How To Be a Great Training Partner, Part One: Off the Mat

June 21, 2018

A lot of great people try jiu-jitsu. The most common questions I get from well-intentioned new folks all relate to this question: how do I become a good BJJ training partner? How do I contribute positively to the gym community?

There are a lot of ways to answer this, and I’m dividing this post into two sections: this one is about preparing for class and your off-the-mat activities, and I’ll do a follow-up about how to be a great training partner once class starts. Keep in mind that every gym is a little bit different. Some practices are universal, though, and I break them down into three categories: be clean, be ready, be nice.

If you guessed that the last category features a Road House reference, read on!

We’re offering an eight-week introduction to jiu-jitsu class!

June 19, 2018

jeff.shaw Intro to BJJ One comment

The best time to start jiu-jitsu is always the same: right now! We have an offer that is a terrific entry point to this fantastic martial art. As someone with a real passion for Gracie jiu-jitsu, I’ve put a lot of thought into the best way to introduce new people to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and I’ve developed a 24-class series that I think covers a lot of bases. With no contracts or fees or commitments beyond the 8 weeks, you can come out and train — and see why so many people who try BJJ end up loving it. You can Read more »

Why Everyone Should Train in the Gi

June 18, 2018

jeff.shaw Intro to BJJ No comments

Before I get started, let me explain the headline: by saying “everyone should train in the gi,” I’m not saying anything negative about no-gi jiu-jitsu. I think everyone should train without the gi too! You rarely hear anti-no-gi arguments, though. Since I’m a huge believer in the practicality of the gi and its use as a training tool, though, I wanted to write this post. Read more about Why Everyone Should Train in the Gi …

What Do I Need To Know If I’m An Adaptive Athlete Interested in BJJ?

June 14, 2018

jeff.shaw The White Belt Starter Kit No comments

Jiu-jitsu truly is for everyone. But don’t take my word for it! My friend Pete McGregor, world traveler and adaptive grappler, graciously agreed to script a blog post for Dirty White Belt about what YOU need to know if you’re mobility restricted and interested in BJJ. Check it out, especially if you’re interested in no-gi! Also, Pete is on a tour of Canada this summer, so check out his Instagram (@deadweightjj) if you want to go train with or host him. For more, check out the podcast we did together, along with several other adaptive grapplers. You can find other resources via Read more »

How Do I Get The Most Out Of Drilling For BJJ?

June 9, 2018

jeff.shaw The White Belt Starter Kit No comments

Drilling — practicing moves and sequences of moves — is one of the most important ways to improve your jiu-jitsu. You really can’t do enough of it, especially if you’re drilling fundamental moves correctly.

In fact, especially early in your tenure, drilling is the single most critical part of a BJJ class. Most of the movements you’ll do are counter-intuitive, and teaching your body to do them takes time and effort. Besides, when you need to use these movements in a practical situation, they have to be second nature. Intellectually understanding how to do a basic shrimping motion, for example, is great — but if you have to stop and think about how to do it, the moment where it would have been most effective has probably passed.

As long as you do jiu-jitsu, you should be drilling. Drilling BJJ moves you know well is different than drilling ones you’re just getting to know, (For a more detailed breakdown of drilling for more experienced students, check that link). But there are principles that will help you maximize the benefits.

Treasure your drilling time, both during class and when you make time on your own — which you should. Here are some tips for how to get the most out of drilling:

Goals for Jiu-Jitsu: A Modest Proposal About Abundance

May 28, 2018

jeff.shaw Goals One comment

I just want everybody to train jiu-jitsu. Everybody, everywhere.

That’s unrealistic, right? Sure, but every goal should start out unreasonable. If you start by telling yourself you’ll be happy with a 30 percent successful outcome, you’ll hit a lot of targets, but you’ll also shortchange your potential a fair bit.

Sure, it’s impossible to convince every single person I meet to train jiu-jitsu with a 100 percent success rate. Let’s talk about a tinier success rate, then — let’s say that rate is one percent.

Imagine your community is a mid–size city, somewhere between the average American town population of 20,000 and, say, 100,000. Think of between 2,000 and 10,000 people actively doing jiu-jitsu just in the town where you live. How many gyms could that support? How many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament competitions, MMA fights, superfight events, seminars? How many fun community events that also inspire people to train?

Why Should I Try Jiu-Jitsu?

May 27, 2018

jeff.shaw The White Belt Starter Kit No comments

If you’re reading this, you’re already interested in trying Brazilian jiu-jitsu. But maybe you’re on the fence, for whatever reason. This post is designed to inspire you to take the plunge and walk in the door for the first time.

Jiu-jitsu is tremendous for self defense, provides an opportunity to test yourself in a competitive format, and is one of the most effective activities you can pursue for personal empowerment.

These are just some of the benefits you’ll get from training. It’s also one of the most important martial arts to focus on if you plan to train or compete in MMA. Even if you never step in a mixed martial arts cage or on a competition mat, though, there are almost too many benefits from jiu-jitsu to list. Still, let’s try!

Your First Day of Jiu-Jitsu: Welcome to the White Belt Starter Kit!

April 6, 2018

jeff.shaw The White Belt Starter Kit No comments

We all start somewhere. When you decide to try jiu-jitsu, you decide to start a journey that can be rewarding, fun, powerful — and yes, challenging. In the spirit of assisting you down this long road, we’re putting together the White Belt Starter Kit, advice for newer students. This series will answer some of the most common questions you might have, explain what you really need to know in order to maximize your training benefits, and highlight some of the practices that will make you a helpful and valuable training partner. Welcome!

Today we’re talking about what your first day of jiu-jitsu will be like: or, in other words, what should you expect from a typical BJJ class?

For any physical activity, you’ll want your body to be fully prepared. (And no, we don’t mean “you need to be in shape before you start training.” Just show up and train! Andrew Smith of Revolution BJJ explodes the myth that you need to be in shape first here.) What we mean is that almost every BJJ class starts with some kind of a warm-up. Read more about Your First Day of Jiu-Jitsu: Welcome to the White Belt Starter Kit! …

We Believe

February 20, 2018

jeff.shaw Our Principles No comments

We believe that jiujitsu is for everyone. Not everyone has the same goals or the same ceiling, but everyone can improve their life by training. We believe in constant improvement. Everyone in your life knows something that you don’t. Every person on the mat can help you get better at something. We believe in being good training partners. Your training partner is the most important person in the gym. Train so both people get something out of the class. We believe in training hard and training smart. If we never spar hard, we don’t get all the benefits jiujitsu offers Read more »

After Intro, We’re Expanding BJJ Classes: Here’s the New Schedule!

February 19, 2018

jeff.shaw Intro to BJJ No comments

We’re one week away from the final class of our 8 Week Intro to BJJ series. We’re expanding class times after Intro ends! For more, read on.