Your first BJJ class. What to expect?
I have seen this question asked several times on internet forums and while many of the answers were good, I thought I’d recount my first couple of classes and let people whoa re interested in trying a class know what to expect.
First of all, I should say that every class is different. Every school and instructor is different, of course, but even with the same instructor, each class can be quite different from the next.
Assuming you have found a place to try out, show up wearing shorts and a t-shirt that you don’t mind sweating in. If you have board shorts, wear them. The material makes sliding around on the mat easier than most other types of shorts. Even if you are showing up to a class that wears a gi, you should be able to try it out in normal workout attire before you sign up and spend the money on a gi. Many schools are now offering both gi classes, and no-gi classes. Ask the instructor or whoever is helping you out at the school to be certain.
Usually you’ll be taken through the facility and they you what you need to know. If not, follow what the others are doing and you should be good. Remember that there are no shoes allowed on the mat and you are expected to bow when entering the mat.
Most classes begin with a few minutes of cardio. Typically you run around the mat in a few different ways (normal, backwards, side to side, etc). Just follow everybody else and keep up. Then you usually will be led through a series of stretches. Many of them will be unfamiliar to you so again, pay attention and follow what everybody else is doing. It’s important to stretch well because you’re going to be twisting in ways your body probably is not used to. Some classes don’t spend the time to warm up and you are expected to show up early to get loose.
Once the class has warmed up, the instructor will show the class a technique in the middle of the mat and then you’ll pair up with somebody to practice it. If your instructor doesn’t pair you up himself, look for somebody who is around your size and ask them if they would mind working with you and that it is your first class. You’ll be surprised how willing to help everybody is.
When you are drilling these new techniques, go slow and make sure you are performing every step as instructed. If you get confused or forget something, ask your partner or the instructor for help.
You’ll usually do 3 or 4 drills before the class begins to roll (aka, sparring). Don’t be offended if the instructor asks you to sit out for your first couple of classes. Sit back and watch to see what the class is doing, especially the higher belts. It is best to learn a few things before you jump right in, although some instructors will have you roll on your first class.
Once you are allowed to roll, go easy and controlled. Let your partner know that you are new and that you’d appreciate any tips. When they get you in a submission, tap as soon as you know they have it. Don’t wait for them to crank your arm too hard and likewise, don’t do that to them. The number one thing people complain about is newbies going too hard or trying to spaz out of a bad position.
Guess what… you’re going to be in a lot of bad positions for a while! Deal with it and ask your training partners for help if you find that you keep falling into the same thing every time you roll.
Personally, it took me about a month of going 2-3 times per week to start feeling comfortable with the moves I had been learning. After about two months, I’ve found myself hanging in there when rolling much better. It takes a little while, but you’ll be advancing very quickly over the first couple of months so stick with it and go as often as you can!
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