Hey guys! Ever wondered where to start with Jiu Jitsu? You're in the right place! Let’s dive into the fundamentals with a little help from our friend Jordan. We're going to break down everything you need to know to get started on your Jiu Jitsu journey. Trust me, it's going to be awesome! This article will cover stances, movements, basic submissions, and drills you can use to improve.

Stance and Movement

Let's kick things off with stance and movement, which are super important in Jiu Jitsu. A good stance gives you balance, helps you move efficiently, and keeps you ready for whatever your opponent throws at you. Think of it like this: your stance is your foundation, and if it's shaky, everything else will be too.

Basic Stance

Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly in front of the other. Bend your knees a little to lower your center of gravity – this makes you more stable. Keep your weight balanced between both feet so you can move in any direction quickly. Your hands should be up, ready to defend or attack. A lot of instructors recommend imagining you're holding a big beach ball in front of you. This keeps your elbows in and your hands at a good defensive height.

Movement

Moving around the mat is just as important as having a good stance. You don’t want to be flat-footed! Practice moving with small, quick steps. Always maintain your stance as you move – don't let your feet get too close together, and keep your weight balanced. A common drill is to simply shuffle around the mat, focusing on staying light on your feet and keeping that good posture. Another great tip is to visualize a clock on the mat. Practice moving to each number while maintaining your stance and balance. This helps with agility and spatial awareness, which are key in live rolling.

Breakfalls

Another crucial aspect of movement is learning how to fall safely, also known as breakfalls. You’re going to end up on the ground a lot, so knowing how to fall without getting hurt is vital. There are a few basic breakfalls you should learn:

• Back Breakfall: When falling backward, slap the ground with your arms at a 45-degree angle to your body to dissipate the impact. Tuck your chin to your chest to protect your head. This is one of the first things you'll learn, and it's super important for preventing injuries.
• Side Breakfall: Similar to the back breakfall, but you’re falling to the side. Slap the ground with your arm and keep your body at an angle to spread the impact. Again, protect your head by tucking your chin.
• Forward Breakfall: This one can be a bit tricky. As you fall forward, slap the ground with your hands, keeping your arms slightly bent to absorb the impact. Try to distribute your weight across your forearms to avoid landing directly on your wrists. This is useful when you're taken down or tripped.

Practice these breakfalls regularly. Start slowly and gradually increase the speed and height from which you're falling. Trust me, your body will thank you!

Basic Submissions

Alright, now let's get into the fun stuff: basic submissions. These are the techniques you'll use to finish a fight or a roll. We'll cover a few fundamental submissions that every beginner should know.

Rear Naked Choke

The rear naked choke (RNC) is one of the most effective and widely used submissions in Jiu Jitsu. To apply it, you need to get to your opponent's back. Once you're there, secure your seatbelt grip around their body. Slide one arm under their chin and connect it to your other hand, forming a bicep-to-bicep grip. Then, squeeze your elbows together and pull back with your entire body to apply the choke. Make sure you're not using your forearm on their neck, but rather the bicep to apply pressure to the carotid arteries. The RNC is effective because it cuts off blood flow to the brain, causing your opponent to tap out quickly.

Armbar from Mount

The armbar from mount is another classic submission. From the mount position (sitting on your opponent's chest), control their arms. Bring one arm across your body and secure it tightly. Post one hand on the mat and swing your leg over their head, trapping their arm between your thighs. Lean back and pull their arm straight while squeezing your knees together. This hyperextends their elbow joint, forcing them to tap out. It’s important to control their posture throughout the technique to prevent them from escaping. Also, be mindful of your training partner's safety – apply the pressure gradually.

Triangle Choke

The triangle choke is a more advanced submission, but it's still important for beginners to understand. From a guard position, bring one of your legs up and over your opponent's shoulder and neck, trapping their arm inside. Lock your legs together behind their back, forming a triangle shape. Pull down on their head while squeezing your legs together to cut off blood flow to their brain. The triangle choke can be tricky to set up, but it’s incredibly effective once you get it locked in. Focus on creating the right angles and controlling your opponent's posture to increase your chances of success.

Americana

The Americana is a shoulder lock that’s often taught early on. Start by controlling one of your opponent's wrists with both of your hands. Pin their wrist to the mat near their head. Then, bring their other hand up towards their head and grab your own wrist. From there, rotate their arm backward, creating a shoulder lock. This submission relies on controlling the opponent’s shoulder joint and applying pressure until they tap. Be careful not to apply too much force too quickly, as shoulder injuries can be quite painful.

Basic Drills

Okay, now that we've covered some basic techniques, let's talk about drills. Drilling is how you turn those techniques into muscle memory. It's repetitive, but it's also super effective.

Shrimping

Shrimping is a fundamental movement for creating space and escaping bad positions. Lie on your back, bend your knees, and keep your feet flat on the ground. Push off with one foot and move your hips away from that side, creating space. Use your arms to help push yourself backward. This movement is crucial for escaping from under your opponent and creating opportunities to improve your position. Practice shrimping in both directions to develop a well-rounded escape game.

Technical Stand-Up

The technical stand-up is a safe and efficient way to get back to your feet from the ground. Start by sitting on the ground with one leg bent and the other extended. Post one hand on the ground for support. Then, bring your other leg underneath you and stand up, keeping your weight balanced and your eyes on your opponent. This technique is useful for avoiding getting swept or submitted while trying to stand up. Practice the technical stand-up from different positions to become comfortable using it in live rolling.

Guard Retention Drills

Guard retention drills help you maintain your guard and prevent your opponent from passing. Start in the guard position with your opponent trying to pass. Use your legs and arms to control their posture and prevent them from getting past your guard. Common drills include using your feet on their hips to create distance, shrimping to maintain space, and using your arms to control their upper body. The goal is to keep your opponent from establishing a dominant position and to create opportunities for sweeps and submissions.

Positional Drilling

Positional drilling involves practicing specific sequences of movements and techniques from different positions. For example, you might drill transitioning from the mount position to an armbar, or escaping from side control back to guard. These drills help you develop a deeper understanding of how different positions flow together and how to chain techniques together effectively. Choose a specific position and a few related techniques to drill, and repeat the sequence multiple times with a partner. This will help you build muscle memory and improve your ability to execute those techniques in live rolling.

Tips for Beginners

Before we wrap things up, here are a few tips for beginners to keep in mind as you start your Jiu Jitsu journey:

• Be Patient: Jiu Jitsu takes time to learn. Don't get discouraged if you don't master everything right away. Just keep showing up and putting in the work.
• Focus on Fundamentals: It's tempting to try to learn advanced techniques, but it's important to build a solid foundation in the basics first. Master the fundamentals, and the rest will come easier.
• Ask Questions: Don't be afraid to ask your instructor or more experienced training partners for help. Everyone was a beginner once, and most people are happy to share their knowledge.
• Train Regularly: Consistency is key in Jiu Jitsu. Try to train at least a few times a week to maintain your progress and build momentum.
• Be a Good Training Partner: Be respectful of your training partners, and always prioritize their safety. Tap out early and often to avoid injuries.
• Have Fun: Jiu Jitsu can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Don't forget to enjoy the process and celebrate your progress along the way.

So there you have it – a beginner's guide to Jiu Jitsu basics, with a little help from Jordan! Remember, everyone starts somewhere. Keep practicing, stay patient, and have fun on the mats! You'll be surprised at how far you can go. Keep rolling, guys!