Did anyone feel discouraged their first few days of BJJ?

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bgro

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I just started training last week and came home from my 2nd class tonite. I am a bigger guy about 6'1 265 and pretty out of shape. Towards the end of class we roll with each other and I feel like I'm getting schooled big timed.

I understand that I just started and that I will get better with time and practice. I just feel I should be stronger for my size. I will be starting the 5x5 training this week after doing some research about it. Even though I know that I will improve, I can't help but to feel a little bit discouraged at this point. I love class and my goal is to get into shape and learn this sport.

How long did it take everyone to start getting comfortable rolling to where you understood what to do in a certain situation? I have zero wrestling/martial art experience.


Thanks.
 
It takes a little while. You're the FNG for now, but that will change soon. I usually see guys start to get better after about 3 months or so. Then there will be new FNG's in the place that you should be able to at least control position on. Once you can do that, successful submissions aren't far away. Don't get discouraged. You should be getting your ass kicked. Every-time you tap is a chance to learn. Enjoy it.
 
It takes a little while. You're the FNG for now, but that will change soon. I usually see guys start to get better after about 3 months or so. Then there will be new FNG's in the place that you should be able to at least control position on. Once you can do that, successful submissions aren't far away. Don't get discouraged. You should be getting your ass kicked. Every-time you tap is a chance to learn. Enjoy it.
 
I just started as well and I get frustrated too but it's a good frustration. My instructor told me before I started that the first month or so is tough because you don't notice your improvement. He also said that eventually things will start clicking but until it happens plan on being beat 80 percent of the time. I just focus on the basics that he teaches and when I roll, I roll with one of the assistants for the first 10 minutes and he tells me things to work on for the night along with what the head instructor told me.

It's working for me and it's taking a bit of time but it's all good. It will come eventually. Maybe you should see about rolling with an instructor every now and then so he can help you out.
 
Welcome to BJJ. You're going to feel like a fish out of water for a while. And, get used to guys half your size tooling you, until you learn how to use your size and strength effectively.

Right now, think about what you know from each position. Don't worry about doing everything right. If you get mounted, don't panic. Think about what you DO know to do from there to protect yourself (arms in, no flailing around) and then relax. Think about your next steps, and eventually, they'll become second nature. Same thing if you're on the bottom in side control, or in someone's guard...no matter where you are, you have options. The more you train, the more options you'll have.

6 months from now, another big guy is going to come in, and you'll be able to work him over. It takes a little time, but it'll feel good when you earn it.
 
You should feel hyped, because if you stick with it, and train hard, you will start to be "one of those guys" and be the hammer more , instead of the nail. All the guys better than you were just as bad as you were once.
 
Yes. It'll make/break you. It broke me. I stuck around and tried some other gyms out as much as I could and still train here n there on the ground, but the ground just didn't come as natural as my hands... Good luck with the 5x5, I did that for years, it's lovely. After you roll for awhile and get comfortable, you'll be able to flow better. Good luck!
 
At 2-3 times a week it took me about 5 or 6 months before I actually submitted someone who started before me in a real roll. It'll all fall into place after a year or so and you'll start to really understand the leverage concepts, react quickly to openings and develop your own gameplans, and you'll be able to keep up with the guys that had a head start on you, or are physically better off.
 
the more you tap the more you will learn, the taps and everything will come slowly, work on your cardio and conditioning as much as possible
 
I started 4 months ago. I was 240 lbs. I am now 214lbs in way better shape...but get this, I still get tooled every friggin class. I don't care either. It is part of the journey. Even though the guys who have been there months and years more than me still destroy me, when a "newer" guy comes in and it is his first time rolling, I am amazed at how much I learned and how much I can dominate him. It isn't pretty but you can see the difference...

Just keep going...eventually, whether it is a month from now or 2 years for now, you are gonna get it. Don't worry about anyone else's progress, just keep going....
 
I was much, much heavier and probably much, much older than you when I first started. So yes, I have been where you are and worst off probably more gassed and frustrated. Things took longer to work for my body and much harder for me to visualize and understand.

Plus....

Relson speaks with a very hard Brazilian accent and just understanding what he says to do was a challenge.

But.

I stuck with it. I adapted the game for my body. I lost weight. I understood more. Things very slowly started to make sense. I drilled. I took notes. I bought instructional videos and books to review moves that I learned in class.

Then.

I asked questions for my problem areas. I worked with bigger and better people on the competition teams and on the side. I learned to work from my back. I played guard and or gave everyone side control/north south and improved.

So yes, I have been there, I still gas faster than the younger better in shape guys but when I take class, drill moves or roll, I give it my full attention and abilities and make it work for me.

I'm not sure who exactly said this but from day 1 until today's class I think about this saying:

"Both an ant and a elephant are strong, however you can not make a elephant move like a ant and you can not make a ant move like I elephant."

Most of the moves are for skinny, in shape people, but we are bigger. We move slower and have a harder time hipping out and moving off our back. Work on having a good guard. Pull guard or try to take bottom so people want to train, drill and roll.

Don't worry, it will come together just keep at it.
 
One time I pulled a 60 on an exam, then went to BJJ practice, and got accused of being a noob-spaz. That really just killed me. I just wanted to go home after that, but I stuck with it. Now I'm being driven fucking crazy in that I cant go to Jiu jitsu more often because of school.

Once you get that first submission, it's a wonderful feeling. I got my first sub quite early, and it was such a great feeling that I kept rolling that day till my knees and feet were bloody and I had a back spasm hahahaha. I fought so hard for that submission I was like a hobo fighting over a succulent Roast beef sandwich.

Just keep with it man. Anyone can quit, not everyone can be successful.
 
I have been training about 2 months now, after coming in from 12 years of wrestling, so I have a pretty solid base of knowledge when it comes to grappling. I started about 5'9 255 and am down to 240 or a little less as of now. I earned my first stripe, and can hang with everyone but our instructor. He's the only one who can tap me, and he usually does it a ton of times in 5 minutes. There is one 4 striper there who tapped me after having my back for about 4 minutes ( I ended up tapping with like 10 seconds left). Stick with it, it will come. It is ALL about patience. I am starting to get frustrated because now I have seen improvements, and am now basing my ability off how I do against our instructor. SO I get pissed now because I still cant do a damn thing against him. But it just fuels me even more.
 
1st class was painful the warm up kicked my ass then the 1st time rolling just using strength and hardly breathing being all tense and gassing in like 30sec.

Some days when rolling things click and other days they don't. Stick with it, you will get better just put in the time.
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I am so motivated to get in shape and learn the techniques. I know it will come in time. I just quit smoking about a week ago so I'm sure as time goes on, i'll get a little more endurance. Thanks again
 
bgro said:
Thanks for the responses guys. I am so motivated to get in shape and learn the techniques. I know it will come in time. I just quit smoking about a week ago so I'm sure as time goes on, i'll get a little more endurance. Thanks again
Click to expand...

I can not stress enough to drill, drill, drill, hip escape, guard recovery, sweeps, turnovers, half guard these are big guy's freinds. You don't want to be the student that is known for taking top and smashing everyone. No one wants to train, drill and roll with those guys. But if you let the small guys start in guard or better yet known and a guard player you always have a partner. Also ask big guys to drill and show you their go to moves.
 
BobSacamano said:
I started 4 months ago. I was 240 lbs. I am now 214lbs in way better shape...but get this, I still get tooled every friggin class. I don't care either. It is part of the journey. Even though the guys who have been there months and years more than me still destroy me, when a "newer" guy comes in and it is his first time rolling, I am amazed at how much I learned and how much I can dominate him. It isn't pretty but you can see the difference...

Just keep going...eventually, whether it is a month from now or 2 years for now, you are gonna get it. Don't worry about anyone else's progress, just keep going....
Click to expand...
Awesome user name! LOL
 
next time you roll, just give the guy your arm. your gonna lose anyway.
 
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