How to Safely Practice Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Looking at it, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu can be unappealing. The idea of rolling in people all sweaty without anything on the top can be disgusting to most people. At the same time, practicing it can be a bit dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. However, with the proper training, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu can help your physical body and your health in general. All you need is to know how to practice it safely and in the right way. If you want to make sure you are doing it perfectly, here are a few tips to get you going on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu safely:
1. Get the Right Gear
When you decide to take up BJJ, the first thing you need is to arm yourself with the right gear for the activity. This means investing in the right clothing such as jackets and trousers or the kimono, which is often referred to as the GI. You will also need a belt, and most importantly, a rash guard. A rashguard for BJJ helps prevent skin rashes or lacerations that could develop when the skin is irritated by your training clothing during the activity. Having the right quality will help protect your skin from bacterial and fungal infections while keeping you comfortable throughout the activity.
2. Get Yourself a Good Instructor
As a beginner, you can get discouraged from practicing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. The first person to introduce you to the discipline can determine by a great deal how you will end up taking it. As a beginner, there is a lot you don’t know about the discipline. Therefore, you need to make sure you pick a trainer who will give you the attention you require when learning Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. If you realize that your trainer isn’t competent enough or that some moves are not taught properly, you should consider getting a different one.
3. Learn To Follow Instructions and Do Your Homework
Like any other discipline, you need to follow instructions to execute some of the moves safely. Following instructions is paramount if you intend on learning and being safe. This is why you need to make sure your trainer is competent enough. After every session, make sure you take some time to practice what you have learned. You will find the trainer asking you to do some things that might seem stupid, but they are very helpful. If safety is your main goal, make sure you follow what your trainer is telling you while taking time to perfect what you have learned.
4. Learn To Tap
As much as Brazilian Jiu-jitsu can be fun, it can be dangerous. When in training, keep in mind that it’s not a competition. When you are practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu or testing each other’s skill, and you feel that you have been overwhelmed that you can’t do anything more, you need to learn when to tap out for your safety. You can never be a hero when you are dead.
Therefore, you need to tap out when you feel overwhelmed and inform your partner to release you. When you have developed your skill and are the one overpowering your partner, you need to know when is the right time to let go. You might end up making a good discipline as Brazilian Jiu-jitsu seems like a killer game while it is one of the best disciplines.
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu can be fun and can teach you a lot. It can also come in handy during times of danger as it is essentially considered a self-defense skill. If you are looking forward to learning this discipline, make sure you follow the guidelines given above.
