them.
1. Neglecting Fundamentals
Mistake:
Many beginners focus too much on flashy techniques or submissions, neglecting the foundational movements and concepts of Jiu Jitsu. While advanced techniques look impressive, they often rely on a solid understanding of the basics.
How to Avoid:
Prioritize learning fundamental movements like shrimping, bridging, and proper posture.
Focus on positional control (e.g., maintaining mount or side control) before attempting submissions.
Listen to your instructors and drill the basics consistently—they are the building blocks of your game.
2. Using Too Much Strength
Mistake:
Beginners often rely on strength to compensate for a lack of technique. While this might work against other beginners, it quickly becomes ineffective against more experienced practitioners.
How to Avoid:
Focus on technique and leverage instead of brute force.
Practice moving efficiently and conserving energy.
Remind yourself to relax during training; excessive tension can tire you out and hinder your learning.
3. Not Tapping Early Enough
Mistake:
Some beginners are hesitant to tap, either out of pride or a desire to see how long they can endure a submission. This can lead to injuries or strained training relationships.
How to Avoid:
Always prioritize safety over ego. Tap as soon as you feel trapped in a submission.
Remember that tapping is a learning opportunity, not a sign of failure.
Communicate with your training partners if you feel any discomfort.
4. Skipping Warm-Ups
Mistake:
Skipping warm-ups might seem tempting, especially if you’re short on time, but it increases the risk of injury and limits your performance during class.
How to Avoid:
Arrive early to ensure you have time to warm up properly.
Take warm-ups seriously, as they prepare your body for the physical demands of training.
Use this time to mentally focus and set intentions for the session.
5. Overtraining
Mistake:
Beginners often feel the need to train as much as possible, leading to burnout or injuries from overtraining.
How to Avoid:
Balance training with adequate rest and recovery.
Listen to your body and take breaks when needed.
Remember that consistency over time is more important than intense short-term efforts.
6. Ignoring Jiu Jitsu Etiquette
Mistake:
Not understanding or following mat etiquette can create awkward situations or disrupt the flow of training.
How to Avoid:
Learn the specific rules and customs of your academy, such as bowing onto the mat or addressing instructors.
Keep your uniform (gi) clean and your nails trimmed.
Be respectful to your training partners, avoiding unnecessary roughness or unsafe techniques.
7. Avoiding Sparring
Mistake:
Sparring can be intimidating for beginners, leading some to avoid it altogether. This slows progress, as live rolling is one of the best ways to improve.
How to Avoid:
Start with light sparring or positional drills to build confidence.
Focus on learning rather than winning during sparring sessions.
Ask higher belts for advice or feedback after rolling with them.
8. Not Asking Questions
Mistake:
Beginners may feel embarrassed or hesitant to ask questions, missing out on valuable insights.
How to Avoid:
Take advantage of your instructors’ knowledge by asking questions during or after class.
Clarify any techniques or concepts you don’t fully understand.
Remember that asking questions shows a genuine interest in learning.
9. Comparing Yourself to Others / Focusing on Promotions
Mistake:
Comparing your progress to others, especially higher belts or natural athletes, can lead to frustration and self-doubt.
How to Avoid:
Focus on your own journey and celebrate small improvements.
Understand that everyone progresses at their own pace.
Use others as inspiration rather than a benchmark for your success.
Do not focus too much on your belt ranking or pace of promotion. Instead, focus on getting a little better every day you train.
10. Overcomplicating Techniques
Mistake:
Beginners often try to combine too many steps or add unnecessary movements to techniques, making them less effective.
How to Avoid:
Simplify your approach by focusing on key details of each technique.
Practice drills slowly and deliberately to build muscle memory.
Trust your instructor’s guidance and avoid overthinking.
11. Being Too Passive
Mistake:
Some beginners are overly cautious during sparring, leading them to stay in bad positions without attempting escapes or counters.
How to Avoid:
Be proactive in improving your position, even if you’re not confident in the outcome.
Experiment with techniques during sparring to learn what works.
Accept that mistakes are part of the learning process.
12. Neglecting Physical Fitness
Mistake:
Relying solely on Jiu Jitsu for fitness without addressing overall strength, flexibility, and conditioning can limit your performance.
How to Avoid:
Incorporate supplementary exercises, such as yoga, strength training, or cardio, into your routine.
Focus on improving mobility and flexibility to prevent injuries.
Maintain a healthy diet and hydration habits to support your training.
13. Failing to Set Goals
Mistake:
Without clear goals, beginners may feel aimless and lose motivation over time.
How to Avoid:
Set short-term and long-term goals for your Jiu Jitsu journey (e.g., mastering a specific technique or earning your next stripe).
Track your progress and celebrate achievements, no matter how small.
Discuss your goals with your instructor to receive tailored advice.
14. Not Taking Notes
Mistake:
Failing to document what you learn in class makes it harder to retain techniques and concepts.
How to Avoid:
Keep a training journal to record techniques, tips, and observations after each class.
Review your notes regularly to reinforce your understanding.
Use your journal to identify areas for improvement and track progress.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes are an inevitable part of learning Jiu Jitsu. Rather than viewing them as setbacks, see them as opportunities to grow and refine your skills. By recognizing these common pitfalls and actively working to avoid them, you’ll set yourself up for a more enjoyable and rewarding journey on the mat.
Remember, Jiu Jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace the process, stay consistent, and most importantly, have fun. Each class is a chance to improve, both as a practitioner and as a person.