Starting Jiu Jitsu is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, but looking back, there are a few things I wish I had known at the beginning. If you’re just starting or even a few years in, these insights might save you some frustration and help you enjoy the journey even more.
1. Survival Comes Before Winning
When I first stepped onto the mats, I thought the goal was to tap people out as quickly as possible. In reality, the first skill you need to develop is survival. Learning how to frame, escape bad positions, and stay calm under pressure is way more important than chasing submissions early on. The sooner you embrace this, the faster you’ll improve.
2. Strength Matters But Only If Used Correctly
You’ve probably heard people say, strength doesn’t matter in Jiu Jitsu.That’s not entirely true. Strength does matter, but only when applied properly. Early on, I tried muscling my way through everything, which led to bad habits and unnecessary fatigue. Instead, focus on technique first, and as you refine your movements, your strength will become an asset rather than a crutch.
3. You’re Going to Feel Lost (and That’s Normal)
Jiu Jitsu can feel overwhelming. There are hundreds of techniques, endless variations, and new concepts that seem impossible to remember. In the beginning, I wanted to memorize everything, but that just led to confusion. Instead, focus on mastering a few fundamental techniques and positions, and let the rest come with time. Feeling lost is part of the process stick with it, and it will all start making sense.
4. Injuries Happen But You Can Minimize Them
I wish I had taken injury prevention more seriously early on. Jiu Jitsu is tough on the body, and if you don’t take care of yourself, injuries will slow your progress. Some things I’ve learned the hard way:
Tap early and often and don’t let ego keep you in a bad position.
Prioritize mobility and strength training to protect your joints.
Listen to your body resting when needed is just as important as training.
5. Consistent Training Beats Intense Training
At first, I trained as hard as possible every session, thinking that more intensity would lead to faster progress. The reality? I burned out and hit plateaus. Jiu Jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. Training consistently, even just a few times a week, will lead to more progress than going all-out and then needing long breaks to recover.
Final Thoughts
Jiu Jitsu is a journey filled with ups and downs, but if you keep showing up, you’ll improve. Enjoy the process, be patient with yourself, and remember, everyone was a beginner once. What’s one thing you wish you had known when you started? Drop it in the comments below!
