Getting started in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be a little intimidating. From choosing an academy, to being a good training partner, to surviving the social aspects of BJJ, here are eight articles written by people who have been in the same position.
4 Ways to Be a Good Training Partner: Getting Started in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Valerie Worthington)
One thing I have become pretty good at is helping people feel comfortable drilling and training with me; this, in turn helps me have a more enjoyable training experience.
How to Be a Good Training Partner, Part 2: What to Wear to Grapple (Valerie Worthington)
What message are you sending when you suit up for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class? Make sure it is the right message, one that will make people want to train with you.
5 Things I Wish I Had Known When I First Started Training BJJ (Valerie Worthington)
I’ve been thinking about how little I knew when I first began training BJJ. In the spirit of helping newcomers to the sport, here’s a list of 5 things I wish I had known when I first started
How to Spot a Toxic Martial Arts Club Environment (Sally Arsenault)
People new to martial arts might not realize how a healthy school should operate and might accidentally wind up at a toxic club with negative, even dangerous behavior. Here’s how to assess your club.
Surviving (Socially) the Beginner Phase of BJJ (Valerie Worthington)
Getting started in BJJ is hard enough, but chances are you’re also a bit of a social pariah around your academy. There’s a reason for this, and there are also better and worse ways to get through it.
Advice for BJJ Beginners: From MMA and BJJ Pros (Sally Arsenault)
Emily Kwok, Seymour Yang, Braulio Estima, the Miyao Brothers, Mackenzie Dern, and Alan Belcher give advice to beginner BJJ students. They share what they would have done differently in their training.
A Hotter Mess Than I Thought: 5 More Things I Wish I Had Known When I First Started Training BJJ (Valerie Worthington)
I had so much fun writing my last piece about things I wish I had known when I started BJJ, that I decided to write about five more things I wish I had known. Sadly, that turned out to be quite easy.
Tips for Choosing a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy (Valerie Worthington)
Looking for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy? Here are some issues to consider so you can ensure a good, long-lasting fit.
Photo provided by David Brown Photography.
