Starting BJJ , Need advice . . .

[EOW]

Hey guys this is the first time i have posted in the grappling forum so go easy :icon_lol:

I have decided to join a BJJ class but am not sure about attire. It will be Gi and Nogi so i need a Gi and some training shorts. I have looked at gi's but am confused about the sizing - A1, A2 etc. So basically can you give me advice on good gi's and training shorts so i can be fully equipped when i start. I have zero self confidence and am quite shy so the thought of starting BJJ makes me nervous but i am determined to join.

Any help will be gratefully appreciated - Thanks guys

 

[KGB313]

For your first day, just wear a snug t-shirt or Under Armor type shirt and some shorts. A good gi will probably run $100-$150, and it's silly to make that investment when you might not even like training.

Talk to the instructor after your first class about the gi. Some gyms have restrictions on colors, others have a specific uniform gi they want students to wear.

 

[EOW]

For your first day, just wear a snug t-shirt or Under Armor type shirt and some shorts. A good gi will probably run $100-$150, and it's silly to make that investment when you might not even like training.

Talk to the instructor after your first class about the gi. Some gyms have restrictions on colors, others have a specific uniform gi they want students to wear.

Thanks for the advice mate, i agree it would be best to speak to the instructor about Gi's after my first lesson.

 

[buhriyon]

Most schools and instructors will give you a gi to try, therefore you will than know your size. Don't invest in a nice, expensive gi right away because you have to see if you really like it. As far as gi and no gi I am going to go with the view that starting your jiu jitsu journey training in the gi is the way to go, get at least six months of solid gi training before you try no gi. Good luck.

 

[soda_popinski]

Agree with the other advice. Also, depending on your money situation, you can get good gis for under $100. Fuji is one example that is around $70-$80 and they are very good. As far as sizing, it depends on your build. Long arms/legs get a size up because they shrink a lot depending on the company (higher end gis are preshrunk)

 

[counterkulture]

go along to the no-gi class first, you'll have suitable gear already, you dont need to go buying rash guards and fight shorts for your first class, if you like training, then talk gi's with the instructor, if they have some lying about you'll be able to see what fits and take it from there.

as for the no confidence and being shy aspect, in your head the hardest part of the class is going to be walking through the gym doors, but put that to the back of your mind, the hardest part is going to be the warm up, so the sooner you get going to BJJ and get used to that the better, you'll be wondering why you left it so long.

get amongst it man, you'll love it.

 

[SLaKKJaW]

No-Gi, wear something more like a board short than a basketball short. Clothing that is too loose is not entirely safe for your training partners.

For a gi, ALWAYS go by a brands own sizing chart. An A3 in one does not necessarily equal an A3 in another. Like has been said, don't drop $200 (or your equivalent in pounds) on a gi unless you've just got it lying around. Here in the States we can get a very solid, long lasting gi for about $100, including shipping and tax.

budovideos is always a great place to start looking. Especially with their "budo bargains" (right now, as in within 9 hrs of this post, you can get a Fuji Kassen pearl weave for $98.)

 

[EOW]

Thanks for the advice guys, my first class is on Thursday so i shall keep you updated !

 

[SonOfZion**]

show up in a tight tapout shirt and some GSP style shorts and you will be good to go. plus the swag factor will give you an immediate advantage over other beginners.

 

[Nearumps]

You can pick up a perfectly adequate gi from Martial Arts Equipment - Black Eagle Martial Arts for

 

[EOW]

Had my first class today and have to say i enjoyed it immensely. Pretty sure my body is gonna ache like fuck tomorrow but that's a small price to pay. I have to admit though i felt like a fish out of water 90% of the time - can someone please tell me a good technique to escape a mount position ???

 

[bjjaz]

Had my first class today and have to say i enjoyed it immensely. Pretty sure my body is gonna ache like fuck tomorrow but that's a small price to pay. I have to admit though i felt like a fish out of water 90% of the time - can someone please tell me a good technique to escape a mount position ???

You are so new, you will learn it over time. Its just gonna take practice and I'm sure you instructor will go over this. But first you gotta try and learn base, balance, shrimping etc. Did you get a gi yet?

There are tons of ways to escape mount it just depends on what your opponent is doing.

 

[KGB313]

Had my first class today and have to say i enjoyed it immensely. Pretty sure my body is gonna ache like fuck tomorrow but that's a small price to pay. I have to admit though i felt like a fish out of water 90% of the time - can someone please tell me a good technique to escape a mount position ???

Here's one very basic escape, called the "upa":

1) Put your elbows into where their knees are touching the floor.

2) Raise your hips to lift them slightly off the mat and press the elbows into the knees, if you do it right they should fall forward and catch themselves on the mat.

3) Slide up to meet one of their arms and grab it (don't just reach for it, or this will draw your elbows away from your body). Hold the arm tight to your chest. This will trap the arm and prevent him from posting with it to steady himself.

4) Put your foot on the same side as that trapped arm over their ankle on that side. This will trap the ankle and prevent him from posting with it to steady himself.

5) Raise your hips & arch your back like you're trying to look directly overhead. This should raise him slightly off the mat again.

6) Turn into the direction of the trapped arm & leg. Initiate the turn by looking to that side, like you're trying to touch your eyebrow to the mat...your body will follow. He cannot post with his arm or leg to that side, so he should simply tip over.

7) Once he starts tipping over, come up with him and onto your knees. You will most likely wind up in his closed guard. Anchor your hands to his gi, with your elbows close to your body, and maintain an upright posture.

Please note, you'll have to practice these steps until you can string it together into a relatively smooth move. Particularly with steps 3-5, you need to be a little bit sneaky. If you telegraph your intentions too much, your opponent can shift his weight to shut down this move.

 

[EOW]

You are so new, you will learn it over time. Its just gonna take practice and I'm sure you instructor will go over this. But first you gotta try and learn base, balance, shrimping etc. Did you get a gi yet?

There are tons of ways to escape mount it just depends on what your opponent is doing.

No i didnt get a gi yet , just wore shorts and a t-shirt. I left my ego at the door and just tried to enjoy the first lesson whilst soaking up all the information. Can you explain shrimping ?

 

[KGB313]

No i didnt get a gi yet , just wore shorts and a t-shirt. I left my ego at the door and just tried to enjoy the first lesson whilst soaking up all the information. Can you explain shrimping ?

It's much easier to show you than explain it. Ask your instructor to show you a hip escape (aka shrimp escape) next time you're at the gym. Most gyms do these during warm-ups, so you may have already seen it.

Alternately, maybe someone can embed a YouTube video of shrimping technique.

 

[EOW]

Here's one very basic escape, called the "upa":

1) Put your elbows into where their knees are touching the floor.

2) Raise your hips to lift them slightly off the mat and press the elbows into the knees, if you do it right they should fall forward and catch themselves on the mat.

3) Slide up to meet one of their arms and grab it (don't just reach for it, or this will draw your elbows away from your body). Hold the arm tight to your chest. This will trap the arm and prevent him from posting with it to steady himself.

4) Put your foot on the same side as that trapped arm over their ankle on that side. This will trap the ankle and prevent him from posting with it to steady himself.

5) Raise your hips & arch your back like you're trying to look directly overhead. This should raise him slightly off the mat again.

6) Turn into the direction of the trapped arm & leg. Initiate the turn by looking to that side, like you're trying to touch your eyebrow to the mat...your body will follow. He cannot post with his arm or leg to that side, so he should simply tip over.

7) Once he starts tipping over, come up with him and onto your knees. You will most likely wind up in his closed guard. Anchor your hands to his gi, with your elbows close to your body, and maintain an upright posture.

Please note, you'll have to practice these steps until you can string it together into a relatively smooth move. Particularly with steps 3-5, you need to be a little bit sneaky. If you telegraph your intentions too much, your opponent can shift his weight to shut down this move.

Thanks for the advice , i just felt like there was no possible way to remove the guy from on top of me. It's a strange feeling being totally helpless but i expected that anyway so at least i was mentally prepared. Also i didn't realise how unfit i was until today !

 

[EOW]

It's much easier to show you than explain it. Ask your instructor to show you a hip escape (aka shrimp escape) next time you're at the gym. Most gyms do these during warm-ups, so you may have already seen it.

Alternately, maybe someone can embed a YouTube video of shrimping technique.

just checked out a shrimping video on youtube and yes we did that in the warm up !

 

[Jaysen]

I remember my first session. I had absolutely no clue as to how to move between postitions (as expected.) Just ended up getting squashed by my mate when he dropped his weight on me from side control. Haha. I started training no-gi and at the minute have no intention of training with a Gi so don't worry about it for now.

 

[SLaKKJaW]

Shrimping (or snaking, snake-move, etc.) will be you number one defensive movement. Use it ALOT to "make space", and if one isn't enough, do it again and again til you make that space.