What Is the First Thing a Beginner Must Learn in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can be both exciting and intimidating.

When you walk into a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym for the first time, you’ll see people drilling techniques, rolling with intensity and possibly even speaking in a language that you can’t get a grip of (pun intended).

The question often arises for beginners: “What’s the first thing I need to learn?”

While there are countless techniques and concepts in BJJ, the foundation for any new practitioner lies in understanding fundamental principles.

1. Learn to Be Comfortable with being uncomfortable

For many people, being on the ground is an unfamiliar and uncomfortable experience, especially for a smaller person and women.

Start with learning to keep calm, think critically and move efficiently, whether you are on their back, in someone’s guard or attempting to control an opponent. Drills like shrimping, bridging, and basic positional movements help develop comfort and coordination on the mat.

Tips: Holding them tight and moving frantically are not the best ways to get the most out of training.

2. The Importance of DefenCe

The foundation of a martial art is to develop confidence and knowledge in defending oneself. Learn to protect yourselves first before jumping into submissions or advanced techniques.

It is as simple as keeping elbows tight, keep your frames up and creating space. Learning how to escape bad positions like side control, mount, or back control is essential for building confidence and staying safe on the mats.

3. Understanding Positional Hierarchy

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu revolves around the concept of positional hierarchy. Understand which positions are more dominant and know when is it safe for you to attack effectively.

Beginners should focus on understanding the value of these positions and learning how to progress from one to another. This positional awareness is key to developing a strategic mindset.

4. How to Tap and Stay Safe

Learning to tap is one of the first and most important lessons in BJJ.

Tapping signals to your training partner that you’re ready to stop. It is crucial in preventing injuries and there is absolutely no shame in tapping—it’s part of the learning process.

You can tap on your partner’s body 3 times to signal the tap or you can verbally tap if you can’t tap with your hand in time.

Being honest about your limits and prioritising safety ensures a long and enjoyable journey in the sport.

5. The Basics of Grips and Control

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques rely a lot on efficiency, your grips play a vital role. The less grips you have to change to achieve the same result, the better (not always).

Beginners should start by understanding how to grip the gi or control the body in no-gi situations. Simple concepts like establishing collar grips, sleeve grips or underhooks can dramatically improve your ability to execute techniques.

Having the right mindset and understanding the foundational principles will guide your growth in Jiu Jitsu. By focusing on defence, positional awareness and safety while developing comfort on the ground, new practitioners set themselves up for success.

Remember, everyone was a beginner once.

Stay curious, stay humble and enjoy the journey—the mats have endless lessons to teach.