FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

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BJJ is a grappling style that grew out of judo. It emphasises fighting on the ground, specifically how to reach a controlling position, then finishing with a choke or joint lock (there are no strikes). Sparring is a major part of training, and ranking is normally based on performance.

This also means that competitions are a central part of BJJ, with some schools taking into account competitive success when grading students. However, it is certainly not compulsory: many people choose not to compete.

How should I approach class as a beginner?

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Here are my top five tips:

1. Relax

The biggest mistake most new people make is treating every spar as life or death, clinging on desperately trying not to ‘lose’, or using as much muscle as possible so they can ‘win’. Save ‘winning’ or ‘losing’ for competition: in class, just concentrate on improving your technique. Doesn’t matter if you get tapped along the way.

It also helps to avoid injury: if you’re so focused on ‘not losing’ that you don’t tap, you’re liable to hurt yourself. Relax, tap and start again, instead of holding out until something breaks, putting you out of training for weeks, months or even years.

2. Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to talk to people. If you’re confused by something in drilling, find the instructor and ask them to help you out: after all, you’re paying them to teach you. Similarly, after sparring, if you don’t understand what you did wrong, ask your partner. They’re in a great position to tell you.

3. Find a good training partner

Following on from the previous point, if you find somebody is particularly helpful in drilling, provides useful advice after sparring, and/or generally stays controlled and technical when rolling etc, stick with them. Good training partners will have a hugely positive effect on your progress.

Of course, a good training partner will normally be more experienced than you: someone who spouts off without knowing what they’re talking about becomes irritating rather than helpful. Having said that, it is possible to learn from anyone, so don’t be close-minded.

4. Maintain good hygiene

I can’t emphasise this enough. Not only is it extremely skanky to train with an unwashed gi, it’s also dangerous. There are lots of nasty bacteria waiting to jump all over your skin in sweaty grappling sports, and infections can even be fatal (MRSA, staph etc).

Stay safe by taking a shower after training, then wash your gi once you get home. I would advise owning more than one gi, meaning that you can wash your gi after every session you train. No-one wants to train with the stinky guy/girl, and if you come in with infections (be that fungal, like ringworm, or the really dangerous stuff mentioned earlier), you’re quickly going to become very unpopular.

Also, be sure to keep your nails short. Otherwise, you’re liable to cut people, which again is not going to impress your training partners.

5. Keep training

BJJ is a difficult sport, and that means there is a high turnover of white belts. Lots of people start, get frustrated, then quit. Accept that the first few months are going to involve a lot of you getting squashed under somebody else. Stay consistent, and eventually you’ll get the hang of things.

What happens in the average BJJ class?

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I started BJJ at the Roger Gracie Academy, where classes normally break down like this (see my BJJ glossary if you don’t understand the terminology):

1. Warm-up

Normally running round the room, with variations like knees up, heels up, sprints, circling the arms etc. That will generally be followed by breakfalls and shrimping, after which there is sometimes a two-man exercise (such as fireman’s carry, throws up and down the room, running while one person holds the other’s belt etc).

2. Technique

The instructor will show between one to three techniques, which we’ll then drill. Often this will begin with a throw, then a few groundwork techniques. The whole week is often geared around similar techniques: for example, in my first week, I attended three sessions, all of which focused on a standing guard pass and a sweep.

3. Specific sparring

By that, I mean the sparring is started from a particular position, such as from guard, with a predetermined purpose, such as passing the guard, after which the spar restarts. This occasionally goes from standing, so working throws, single leg takedowns etc. The beginners class will then go straight to a warm down and finish, meaning the whole beginners class lasts an hour in total. Full details of all the beginners classes I’ve attended here.

4. Free sparring

The advanced class (details of those here) is half an hour longer, which is made up of free sparring. You start on your knees (too many people to go from standing, as that could easily lead to people getting thrown into other groups in the midst of a spar). That is normally split into five minute rounds.

Can I learn BJJ from videos/books/DVDs?

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Books/videos etc are supposed to supplement training, not form its basis – especially for beginners, it’s essential to have an instructor physically present. Unlike a DVD/book/video, they can correct your mistakes (which otherwise you’ll continue making and thereby entrain bad habits) and modify their advice depending on your particular situation: bodytype, experience, strength etc. Not to mention you could potentially injure yourself and/or others if there isn’t an experienced eye supervising.

That isn’t to say DVDs/videos etc are useless, but I find they work best when you’re refining what you already know. For example, say you can’t quite remember how that scissor sweep went last night in class, YouTube might well have something to jog your memory. However, even when going down that route, your instructor (or failing that, a senior student who’s willing to help out) should always be your first port of call. That’s both for the reasons above and the fact that you’re paying them to teach you, so it would make sense to get the most out of your investment.

I'm a woman: is BJJ right for me?

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BJJ is an excellent choice for women. In terms of self-defence, BJJ is perfect from a female perspective, as it deals with the unfortunately common self-defence situation of rape: BJJ features a lot of attacks and defences when someone is in between your legs. It is also a martial art which was designed for a smaller person to overcome a larger one, which again has clear applications for women’s self-defence.

However, while BJJ covers the ground in thorough detail, it is worth noting that it does not deal with strikes. For the complete picture, you may want to cross-train in something like boxing or muay thai.

In terms of sport, BJJ is a great work-out, and far more interesting than running on a treadmill at the gym. Fitness is one of my big reasons for training in BJJ, as I found the gym a little dull. BJJ keeps me interested, because it’s a complex sport: there’s always something new to learn.

It is true that comparatively speaking, there aren’t many women in the sport at present, so it’s likely you will have to spar with men. However, I don’t think that’s a cause for concern: in my experience, most women have no trouble training with the men, particularly when the man in question is a small guy like myself.

If you’re training for self-defence, then it also makes sense to train with somebody whose bodytype is more likely to match your typical attacker: a large male. That option is open to you in a BJJ class, where training partners tend to be helpful and happy to give out advice.

Is BJJ suitable for children?

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Yes, BJJ is suitable for children. For example, here in the UK there is a fantastic instructor of children, Felipe Souza. I had the pleasure of being taught by him for a while at RGA, and I also got the chance to watch him teach the kids class, as I often arrive early. Felipe manages a good balance of games to keep the younger kids interested, along with enough discipline to stop things getting out of hand. I’ve trained with several of the kids who have been brought through the system, and been suitably impressed by their skills.

Felipe opened up his own academy during 2008, in Battersea and Willesden, having given years of good service to RGA. I can unreservedly recommend his instruction for your children (or indeed yourself, as his instruction of adults is equally good), if you live in London and find his academy’s location convenient.

Judo would also be a good choice for your child. Be sure to take a look at the Bullshido FAQ on choosing a martial art – there’s a section there on children, from which I’ll quote (there’s plenty more relevant material in the article itself):

It must be understood that there is a significant psychological difference between striking and grappling for a young child. Striking implies far more violence and anger; and the immediate emotional response to being struck will vary greatly from child to child. Striking is something that a child learns to do out of anger long before they learn to walk or talk. Striking is a primal, animal reaction to a negative stimulus, and as such will require far more emotional maturity before it can be instructed properly. Getting hit pretty much always hurts, whereas grappling tends only to hurt when a mistake is made. Pain avoidance is the average American child’s primary subconscious drive. If something hurts, most children under 10 will avoid it at all costs.

Young children adjust to grappling long before they can adapt psychologically to striking. Children invariably begin wrestling without the guidance of adults as a recreational activity anyway, so providing technique and structure for it is a fairly natural progression. For very young children (under 10) grappling styles are learned most easily and create a solid base in the most prevalent ranges of combat. For a video of young children learning how to grapple please see:

Am I too old for BJJ?

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No: whatever age you are, it’s not too old for BJJ. My favourite example when it comes to this question is Tony Penny. He started training at RGA when in his eighties, earning his blue belt in 2007. There’s also Pete Griffiths, who at 69 not only trained in BJJ, but has gone on to fight in two mixed martial arts events. So while it’s a cliché, it really never is too late to start. Read about his inspiring story here.

There’s also a good thread with discussion of training in your later years (especially how to cope with injury, arthritis etc) here. Then there’s this useful post over on Steve’s blog.

You could also check out the Roy Harris instructional BJJ Over 40 (for more thoughts on that DVD, see Bullshido)

How should I wash my gi?

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Once you’ve bought your gi, be careful: if you stick it in the drier or on a hot wash, it’s liable to shrink, as they’re normally 100% cotton. Often you’ll need to shrink them the first time (some come pre-shrunk, but I’ve had to shrink all of mine), but after that, avoid putting them in a hot wash and definitely don’t put them in the spin drier. Wash them at 30 degrees or less, then hang to dry. For this reason, it’s sensible to have several gis you can cycle between.

If you’d like further information on washing the gi, see Steve’s excellent post on the topic.

Are there any restrictions on what kind of gi I can wear?

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As a general rule, you should wear a gi designed for grappling, like a judo or BJJ gi. If you wore a karate gi or taekwondo dobok, it would probably rip, because they are not designed for the kind of stress a lesson of BJJ or judo puts on a gi.

For example, your gi will be called upon to support your entire bodyweight at various points, such as during throws. You’ll also have people pulling on the fabric as hard they can, attempting to release your grips, control your limbs, choke you with the collars etc.

I’m not sure there is a rule against wearing other types of gi, but even if not, it would be inadvisable to do so due to the durability issue.

Some competitions will only allow certain colours of gi, but many don’t care, so you can happily wander in wearing pink, camo, green etc. The same goes for schools. However, in both cases, you should check with the organiser or instructor in case there are limits.

You should also be aware that if you’re going to wear a gi that makes you stand out, you may well get more attention when the time comes to spar. This is why some people wait until they feel confident in their skills before wearing a particularly flashy gi.

Of course, as long as you keep within any regulations a particular tournament or club might have, there is no reason you can’t wear whatever you want.

The same applies to patches, although there are some restrictions under IBJJF rules. On the official website, there is a drawing of acceptable patch placement.

In terms of the actual cut, BJJ is not as strict as judo on things like sleeve length etc, but again, it is worth checking with the specific tournament or club.

What is the difference between gi and no-gi?

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Simply put, gi training involves wearing a heavy cotton jacket and trousers, while nogi (also written as no-gi and no gi) is normally done in a combination of a rash guard or t-shirt with shorts or gi trousers.

The main difference I find between rolling with a gi and without is that for the former, it’s possible to slow things down, meaning that the spar tends to be more about technique rather than strength or speed. Physical attributes come into it a lot more with no-gi: though they’re certainly not absent in the gi, they can at least be negated to a certain extent by all the handles a gi provides. No gi is normally also, therefore, faster paced than gi.

So, as a small, fairly passive guy, I prefer gi. Though no gi is nice for a change, and means my fingers have a chance to recover from all the gripping. I’m not sure whether one or the other helps with skill development, though I’d lean towards the gi due to – in my experience at least – the lesser impact of strength and speed, meaning technique becomes more important.

Of course, I’m much more used to the gi and it’s what I started with. Most of this blog is therefore about gi training, though I do have some nogi entries here.

Why Train with the Gi (Uniform) in the Grappling arts?

The following is a short article pointing out some of the benefits to training with the gi (uniform) in grappling arts like Jiu-jitsu or Judo.

Chess and Checkers

It is simply logic that when you add the gi to a grappling match, it will add more possibilities; it is therefore a more complex game. It would be much easier for a good chess player to join in on a game of checkers than the other way around.

Making Big Fighters More Technical

There is no better way to take the physical attributes from someone than putting him in a gi. Without the gi, a bigger person can use more of their strength and faster opponents, more of their speed. The point of any art is to use more technique and skill than strength; using the gi will help develop that skill.

You can always take it off

I’ve seen submission grapplers and wrestlers with ten years or more experience get choked by people with half that time-in while wearing the gi; they look as if you’ve just put them in a straight jacket.

When you train with the gi (properly), it is just a matter of a few grip adjustments in order to fight without it. If you do not train with the gi enough– you’re the checkers guy.

Military and Law Enforcement Application

Unless you are patrolling a beach (in which case, you have a sweet assignment and nothing to complain about), your opponents are wearing clothes. There have been many reports from the Military personnel I train saying that they favor training with the gi and make good use of collar chokes. In fact the core of the Modern Army Manual is based on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and soldiers often train in their BDUs.

It gets cold

For those of us that live in places that get cold now and then, you’ll be wearing something that resembles a gi for a large part of the year. Even if you are in a hot climate, you’ll most likely be wearing some sort of pants or shorts and a t-shirt that an opponent can grab onto. Additionally, the gi is great for training because it won’t rip like a t-shirt.

Training both with and without the gi is important for anyone who practices any type of Grappling art. Make it at least 50% of your practice and you will be better for it.

When should I compete?

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In my experience, you can enter a tournament as soon as you want. If you’re unsure, ask your instructor: most of the time they’ll encourage you to go for it, whatever level you’re at. Competition is a big part of BJJ, though it’s certainly not obligatory: many people choose not to compete.

However, it is worth trying at least once, as it’s very different from sparring in class. I would say that competing is probably the best way to gauge your current level in BJJ, as unlike class, a competition guarantees that your opponent will be trying their hardest to prevent you applying your technique. In class, that may not be the case, for a whole bunch of reasons: your partner may have just come back from an injury, perhaps they want to work a specific position, maybe they’re going light because they’re much stronger than you, etc.

Indeed, I’d find it detrimental to approach training with a ‘win/lose’ mentality outside of competition: far better to focus on improving technique. If you get tapped along the way, or tap someone else, doesn’t matter.

For some good advice on preparing for a competition, see Georgette’s fantastic advice. I’d also recommend checking out The Jiu-Jitsu Brotherhood.

How often should I train, as a beginner?

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How many days you train depends mainly on three things: time, money and fitness. Most people would advise at least twice a week if possible, but even that can be difficult depending on your job, family commitments, university/school coursework, financial situation etc.

The timetable of your school is obviously also a major factor: if there are only two or three classes on offer a week, that makes your decision for you. If like me your time is limited, make sure you get quality, as you can’t have quantity. Take copious notes, make a concerted effort to really concentrate when your instructor is showing technique, and ask as many questions as possible.

Particularly when you’re just starting out, it’s easy to overtrain due to enthusiasm (remember to relax): that will be detrimental in the long run. You need to let your body get used to the level of exercise, especially if you haven’t done comparably intense physical activity before on a regular basis.

Is BJJ just a sport, or will it teach me self-defence?

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Being a sport does not mean it’s ineffective.

The “just a sport” argument is a common accusation levelled against certain combat sports (judo gets this criticism too sometimes), and a rather ignorant one at that. Taking part in competition (a defining characteristic of a sport) does not automatically mean a style is no good for self-defence. It merely means that it’s possible to use the techniques of that style in a regulated environment, which conversely can result in people who are capable of defending themselves using those same techniques, presuming it’s trained with ‘aliveness’ (in short, progressive resistance: if you’re not familiar with the term, read this).

Certain people place great stock in statements like “that’s just a sport, whereas MY martial art is far too deadly for competition”. What they really mean is that they never train their techniques under pressure, and therefore lack any verification that what they’re learning or teaching actually works. In a sport like BJJ, you immediately get feedback on what works and what does not, because you spar against full resistance.

Of course, BJJ is not the complete picture: it’s great for when you find yourself on the ground (“95% of real fights go to the ground” is frequently quoted as a statistic, and while I doubt it’s that high a percentage, events like the early UFCs demonstrated that it’s certainly a distinct possibility that even if both people involved don’t know any grappling, the fight will often end up on the ground), but doesn’t cover things like striking.

If you are looking for realistic self-defence, you should also train in a stand-up style, such as boxing or muay thai. Judo would be another good option, as throws translate well to a self-defence situation. In addition (and perhaps more importantly), there are all the psychological, environmental, chemical and legal factors involved in self defence, which few martial arts even begin to cover. For that, I’d go to someone like Geoff Thompson.

See also this article on a similar topic, and also my review of Gracie Combatives.

I want self defence against multiple opponents: will BJJ help me?

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There is no evidence that striking is any safer than grappling when fighting multiple opponents. Fighting several attackers is a losing proposition for anyone, grappler or striker. It’s not impossible but it is very unlikely. People who think they can fight multiple people without getting seriously hurt tend to have watched a few too many kung fu movies.

The best defence in this situation is to run away. The second best defence is to have a weapon (or three).

Grappling and ground-fighting skills are essential in a multiple opponent scenario with weapons involved. But simply put you need grappling/groundfighting skills to utilize a weapon effectively when escape is not an option.

A weapon is not a magic wand. It often requires time or multiple successful attacks to remove an attacker from the fight. In the meantime dog-pack tactics are likely to be employed against you. A multiple opponent scenario where escape and evasion is not possible is by definition “close quarters”.

To escape from a clinch, takedown, tackle, or pin requires personal understanding of how it is executed. It may take minutes for an attacker who has been stabbed to cease all resistance, and a bludgeoned opponent may collapse on you or pass out with a death grip on parts of your anatomy.

No part of a multiple opponent scenario is pleasant to contemplate, but whether you can run or must fight, the grappling and groundfighting skill-sets are essential if you want to live through a bad situation. Hopefully you won’t have to use them, but they are critical insurance when things go pear-shaped.

What is the difference between Japanese Jiu Jitsu/Traditional Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

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The short answer: JJJ/TJJ is often more compliant than BJJ, as it doesn’t always include sparring against fully resistant opponents. Therefore BJJ is normally a safer bet if you are looking for quality groundwork, but JJJ/TJJ covers a lot of schools, so it’s tough to generalise.

What is the difference between Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

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The short answer is that judo is great on throws, less good on groundwork, while BJJ is great on groundwork, not so good on throws. Judo also tends to be cheaper and easier to find.

I'm out of shape: should I get fitter before starting?

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While it certainly doesn’t hurt to get fitter beforehand, it isn’t necessary. I’d strongly advise you to dive right in and start BJJ, as your fitness and skill level will improve through attending class regularly. If you’re holding off because you think you could do with a bit of preparation first, you may never get round to actually training.

On the topic of weight loss through BJJ, see this Fightworks Podcast episode for a good discussion. BJJ is a brilliant way to get in shape, and indeed the fitness is one of the main attractions for me: much easier to stay motivated through an engaging, complex sport like BJJ than by running on a treadmill.

Will getting stronger help my BJJ?

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Building muscle can be a considerable benefit to your BJJ, particularly in competition. If your opponent is the same weight as you, but you’re built like a powerlifter and they are carrying a lot of excess fat, your strength will be an advantage. Size and strength make a big difference, all other things being equal.

However, you should never rely upon strength: as the old adage goes, there is always someone bigger. If your style is very strength-based, and you come up against someone even stronger than you are, you have nothing to fall back on.

Therefore your main focus should be technique, and gaining the experience to develop good timing. That has the added bonus that while strength can fade as you get older, your technique and timing should be relatively unaffected by the encroaches of age.

Also keep in mind that if the hypothetical flabby competitor happens to have much better technique and timing than you do, your strength will not be enough to overcome them.

I get tired quickly when sparring: what can I do?

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As I mentioned in my tips, a common mistake many beginners make is wasting a lot of energy when they spar, using as much strength as possible. This means that they quickly become fatigued, even if they’re fit: trying to bench-press your opponent off you is not a sensible strategy.

If you find that you get tired quickly, the first thing you should do is focus on relaxing. Try to stay calm and technical, picking your moment carefully, conserving energy. Don’t panic if you’re caught in a bad position, and don’t forget to breathe. If they end up tapping you, it doesn’t matter: they’ll find it much easier if you’ve expended all your strength.

In addition, you could try working on your fitness outside of class (though remember, BJJ is a great workout in itself, so with consistent, regular training, your fitness will improve). If you have the time to add further exercise into your schedule – such as swimming, running, etc – it is well worth doing, as long as you don’t overtrain. Similarly, improving your diet and nutrition can be of great beneft.

However, if you aren’t able to relax in sparring, then better cardio will simply mean you can struggle a little longer than before. As Roy Dean puts it on his DVD, the aim is better fuel economy rather than a bigger gas tank. While in an ideal situation you would have both, learning to relax and develop good timing is the more important goal of the two.

I started BJJ recently, but I'm getting frustrated with my lack of progress: how can I overcome this?

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Don’t worry: BJJ is difficult, so a lot of people get frustrated and demoralised. First thing to note is that the only person you should be measuring your progress against is yourself. Other people may train more often, have athletic ability, previous experience etc – although it’s natural to think “damn, that guy started the same time as me, I should be as good”, think instead “how would the me of today fare against the me of last month?”

Focus on a small number of techniques and concentrate on just working those in sparring. It may even just be that you steadily work one tiny part of a particular technique – perhaps where you want your hands to be at a certain point – but that all contributes to eventually getting the technique right, and in turn means you’re being constructive and have a clear goal to work towards.

I also find a technique-focused method of training helps with motivation, as it’s a useful way of ignoring ego: you’re not thinking about ‘winning’ or ‘losing’, just making technical improvements. It doesn’t matter if you get tapped along the way.

Following on from that, I’d strongly recommend keeping a training log. Personally, I’ve found doing so has been of massive benefit to my training: to copy what I wrote somewhere else, for a start it makes it easier to remember technique. The process of putting what you’ve just learned into words means you have to carefully think about exactly what you did in class. Even if your memory of it isn’t that great, that will still mean you know specifically which parts you’re unsure about, so can then ask your instructor next time you train.

That also helps with recollecting terminology, which I find can be a big problem in BJJ. Of course, that normally means you only learn the terminology used in your particular school, but still of benefit. Ideally, I’d like to be able to learn the most common terms used globally, as well as just in my school: it then becomes easier to search places like the net for hints and tips on specific techniques.

In addition to remembering technique, writing notes also means you can track your own progress, and identify what you feel you need to work on. As with writing up techniques, that then means you can concentrate on what went ‘wrong’, for want of a better word, asking your instructor and training partners how you could improve. So in effect, your notes become an action plan for the next sparring session.

What are the belt ranks in BJJ?

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Everyone starts at white, after which there are four more:

Blue
Purple
Brown
Black

There are also belts for children: grey, yellow, orange and green. Once the child has reached 16, they can become a blue belt.

The black belt has additional degree stripes, which are normally dependent on time. For example, the IBJJF mandates that once you have spent at least three years as a black belt, you can become a 1st degree. Not everyone is affiliated with that organisation, however, and therefore have their own system. For example, American Top Team gives out green belts to adults.

After several degrees of black belt, there is an honorary red and black belt, and finally a red belt. The highest level, 10th degree red belt, is restricted to the brothers of Carlos Gracie, as he and his siblings were the people responsible for originally developing the sport out of judo.

Why do some belts have stripes?

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It takes a long time to achieve rank in BJJ (see here), the average being about a decade between white and black. Some schools break it up with stripes (normally from one to four), added to the black strip on a BJJ belt (due to the contrast between the black strip and white stripe, which therefore works for all belt colours).

Be aware that stripes are not used in a consistent fashion across all clubs. Belts, on the other hand, are all about ability: your instructor will present you with a new belt when they can see you holding your own against the level above you in sparring. Competing can speed up this process.

How do I get a blue belt?

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At the average school, with regular training, it will take between 1 to 2 years to go from white to blue. Success in sparring against those of your current level and the ability to hold your own against the level above is a determining factor as is competition success. Also you need to be able to demonstrate a variety of techniques, with detail appropriate to your level.

My general advice (I go into more detail here) is to concentrate on the basics, relax, and don’t worry about who tapped who: in class, it’s learning, not ‘winning’ or ‘losing’. The important thing is to develop technique and keep turning up to class on a consistent basis.

How long will it take to get a black belt?

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A long time: commonly, it takes between 8-10 years to get to black belt. There are some famous examples of people who have got it much quicker, most notably BJ Penn, who took only three years.

However, in every case I’ve heard, they’ve had lots of natural talent and trained pretty much all the time. There is no shortcut to grappling skill, but if you have oodles of free time and money, plus you’re sufficiently fit to train every day, it will be quicker. Be aware that it’s definitely possible to overtrain if you do that, as even if you have the time and money, your body may not be able to handle the intensity of BJJ every day.

The IBJJF has recommended minimum periods before promotion (though rare exceptions can be made in extreme cases). Some people have wrongly misinterpreted the IBJJF promotion schedule as somehow guaranteeing that you’ll get your belt upon reaching that minimum. This is a misunderstanding: the table details the fastest you could possibly get your belt (e.g., a truly exceptional student who trains every day). The majority of BJJers will take longer.

Most people train between two to four times a week. If you keep training regularly with the right approach, you may not get there as fast as Penn, but you will get there eventually. Don’t think of a belt promotion as a destination, but a landmark on a lifelong journey. Even when you do achieve a black belt, there is still much to learn.

I feel like I don't deserve my new belt: is that normal?

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Yes, that’s a common reaction after a belt promotion. In short, you need to trust your instructor’s judgement: if you don’t, then consider why you are still training there.

Don’t worry about feeling inadequate if you just got promoted: when I got my each belt, I felt the same way. Many people don’t feel ready, but you will eventually grow into it. You don’t need to be smashing all the other people at your new rank (who will most likely have been there much longer), just able to hold your own.

People also often mention the way that sometimes you feel there is a target painted on your back after a new belt: the assumption is that everyone who didn’t get promoted will now be gunning for you. If that happens, then just keep in mind that there are plenty of good lower belts able to tap higher belts. Some lower belts are on the cusp of being promoted, or may have perfected a few especially effective techniques, which means that while their overall game is incomplete, they can still occasionally catch higher belts.

“Damn, he’s only a white belt, I CAN’T tap to him!” is not a productive way to approach sparring. This kind of misplaced pride will lead to frustration, and quite possibly injury as well. Nobody likes to tap, but it happens, and you should cultivate a mindset that means you can smile, restart and try again. My mantra has always been that training is about learning, not ‘winning’ or ‘losing’: as long as you improve your technique, it doesn’t matter if you get tapped along the way.

I've injured myself, but don't want to stop training: should I go to class?

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Seeing a medical professional to check injuries is always a good idea before going back to class (also remember the R.I.C.E. treatment method: rest, ice, compress and elevate). Is it worth potentially messing it up further? Or alternately, wouldn’t it be better to have it heal faster? A doctor, physio etc will be able to help you get back to training quicker. When there is obviously something wrong, I’d strongly urge you to get it looked at.

While it can be difficult to earn back money you’ve spent, through physio or doctor’s appointments, it’s impossible to get back time you could have been training: do not attempt to train through an injury, as you’ll only make things worse. Don’t try to be macho and tough it out.

Having said that, depending on the degree of the injury, there are things you can do so you don’t miss out completely on training. If it’s something minor, then it is possible to train around it: for example, say you’ve hurt the fingers on your left hand. Tape them up, then go to class but only use your right hand. That means that you’ll have to sit out when doing things like press-ups (or do sit-ups instead), and it also means you’ll have to be very careful in picking your training partners: you need people you can trust to not accidentally forget about the injury and make it worse.

If the injury is something sufficiently major that you can’t avoid aggravating it, then you could still go to class and watch, taking notes when the instructor demonstrates technique. You could also take the opportunity to do some reading or watch a few BJJ DVDs

I'm worried about getting cauliflower ear: how do I avoid it?

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Cauliflower ear, is caused when the ear receives a blow that shears away the ear’s cartilage from its overlying perichondrium. Liquid fills the new space between the two layers, and will harden into a hard fibrous lump if not drained.

So in other words, any kind of heavy trauma to the ear can result in a cauliflower ear: that could be a small number of solid blows, or it could be extended damage (such as driving the side of your head into someone else, as might occur when working for position in wrestling).

To prevent cauliflower ear, invest in protective equipment, like a headguard or earguards, commonly worn in wrestling. However, some people find them uncomfortable to wear, and in certain BJJ competitions (for example) you can’t wear them.

To treat cauliflower ear, you need to get the fluid drained and then compress the area. It is important to go to a doctor as soon as possible if you can see your ear is flaring up, as without rapid treatment it can become permanent. It may help if you describe it in medically correct terms as an ‘aural hematoma’ in order to facilitate quicker treatment.

I’ve been training BJJ since April 2006 and have had to have my ears drained several times, but other people who have trained much longer than me have had no incidents. It seems that some people are more susceptible to it than others. Also your grappling style can impact on whether you have any damage or not.

What protective equipment do I need for BJJ?

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Brazilian jiu jitsu is a full contact sport. In the course of a roll, limbs are flailing, there are knees flying during swift transitions, and elbows go places they shouldn’t in eager attempts to secure a submission.

That means that while BJJ is supposed to be a grappling style, you’re still going to catch a few elbows and knees every now and then. Also, grappling tends to involve throwing, which is essentially being hit by the floor. It is therefore sensible to be prepared.

The most important piece of protective equipment is a gumshield. I would strongly recommend you invest in a mouthguard and wear it every time you roll: replacing teeth will put a serious strain on your wallet.

Mouthguards can be very cheap: the one I use cost me £1 from the university shop. This budget choice is referred to as a ‘boil and bite’: you put the plastic in hot water to melt it slightly, then put it in your mouth and bite down hard. That leaves an impression of your teeth, so once the gumshield cools down, it should be moulded to your specific dental configuration.

Alternately, there are more expensive options. You can get custom made mouthguards from your dentist, and there are also various companies that will also provide the same service (quite often for rather less money).

Aside from gumshields, there are also groin guards and headgear.

For more on headgear, see here. As to groin guards, in my personal experience, they aren’t necessary. Yes, you may occasionally get struck in the groin as someone is going for a pass or in half guard, but in three years I can count the number of times on one hand.

It isn’t simply a matter of cups being unnecessary: they’re also awkward in a grappling setting. It is possible to use a groin guard as a fulcrum for an armbar, and cups can catch elbows that might otherwise slip free of submission attempts. They can also be very uncomfortable if somebody has back mount, and is pressing that cup into your spine

That relates to the other essential point, from Article 6 of the IBJJF rules:

Wrestling shoes or any type of shoes, head gear, shirts under the gi (except for girls) and any kind of protectors that can alter the outcome of the match in any way are not allowed in competition.

That effectively prohibits everything except gumshields, depending on how strictly the referee decides to apply the rules. So, keep in mind that if you wear headgear, cups and the like in training, you probably won’t be able to wear them in competition.

What is staph, and how can I avoid it?

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Staph is a bacterial infection which is a particular problem for contact sports like BJJ, which involves rolling around on sweaty mats. It can potentially be fatal, so it’s important to be aware of the risk. You may have also heard of MRSA, a particularly dangerous strain of staph.

Like I mentioned in my tips, make sure you maintain good hygiene. Shower after class, and always wash your gi after every use. If you suspect infection (it normally manifests initially as raised red bumps: see the various links below for pictures), consult a doctor immediately, and under no circumstances go to training. Remember, staph is infectious, which will make you a very unpopular person at the gym.

The fact is that MRSA is an issue for all of us on the mat. If you’re not aware of MRSA, you may’ve heard of it referred to simply as “staph”. It’s appeared on a couple seasons of The Ultimate Fighter on SpikeTV (sometimes publicly, sometimes less so) and is an especially nasty type of staph infection that is transmitted through the skin and spreads in environments where there’s a lot of close human contact, like that among wrestlers, grapplers, and other team sports environments. Unfortunately it’s not as simple as ringworm, as MRSA can kill if not treated. It’s resistant to the normal first line antibiotics prescribed by physicians, and as such is more insidious because while patients and doctors believe the normal antibiotic is working, the infection continues to spread.

I'm a small person who finds it tough against bigger people: what can I do?

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Against bigger guys, you’re probably going to spend a lot of time on the bottom, especially early on. So you might as well treat that as an opportunity rather than an irritation, working your escapes every chance you get.

Once you get good at escaping, you’ll be far less worried about making an attack, because you’ll be confident you can recover if you mess it up. In other works, by building a good defence, you have a solid foundation to build a good offence.

Also, remember that in competition, you’ll be up against people your own size. After sparring with all the big people in class, that is going to feel much easier.

There is lots of good advice on the net: take a look at this, this and this thread, along with this and this article, for some further ideas.

I'm a big person, so find it difficult to avoid using my strength: what should I do?

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I’m a small guy, so don’t have direct experience of this, but I’d advise that you try to work your guard. From what I’ve read and seen in class, big people will frequently end up on top. As you’ve got size over your opponent, it’s easy to get comfortable with going on top and dominating your opponent.

Then there’s the general advice to avoid using strength, which is something you should always keep in mind. To help you do that, you could try working your weak side, or use techniques you’re unfamiliar with. Give your partner a dominant position like mount and try to work free, or even start with them in back mount about to sink in a choke.

What if I have long hair, jewellery or piercings?

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Long hair will need to be tied back in some fashion. Hair ties often come undone, so you could try braiding your hair for better containment. There are many people where I train who have long hair, but generally it can become a hindrance because it will often escape its bonds. I’d advise a shorter haircut if possible, simply because it is much easier to manage. However, nothing wrong with long hair in training as long as you have adequate methods to keep it under control.

For some ideas, take a look at this thread. Wrestling headgear can also be helpful for keeping your long hair under control, particularly if you use something like Brute Shockwave, but I’m not sure if that has a similar add-on for keeping long hair under control).

Wearing jewellery in class is a bad idea. It could be caught on a finger, toe or possibly an item of clothing, meaning that either the finger or toe will be damaged, or the jewellery could be ripped out or pulled off. I would strongly advise you to take off jewellery, piercings etc before training, especially sparring. Otherwise you may cause harm to yourself and your training partners.

What is a good style to cross-train with BJJ?

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BJJ will provide you with excellent groundwork, but it doesn’t cover strikes. If you want to round out your training, then I’d suggest muay thai (which you’ll also see as ‘thai boxing’), or martial arts like boxing and kyokushin karate. That’s not to say there aren’t good schools within other striking styles, but they tend to vary widely in quality. Boxing, muay thai and kyokushin are almost always reliable options. Take a look at the striking technique subforum on Bullshido for more advice.

If you want to stick with grappling, then I’d recommend taking up judo, the parent art of BJJ. That will add solid takedowns to your BJJ, which is especially useful for competition: a strong judo background will help you to control the stand-up, particularly as many BJJers are far more comfortable on the ground than they are with throws (though as more BJJers cross-train in takedown-orientated styles, this is beginning to change).

SAMBO (short for SAMozashcita Bez Oruzhiya, which means “self defence without weapons”), a Russian system which also evolved from judo, is another option. Like its parent, this style has good throws, but differs from judo and BJJ in its focus on lower-body submissions. While leg locks are present in BJJ, they are not always emphasised, so SAMBO would provide you with a different set of options.

If it’s available in your area (particularly if you’re in the US education system), I’d recommend checking out wrestling. Like SAMBO and judo, wrestling has great takedowns, but also specialises in the top position, as the goal is to pin your opponent on their back.

Alternately, you could combine grappling and striking at an MMA gym.

Should I use 'dirty' (but still legal) tactics in class?

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I’d say it depends on your training partner – some people won’t mind ‘dirty’ fighting, others will. Remember, you’ll probably be rolling with these men and women for a long time to come, so it makes sense to build up a good working relationship, so to speak. You don’t want to piss everyone off, as then nobody wants to roll with you. A good training partner makes a massive difference in improving your BJJ, so you want to hold onto them when you find one.

Things may be different in competition. Although personally, in competition or in class (though I’d note here I’ve only competed once), I try to avoid anything ‘dirty’, as I want to be sure that when I manage to get anything to ‘work’ in BJJ, it’s because I’ve got the technique right, not because my stubble was raking their face.