Getting on the mat to try your first Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) class may take days, months, or even in some cases, years. If you are already familiar with BJJ, it can be extremely intimidating because you have no idea what to expect. Additionally, each academy is different in terms of etiquette and technique, so your comfort level will determine which school is the best fit for you.
At New Breed Academy, our classes are structured the same way across all levels:
1. Bowing in. Students line up by belt rank (highest to lowest) and “bow in” to signify the beginning of class. Students are facing the instructor (“Professor” if it is a black belt and “coach” if not) and everyone is in sync with the bowing in (and out) of class.
2. The warm up. This will often be a series of calisthenics and line drills of regular movements used in training (i.e. hip escape, single/double leg wrestling entries, breakfalls). Line drills are essential to create muscle memory of core movements used in BJJ.
3. Technique breakdown and drilling. Three techniques are taught per class, each building on each other as a progression. The technique is broken down into parts and the instructor will have students drill with their partners before moving on to the next technique that builds upon the first. This part of the class takes up the most time, as drilling is essential in converting techniques into muscle memory.
4. Specific training and/or sparring. This is otherwise known as “live training.” Students are able to practice the techniques learned in class. Their training partners will defend or give resistance, creating in a more real-life situation. Sometimes this part of the training will start in specific positions first and other times students will start from standing or on their knees and go into a full spar. It is important to note that some academies do not allow beginners to spar until they have some mat time under their belt to reduce the potential injury to themselves or others from occurring due to inexperience and lack of technical knowledge.
5. The bow out. Class ends the same way it began, with students again lining up by rank. The instructor will then say some encouraging words (known as the “mat chat”) before officially bowing out and ending the class.
Most experienced students are more than willing to help people trying out a class for the first time. After all, they remember what their first day was like, and these are the people who contribute to the awesome culture of the academy!
If you can keep an open mind and not get discouraged by “not getting it” on your first day, you will have a great time and workout in the process! If you don’t give up after your first class, give it at least three to six months to decide whether or not BJJ is something that is right for you. For many, BJJ can be life changing. It’s just a matter of getting on the mat for the first time!
