How BJJ Works

BJJ Matches: Context, Starting, and Sparring Info

When you first begin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you may not understand what exactly a match, rolling, or sparring is. What is the difference? How do you start? How hard should you go? It seems simple enough, but there are a few nuances that will help you get the bigger picture.

In this podcast episode, we will talk about:

1. Understand the context of the roll.
2. Establish how to start the match.
3. Touch hands (or don’t) and begin the match.

https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/10/25/bjj-matches-context-starting-and-sparring-info

BJJ Training: Gi or No Gi?

The bottom line is that you should train both Gi and No Gi--if you can. There are advantages and disadvantages that come with each style, and each will make you a better grappler. For the most part, you shouldn’t commit yourself entirely to one style vs. the other, and the people who do this are only limiting their growth (more on this later).

In this podcast, we will cover:

• Don’t Overthink Training Gi vs. No Gi
• Why You Should Train in the Gi
• Why You Should Train No Gi
• When You Should Train Only Gi or Only No Gi
• Bonus Tips for Gi and No Gi

https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/9/12/should-you-train-gi-or-no-gi

BJJ Sweeps: General Guide & Advanced Tips

When you first start training, you will probably learn individual techniques without the context of how you arrive to that point. This is done to keep things simple, and it’s an effective way to teach newcomers. For example, if you are learning an armbar, you start in an armbar position, with the arm captured and full control of the opponent.

You probably learn sweeps the same way. However, you’ve probably found that it’s hard to hit these sweep when sparring, especially against a larger opponent. Why is that?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Sweeps can work on anyone, but know the limits and what it takes to create a successful sweep.

1. OPPONENT: HOW GOOD ARE THEY AT BJJ?
2. ABILITY: HOW GOOD ARE YOU AT BJJ?
3. SETUP: DON’T TRY TO FORCE IT.
4. TIMING: DON’T WAIT TOO LONG.
5. EXECUTION: DON’T HALF-ASS IT.

General training tips that will help with BJJ sweeps.

1. PICK A FEW SWEEPS THAT YOU LIKE AND FOCUS ON THEM.
2. YOU NEED TO PRACTICE SWEEPS TO GET GOOD AT THEM.
3. DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL OR GET YOUR GUARD PASSED.
4. KEEP WORKING ON IT; YOU’LL GET THERE ONE DAY.
5. UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROCESS NEVER ENDS.

Advanced: Counter-techniques and how to deal with them.

• KNOW WHEN A TECHNIQUE IS COUNTERED.
• HOW TO DEAL WITH A COUNTER TO YOUR TECHNIQUE.
• WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR IMPROVEMENT.

Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/10/11/bjj-sweeps-and-do-they-work-on-bigger-people

BJJ Frames: What They are & How to use Them

At the simplest level, a frame is a part of your body that is used to create and maintain space. To take it one step further, a good frame is a part of your body that relies more on the bone structure of your body than it does muscular strength.

The Basics of Frames

• A DEFENSIVE CONTEXT
• USE YOUR BONE STRUCTURE
• CONTROL THE MOVEMENT 

How Frames are Used

• FRAMES USE STRUCTURE TO CREATE SPACE
• ONCE YOU’VE CREATED SPACE, DON’T GIVE IT BACK
• USE THE SPACE YOU CREATED TO MOVE OR ESCAPE
• DON’T DO NOTHING WITH YOUR FRAMES 

Details of a Successful Frame

• GETTING THE FRAME IS HARD WORK
• USE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR BODY
• DON’T WORK HARD, WORK SMART
• KEEP MOVING AT ALL TIMES
• USE YOUR FRAMES TO ESCAPE

Why are Frames so Difficult to Learn?

Why it’s Hard to Escape Even After Getting Frames

• ARE YOU AFRAID TO RISK AN ESCAPE?
• HAVE YOU NOT LEARNED ANY ESCAPES?

Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/9/5/what-are-frames-and-how-do-they-work-in-bjj

5 Reasons why BJJ can Help You Lose Weight

If you are thinking about starting a martial art like jiu jitsu, you might be asking yourself, “Can Brazilian Jiu Jitsu help me lose weight?” Many people have lost weight simply by joining a BJJ gym, even when they didn’t follow a dietary plan. Does that mean Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can help you lose weight? Well, sort of. Though it is not a cure-all weight loss solution, it can help immensely, and it comes down to a few different reasons.

Before we get started, understand that diet can be a complicated topic. It is important to note that I am not a doctor, and you shouldn’t accept this as medical advice. If you are thinking about starting BJJ, you should consult your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough. If your doctor has given you the go ahead, here are some reasons why doing BJJ can help you lose weight.

1. You’ll Burn More Calories From the Increased Activity

2. You’ll Spend Less Time Eating and Drinking or Going Out

3. You’ll Only Have the Energy for Work and Training

4. You’ll be Around Healthy People who Will Influence You

5. You’ll Feel Better and Want to Keep Getting Healthier

Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/28/5-reasons-why-bjj-can-help-you-lose-weight

BJJ Beginner’s Guide Part 6 & 7: After You Start BJJ & Your Personal Life

What to Expect After you Start BJJ

The following days after your first BJJ class might be an interesting mix of soreness and excitement. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, drinking a lot of fluids, and getting in some stretching when you can. You will also probably be feeling excited about this new romance with BJJ. Do your best to not shout your love from the rooftops. Good luck.

You Will be Excited About BJJ
You Will be Exhausted all the Time
Your Body Will Hurt all Over

Read the blog post (Part 6): https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/30/what-to-expect-after-you-start-bjj

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Your Personal Life

You will probably get addicted to this sport, and you will likely never shut up about great BJJ is to your friends and family. This is only kind of a joke. In reality, this happens quite frequently. It really goes to show how much of a positive impact this sport can have on people’s lives. Just keep in mind that from the outsiders perspective, it may look closer to a cult than enlightenment. The tone of this section is going to border on snark, but you need to hear the truth.

Friends
Family
Significant Other
Work

Read the blog post (Part 7): https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/31/how-bjj-will-affect-your-personal-life

BJJ Beginner's Guide Part 5: What to Expect at Your First BJJ Class

Doing anything for the first time can be daunting, and it can be nice to know what to expect ahead of time. Not all gyms are going to be the same, and so the following advice will not always apply. However, this guide should still provide a general idea of how your first day of BJJ will go, as well as some recommendations for how you might want to prepare.

Pre-Class BJJ Hygiene

• TAKE A SHOWER 
• WEAR DEODORANT
• BRUSH, FLOSS, AND USE MOUTHWASH

Arrive Early to Your First BJJ Class

• ARRIVE EARLY AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF
• SHOW UP IN REGULAR CLOTHES AND SHOES
• WEAR FLIP-FLOPS WHEN APPROPRIATE

Why you Should Wear Flip-Flops

• DON’T WEAR SHOES OR FLIP-FLOPS ON THE MATS
• WRESTLING SHOES MAY BE ALLOWED ON THE MATS

Changing Into Your BJJ Uniform

• GETTING DRESSED IN THE CHANGING ROOM
• SECURING VALUABLES AND PERSONAL ITEMS
• WHAT TO DO IF YOU FORGOT SOMETHING
• GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME

What the Average BJJ Class Looks Like

• WARMING UP
• TECHNIQUE AND DRILLING
• ROLLING AND SPARRING

Staying After the BJJ Class is Over

• ROLLING
• OPEN MAT
• STRETCHING
• TALKING

Post-Class BJJ Hygiene

• SHOWER QUICKLY
• WEAR YOUR CLOTHES
• PUT DIRTY GI IN BAG
• WASH YOUR GI

Post-Class Recovery and Rest

• BE CAREFUL ON DRIVE HOME
• EAT
• SLEEP

Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/29/what-to-expect-at-your-first-bjj-class

BJJ Beginner's Guide Part 4: The Gear You Need to get Started in BJJ

If you stick with BJJ long enough, you’ll realize that you spend nearly as much time doing laundry and organizing your workout gear as you do actually training. It is not necessary for you to purchase every item on the following list when you first start BJJ, but you will likely find that each component becomes necessary as time goes on.

1. Gym Bags

2. Footwear

3. Hydration

4. Body Hygiene

5. Oral Hygiene

6. BJJ Uniform: Gi

7. BJJ Uniform: No Gi

Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/27/the-gear-you-need-to-get-started-in-bjj

BJJ Beginner's Guide Part 3: What to Know Before Signing a Contract at a BJJ Gym

You asked questions, did your research, and picked a gym to sign up at. Congratulations! This is a great first step, and you should be feeling excited to go to your first class. Before you can jump on the mats, though, there are a number of things you will need to do.

1. Call Ahead Before you Show up to Sign

2. Arrive Early if you are Signing up Before Class

3. Signing a Waiver is Standard Practice

4. Try one or More Free Classes Before Signing a Contract

5. Look out for Surprise Fees When Signing

Read the blog post at: https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/24/how-signing-a-contract-at-your-bjj-gym-works

BJJ Beginner's Guide Part 2c: 15 Questions to ask Before Signing a BJJ Gym Contract (#11-15)

There are a number of important factors that go into picking a good gym, though not all of them will apply to your specific search. If you find yourself overwhelmed by this list, keep in mind that you don’t need to know the answer to every question. The purpose of this list is to get you thinking before you jump into a situation that is not right for you. Read through the questions, make note of what seems important to you, and take the time to think about questions you may not have considered.

The following list is categorized by a mixture of priority and difficulty; you may not know the answer to some questions until you've spent time training at the gym. If you aren’t interested in getting granular when picking a gym, then just take a look at the first few items in the priority list. If you are the kind of person that wants to be as prepared as possible, then read each question, and try to think of additional questions that may have been missing from this list.

#11 - Is the Neighborhood Safe?

#12 - What are People Saying?

#13 - What are the Facilities Like?

#14 - Do They Have an Online Presence?

#15 - How Does the gym Track Membership?

Read the blog post at:https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/8/19/ask-15-questions-before-signing-bjj-gym-contract