How long does it take to become descent in bjj?

Question

i have been training bjj for a little over a month now at a really great school in arizona. i am learning a lot and im pretty strong naturally, therefore i can hold my own for a while but i cant seem to pull of any submissions. its like everything i learn when i roll gets lost and in turn i end up tapping. i know i am new and i should just stay positive and train but how long does it normally take to become better and start to pull of submissions and perhaps compete??

thanks

Answer 1

1. Improving

BJJ is a difficult sport, so it takes a long time to develop competency. Progress is individual: some people advance quickly, because they have natural talent, train all the time, have enough money to take lots of privates etc.

Other people take longer, as they might not be able to train so often (due to job, family, education etc), carrying old injuries etc.

Given that progress is so individual, you can only judge your progress by comparing your skills against one person: yourself. Consider how capable you were back when you started: how would the you of today fare against the you of last month?

My general advice is to concentrate on the basics, relax, and don't worry about who tapped who: in class, its learning, not 'winning' or 'losing'. The important thing is to develop technique and keep turning up to class on a consistent basis. For a more detailed answer, see this:

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/2006/10/b...

2. Competing

In terms of when to compete, 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 its certainly not obligatory: many people choose not to compete.

However, it is worth trying at least once, as its 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 The Jiu-Jitsu Brotherhood:

http://jiujitsubrotherhood.blogspot.com/...

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your training!

Answer 2

Once you first get cauli-ear, two hundred and thirty-two [232] days after that, you will be decent.

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Answer 3

ok you're still really new. BJJ is like chess you can't come right out and checkmate someone you have to 1. Set up a position to. 2.Bait him into playing your game and 3. Finally move in for the kill. I became good pretty fast I train 25 hours a week and started tapping people after about 6 months.  I read in an article that the difference between Rickson Gracie and the average guy isn't that Rickson is stronger or more flexible it's his mindset. When Rickson rolls it's like he's not thinking of just 1. Scissor Sweep. 2. Americana. To him it's like a chess game him predicting what you're going to do. So my advice is 1. Play Chess( I know but it helps) 2. Stretch Alot and 3. Lift weights both strength and flexibility go a long way and 4. Be aggressive not all out brawling but make him play your game.

Answer 4

I too have began in Brazilian Jujitsu (Gracie Barra) in the last month also. I have already noticed that I can go longer before I get submitted. The first day was a great yardstick for me. I was submitted before I got started good. When I'm rolling with someone I can even get a good position, but didn't know what to do with it once I got it. I just go with what I remember. Use what I can as much as I can until it becomes second nature. I'm not AS concerned about becoming great. I mean of course everyone would like to be proficient in what they are doing, but this is a very long journey in my eyes. If I can I'll be doing this for as long as I can. I'm hoping for at LEAST 5 to 10 years to help me get and stay in some kind of decent shape. As the instructor said once. You can't become a Blackbelt in one session. Good luck on the training and I hope you get what you want out of it.

Answer 5

At one month into my training in bjj I was better than everyone in the dojo I attend. I learned very fast and am naturally athletic and quick and was able to pick it all up. Not many people learn as quick as me, but the more you roll the more you learn so.. you'll learn to apply it as it goes.

If you want a tip don't just go for a submission, sure it might work but first you work for a dominant position, and once you've  gotten them pretty well tied up, y'know mount or side mount work for a submission. I love working from my guard and I also consider myself to have the dominant position when they are in my guard. When your as flexible as I am it's easy to submit people from beneathe but Iono for you.

Things to focus on would be speed, flexibility and learning natural leverages in your and their weight and body.

Answer 6

with any martial arts it might seem daunting at first. Stick with it and work your butt off. As for how long it takes it depends on how often your school tests and upgrades students. Ask your teachers how long it took them.

Answer 7

I've been doing BJJ for about a year now and I am still working on the fundamentals. I noticed that after about 3 months I started to catch up and actually tap people. At 6 months I started to put together some sort of limited strategy and now I feel like I have a basic understanding of all positions. My suggestion would be to just ask for the counter whenever you get tapped and keep training. Get someone after class to just drill technique with. Just basic armbar,triangle, and omoplata. From what I understand once you get to about purple belt you have a solid game. I did my first competition after about 4 months. My suggestion is do it when you feel comfortable. Competition is a great way to improve your technique. Just drill and ask for counters.

Answer 8

I don't care what style, the average is three to five years to be okay, but after ten years real martial arts practitioners stop calling you a beginner.

don't let it get you down. if it was easy, everyone would do it.

Answer 9

This is entirely dependent upon you. Your natural abilities, your physical condition, your level of intelligence, and your dedication all plays a major role in how long or fast you become proficient in jiujitsu.

For some, it takes 6 months, for most, it takes 1-2 years, and for the gifted, it takes a few minutes of watching a technique.

Don't cloud your  mind by giving yourself a destination. Learning an art is a journey and everything you are looking for will come in time.

Answer 10

I was involved in Grappling/Jiu-Jitsu for a little over 3 years. You learn all the moves you need to know very quickly, but applying them is a whole different story. For me, it took about 1 year before the moves  became natural. I didn't even have to think about what I was doing, it just works. Your whole mindset will change from "how long will I last" to "how fast can I beat him". As soon as you are confident with your game, you will be a good fighter.

Answer 11

I have some really good fighters in my gym. I train 8 hours a week, and 2/3 is grappling, still I get my *** handed to me a lot :)

I think BJJ is a very complicated martial art. I'd say if you got a purple belt and 5 years of regular training you're decent. I mean if you can't get your choke or whatever in like 3 seconds BJJ becomes dangerous on the street - because you're on the ground, what if you get stabbed or his friends show up and kick the c**p out of you :)

Answer 12

it takes as long as it takes...everyone is different. stay positive...its those beatings that teach you how to improve!

Answer 13

untill your instructor has broken your wallet. after that he or she might teach you what they could have taught you on your first day. so, at the going rate of greed, maybe 10 years is when you'll become descent. know this, your instructor can teach you how to be great in that art your first day and because they didn't teach you that way, they are simply after your money.