Why is Brazilian Jiu jitsu So Tough for Newcomers?
Although there may be many reasons as to why Brazilian Jiu jitsu may be hard for newcomers, the main reasons are ground fighting and ego.
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a martial art based on grappling and ground fighting techniques. Ground fighting is not something that most people have ever done. Full contact grappling may cause impacts and affect different areas of your body such as elbows and knees. The pressure from your opponent during rolls on the mat also needs getting used to. Even people who are experienced in legitimate grappling may not be used to protecting their neck and arms from chokes and joint locks. A lot of these movements that come naturally may expose a person to attack and thus some natural reactions have to be unlearned.
Another thing is ego. This involves the battering your ego takes when you begin sparring. Ego is the reason whether you care to win or not but on the other hand, it can also be a barrier to victory. Seeing past your ego is necessary to be able to accept and learn from your losses. The reality of learning in BJJ is that everyone loses and getting tapped in the gym is part of the process. Compared to other martial arts, BJJ practitioners can spar at 100%. . If a person smaller than you submits you every roll, that is quite hard for a lot of people to take.
What do you need to do?
Keep going to class on a consistent basis. If you can afford private BJJ lessons, that is an excellent way to accelerate your progress. The key is commitment to your training. Do not expect overnight results, but realize that if you continue to train, you will get better.
Sign up for free trial at our Southwest Florida Brazilian Jiu jitsu school.