Common Beginner Mistakes in Gracie Barra Northridge Jiu-Jitsu

 

Every BJJ student makes these mistakes—it’s part of the learning process. Recognizing them early, however, will accelerate your progress and greatly reduce your risk of injury or burnout.

 

1. Physical Mistakes on the Mat

 

These mistakes relate to body mechanics and effort, often due to inexperience in grappling.

 

1. Relying on Brute Strength

 The Mistake: Trying to muscle out of submissions, push opponents away with sheer strength, or grip with excessive force. This is the 1 mistake made by new male students, especially those with a weightlifting background.

 The Result: You gas out (get exhausted) in under two minutes, your technique fails, and you strain small muscles in your neck and arms.

 The GBN Fix: Focus on leverage and base. If the move requires strength, you’re doing it wrong. The instructor will constantly remind you: “Relax! Breathe! Use your hips, not your arms!”

 

1. Holding Your Breath (The Panic Response)

 The Mistake: When under pressure (e.g., pinned or being choked), beginners tense every muscle and hold their breath. This triggers the fight-or-flight response, spiking anxiety and consuming oxygen rapidly.

 The Result: Extreme fatigue, anxiety, and a feeling of claustrophobia, leading to premature tapping.

 The GBN Fix: Breathe through your nose. Focus on controlled, diaphragmatic breathing. You will hear instructors constantly say, “Breathe! If you can breathe, you can think. If you can think, you can escape.”

 

1. Having “Dead Limbs”

 The Mistake: Allowing your arms or legs to rest lazily on the mat during a pin (Side Control or Mount).

 The Result: These limbs are easily isolated by your opponent and become easy targets for submissions (like the Armbar or Kimura).

 The GBN Fix: Always use your limbs as frames or hooks. Your arms should always be “framing” (protecting your neck/space) or “posting” (creating base). Your legs should always be “hooking” or “shrimping” (moving your hips).

 

2. Hygiene and Etiquette Mistakes

 

These mistakes violate the strict safety and respect standards of the academy and the BJJ community.

 

1. The Shoe Rule Violation

 The Mistake: Walking barefoot off the mat (e.g., to the restroom or to get water) and then walking back onto the mat.

 The Result: This is the primary way infections like ringworm or staph are spread onto the clean mats.

 The GBN Fix: Wear flip-flops/slides at all times when off the mat. This is a non-negotiable safety rule and a sign of respect for your teammates.

 

1. Wearing a Dirty Gi

 The Mistake: Re-wearing a Gi, even for one minute, without washing it.

 The Result: The Gi becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and is considered deeply disrespectful to your training partners.

 The GBN Fix: Wash your Gi after every single class. If you train frequently, you must buy a second Gi to maintain hygiene.

 

1. Having Long Nails or Wearing Jewelry

 The Mistake: Coming to class with long fingernails or wearing a ring, watch, or earring.

 The Result: Long nails can cut training partners, and jewelry can snag the Gi fabric, leading to serious finger or joint injuries (both yours and your partner’s).

 The GBN Fix: Trim your nails short before every class. Remove ALL jewelry before stepping onto the mat.

 

3. Mental and Learning Mistakes

 

These mistakes relate to how a beginner approaches the massive volume of information in the curriculum.

 

1. Chasing Submissions Too Early

 The Mistake: Focusing on learning fancy submissions or sweeps before mastering the foundational escapes and controls.

 The Result: You will get submitted constantly because you lack a strong defense and positional base. You become overly anxious and frustrated.

 The GBN Fix: Prioritize Defense and Position. Instructors stress that a White Belt’s job is to survive and maintain position. If you can survive for 5 minutes without being submitted, you won’t feel the need to chase risky attacks.

 

1. Inconsistency (The Weekend Warrior Mentality)

 The Mistake: Only attending one class every week or two.

 The Result: You spend the first 20 minutes of every class re-learning the warm-up and the subsequent 40 minutes feeling lost. You never gain muscle memory or conditioning, stalling your progress.

 The GBN Fix: Commit to 2–3 classes per week. Consistency is the single most important factor for success. Show up even when you are tired. The regularity is what creates the physical and mental breakthroughs.

 

1. Ignoring the Tap Rule

 The Mistake: Waiting too long to tap out because of ego, resulting in a joint injury (popped elbow, strained knee) or passing out from a choke.

 The Result: You are forced off the mats for weeks or months, completely derailing your progress.

 The GBN Fix: Tap early and often. Tapping is how you tell your partner, “Thank you for the lesson; now let’s reset.” Your training partners and instructors will respect you more for being smart and safe.

 

Gracie Barra Northridge Location & Contact:

 

Address: 19520 Nordhoff St 10th, Northridge, CA 91324

 

Phone: +1 818-357-4074

 

info@gbnorthridge.com

 

Website: gbnorthridge.com

 

Hours

Mon-Thurs: 12 PM to 9 PM

Fridays: 12 PM to 7 PM

Saturdays: 9 AM to 2 PM

Sundays: CLOSED

Common Beginner Mistakes in Gracie Barra Northridge Jiu-Jitsu