1. Don’t be embarrassed or feel dumb
When you’re brand new, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—and even embarrassed. Everything is foreign: the movements, the positions, the terminology, even the physical proximity to others. You’re constantly expected to perform things your body and brain don’t yet understand.
Add to that the psychological load:
- The discomfort of close contact with strangers
- The pressure of “not looking dumb”
- The desire to earn your instructor’s respect
- The fear of being the worst person in the room
That mental pressure is no joke, and for many, it’s the biggest reason they quit.
But here’s the truth: we’ve all been there. Every single person on the mat once felt just as uncertain and confused as you do. No one expects you to know it all. That’s why you’re in class.
So breathe. Relax. Let yourself be new.
2. Be Positive
One of the best pieces of advice I ever heard came from one of my earliest instructors:
“Jiu-jitsu is for the optimist.”
That stuck with me. Optimism doesn’t just make training more enjoyable—it accelerates your learning.
If you get caught with a slick submission, you could respond in frustration, ego-flaring, trying to get a “revenge tap.”
Or… you could smile, admire the move, and ask your partner to show you how they did it.
That mindset shift—viewing mistakes as opportunities—will transform your journey. Stay curious, open, and excited to learn, even when things don’t go your way.
3. Practice With Purpose
I’ve seen it a hundred times: someone is shown a new technique, shrugs, and says,
“I’ll never get that to work.”
Guess what happens? They drill it half-heartedly, never try it in sparring, and—surprise—it “doesn’t work.”
Instead, try approaching every new move with the mindset of:
“This could be my next favorite technique.”
Drill it with enthusiasm. Try to hit it in sparring that very day. Even if it fails, try again. Stay with it. Success in Jiu-Jitsu is built on repetition and belief.
4. Don’t Be That Guy (you know who you are)
You’ve probably heard the phrase “Leave your ego at the door.” I think we can do better than that.
Your ego isn’t inherently bad—you should be proud of your progress and have confidence in your abilities. The issue is when that ego makes others feel small or uncomfortable. Don’t be that guy.
Here’s a simple cheat sheet:
Don’t:
- Gossip about who tapped who
- Use unnecessarily rough or dangerous moves
- Obsess over rank, belts, or hierarchy
Do:
- Help newer students and answer their questions
- Train hard, but respectfully and safely
- Focus on being as technical as possible
Remember: it’s not a fight. It’s practice. You’re all there to improve together.
5. Level Up with Quality Partners
Surround yourself with people who share your growth mindset. The right partners will level up your training like nothing else.
Look for partners who:
- Will stay after class to drill and roll
- Are excited to share techniques and exchange ideas
- Give honest, constructive feedback
- Are just as invested in your growth as their own
Some of my biggest leaps forward happened not in regular class, but during extra sessions with dedicated teammates who pushed me and supported me.
6. Replay
Use your idle time to sharpen your mind. Driving, showering, lying in bed—those are golden moments for mental reps.
Visualize techniques:
- Step by step
- What the instructor emphasized
- Where you stumbled
- What adjustments worked
Replay rolls in your mind:
- What grips did you use?
- What did your opponent do?
- Where did your balance shift?
- What would you do differently next time?
This mental practice is more powerful than you might think. It builds clarity, memory, and technical depth.
7. Log it
This is a secret weapon. For years, I’ve known several practitioners that have kept a journal where they write down techniques, sequences, and thoughts from class.
The power comes from writing. Describing techniques forces you to mentally rehearse them over and over. It solidifies the movement in your mind.
Over time, your journal becomes a map of your learning journey—each entry a small building block of mastery.
Final Thought:
Progress in Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t happen in a straight line. Some days you’ll feel unstoppable. Other days you’ll wonder why you started.
But if you stay humble, stay curious, and keep showing up, it’s only a matter of time.
The belts don’t make you an expert. They just remind you how far you’ve come—and how much further you want to go.
