Question 1

What should I expect in my first class?

Accepted Answer

Aside from the lessons themselves, all of our classes will include the following components:

• Bowing in. BJJ might not be considered a traditional martial art for many, but for our academy, lining up and bowing will signal the start of the class. 
 • Warm-ups. The next part of the class is usually the warm-up. After running around the mat area to get your heart rate up, you will start with some core movements such as the forward roll and back roll. If you are a beginner, your instructor or assistant instructor may spend some extra time teaching you these core movements.
 • Lessons. The instructor will usually teach 2 to 3 techniques wherein you will be required to perform repetitions of the moves with your partner. An example of this may be a series of attacks, such as a takedown that goes straight to mount or side control, followed up by a submission such as an Americana or armbar.
 • Positional sparring. You might next be doing position-specific sparring based on the lesson taught. An example of this is you maintaining a certain position while your partner tries to escape. If your partner is able to escape, then the position is reset and they will be required to escape again. This will go on until the timer ends, and you will switch places with your partner, wherein it will be your turn to do the escape.
 • Rolling (sparring). Full-on spars are usually next. Depending on your level of comfortability, you may start from either the standing or kneeling position. 
 • Bowing out. Lining up and bowing signals the end of the class.

Question 2

What should I wear to class?

Accepted Answer

Aside from the gi, a shirt or rash guard for men, or a sports bra and/or rash guard for women, is normally required to be worn underneath the gi for hygienic purposes.

For no gi classes, a shirt or rash guard is worn for both men and women. Board shorts, MMA shorts, yoga pants or spats are also required.

There are some things that you are not allowed to wear or bring on the mats:
 • Earrings, nose rings, etc
 • Shoes
 • Baggy clothes
 • Shorts with zippers and belts
 • Pants
 • Hats

It may be more convenient to wear flip flops or easy-to-remove shoes as there is a strict “no shoes on the mats" policy.

Question 3

How should I prepare for my first class?

Accepted Answer

Jiu-Jitsu is basically fighting on the ground. The goal is to get to a dominant position and apply a submission. There are plenty of rules in BJJ, and there are also certain techniques or positions that are forbidden.

As a beginner, you only need to concern yourself with these:
 • You are not allowed to strike 
 • You are not allowed to pull your partners hair
 • You are not allowed to place a finger in the eye or inside the mouth of your partner
 • You are not allowed to hold individual fingers and bend them
 • You are not allowed to reap your partner’s knee
 • You are not allowed to lift your partner and slam them