What's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu like?

Question

I'm going to college in a couple weeks and right by my University is a top BJJ school. There aren't any Muay Thai schools nearby (the Martial Art that I currently train in) so I figured I would give this one a try...since I'd like to get involved in MMA anyways. My question, to those who do BJJ, is...what is a training practice like, how intense is the workout, what does it take for belt promotion?,,etc.

Answer 1

It's extremely tiring, and it's really benificial. I'm not sure about the belt upgrades.

Here you go big guy, go to www.fight-site.com, it's got a pretty good article in Jui-Jitsu. It's a great martial art.

Answer 2

Your experience with Muay Thai will help you out with the transition even though MT and BJJ are two different disciplines.  Training usually consists of some warm ups and general stamina training like running, sit ups, push ups etc.  Then you drill different techniques with a partner for the middle portion of the class and end it with partnering up and "rolling"...practicing your techniques you've learned that day as well as previous ones.  It is pretty intense and different gyms award belts differently.

Answer 3

Where I train, the average class goes like this (see my glossary below if you don't understand some of the terminology):

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/2007/03/b... (Glossary)

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 below.

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/search/la... (Beginners classes)

4. Free sparring

The advanced class (details of those below) 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.

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/search/la... (Advanced classes)

5. Warm down

Both classes have a warm down, which tends to just be stretching, but sometimes the instructor will make it a bit more active and do some more star-jumps, tuck-jumps etc.

I'd say the work-out is fairly intense, particularly for new people, as they tend to try and muscle everything. As you get more experience, you'll learn to relax, so won't get quite so burned out, but its still pretty tiring trying to escape from somebody sitting on top of you, especially if they know what they're doing.

-- Belt promotions:

At the average school, with regular training, it will take between 1 to 2 years to go from white to blue, and about 10 years total to get to black. Some places, like Roy Harris, have a set curriculum, but this is rare: at most BJJ clubs, promotions are not standardised, so requirements vary. However, one constant is success in sparring against those of your current level and the ability to hold your own against the level above.

http://www.royharris.com/articles/?sec=6... (Roy Harris)

Speaking personally, I started in November 2006 and received my blue in February 2008, after 131.5 hours of training. Full details on my spreadsheet, and you could also look through my blog: I have detailed every lesson, so you can see exactly what I did to reach blue belt.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p... (Spreadsheet)

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/ (Blog)

My general advice (I go into more detail below) 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.

http://slideyfoot.blogspot.com/2006/10/b... (Advice)

Hope that helps, and good luck with your training!