57 Tips for White Belts

For the past few months, I've been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I've never done anything like wrestling before and except for the instructor, it looks like all of my training partners are in their 20's. I could easily be the father of any of them. 

In many respects, it has been quite a challenge. I am the least among them, but I truly enjoy the training.

I recently came across this list of 57 tips for BJJ White Belts, which I think could pretty well apply to anyone learning a new art.

An excerpt is below. The full list may be read here.

1. Good Jiu-Jitsu technique exists when you’re a hammer (offense) and when you’re a nail (defense). Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether you are “losing” or “winning”, in a “bad” position or a “good” one. You should be working on improving those positions.

2. Don’t hero-worship the Upper Belts. Fight the technique and positions, not the reputation and belt of the person.

3. What seems like a blur of indiscernible action (i.e. a scramble) can be broken down into its component parts once you are able to accurately perceive the situation. It seems hard to believe when you’re first starting but you can become a better scrambler.

4. Throughout your Jiu-Jitsu journey, you will have periods when you think you know what’s going on. You don’t. There will always be more to learn.

5. The goal is Black Belt, not Blue Belt. Keep short-term goals in perspective with long-term ones.

6. Good instructors have a method to their madness. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean its not there. How do you know if an instructor is good? Look at his students and their accomplishments.

7. Learn a triangle choke from both an offensive and defense standpoint i.e. both arms in or both arms out. Triangles are very confusing for beginners to understand so the sooner you learn them, the better.