BJJ beginner - How long before you're "decent"

[Lasse]

I just started myself as well, and after the first class, I figured out a few things.

First thing I figured, is Im quite abit stronger then the guys I roll with, BUT I try not to use the strength, instead I focus on the techniques I was taught. Sometimes I get caught up in the fun of rolling and "muscle" out of things when I should be using techniques, but generally I try to use technique.

Also at my first class I was kind of concerned about how good I was doing, how good I should be doing, etc, then one young guy told me, "man just relax, have fun, and try your best to learn the proper way to do shit. take it slow and practice". So I took his advice, and I really dont worry about "getting my ass kicked" Im the new guy, I SUCK right now!

Just have fun with it man, and try to learn the techniques. Im by no means any good at all, but it sure makes things alot more enjoyable not worrying about shit.

You should go back and thank your buddy(and yourself). Just that lesson is the most important one of them all in my opinion.

Almost everybody, me included, take ages to figure that out because people try to be nice or when they tell you you take it the wrong way because it is anoter white-belt telling you etc.

When you start using technique only you start realizing how many techniques you are missing so you get a lot to work on. Also you start having the mental power of being able to think whilst rolling. People who muscle stuff aren't thinking at all they are all caught up in the moment trying to win some abu dhabi final.

 

[Bullheaded]

Decent meaning I at least look like I have a clue as to what I'm doing. Any person I roll with, regardless of belt, can do whatever they feel like. I just wanna be able to at least put up a "fight" haha.

Depends. Depends on plenty of factors, how consistently you train, how seriously you're taking it, and everything. But I'd say a year, a year and a half before you can actually be able to sweep, pass a guard and submit a complete noob. For me a decent guy is a blue belt now, somebody who can do whatever he likes to a young white belt, regardless of his size, and bring it to everyone, even if he's losing in the end.

 

[SuperSuperRambo]

I wasn't decent until about 6 months into my blue belt.

In my definition, you're asking how long until you can survive. For me survival =/= decent.

 

[Bullheaded]

I wasn't decent until about 6 months into my blue belt.

Man, you just made me feel better

(Having a little bit of an ego crisis about how I perform these days)

 

[gocubs1815]

Not till your purple belt.

 

[gocubs1815]

I wasn't decent until about 6 months into my blue belt.

In my definition, you're asking how long until you can survive. For me survival =/= decent.

This is a typical white belt thread IMO.

People have no idea that the whole point of being a white belt IS SURVIVAL!

I don't get why people are so obsessed with going into BJJ and think they are be blue in 6 months and get a black belt in 1 year.

For the last time people, "I wrestled with my brothers" or "did UFC with in a freind's basement" does not give you any cred when it comes to BJJ!

 

[robby241]

ive been at it for just under a year now and ive still got a long way to go to reach "decent." whatever the hell that is.

just get used to the ass whoopings for a while

 

[dalexan242]

It's really nice having brand new people show up. Because it's much easier to gauge how much you've learned compared to completely new people, as opposed to your peers. They tend to learn right along with you, so the skill gaps tend to remain the same.

In a year or so, you'd be decent against completely newbs. It takes a long time to get actually decent.

This is one of the things I wish I got more of with my judo club; it's very competition-focused and top heavy (any given class will have 6-10 black belts and/or national champions, a couple of dozen brown/blue, and then only a couple of white and green belts). It's a bit frustrating to know that you are (very slowly) improving yet still be an infant compared to pretty much everyone else in the club. It's a great club with great people and I'm there as much for mini-me as myself, but it would be nice to get more of an opportunity to gauge myself against other n00b incompetents like myself. I get many more opportunities to measure myself against n00bs in BJJ and that's probably one of the reasons I enjoy it more. It's not that I like "crushing n00bs" per se (because I'm pretty much still one), but it makes me feel good about myself knowing that I've learned enough that I can mount and slap an armbar on someone who just started training. Even if you try to damp your ego and understand that it will be years before you stop sucking, everyone wants to feel like they are noticeably improving at something they enjoy.

 

[pjLuna]

as long as it takes.

 

[Phreaxer]

At least a year before you feel comfortable, but even longer till you feel 'decent' about your skills. I haven't hit that spot yet after almost 2 years... But I still love training and learning

 

[chunglii]

1-2 years. I earned my blue belt in 2.5 years, and although im not the best, i can be competative and beat other blue belts who are adults at my academy. I'd say im good then.

 

[Dogstarman]

I think there needs to be a sticky for beginners. Just telling beginners to relax, your going to get your ass kicked. I think it's dumb when guys come in here and rant how they suck.

These stupid threads are always titled "help me improve."

Then you read it and it says stupidity like I had one class and I hate that I'm getting my ass kicked help me. I can't believe I suck at jitz. Help me tap the purples in class even the white belts dominate my ass. What do I do?

Of course you are going to suck. You have never fought on the ground before. Realize you are going to suck.

Stop these damn threads. Please.

 

[LSVTEC]

Stop these damn threads. Please.

Im sorry sir.

My next thread will be how long will it take me to reach a purple belt on Sherdog like you =P.

Seriously guys, didn't mean to piss yall off or waste ur time.

 

[Oliver Geddes]

Three months before you have an idea of what you're really trying to do. Six months till you can attempt the right moves. A year until you can kind of do them. ^_^

Approximately. @_@

 

[Dogstarman]

Im sorry sir.

My next thread will be how long will it take me to reach a purple belt on Sherdog like you =P.

Seriously guys, didn't mean to piss yall off or waste ur time.

Listen, there are purple belts who look like white belts when they roll against black belts. There are black belts who look like white belts when the roll against guys like Marcelo Garcia.

It's just time on the mat. I'm no badass by any stretch of the imagination but I know more drilling and mat time will help me improve.

 

[Jinzumkei]

5 classes and you're not any good?! You should quit dude, anything that you're not immediately good at is not worth doing.

 

[Cardio]

 

[Thrawn33]

I think there needs to be a sticky for beginners. Just telling beginners to relax, your going to get your ass kicked. I think it's dumb when guys come in here and rant how they suck.

These stupid threads are always titled "help me improve."

Then you read it and it says stupidity like I had one class and I hate that I'm getting my ass kicked help me. I can't believe I suck at jitz. Help me tap the purples in class even the white belts dominate my ass. What do I do?

Of course you are going to suck. You have never fought on the ground before. Realize you are going to suck.

Stop these damn threads. Please.

Amen. I'd add the "how long do I wait before I should compete?" threads.