Avoid These BJJ Beginner Mistakes

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a complex martial art that requires patience, persistence, and dedication. As a beginner, it's easy to fall into common traps that can slow your progress and hinder your development. Here are some of the most common mistakes new practitioners make in BJJ and how to correct them.

1. Using Too Much Strength

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is relying on brute strength rather than technique. While strength can be an asset, BJJ is about leverage, positioning, and efficiency. Overpowering your opponent may work in the short term, but it can lead to exhaustion, sloppy technique, and missed opportunities. Focus on using frames, weight distribution, and angles to control your opponent. Efficient movements and proper technique will help you succeed without burning out.

Tip: Practice using your body mechanics to your advantage. Instead of muscling through a technique, work on maintaining proper posture and using leverage to maintain control.

2. Holding Your Breath

Breathing is crucial in BJJ, and beginners often unknowingly hold their breath during scrambles or while working from the bottom. This not only causes fatigue but can also impair your focus and decision-making ability. Controlled breathing helps you stay relaxed, conserve energy, and think more clearly.

Tip: Practice breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing or the box method to help regulate your breath during intense moments. Breathe deeply and steadily, especially when you're in difficult positions like guard or when defending submissions.

3. Ignoring Defense

Many new students focus solely on submissions without giving enough attention to defensive techniques. While offensive moves are exciting, understanding how to retain guard, escape side control, or defend against submissions is just as critical. A solid defensive game allows you to recover and create opportunities to turn the tide in your favor.

Tip: Focus on developing your defensive skills first. Mastering frames, hip escapes, and grip fighting will improve your ability to defend effectively. Remember, survival skills should be prioritized before seeking submissions.

4. Leaving Space in Bad Positions

A common mistake is leaving unnecessary space in positions like guard or side control. This allows your opponent to escape, pass your guard, or transition into more dominant positions. By maintaining tight frames and constant pressure, you can prevent your opponent from advancing or escaping.

Tip: Always be aware of your connection with your opponent. Keep your elbows tight to your body and make sure you're closing any gaps in your guard or when defending bottom positions. Understanding connection and pressure will help you stay in control.

5. Overcommitting to Submissions

Beginners often fall into the trap of trying to force a submission even when it’s not properly set up. This can waste energy, leave you vulnerable, and make you lose control of the position. Instead of committing to an unworkable submission, focus on maintaining a dominant position.

Tip: If a submission isn’t working, release it and work on improving your position instead. Remember, position before submission is a fundamental principle in BJJ. A better position gives you more control and higher chances of finishing the submission.

6. Neglecting Fundamentals

It’s easy to get excited about flashy techniques, however neglecting the fundamentals will hinder your progress. Basic movements such as shrimping, bridging, maintaining posture in guard, and grip fighting form the backbone of BJJ. Mastering these fundamentals will make advanced techniques easier to learn and apply.

Tip: Dedicate time to drilling basic movements and positions. Consistent repetition of foundational techniques will build muscle memory and a strong BJJ base, which will be essential as you progress.

Conclusion

By recognizing and correcting these common mistakes, beginners can significantly improve their BJJ skills. Stay patient, trust the process, and focus on the fundamentals. Consistent training and attention to detail will lead to gradual, steady improvement in your BJJ journey.