What does it mean to be a White belt
According to the July 2011 issue of Gracie Magazine there are things that white belts should aim to learn from their Jiu Jitsu training.
1.) Attend the basic courses to gain a great foundation and become familiar with the technique. If you jump right into the higher level classes you may miss some of the key ingredients that are necessary for completing a technique. Also, by spending much time in the basic course you learn at an appropriate pace and it prevents frustration because the materials aren't more overwhelming than they need to be.
2.) Pay attention to your base/posture no matter what position you are in. With each position you learn (e.g., base, guard) you should pay attention to your body weight and balance as well as where you want your hands, arms, and legs to be. Being a white belt isn't about mastering the technique; it's about letting your body become familiar with Jiu Jitsu and how to play the best game for you.
3.) Learn your grips! As a white belt you should become familiar with the ways you can manipulate your opponent just by holding one part of the Gi with your hand or using your feet as hooks. Side note: this will be especially important for sweeps as you get into live training!
4.) Do the hippy hippy shake, or in other words work your hips! Gracie magazine says that "the hips is a stable" in Jiu Jitsu and can make or break your technique. When we do the hip escapes in class or windmill our legs during warm ups make sure you pay attention to your hip movement and try to master a range of motion. This will become especially handy when you are working different guards!
5.) The physics of Jiu Jitsu; learn weight control. This does not mean putting the potato chips down, it means knowing how to balance your weight and your partners. When you're in any position, take side control for example, you need to know how to distribute your body weight so you don't get swept. In addition, you want to know how to get your partner off balance or use their momentum to complete different moves. Think take downs and pendulum sweep as obvious examples!
6.) Create space when needed and get rid of it when you don't! As you get into live training you will learn how important it is to create space when you are on the bottom, so you can get out of a tough position, and how to reduce space when you are on top so your opponent cannot get free. Think about side control for example, when you're on your back you want to create space (e.g., bridge and hip escape), but when you are on top you want good shoulder pressure and balance to maintain a dominant position.
7.) Make some one your training buddy! It may sound like advice you would give to those ladies who walk laps around the mall, but it is important and serves a purpose. Initially Jiu Jitsu may seem overwhelming because you have no clue how to grapple or what you are suppose to be doing; don't worry this is how every one feels. Start Jiu Jitsu with a friend or make one of your classmates your workout buddy so you can create some accountability and keep each other motivated.
8.) Lastly, remember to always ask questions. Whether it is a another student, coach, or professor you can always find someone who will be able to help you. If you missed something during demonstration, aren't sure about your grips, or just have a question about what you're doing DON'T hesitate to ask!!
These are all things you will learn as you go and by the time you reach blue belt you will understand just how important each of these are. You won't master them, but you will have a better idea of how to improve your game. Remember, Professor Bongiorno says we are all black belts in training so enjoy your time as a white belt and make the most of it! For the original article please stop by the front desk at SJBJJ and we can give you some great reading materials that can help you improve your Jiu Jitsu!
1.) Attend the basic courses to gain a great foundation and become familiar with the technique. If you jump right into the higher level classes you may miss some of the key ingredients that are necessary for completing a technique. Also, by spending much time in the basic course you learn at an appropriate pace and it prevents frustration because the materials aren't more overwhelming than they need to be.
2.) Pay attention to your base/posture no matter what position you are in. With each position you learn (e.g., base, guard) you should pay attention to your body weight and balance as well as where you want your hands, arms, and legs to be. Being a white belt isn't about mastering the technique; it's about letting your body become familiar with Jiu Jitsu and how to play the best game for you.
3.) Learn your grips! As a white belt you should become familiar with the ways you can manipulate your opponent just by holding one part of the Gi with your hand or using your feet as hooks. Side note: this will be especially important for sweeps as you get into live training!
4.) Do the hippy hippy shake, or in other words work your hips! Gracie magazine says that "the hips is a stable" in Jiu Jitsu and can make or break your technique. When we do the hip escapes in class or windmill our legs during warm ups make sure you pay attention to your hip movement and try to master a range of motion. This will become especially handy when you are working different guards!
5.) The physics of Jiu Jitsu; learn weight control. This does not mean putting the potato chips down, it means knowing how to balance your weight and your partners. When you're in any position, take side control for example, you need to know how to distribute your body weight so you don't get swept. In addition, you want to know how to get your partner off balance or use their momentum to complete different moves. Think take downs and pendulum sweep as obvious examples!
6.) Create space when needed and get rid of it when you don't! As you get into live training you will learn how important it is to create space when you are on the bottom, so you can get out of a tough position, and how to reduce space when you are on top so your opponent cannot get free. Think about side control for example, when you're on your back you want to create space (e.g., bridge and hip escape), but when you are on top you want good shoulder pressure and balance to maintain a dominant position.
7.) Make some one your training buddy! It may sound like advice you would give to those ladies who walk laps around the mall, but it is important and serves a purpose. Initially Jiu Jitsu may seem overwhelming because you have no clue how to grapple or what you are suppose to be doing; don't worry this is how every one feels. Start Jiu Jitsu with a friend or make one of your classmates your workout buddy so you can create some accountability and keep each other motivated.
8.) Lastly, remember to always ask questions. Whether it is a another student, coach, or professor you can always find someone who will be able to help you. If you missed something during demonstration, aren't sure about your grips, or just have a question about what you're doing DON'T hesitate to ask!!
These are all things you will learn as you go and by the time you reach blue belt you will understand just how important each of these are. You won't master them, but you will have a better idea of how to improve your game. Remember, Professor Bongiorno says we are all black belts in training so enjoy your time as a white belt and make the most of it! For the original article please stop by the front desk at SJBJJ and we can give you some great reading materials that can help you improve your Jiu Jitsu!
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