What to Focus On as a New BJJ White Belt with No Submissions

When you first start BJJ training, it can be overwhelming. There is so much going on and it's confusing about where to start.
I experienced this issue when I began training. And it is a question one of my new White Belts named Taylor had a question about.
His question was essentially asking what to focus on as a new BJJ White Belt.
So in this video, I share several tips about how I personally went about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu as a brand new White Belt with little to no submissions in my useable technique arsenal.
I share some tips for people who are more comfortable on the bottom playing form Full Guard and I share some options for people who are more comfortable playing from the top positions.
The general idea in this video is that if you're new to Brazilian Jiujitsu. Your goal should be to just be able to control position as best you can and survive initially.
If you can control the basic positions (holding full guard, maintaining top position, etc) then overtime you'll find that you'll be able to mount some sort of offense attacks afterwards.
But in the beginning, if you don't have the ability to maintain positions properly. You'll be hard pressed to mount any submission attacks or offense techniques.
So for all the newcomers to BJJ, I hope this video is useful to you!
-Chewy
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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

[@austinreynoldsvideos]

Had my first bjj class last night. Felt like I was drowning for the most part, but I'm excited to keep going!

[@chaoticway3795]

2 years later. How's it going?

[@ljplays927]

Update?

[@MrCmon113]

Pretty sure you owe Sam Harris money for that analogy.

[@anthonymort5202]

Just had my first class A week ago and then for some reason I thought I won the lottery because I went out and spent like $500 on BJJ stuff

[@aeneas116116]

update????

[@aidandixon6028]

Obviously the first move you should learn is the flying triangle. :)

[@36424567254]

*the flying berimbolo

[@judgemycover]

Toltaly agreed

[@EndrChe]

Instant black belt.

[@fabooshka]

Nope ameridote

[@TheByrdHouse]

Gogoplata

[@tonym456]

Two days into training, this is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks a lot!

[@blazed1945]

@Hodge Fun hows it going so far brother?My first class is Thursday im interested in what to expect?

[@EliFarb]

@@blazed1945 how's it going for you so far

[@Anne_Onymous]

Yeah most people don't stick with it so I'm not expecting a reply fellas lol

[@BenNuProductions]

RIP Tony

[@CoachKevanKillsit]

I just finished my 2nd day!!! Did you stick with it??

[@stefanaguinaldosoerensen2355]

0:40 Chad be like: "yeah true, but damn dude.."

[@Vexsus22]

savage

[@sirsupesafro7637]

Lol I looked at his face as soon as the comment came out and I was met by exactly the face I expected.

[@paradigmwolf4694]

I hate people like that, dude. Lol. Just casually condescending.

[@dannywithnuggets]

@@paradigmwolf4694 its the truth snowflake get used to it

[@paradigmwolf4694]

@@dannywithnuggets calling someone on being condescending makes me a snowflake? Well insulting people without good reason makes you a jackass.

[@badgoat666]

My best move is sweating on people.

[@risingsonstattoostudio9071]

Hahahahaha bro hahahahaha😂 I’m dead

[@itsmiguel4818]

My best is to fart on my opponent

[@itsmiguel4818]

All jokes aside BJJ is the real deal 💪🏾

[@Wuthahn_]

"Embrace the suck!" - Chewy 2017, Spoken like a true poet

[@Chewjitsu]

Manuel Littl haha.

[@ikksksknsk4720]

S U C C

[@terryprice1923]

Tiling doorway

[@pondechoy]

I just bought a shirt that says that! Excellent words to live by!

[@TheAnti-Hero]

just ripped off from david goggins

[@masnyder2506]

Love the "new-jitsu" feeling of getting crushed time and time again and being sore in ways i haven't ever before. #survivalmode and working on keeping my base.

[@flashbaq23]

Me right now ! Luckily I have a wrestling background so I have some basic instincts... we did king of hill after class and I literally got pummeled every round 🤣.

[@joemeschke]

Same! I have a background in karate and may thai, but jiu-jitsu seems very humbling. I love it.

[@ow731]

Sus

[@bengough6955]

2 lessons in....I'm drowning I'm exhausted I'm beat up....roll on next session 😂

[@midole103]

Uggh this is literally me rn 😅

[@youaremopped]

Dude. Thank you. This is exactly what I wanted to know. Just attended my first class. It was an open mat (lul) and I had no idea where to even begin. Now I'm looking forward to my next class and taking my first step in the right direction. A side note, while rolling before taking even 1 white belt class probably isn't wise, I'm glad I did. I survived and now know how would feel for your average guy off the street to be on the ground with someone with just 3 to 6 months of training.

[@bboystance514]

"Embrace the Suck" T-shirts! Make it happen!

[@bash6519]

Jay Carrera check out goruck website they have shirts and patches etc with that. Pretty common saying in the military

[@garybones6923]

Jocko

[@MrAkosFintor]

bottom line, just try to delay getting tapped out.

[@ruddig]

HEY GUYS ONE MNTH DOWN ...loving the jujitsu.. its is very hard .. i am 46 never been athletic...so trying this out is very challenging .. thanks you have beem an inspiration to me...

[@Mr_waynne]

brian lunsford keep it up man

[@whatsinthebox5504]

im 41 and im really serious about getting into it, im a lil overweight and im nervous. glad to hear youre enjoying it

[@ghjhty7]

Rob Robinson Go for it man. And I hope you keep with it.

[@oz_jones]

It gets easier. Keep on rolling, man

[@TheByrdHouse]

How is it going? If you didn’t keep training get started again. You will be glad you did. I’m 48 and have been training 5 years.

[@jholmes45]

I can't even imagine starting bjj without having any kind of wrestling background, or at least being somewhat strong and athletic. The people that do and manage to persevere are heroes to me.

[@NuevoVR]

I started when I was a chub chub gamer boi and stuck at it. It was tough and I injured myself every session I did for the first few months 😂

[@MrCmon113]

I'll just go to different gyms until I find one in which I'm the biggest dude. Looking forward to get choked out by middle aged lady half my weight.

[@augustolage4368]

Basically everyone in Brazil lol

[@ace9140]

that's where im at right now

[@Reaniman99]

I have 0 combat experience other than random streetfights I'm pretty athletic but my gas tank isn't very good I'm getting it tho been running doing squats and abs rolling trying to make up for the fact I started so late I'm 22 and I want to do mma cage fights

[@sambranch2539]

I had to embrace the suck last night. My first session 🤕

[@Chewjitsu]

Embrace it. ;)

[@itscork]

The Business Finder Good job man! You still with it? I just started...

[@russiansoviet11]

@@itscork i just started. Had two lessons so far. Could not believe, how out of shape i am. Im getting absolutely owned by blue belts. Loving every second of it.

[@sudutpandang3843]

Hey I just trained for the first time today. I never been so happy getting my ass kicked.

[@itscork]

Sudut Pandang When I began BJJ I jotted notes down in a journal. It’s helpful to be able to look back on dates you’ve trained, moves, training partners, etc. You may wanna consider it. Good luck bro! 🤙🏼

[@anamericaninbusan9389]

First session tonight. In a Jiu Jitsu gym in Korea. I don't speak Korean. Some of the coaches speak English. Let's see how this goes. "If you go into a Jiu Jitsu academy, and you have no idea what you're doing, you can be a 6' 10" 350 lb man, and get taken down by a 5' 5" 120 lb woman." -Jocko Willink

[@mittensthehousecat4114]

How did you go?

[@EquinoXReZ]

How was it?

[@BlackMoridin]

Dude i'd love to hear how this experience went

[@zulufucxs1373]

I’m in South Korea for a tour for a year and wanna get into jujitsu again but I’m in the Seoul area

[@leppamessiah]

Same situation for me but I’m in Japan

[@TheReelWil]

My goal is hold my guard 1min20sec before I get tired 🤣😥😥😢😭

[@neiloconnor7776]

I got my first submission today it was a kimura

[@365Jamegigenelg]

Me too!

[@martialarts5231]

When you're starting on the day it comes out 😂

[@ep_aesthetics5917]

martial arts how’s it going now?

[@maxanderson3733]

Hope you’re doing way better than me

[@uipize]

Could you continue this for grown white belts, into blue belt ?

[@quasar4601]

Once you're a blue then you are marked and colored belts will go all out and so will white belts.

[@koltonblake6620]

Embrace the SUCC

[@anthonybrown1417]

My man! Wow.... im a 40 year old who is about to start BJJ.... im nowhere near as fit as I once was and this video is remarkable.... im so going to give this a go... your advice regarding keeping the arms on their body is not something i ever heard when i trained in it a short while 15 years ago! Amazing... im subscribing!

[@mmcgillis]

As someone who just started. One of my biggest issues is getting used to some of these maneuvers,(specifically shooting/penetrating for a leg take down)with flexibility and also. Letting myself fall safely. Is there any sort of of stretching or baby step type drills you could teach?

[@jeffreydaigle5252]

My first time was today and dude jumped up and had me in an arm bar before i could even blink

[@okgutesviddo3070]

How is it going?

[@frederikduplessis4126]

0:41 " thanks bro, your beard hides the fact that you have no chin but okay."

[@andyhan5008]

Wow I’m on day 2 as of now at the Gracie academy team Mica and cuz I’m so new breaking guard was today’s focus then I watched this video and u guys said the same thing. Bjj is so addictive n legit n my only regret.... I didn’t start sooner

[@CatHelicopter]

the sexual tension is crazy

[@lifeishard7578]

Just did my 7th class of no GI Just been trying to hold on and learn how to breathe while getting tapped left and right but iv slowly been holding on longer and longer!

[@jamessarvan7692]

Honestly, my biggest problem with BJJ when I started training it was that I was immideatly thrown into sparring when I didn't really know ANY techniques. They just pretty much showed me the mount and side control and a couple of other positions, and then they were choking me out left right and center. Of course, this might vary a lot in different clubs but still. I just felt like I came there week after week to get my ass kicked, and not really to learn much new. When I started doing MMA and Muay Thai on the other hand I felt like I had proper time to focus on the tehcniques first before I started to spar. That didn't mean that I still wouldn't get my ass kicked a lot, but then I at least had a honest chance to defend myself and try some techniques myself. When it came to BJJ I didn't feel I could do that because i literally didn't know a single submission and hardly anything else either, and still they just excpected me to spar with blue to black belts and get choked out constantly and it just wasn't an enjoyable experience.

[@alb3tal]

Well this may be late but your situation is what was in my mind exactly when i wanted to train so here what to do.. Grappling require strength so if you are strong you can survive so don't play with bigger opponent ever.. Secondly nvr play with non white belt which mean Blue and above .. If you always face this maybe change gym as a proper Bjj gym should offer 2 to 3 type of classes beginner , intermediate and High so go to beginner and when you spar try to survive focus on your moves and what you learn and avoid sparing more than twice a week if you go to the class let say 4 times so 2 of 4 spar and other 2 days catch some one who shows you what to do when you spar " If there are good guys "

[@benjamingoh6715]

@@alb3tal I think this might vary from gym to gym. The place I join has a "standard syllabus" that rotates restarts every 3-4 months and every lesson there is sparring.I always go with people who are colored belts and after the ass kicking I'd ask them what to do in the situation, how do I reverse a mount, where to position my hands when I am in a mount. To be fair, people here are really friendly and would love to stay behind to help. Oh and if you let them know its your first or second week here, they are generally quite gentle with you. I sometimes avoid certain white belts as they are sometimes overly aggressive and the new guy is the only one they can pull off submissions on :x

[@Myplaylist892]

Oh, you should have tried one of the Gracie Barra Team

[@turongo7175]

Thank you for this video. I am about to start my first ever bjj class and I am 40mim early so I thought I should at least get an idea of what I’m going into. And this video has given me a few things to work on for my 1st class. Thank you 🙏

[@akutagawabedrocker]

How has it been going?

[@adaml6793]

@@akutagawabedrockerget blanked

[@stopthecap4317]

@@akutagawabedrockerHe died

[@alaakhalid9021]

Don't we love people leaving there accounts or not replying

[@milant4810]

​@@adaml6793get blanked

[@DoggosAndJiuJitsu]

Everyone said it, but I didn’t get it until I got into purple. Ya, I miss the white belt days. Purple (and blue, I guess) has a huge amount of enjoyment but white is just different.

[@TheSigmaWolves]

I love the talks chewy. This is almost a podcast at times. Jiu-jitsu talk with Chewy.

[@superegobeats]

Dude I just got my first stripe on my white belt during class today!! So ecstatic, I totally did not expect it.

[@picklewacket3694]

That was the most positive thing I've heard. Thanks so much! As the only woman in my class, your words were inspiring.

[@jimreily7538]

Hopefully you're still training. There are only a couple of girls in my gym and they're badass

[@kainedodds2073]

Thanks for this vid mate, Im a month in and a lot of these techniques are helping me a lot to last longer and also gives me a bit of time to get back a bit of energy in the fight. Still get beaten up but my partner has to work for it a bit longer

[@jasminepearl6292]

thankkkkk youuu i just started two days ago

[@Dave-hk3pv]

man you're on a roll 3 vids in 2 days, much appreciated effort and great felt commitment, cheers and please keep up the great work.

[@bucki58]

Thanks I really needed this advice and help. I am one week in and just getting owned by everyone.

[@GamesGunsAndGuitar]

1 year into my white belt, and I can say this is exactly what I had to do to get myself through a lot of the rough spots. I was the newest guy at my gym for a long time so I just started setting small goals for myself and they built on each other. Now I can roll with upper white belts and blue belts and at least be competitive and not get subbed every 30 seconds. Thanks for all your vids, they’ve been awesome for my mental state to stay consistent with training

[@seannyari]

Did ya get ya blue belt?

[@GamesGunsAndGuitar]

Not yet! I've got two stripes on the white belt, and just keep lining up tournaments to motivate me. Hopeful for blue belt by the end of this year, but who knows.@@seannyari

[@SwampyShoe]

Man I did jujitsu when I was 8 and quit once I was 9 I’m going back now after 3 years but I’m sooo scared I’ve forgot everything 🙁

[@harunosmanovic]

Dude, I'm getting merked... This video is reassuring ! ^^

[@Jonny-pl6qj]

Great video and will definitely keep this in mind. The thing I'm wondering as a brand new white belt (under 1 month) at 40yo - when starting from the ground especially, I really don't know where to start; grips, etc to go for. I train with almost all purple/brown belts and when we roll they basically go very slow and methodical and allow me to initiate. Which I appreciate so very much because I get a sense for position, setting up, not getting banged up as much. But I just really feel I'm lacking a good starting place. Really like your videos and if you have covered this I'll run into it soon. Thanks!

[@Evan-ey6hm]

Yo how are you doing in BJJ now??

[@chuckthecontractor]

First class Friday. Zero experience or knowledge. Did open mat with 3 blue belts and got owned. One was very technical and it wasn’t too painful to be put into submissions. The second guy was a big guy who relied more on weight and strength. I got choked hard by the second guy and felt like I had mono for the weekend. During the roll he asked what I was trying to do and i said i didn’t know… i was just trying to not get killed. I was probably more rough with him than i should have been as i don’t know how to not hurt people so I’m not surprised it got so rough. This vid gave me something to shoot for. Next time I’ll have a game plan…

[@stevengreen7992]

Am I too old to start doing Jujitsu at 60? I'm still very strong and athletic for my age, but I only do weight training at home at the moment. I have tried many martial arts over the years, but Jujitsu wasn't done where I live, but it is now. Would I just be wasting peoples time joining an Academy at such an old age?

[@vitoralmeida4051]

Your 60 years young for Jiu jitsu go for it !

[@Jack1Dutch]

I'm looking into starting BJJ after doing kickboxing for 6 years and these videos chewy are unreal thank you so much for your content already before doing BJJ I find it so helpful

[@dannyhayward4650]

00:39 to see when chad realises hes long and lanky

[@sayville_silver]

I had my first BJJ class this am. We drilled a couple north south positions and then had some open rolls starting with what we learned. It was a great experience.

[@davidwilliam9681]

Probably the most important thing is stop when someone taps. It's not a signal to choke them harder. You don't get extra points for putting your training partners in the hospital. We're on the same team.

[@kevyg973]

I'm about to leave for my first class in 10 minutes and this gave me a confidence boost, sincerely thank you

[@hump1201]

How did it go?

[@Liquid_sa]

I thought I suck. Cuz me and a friend started and I suck like hell and I'm always getting the worst positions and getting submitted. And never getting positions...while everyoneis improving...(+I'm 193cm and 78kg and everyone is shorter and heavier...) But maybe I'm a slow learner... muay thai was easier to learn🗿💔

[@timo5563]

Had my first day today - loved it. Of course i get smashed, but i will work on that 😂 i will update u guys if you want again in a few months

[@timothybailey404]

Four months in and I have one stripe. I get worked every class buy I keep coming back for the fun of bjj. As a white belt your job is to survive!

[@taekwondokid]

I just started jiu jitsu a week ago. Love it 😂 I get pummeled every round lmao but I have improved 1 week in. Fought with my coach and he was going easy on me ne but I tried my best 😅

[@TommyBlanton]

Okay, I’m actually looking forward to getting smashed! I’m signing my son up and decided to take a leap too!

[@OmarNoeTseretelinoe]

jocko willink brought me here

[@MELBAWSHIFT]

I am slowly realizing how true the last 5 seconds is

[@ageofechochambers9469]

Excellent I am a white belt have been since 2015 . Bjj is a hustle not a sport

[@tristanbutzine8589]

Today was my 8th or 9th class and I had my fifth ever roll against a blue belt. He tapped me multiple times (as expected I dont expect to win period in jiu jitsu), but at one point he was letting me work a bit and I saw and took the opportunity for a baseball cross choke, which I learned the first class. It didnt work because I didnt the technique quite down and he tucked his chin really well, then he got control ofc, but he told me it was a good idea. That is the first time ive not completely got my ass handed to me in every single interaction. For a brief few moments at least but, im so proud of it. Yes he was probably letting me work a decent bit and didnt expect me to even know that choke but I was still pretty happy about it

[@lewisjellicoe2768]

This was honestly really helpful! I just had my second class! We just covered scissor sweep so next class imma just try holding the guard in sparring! Thanks for the tips man!

[@chrissargent9658]

49 year old just starting and this was the best video I’ve ever seen. My first class I felt like Ricky Bobby not knowing what to do with my hands and just tried to muscle my opponent. Gassed immediately. Thank you!

[@Wuffy34]

I'm definitely embracing the suck and pain right now lol

[@jesselost05420]

Hoping to go to my first classes next weekend. I enrolled my kids in this MMA gym that teaches basically everything, so I joined too so I can take my 11 yr old daughter to NoGi and my 4yr old wrestling. I have been binge watching your videos. I am guessing with my personality I am going to be addicted lol. Thanks for all the info.

[@cristiancervantes6824]

Excellent. So many schools do not have this structural basics and simply go into submissions without teaching the structure. Thank you

[@theboytube]

Trainer: maybe your long and lengthy like chad Chad: 👁👄👁

[@TheChameleonCarroll]

I am a white belt under the Roger the leprechaun 🍀 Carroll

[@Osiriswear]

Great advice: Something I have heard over and over again is to focus on positional escapes as a white belt and maybe learn 2 attacks from each position. Roy Dean said Jiujitsu is like a physical language: -At white belt, you are learning new words. Here is my own white belt to blue belt journey: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHOmqoOPd5lrsM0 -At blue belt, you are learning words and stringing sentences together. -At purple belt, you have a certain style (a game) of arguing which you use over and over again. -At brown belt, you refine your arguing style and become emphatic. -At black belt, you start all over again. #whitebelts are people too.

[@arkham666]

is it just me or is anyone else absolutely loving getting smashed over and over?

[@ClassyVirtualTours]

arkham666 that’s what she said

[@youngoutis7193]

Matt Davis not to you , you ugly bitch

[@timotejmares]

I like that too ;-)

[@Yossarian.]

Aged 54. Had my sixth class today. I'm looking forward to getting my black belt somewhere in my late seventies. 😁

[@drew7319]

I'm 45 and JUST starting BJJ I'm just 3 classes in so completely lost but loving it . This has helped me with something to focus on as when I go in my only goal was to try and not get killed as my brain is just overwhelmed with WTF do I do now so thank you I'll at least have a small goal to implement

[@raggledaggle721]

I'm so new to this, this is the first time I've realized I'm gonna be having problems like this. But thanks for the heads up! Just have to go about it like life in general.

[@chybyscus]

This was super helpful. On Monday I have my 3rd session and I'll be looking for my little goals. Thank you!

[@imhassane]

I’m 6’2, 240lbs I went to my first bjj class today, I got beaten by a way smaller guy but kept the pace and made a guy approximately my weight tap just because of strength 😆 I’m so happy but I also understood how vulnerable the average man is

[@bastiisalive]

Back in 2018 when I started, I only last 8 seconds, now I could keep more despite chopping up that 1 year due to studies and board exam...hopefully this time I could master the drills

[@Santiago-li7yl]

Brand new BJJ white belt here. Been to 2 classes. So far I love it. Great guys in class. Mostly higher level white belts, 1 blue belt, purple, and the teacher black of course. Your videos are great Chewy. Any advice for a newbie? Thanks.

[@grahamvandyke]

I remember my first class and doing drills. The coach would show us something and then when it was time to execute it, I was SO DAMN confused about what limb to place where at what time and thought "Oh, this is way harder than they make it look in the UFC."

[@50rads]

Same, most of the time I would not know what to do so I would just try to not get submitted and survive as long as possible

[@grahamvandyke]

@@50rads That sounds exactly like how I used to roll hahaha.

[@goldenmango6133]

We have to learn to fail, before we learn to succeed! I love how much patience is needed in this sport!

[@Bry-rl3ll]

Just finished my second class

[@tcar0341]

You guys are cool. I just started BJJ at Spangler Martial Arts in Apex, NC. Your videos have helped me put things in perspective. All the best to you!

[@Chewjitsu]

Happy to help!

[@junichi1307]

Joo jisoo from how to fight bring me here

[@abfab47]

This is exactly where I'm at with my training so this was super helpful to watch!

[@dustinnagy6011]

Going to my first class tomorrow, wish me luck 🤙🏻

[@iamme4494]

How was it?

[@jessejackson7546]

My first class is tomorrow!

[@806bigsteve]

I am 34 years old and recovering from cancer. I am 6’5” and now 270lbs. While I was sick I had gotten down to 140lbs. Now I am back to normal weight but I feel I did not put it on correctly as it seems to all be fat. I want to start BJJ next week and I’ve been working on my cardio for a week now to kinda prepare myself for BJJ. My question is will I be some what ready or should I invest in more cardio before I start? I have to do something or I fear I will die from a heart attack being such high % body fat. I need this to save me. Also any other advice to get me prepared would be greatly appreciated.

[@Anthony_Lucca]

Big Steve hey man, I would say just jump right into it. You don't need to have great cardio to start jiu jitsu. Good luck with everything brother👍🏼

[@806bigsteve]

Anthony Lucca, wow I was so worried I needed to fill my tank more, so to say. Thank you for the encouragement. And I will for sure start next week.

[@806bigsteve]

Chad Baer thank you, what you say makes sense. I’m just new and don’t know what to do, lol. I am so thankful for the advice. I guess I just needed to hear from the community to just jump right in. Again thank you.

[@806bigsteve]

Chad Baer thank you again, I’m sure the gym I chose is a pretty decent one. It’s the farm in Greeley Colorado. I hear good things. And after hearing what you all had to say I think I’m going to not wait until next week and go ahead and jump in my tuck and go down there today. No time like the present! Again thank you so much for the encouragement . If the community here is as welcoming then I am sure I have made the right choice for myself and my health.

[@PessimiStick]

Great decision! No matter how "in shape" you are in a normal sense, you're going to be fucking *exhausted* from grappling. The best way to get grappling cardio is by grappling. The sooner you start, the sooner you start getting better.

[@petercuha8401]

some remarks from my side (38 yrs old, couple of months of training) 1. know yourself and adjust training consistency to it (2-3 times/week for me - more is just too exhaustive). 2. keep your ego in the car - being submitted all the time is not nice but most of white belts had to go through it exactly the same 3. try to make most of your mat time - listen, ask, concentrate, focus on technique 4. define why are you doing jiu jitsu - for me - self defense and exercise. Thus it is normal that someone focusing on competing will probably get better (trains more) and will be "much more motivated to win" on the mat. I have experience from other martial arts / self defense systems - and I learned that people who can fight and train regularly are not the ones who would attack you on the street. So meaning that, I do not have to be black belt to be able to defend myself against attacker. The best defense is to run, fight is the last resort as there are sooo many risks and things that can happen... And I am sure BJJ instructors teach that too :)

[@bengough6955]

Really helpful. Im two hours in and know that i know nothing and getting beat up 😂 it's great and this was super helpful. Im gonna just practice these for the next few weeks when we roll. Good stuff

[@gayealisir5661]

I am a Muay Thai student. One time the gym had a free wrestling class. All the ju jitsu dudes were in there. I had never grappled before. Those were some of the most intense fights I've ever had. Ran out of energy so quickly. I haven't grappled since but one day I wanna learn the art. So beautiful and so effective.

[@jayslice4371]

I’ve been watching your videos for about a year and a half but I had to come back to this video because I finally got the courage to sign up for bjj! I start this next week and I’m both super excited and terrified at the same time!!!

[@763grams]

Update

[@jayslice4371]

@@763grams I’m glad you brought me back here. I fell in love with martial arts and Bjj is everything they say it is. The confidence you gain from it is life changing. Before bjj I felt like my friends didn’t exactly respect me like I wanted them to. They werent disrespectful and are still good friends of mine but I felt like they showed more respect to others in my friend group. Instead of complaining I took on bjj to make myself better as a person. I got my blue belt in a little under 2 years and I feel like I radiate real confidence now. I make sure not to be cocky because I really dislike gym bullies (even though they are my favorite targets). I finally feel like I don’t have to prove myself to anybody not even my friends. With the confidence in myself came the respect from my friends. The way they treat me now is like night and day. When I talk everyone listens now and it’s not because I know bjj it’s because of the personality traits bjj has given me such as discipline. It’s crazy but just two years ago I was lazy, unproductive and was just wasting my life away. Now I’m constantly on the go getting things done and I can’t help but contribute it to bjj. I like to think I have always been a very respectful person but the difference now is that I demand respect. I don’t seek approval from people anymore only respect. I made new friends in bjj that are just as hungry as I am to better themselves. We all respect each other (other than the playful banter we give each other when we roll). We hang in and outside the gym and we all love training. I train on average about 4 times a week and whenever I’m not training I’m constantly thinking about martial arts. I went from weighing 150-155 to weighing 175-180. It helps keep me fit and I truly feel like my energy has changed. I plan my daily routine around training, I already quit one job because it stopped me from training for 3 months. Currently I eased off training bjj to focus on my stand up. I still train outside the designated classes and some weekends. Luckily my gym is never really closed if you know someone with a key and it turns out I became really close friends with two of younger coaches. My first love in martial arts is bjj so once I feel confident enough in my Muay Thai I’ll go back to full time bjj I just think being well rounded is better for self defense than solely having bjj. I’ve only competed 4 times placing 4th, 3rd, 1st, and 2nd in that order. I plan on doing so many more tournaments. Joining bjj changed the trajectory of my life and now my end goal and dream is to start my very own gym whenever I feel ready (which I know is many more years). Sorry for the long response I just wanted to emphasize the changes bjj has made on my life just in case someone is on the border on whether or not they should join. My answer will always be yes!

[@cupofmilk24]

I want to join bjj, but the only gym near me is a Gracie bjj gym. IDK if the price is worth it at 160$ per month. Can anyone chime in on whether or not this is a good price? I pay considerably less to weight lift, (40$) which is in no way a martial art. I love mma and want to improve myself with other sport disciplines, but am finding it hard to justify the price. IDK if I'm paying for the Gracie name or if this is just the industry standard.

[@ElNightmareYT]

Matthew Sanchez I asume you're from the USA, I don't really know the prices there. In Spain I pay 50€/month for full access to an MMA gym, which means having multiple Muay Thai, Boxing, BJJ, etc... lessons during the whole week.

[@danasmileyfaceonthebackofm1026]

Matthew Sanchez i pay 170 a month bro,

[@gpcm9226]

Martial arts prices are crazy. I can get 12 hour access to Planet Fitness for $20 per month with no early quit penalty. Then I watch my kid doing TKD I could teach him or he could learn on youtube and it costs $100 per month. I thought that was bad, but I guess BJJ is even worse at $160/month.

[@danasmileyfaceonthebackofm1026]

G PCM i get muay thai, judo, submission wrestling and bjj tho

[@berzerker6929]

Could be the name but if the black belts come straighy from gracies then its legit.. But they are banking on the name.. I go to millenia mma in Rancho and its 109 a month.. Unlimited everything muay thai, boxing, no gi bjj, bjj with gi, beginners mma.. The gym has a couple of ufc, belator, and other pro fighters.. Idk where you live the area can also impact the price.. I go to double dose muay thai just for muay thai amf it's 150 a month and can only go a few times a week

[@bugsy74]

Great video I just had my second class yesterday and when it came to rolling with my partners I literally had no idea what I was doing. I couldn’t even remember what we learned in class it was so frustrating

[@lordassasen]

Did you stick with it?

[@bugsy74]

@@lordassasen yup still going till this day few stripes on the blue belt

[@lordassasen]

@@bugsy74 awesome man. I'm on my 2nd day ever of bjj, I'm enjoying it

[@bugsy74]

@@lordassasen awesome! You might feel a little lost at first but just keep watching these videos find someone in class you roll well with and it’ll go smoothly. I made the mistake at first of rolling with the young guys. I’m not old but I’m in my mid 30s I couldn’t keep up with the 17-18 year olds 🤣

[@lordassasen]

@bugsy74 I'm learning things slowly as expected. We had open mat yesterday and I rolled with a purple belt for a bit and he showed me a couple new moves but they didn't stick, then a blue belt. Then I eventually started rolling with other white belts to practice and work on what I've already learned so far. Slowly learning the Americana, and I think I've got the bow and arrow down fairly well. The session usually ends at 8 but me and another white belt rolled 30 minutes past 8. It was fun working with him

[@erxzerxz8108]

Super helpfull! In 2 days its my second class and i was looking about tips because I was getting passed. Thanks you very much!

[@wadzilla3711]

I'm a 51 year old guy , had my first class yesterday. I'm sore but liking it. Back this evening for a nogi session. I was a winner by just signing up.

[@illeib2565]

Great. Thanks for explanation. Very informative and educational. I corrected my mistakes thanks to you!

[@LunaticReason]

I’m a white belt with two stripes but quit awhile ago but wanting to get back into it. Part of me is afraid of how much I’ve lost skill and knowledge wise. Trying to watch vids to refresh and prep for my return

[@messenger1556]

Beginner here, and what you're saying about racing the guard against the clock makes perfect sense to me brother. Thank you for the video.

[@no1List]

This sorta assumes you can even get into your guard to start with. I'm months in and I'm just having people colapse n out menovour me into side control. I'm 5'11 and 137lbs , I'm not getting smashed in a fair contest I'm showing up week in week out to be an active participant in my own abuse This video sorta skips the first bigginer step to take before bjj and that's put on 30lbs and be a wrestler

[@aidandixon6028]

I disagree with the last part. I'm 115 pounds and I make it work. I have tapped out 200lb pound men before because, well, size doesn't matter quite as much as experience does. And being a wrestler is definintely a good thing but it isn't really a 'first step' its more like an optional step.

[@JD2jr.]

So learn a side control escape, then you're in guard.

[@no1List]

James Dreger I can't physically do the side control escapes when we are drilling them and I have the guy helping me out . So the idea that it would be possible while they are actively trying to not let me out is impossible

[@no1List]

Chad Baer they aren't escaping my guard, they are never in my guard. Starts on the knees I'm then wrestled to the ground by someone stronger than me, then I'm under their side control. I can't get my knees up to stop them so I'm basicly a training dummy at the moment

[@JD2jr.]

1. you "physically can't" means you haven't learned it yet, so my advice still stands. 2. If you're starting from your knees, then just pull guard right away and you can follow Chewy's advice. Sometimes we have to pull back a little because we don't remember being a whitebelt and give advice more for ourselves, but this is just you feeling sorry for yourself. Chewy throws out gold every day, and he gives advice tailored very well for where you're at, and you're just squandering the opportunity by saying "I can't do that" Sorry if I'm being harsh, but damn. I wish I had Chewy giving the exact advice I needed.

[@Chunkyh1]

Great info! Thanks.

[@Chewjitsu]

Chunkyh1 you're welcome!

[@JasonCGreene]

When rolling at the end of class, should I be trying to submit my teammate/opponent? Or just trying to sweep escape subs?

[@kldshfnlhfsalkmhflca]

Super helpful! Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!!!

[@rockyobody6925]

Attending my very first bjj class in town this coming friday. I can't wait to get submitted. xD

[@mr.j3371]

Came from a gym where I was just passive drilling for 6 months. And when I went to another place to train, realized those techniques couldn’t be pulled off as easy as I thought.

[@TrishCanyon8]

Thanks. Focus on maintaining guard. Go for submissions but if looks like failure, abandon submission and get back to guard. ❤

[@josephkidney1171]

Had my first class last week I’m above average lean strength so it helped me where my technique lacked. We sparred I went against a 18 yr old I’m 22 but he been doing it for 6 years I got him down and made him tap with a Americana hold we learned that class I felt great then they moved me to a blue belt I got him Down 5-6 times and got side control a few but he made me tap 6 times. Here’s some advice if your watching this before your first class lol keep your hips away and keep them loose also shrimp as much as possible when on your back to transfer yours opponents weight and gain side control !! I had a good time and had no prior experience they all thought I wrestled. Good luck!!