1.5 months into BJJ and i feel useless

[sleeps anywhere]

I think it's been said here at least once that you should focus on survival (i.e. defensive posturing) if your goal is longevity within a sparring session. I'll add that while you need to be active in survival, you also need to put yourself in positions where you do not need to use strength to defend yourself.

One sign that you're doing this correctly: people start getting rough with you.

 

[akharon]

if you assume 2 or 3 months into BJJ isnt enough time to be good at it then youre giving yourself an excuse to fail...

i understand not everyone is bj penn and will get a BB in 3 years but automatically assuming it will take u 7+ years is kinda like saying its ok to learn nothing in your first couple months

Define "good." You can figure a Purple belt is half way to Black, is purple good? Some would say Blue is good. Speaking as a Blue, I really could go in either direction there. I can give just about any white belt a hard time. Purples on up can tie me in knots.

It's all just about realizing that you're going to be on the bottom of the food chain for a good while, making progress, learning your escapes and the odd submission, and just keeping your nose to the grindstone. You won't be good at this in 2-3 months, but that's ok, because it means you've beaten 98% of the people that walk in the door and stuck around for 2-3 months.

 

[Team Sleep]

You ARE useless. When a new guy comes to class and gets his ass handed to him/her by everyone else there, you'll be the guy that helps to motivate that guy to stick around. You'll also tie that guy up like a pretzel

As for me, I'm insanely small 135lb 5'8"

I think that's like 60-66kg maybe?

Anyway, everyone is bigger than me in my class. What I do is try to get myself into neutral positions and stall them out until they make a move(creating some space for me, etc) and I explode. Keep in mind that you won't beat anyone in class this way, but you will get much better and when it comes time to compete in a tournament with people your size you will be thankful you roll with huge guys.

My first tournament with people my size was amazing. I got caught by technique and still lost, but I was able to take guys my own size and pretty much throw them around. So yea, my lesson from that was to stall and wait for a move on their part, then capitalize.

They're going to try and muscle out of my guard? Spend 5 minutes just squeezing your legs as tight as can be. Make them REALLY work to pass your guard. Make them REALLY work for a mount. Small victories at first, but over time you will start to catch the guys who have really worked you over in the past. And most importantly, you will have earned it.

Also if you are supposed to be working on technique, you could ask them to dial it down just a bit until you get the technique and then increase the pace. Maybe ask to roll with your teacher sometime. Always let your partner know in advance what you are looking for. Some will ablidge, others won't and you can roll with someone else. Just keep working and keep pushing.

BJJ is not something you become good at in the first 10 years. You really start to learn once you get your black belt. Think of it like

White-Blue = Introduction to positional awareness
Blue-Purple = Learning moves/sweeps/guards/passes
Purple-Brown = Making progress toward your diploma
Brown-Black = Sending out college applications
Black- > = First day of school all over again.

 

[Tameus1]

I'm 5'7 140lbs. I go 2x a week with no other supplementary workouts or training. For two years I got smashed and subbed relentlessly. My cardio sucked (and still needs work), my core was weak, and I had weak grips (still do, lol).

Year 3 I started having sharper body movement. My technique was sound and I realized that I didn't need more strength than I had. I became patient so my stamina became less wasteful. Next thing I know, I'm sweeping guys much larger and stronger than me. Then, unexpectedly, I got singled out in class and was handed my blue.

I realized BJJ is about dedication. If you stay committed the technique eventually catches up to size and strength. Like all martial arts, there is always someone better. But one of the greatest feelings I've had was realizing the results of my dedication. Trust the art. BJJ technique eventually catches up and takes care of you.

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

It doesn't matter if you are 1.5 months, 15 months, or 15 years into BJJ, there will always be someone that makes you feel useless when you roll with them.

It is those people that drive you to be better than you were yesterday.

 

[Killer Ape]

Train, train, and train some more