Your First Month of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Simple Plan

Your first month of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is about learning the room

The first month of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can feel like a lot. New names, unfamiliar positions and close-contact training take time to settle into. You do not need to know everything straight away. Your job is simply to show up, listen, train safely and keep moving.

At The Kodokan, beginners are expected to ask questions. A good start is built on steady practice, not on trying to win every exchange.

First month of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: three simple priorities

1. Learn how the class works

Arrive a little early, introduce yourself and let the coach know you are new. You will learn where to put your shoes, how to step on and off the mats, and how drills are organised.

Watch the demonstration closely, then work through the movement at a sensible pace. If you lose track, ask your partner or coach to show you again. That is normal.

2. Focus on safe habits before fast progress

Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed. Wear clean training clothes without zips or sharp fastenings. Bring flip-flops and water.

Tap early when something is uncomfortable or you are unsure. A tap is a clear signal to stop. It is part of training well and looking after your partner.

You do not need to be especially fit before you start. Training will help you build fitness over time. The important thing is to stay within a pace you can recover from.

3. Build a routine you can keep

One or two consistent sessions each week is a far better start than trying to train every day and disappearing after a fortnight.

Choose class times that fit your actual week. You can see the current timetable on our class schedule. If you are unsure which sessions suit a beginner, speak to the team and we will help you find a sensible place to start.

What you will start to recognise

During your first few weeks, you may hear terms such as guard, mount, side control and back control. You do not need to memorise a glossary. You will understand them through repetition.

You will also notice that good training partners help each other. They apply techniques with control, give each other space to learn and stop when someone taps. This is how people get better without making training harder than it needs to be.

A useful way to measure progress

Do not judge your first month by how many techniques you remember. Look for smaller changes:

• You feel more comfortable arriving and joining in.

• You understand the basic safety rules.

• You can recognise a few positions.

• You recover more easily after class.

• You have found training partners and times that work for you.

Those are real signs that you are settling in.

Ready to begin?

If you would like to see whether Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is right for you, you can request a complimentary Introduction. We will speak with you first, answer your questions and help you take the next step at the right pace.