For some newcomers, their first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class can be a nervous experience. This can be a result of many things and the thoughts of training can be quite daunting. Because of this, some will experience feelings of anxiety when going to train. Not only this, but these feelings can also be present in more experienced grapplers. In some rare cases, experienced practitioners with years of training can also feel nervous before training. Although these thoughts may be irrational – it still doesn’t mean they can be ignored or that they’re meaningless.
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Training with a friend
If possible, try to start with a friend who can train with you. Even if they have no intention of training in the long-run, bringing them along means you’re not alone and you have someone to talk to. Whilst most BJJ gyms provide a friendly atmosphere and cater to newbies; the point is that you will have someone to learn with. This means you probably won’t be the worst person there but even if you are, it doesn’t really matter.
Another method is by training with a more experienced friend. If they drill with you and know the gym well, it can be quite comforting. This means they can correct your technique and put any issues at ease by answering your questions. Similarly, if possible you can even go over the basics before training to give you a glimpse of what BJJ might be like. Although not everyone has the option of starting with a friend, it certainly helps and can make things seem less scary as a result.
Learning before training
In life, it may be fun at times to dive into the deep end but sometimes learning and education can take away part of the fear. The same goes for BJJ. If you know absolutely nothing then this is fine, however if you look online at fundamental moves then this may give you a little understanding. From that understanding, you may become more confident and know how things work.
Whilst most newcomers really know very little, even the illusion of having some kind of background can be comforting for some. Being able to pull off even one move may also give confidence in the gym which results in you feeling at ease. In short, knowledge is power.
Nerves are somewhat natural
Some humans are more anxious than others. However, going into a BJJ gym for the first time may be intimidating for many. If ever you’ve seen old martial arts movies, they can have shady characters or a culture of bullying. This isn’t really the case for BJJ and most gyms have a relaxed and chilled vibe. However, ultimately BJJ involves sparring and can be seen as physically intimating. For some, the thought of getting choked and tapped may be scary but also exciting.
The idea is to focus on the positives instead of negative situations. The reality is that whilst nerves are natural and adrenaline is good for practicing fighting. Having said this, there isn’t much to be nervous about in the big scheme of things and most worries are probably in your head.
Everyone in BJJ is a beginner once
This concept may make you more at ease. If you see a veteran black belt with years of experience, remember they where once a newbie too who was clueless. The same goes for a successful competitor. Part of why BJJ is so fun is that anyone can get good if they put the hours in. Because of this, it’s important to respect status in BJJ but also remember that these people are also just human beings. By putting black belts on a pedestal you create an image of inferiority towards them.
However, if you stick around long enough then you will soon realize that these are people too. In terms of training they will also have mistakes and aren’t perfect. However, more importantly in terms of people they will also have flaws and shouldn’t be hero-worshipped. In brief, if you have the mentality that everyone was once a beginner, you will put less pressure on yourself which will help you to relax.
You won’t get injured or smashed
We’ve looked at nerves based around hierarchy and status within the gym. Whether that’s being intimidated by higher belts or your own performance, it can happen. However, some are also intimidated by the idea of physical violence. It’s important to note that BJJ offers controlled violence in a safe environment. Too often, people associate violence with chaos and pain which is what it often manifests as in the outside world. However, whilst training BJJ may be uncomfortable at times – it’s not violent in terms of pain.
For example, getting pinned in side control may feel uncomfortable but that’s often about as bad as it gets. With this in mind, there really isn’t much to feel. Similarly, you won’t get put with tough opponents in your first class. Often you will be put with fellow white belts who are equally as new. This is a good time to make friends as these people will also be looking to learn and establish allies within the gym.
As well, if you do happen to get paired with a senior belt – this will often be on purpose so they can teach you or even spar in a safe and friendly way. Because of this, your chances of getting smashed as a newcomer are incredibly low and if that were to happen then it’s a massive red flag.
Summary
As discussed, it’s common to get nervous about your first BJJ class. Whether it’s down to your low status in a new institution or whether it’s fear of getting physically hurt, the reality is you have nothing to worry about. The chances are, most people enjoy their first class and find it interesting. By looking at the above methods, hopefully you can learn to understand more about BJJ and that it’s not as intimidating as it may look. By adopting some of these coping methods, you are also more likely to make the leap and jump into your first BJJ class.
