BJJ White Belt Chronicles: Episode 2 - Best Advice I've Received

[@TrishCanyon8]

I went to my first class today. I'm 71 but I think I can learn this. I started my journal already. Thanks for good info.

[@BobBob-il2ku]

This helped me from john danaher I recently got the chance to view the Joe Rogan podcast and he had special guest John Danaher on. John Danher from viewing interviews and just hearing from guys who have trained under him is a mad scientist when it comes to bjj. In the interview he talked about a lot of things, but the thing that impressed me the most was what he called the 4 steps of jiu jitsu. He basically quizzed Joe on what he thought the 4 steps would be. The first step in jiu jitsu is to take your opponent to the ground. The reason given for this was absolutely brilliant and you even saw it play out in the UFC 220 main event with Miocic vs Nganou. The reason for taking your opponent to the ground is to take away their ability to use explosiveness when it comes to striking and effectively hitting you. The second step was to get past your opponents legs. The reason being is because even on his back your opponent may be able to hit you with up kicks or possibly chokes of his own. The third step given was to use a series of moves to get in a better position to strike and or submit. He also explained how the positions in jiu jitsu such as knee on belly, mount and back mount are all awarded points in sports competition based on the ability to attack and not be attacked back. Being knee on belly is worth less points than mount or back position this is the reasoning why. He said knee on belly is worth less because it is a more unstable position. Step four was to finish. Use a choke or submission or attack with strikes to finish your opponent. Now this might seem simplistic as can be, but in a way jiu jitsu is simple. I think that is what I like about it. I would love to get the opportunity one day to go to a seminar with him and just learn a bit of his philosophy. I think sometimes we over complicate things and in my opinion jiu jitsu really is simple. It is a tough sport, but in the end it really is as simple as going step 1-4.

[@LifeWithVinceLuu]

I agree! It's a game of chess, reactions, adjustments, and readjustments. Put it all together and you can negate your opponent!

[@thinkingisthebox]

Thanks for this I just started and Im finding these steps helpful

[@knbd]

Nice I like the one about writing it down in a journal, I’m going to start that right now. Thank you

[@LifeWithVinceLuu]

It's helped out a ton! Now just to hit it in actual rolling! Haha

[@knbd]

Vince Luu yes it’s very hard to remember what you learned two weeks ago. But they say it’s all muscle memory. I’m trying

[@LifeWithVinceLuu]

@@knbd Exactly! Keep on keeping on. OSS!

[@rudeinblaq4933]

Going to my first class tomorrow ! These videos have been very helpful

[@wonderbred6179]

Off topic but I seen you got Shoe Dog on your bookshelf, really great book! Recommend watching Air, very great movie

[@ALiberalVeteran]

Best advice I've gotten from my Shihan so far is that attaining the black belt is just recognition that you have a good base of knowledge in the martial arts and is when the real work starts, especially passing down and starting to teach the arts to the next guys in line.

[@LifeWithVinceLuu]

Love this advice! From the black belts that I've spoken with, they all say that once you get your black belt, that's where the real journey and learning begins!

[@degraham9198]

Thanks.

[@TheManabopo]

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Also I’ve learnt to understand the why instead of the how. Why do we post a leg here. Instead of simply, post the leg here while doing the move. Learning through concepts helped me develop a stronger understanding and also helped me learn new techniques faster.

[@marcj212]

So I’m thinking of starting but I have absolutely no upper body strength, would it be better to start after working to build up strength or is it ok to start now?

[@LifeWithVinceLuu]

I would advise to start now! In my opinion, strength in the gym doesn't necessarily translate to jiu jitsu. Don't get me wrong, it certainly helps. Jiu jitsu is more about technique, understanding of leverage/timing, etc. I wouldn't wait to start jiu jitsu because you wanting to get stronger first. You can certainly do both concurrently as well. 3 - 5 days of jiu jitsu, with 1 - 2 days of lifting each week. Hope this helps!

[@WokeEarth]

I started going to a bjj gym last week. I am tall and skinny. Have been doing push ups and pull ups every so often since January. I can tell that it would be a big help if you start working on the muscles now. But bjj is a great workout but if you have to deal with keeping up And learning the techniques it may be difficult . you will eventually get a physique but today is the day to start .

[@opinionmaximus]

Strength will help ESPECIALLY if you know BJJ but I would rather have good technique. I'm a 195 pound 1 stripe purple belt (7.5 years in) and I roll with a 130 lb, 3 stripe white belt who does EXTREMELY well against me JUST because of technique. Don't be scared off because of that. You're GONNA GET MURDERED to begin with but you'll get better. Hope that helps.

[@shadymilkman443]

@@opinionmaximus so a 3 stripe white belt has more technique than you? ( A purple belt). That seem off 🤔 or did you mean something else by "he does extremely well against you"?

[@opinionmaximus]

@@shadymilkman443 What I meant is a STRONG 130lb person with no technique is WAY EASIER to defend against than a 130lb weaker person that has good technique.

[@Bad-Daze247]

Don't get choked out