When you start Jiu Jitsu, it can seem like there's a lot to learn. But I'm here today to give you 3 quick and easy tips to help you along. These ones are easy to keep in mind, and simple to follow (I hope!)

1. Set a schedule
2. Watch more Jiu Jitsu
3. Focus on technique

Set a Schedule

This is first because it's my top "lifestyle" tip. It really is remarkable how many people fall at the first hurdle because they don't set aside specific days of the week where they train.

My suggestion is to pick 2 days where you know you have a clear schedule, and 1 day where you will probably be able to come. That gives you your two definites and your one bonus session.

And my second sub-tip, sort of a 1A), in this one is to tell people about your schedule at every available opportunity. "Mondays and Thursdays I go to Jiu Jitsu!" This is important because in my experience, once people know you're not available on those particular days, they stop asking you to do things on those days. More important than you'd think!

Watch More Jiu Jitsu

In this one, I don't mean watch more technique videos (which can be helpful). I mean watch more matches with Jiu Jitsu in action.

Think about Tennis. If you went to play tennis for the first time, you might not have a good forehand, but you would know the concept of what tennnis is. You wouldn't show up wondering "What the hell is that net doing there?" Even if you weren't a fan, you'd have seen it on the news, or in the park, and you'd have a grasp of the basic concept of the goal of the game.

But how many Jiu Jitsu matches have you watched? Probably zero. That's okay. You'd be surprised how few of the people on the mat around you at training almost never watch Jiu Jitsu and just train it.

That being said, don't run to YouTube right now. I actually think the best method of learning as you watch is to watch others as they train in the gym. No one minds you watching training, so always feel free to stick around or come early to watch a little. It's more practical, and when they're done, you can often ask questions about what they did.

Focus on Technique

One thing I am so glad that I did as a white belt is drop my ego. I was never afraid to just keep trying to do the technical thing over and over until it worked in training. I have never considered a lack of success on the mat as "losing", and I strongly recommend you don't either!

Let's take the standard Mount Escape, and let's consider two things- False Positives and False Negatives.

If I go training tonight and try to do the "Elbow Escape" from mount over and over with different partners, I should experience some success and some failure. Success- I escaped Mount. Failure- I did not escape mount.

But that's not really what learning is about. Firstly, my opponent when I succeeded might be lighter or less experienced than me. I could have just done the incorrect technique and then muscled my way through- in other words I had a False Positive.

My opponent could also be far more skilled than me, or significantly heavier. I could be doing exactly the right thing technically, but he's able to maintain the position. So despite doing everything right, I still "Failed". This is a False Negative.

But the right thing is always the right thing. With the above False Positive, eventually I'll meet someone who is stronger and more experienced. I'll probably need to go back to the drawing board and re-learn the technique. With the False Negative, as my experience and timing increases, so will my success with the technique.

I hope those 3 things help you out!

See you on the mat,

Barry