If you start learning BJJ and expect perfection out of every session, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
The quest for the perfect BJJ technique is a fruitless endeavor, but it is a lot of fun. That being said, you will surely make mistakes in BJJ, both significant and minor. Some will cost you money, while others will pass you by undetected. The one thing you can control is avoiding the most common BJJ errors that impede your growth.
1. Extending Elbows Away From the Body
There are practically no situations in BJJ where your elbow should be far from your body. Avoiding armbars, unbalancing, stalling, and worse by keeping your elbows attached to your body at all times. When attacking or defending, always stay covered and keep your elbows tight.
2. Not Maintaining a Good Posture
The most important secret in BJJ is posture, which a white belt should focus on from the start. When you are inside someone’s guard, learn to maintain your back straight; proper posture will spare you from being unbalanced, swept, and surrendered.
Remember to maintain your toes flexed and immersed in the mat, rather than just your foot flat on the ground. This keeps you from being swept or shoved quickly. Check out this article on what to expect on your first day of BJJ to learn more!
3. Extending the Arms Completely When Pushing an Opponent Away
One of the most typical mistakes BJJ practitioners make when defending a guard pass is straightening their arms. Pushing and tugging an opponent is necessary, but you must learn to do it without completely extending your arms.
Furthermore, each fully extended limb provides an excellent opportunity your opponent can use against you. Discover the safe range for extending an arm.
4. Tensing Up While Sparring
Most beginners tense up, especially during their first-ever BJJ competition. It’s because they don’t know what to do, so they fight all the time. It’s not a mistake in and of itself; it’s what everyone does when they first start. It would be best to get rid of it since it consumes far more energy than it should.
There is, however, no getting past the fact that it must be accompanied by training. You may also use it to track your progress. When you cease being nervous during sparring, you’ve undoubtedly learned a lot since you first started.
5. Rolling Onto Your Stomach to Escape
Rookies try to roll onto their stomachs to avoid various circumstances, but it’s almost always a bad idea. Don’t turn your back on your opponent or go belly-up on the mat.
Your opponent will most likely seize your back and latch on to you from behind, a highly challenging position to defend or escape from. You will most likely be submitted fast. In general, you should strive to face your opponent and keep your back protected and away.
6. Trying to Make People Submit From Inside their Closed Guard
This is a situation in which your only alternative is to escape. Attempting to finish someone from within their closed guard will result in you being surrendered or swept.
Instead, concentrate your efforts on resisting any submission attempts that your opponent may make against you. Second, focus on eluding his close guard. Read our article on how to get good at BJJ quickly to learn more!
Final Thoughts
When it comes to Jiu-Jitsu training, you’re probably going to feel like an amateur, whether it’s your first day or your 4th month. You’re going to be dealt with quickly. If you have a large ego, this sport might be too much.
It is vital to practice humility, as should be in all Martial Arts. Maintain a low profile, train hard, and leave the ego in the parking lot.
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