Whenever we tackle a new task in life, a series of questions go through our heads at full speed. We question our abilities and end up giving up. It takes a lot of courage to enter the unknown and, if we talk about starting to practice some type of martial art or contact sport, doubts arise even more.
Personally, I have had the pleasure of training in different academies in different cities and in different countries, not only in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but also in other contact disciplines and I have always felt that internal fear and those doubts.
Here I leave you a series of points that will help you get on the right foot in any tatami and that have always served me well, I hope they help you as much as they helped me.
How should I face my first BJJ classes?
- Try to convince a friend to join you for training. If it is not possible, do not hesitate and go alone. Most of the people who play this sport are friendly and respectful. I usually go alone and I always end up making great friends with the people I train with. If you are in a foreign country it can also help you launch yourself with the language.
- He comes clean . There are plenty of comments about it
- Cut your fingernails and toenails. Always keep a nail clipper in your backpack. A small cut can lead to any type of fungus or infection, something very common on tatami mats.
- Have at least two kimonos . Invest in a quality one in case you want to compete and in a more normal one for practices, but feel free to use both in your classes alternately. As you gain more experience, invest in quality kimonos, in the long run you will notice it. It goes without saying that you should wash and take care of your kimonos as you take care of the clothes with which you go out.
- Take off all kinds of rings, chains, and jewelry in general. Trust me, your wife is not getting divorced because you take your ring off when you train.
- Clean your makeup before entering the tatami. With sweat you can leave stains on the clothes / kimonos of your companions. Is there anything more beautiful than a woman in a kimono?
- Don’t be intimidated by your instructor. That a person is a black belt / faixa preta does not mean that he is a better person than you in something other than BJJ.
- Always ride with those guys who intimidate you the most or who you know are the best in the class, your learning will be much faster. Be brave and never avoid shooting with anyone.
- Practice humility . Respect your instructor and your classmates, especially if there are minors, elderly people or women in the practices.
- Don’t take shortcuts. Repeat the techniques ad nauseam, in such a way that they are mechanized in your mind, just as they have been taught to you.
- Have faith that there is a type of Jiu-Jitsu for you. No matter your physical composition, age or gender, you can practice it if that is what you want. Adapt Jiu-Jitsu to your person and keep progressing. It takes more than 10 years to be a faixa preta , so do not be disappointed if the first day you are not a world champion.
