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How to Learn BJJ

Many searches for how to learn BJJ, and there are several ways to learn and improve your skills in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. However, the essence of learning BJJ lies in practical training with training partners. Of course, there are ways to learn at home and improve your skills and moments.

In this interview from the Lex Fridman podcast, John Danher discusses some of the essential things beginners should focus on.

Step-by-Step Guide to Learning BJJ

Here are some general steps to follow when learning BJJ.

  • Find a BJJ school near you. The best way to start with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is by joining a school that offers beginner classes. Choosing a school with a beginner’s program will give you a safe start with a very low risk of injuries. Beginner classes often emphasize learning the fundamental skills that you can later gradually incorporate into live sparring. Some gyms do not offer beginner classes, and you immediately get thrown in with seasoned BJJ practitioners, which can often lead to injuries. If there are no beginner classes, I think it is essential that the coach introduces you slowly to sparring by letting you roll only with high-level belts that he trusts have complete control of their movements. If this is done correctly, it is also a safe way to learn BJJ.
  • The next step is to be consistent in your training. Consistency will be one of the most important things over time, and I think long-term. Almost all beginners want to learn quickly and ask questions about everything. Learn to be patient and don’t try to learn everything simultaneously. Focusing on learning in small steps at a time will improve your game more than trying to learn everything simultaneously. There is so much to learn and comprehend that you need to see it as building blocks that you slowly build to get piece by piece until you understand most positions. It has to be done piece by piece, like putting together a puzzle. If you try all the pieces simultaneously, it won’t work.
  • Take notes, and you will often feel overwhelmed with information about techniques. Taking notes after a class is a great way to remember what you have learned, and later, you can revisit your notes, which will quickly refresh your memory.
  • Today, there are so many videos on techniques, which can be good and bad. Many initially try to watch videos to learn as many submissions as possible or fancy techniques. This can often slow progress, and you focus on the wrong things. The most important thing to understand is the fundamentals. These skills will be with you all the time. As a black belt, I still work on these skills the most. So, try not to overload your brain with information in the beginning. If you want to help speed up your progress, I recommend investing in high-quality BJJ instructionals that cover all the fundamentals, like Enter the System by John Danaher.
  • In the beginning, most instructors recommend spending time understanding escapes, so we have picked the top videos for escaping and surviving pins.

Teaching Yourself to Learn Skills

A very overlooked subject in learning BJJ is that three people always seem to learn quicker than others. When looking at students’ development, there are a few things that stand out with the fast learners:

  1. They quickly understand what is essential to focus on, and they see things more in principle and less in detail. When they know the principle behind the technique, they can learn it faster and recall it more easily during sparring.
  2. Off the mats they problem solve their BJJ game and figure out solutions.
  3. During sparring or training, they are disciplined and focus on certain things they want to level up.
  4. In sparring, they are playful and unafraid of trying new ways to solve problems.

By spending time to figure out how you can learn faster, you can speed up your progress!

The ecological approach to learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

This way of learning BJJ shifts the focus from memorizing step-by-step techniques to developing adaptable skills through real-time problem-solving and live interaction.

Instead of drilling static moves, practitioners engage in constraint-based games that simulate realistic scenarios, encouraging awareness, creativity, and functional performance.

This method builds deeper understanding, better timing, and more effective decision-making, making it especially valuable for hobbyists and competitors seeking lasting, adaptable progress on the mats.

Please read our article How to Learn BJJ with the Ecological Approach.

How to Learn BJJ Online

Can you learn BJJ online? You can not only learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu online, but the most critical aspect of the training is the drilling and sparring with a partner. Without this part of the training, you can not learn to apply the techniques effectively against a resistant opponent.

Learning BJJ online can complement live training. It can be a great way to understand position submissions and develop your skills. The most important thing is to spend as much time as possible doing live training. You can study online to improve your skills and knowledge when resting and recovering from training.

It’s essential to choose the right things to learn, both for beginners and more advanced students. To learn which videos to start with, please read our article, Gordon Ryan’s Instructionals, Beginner to Advanced.

Learn BJJ Summary

Here are the key points when it comes to learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

  • Find a school near you with a beginner’s program
  • Be consistent with your training
  • Don’t try to learn everything at the same time. Slowly build up your skills piece by piece.
  • Take notes. This makes it easier to remember and recall what you learned
  • Don’t overload your brain by watching too many BJJ videos online
  • Use BJJ instructionals and online platforms as a complement to your live training with a partner at the gym
  • There are also several popular BJJ books that you might want to read.

I hope this has given you some insight into how you can learn BJJ both in school and online.

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