3 stripe whitebelt here. A tip I give myself every day now is to look at sparring not as rounds I can either lose or win. But when I get tapped the other person deserves a compliment and this is now a moment I can be thankful for because my partner is giving me something to think about and learn from. I wish I knew this approach sooner because I think this would have given me much more joy like I am experiencing now :) Thank you so much for the video!
45 year old and Just started 2 week ago and man do muscles I never used are so sore. Joints hurt and I’m tapping early, just that my joints have never had 1oz of pressure on them. I ice, take some Motrin and take 1 day off and will see how it goes. But it’s really exciting, just practicing not getting submitted to quickly.
Man, thank you for this. 2 stripe white belt here, bout 1.5 years in..I get compliments a lot about my defense, my ability to tell when I'm in danger, the subs aren't happening for me yet, but I'm starting to find what works for me (gift wrap for one) and what doesn't (short legs kinda hamper my triangles)..love your videos man, your breakdowns are so helpful. 🤙🤘
9 months in, 2 stripe white belt . . . to be a white belt is to struggle! Love these tips and all the content. I try to focus on getting tapped less or other defensive goals. Currently working on not defaulting to turtle as a safe space and also not getting my back taken because it happens ALL THE F-ING TIME.
@@JoeSantulli4114 solid learnings here! Turtle is a “last line of defense” for me. To be honest, I try to avoid it at all costs. That’s just me tho. I know there are other guys who can make it work really well for them.
You know I watched this whole video and I’m pretty impressed with my self. I just started training 3-4months ago, my submission defense is pretty solid, my understanding of balance, I get submissions on my coach who is a brown belt we always have some really good rolls. In the beginning he tapped me out faster now it’s very hard for him to sub me and I always find a way to reverse it and find an opening. Also one thing he loves about me is I NEVER panick I always stay calm and composed and think of what I need to do to get out. And eventually just sticks like muscle memory. I don’t mean to sound arrogant I’m just super excited about my journey I know I have a lot to learn but I’m a quick learner and everything has been good so far. I would love to roll with other people though to expand my experience. My coach is same weight as me though so our rolls are super fun
your coach is just applying 10% to encourage you because after 3 or 4 months you are still at the doorstep of the journey and not even entered in it, so low your ego now will preserve you for the future.
@@Emotiontours I know this kinda student without even looking at him. He’s a gym hero for sure. Anyone that fresh who boasts of getting subs on their coach, the truth is this. 1. He’s not even applying full pressure to you and letting you pass guard and sweep him etc. if he wanted to you wouldn’t move. You wouldn’t pass him and you wouldn’t even be able to get an offence going. Unless you’re a D1 freak wrestler which you’re not then be humble. 2. You’re not gonna survive in bjj if you’re into the thinking that every round is a competition, because believe it or not, there’s lots of better people better than you.
56yo, just made blue belt. All of this resonates, and is still very applicable for me going forward. I would also add that the (not so sexy/ flashy or interesting..?) fundamentals are GOLD. bridging, shrimping, making frames correctly...., I would advise my 2 years ago self- as you suggested- to not chase subs, only; defence, position, and even getting one successful and correct fundamental in a roll as a WIN.
Hey Will, i started with Luta Livre about 5 Weeks ago. I trained 11 years bodybuilding/powerlifting before and man..what a switch :D Luta Livre/Grappling is so much fun and I enjoy every session, despite I never had any expierience in any combat sports. Your channel inspired me to have the right view on being a complete beginner and get the right mindest on. Its a long time ago since I felt like a complete "newbie", which is really eye-opening expierience. I turn 30 in December and first thought it may be to late to start off a new sport, but i can encourage everyone who thinks about starting something new. Just do it - if you want it and work fort it, you will have fun and with the fun the progress will join your journey. The only thing i have to admit..due to my long training focus on muscle and mass..i feel that i am to big, the movements and things needed are completely the opposite of my muscle mind connection and the new kind of stress to my body and muscles definately hurt sometimes. I guess its part of the journey to collect some bruises and evolve with it. Keep up your nice work, you inspire me to keep going better and I bet there are many more people who think the same! Greetings from Germany!
Thank you, my friend. Stay on your grind and your body will adapt. you’re absolutely right, we do collect some bruises along the way. They sharpen us into who we are meant to be 💪🏼
loved every single second of this video. I just got my second degree as a white belt and everything you said in the video makes total sense after 9 months of training 3 days a week. Thank you for your generosity!
Thank you for the video. New white belt here. I think it is a great reminder, that progress is progress. Personally, I'm still learning to relax and breath. Gassing out is pretty scary when you have a big sweaty person smashing you, but learning to relax and realize that you are all just friendly training partners, is huge in learning to not panic. Thank you sir for your advice, much appreciated.
Thanks for sharing, Will! Always appreciated. The adrenaline dump was hard to overcome during the first months as my ego ran my body. Still is, but I am working on it.
Thank You! You are right on point. Its always nice to watch your videos because as a White Belt (1stripe) I learn quite a bit or simply everything that was thought in class makes more sense now! Again, thank you and keep them coming.
Super pumped when I found out you're based out of Ohio! I live in Delaware, Ohio, but would still be great to train there with you guys one day for a fun visit. 40 years old here, white belt, one stripe, and love it! Great content man
Brand new, only couple months in now. Im 49, so its a bit rough on the body, never realized just how out of shape i was until i started this lol. Last week i was rolling with a blue belt. Now i absolutely KNEW he was raking it easy on me and letting me work, but i was wondering just how easy hexwas taking it. Then at one point i was trying for a kimura, when i realized i had an "opening" for a guillotine. This part is hard to explain, but as soon as i looped my arm up and over and he realized what i was trying to do, but i could.....feel....the change in him. Its like i could feel the realization in his body that what i was doing was a danger to him, and its like his body just went "nope" and i got shut down so fast it was comical. But it aas interesting how i could literally feel the change on him before he did anything. It also showed me just HOW much he was letting me work. And that was a blue belt. I read these comments from white belts talking about how "good" they are doing against their coaches. Im just like, "Oh buddy noooooo." I mean i knew, but i didnt truly KNOW until that moment lol. Dont get me wrong, not saying i dont ever want to advance belts, but thats not important to me. As long as i continue to learn and improve everyday, wearing this white belt is just fine by me.
@@pathfinder7614 very great realizations here. You show great awareness, and this will become a valuable asset to you as you progress. Keep up the great work and one of these days, you’ll be the one letting the lower ranks get some work in.
3 stripe white belt that came in with a wrestling background. One tip I realized for myself is to let go of useless grips. There would be times i would be on the bottom holding onto their wrists helping them setup arm bars. All of your tips are everything that's helped me progress over this past year.
I was literally wondering about this today. When I get a grip (in Gi), I just don’t let go until I’m forced to. I don’t know if it’s a subconscious thing about if they remove it then I’ve lost an advantage or something. On bottom, I try to pin wrists down. I don’t know why, maybe if their wrist is down they can’t collar choke me? Either way, it doesn’t ever seem to help…Yet I still death grip the wrist. I’m a no stripe white belt that’s been training off and on for a year btw.
@StringCypher yeah I think it's a subconscious thing and a natural reaction. But if you have a grip on them then they don't have to worry about grabbing you. When on the bottom I try to focus on keeping my elbows in and looking for some kind of under hook. Outside of getting a kimora grip I don't think there are many escapes from bottom grabbing wrists. But run it by your sensei!
Breathing and slowing down was a big one for me. I've been training Crossfit for a number of years and the breath hold bracing is an issue. Tapping early is another one. I've yet to be injured by not tapping, but I have been injured fighting out of bad positions (anacostal rib tear from escaping a figure 4 back control). Sometimes it's easier to tap and reset, or slow down and let the submission happen. If they're not progressing on it, I'll fight out slowly, but no more attempts to rotate 180 degrees to break out.
Breathing...learning how/when to breathe is A Number One. Then, I would tell myself to focus on conditioning and mobility. Next, would be defensive focus - tap less. Finally, no fear - try what's been taught in class(es).
I trained for three/four months & got a bad arm/shoulder injury so I havent been all year :( - I would say escapes/sweeps are hugely important for newbies like myself. If you don't know how to attack yet, at least get yourself into a somewhat favourable position. More experienced white belts & blue belts will most likely have you twisted up.
4 month white belt pushing 50 years of age. The best thing I've learned is first relax and then go ahead and relax some more. Also viewing the tap as a reset button. Even if i'm not getting properly submitted, I'd rather tap to save my neck from being cranked on by a poorly executed guillotine for 2 minutes than save my ego. I'm not winning worlds, just having fun and learning and staying in shape.
@@UncommonSense76 good question. It’s subjective to you. Part of being a white belt IS the struggle, but some white belts struggle much more than others. If you aren’t feeling too upset or negative about your journey thus far, you probably aren’t struggling to a concerning degree (which is obviously great). And by “concerning”, I mean feeling so frustrated that you’re considering quitting.
@ I started two months ago and just try to come out of every class slowly getting comfortable doing something small, because everything BJJ is dozens of small things/details done correctly
Appreciate all the White Belt videos. This past weekend i just received my first stripe. I def have gotta better and gain more control over myself when i first started. Im not as spasy as i use to be and i control my breath better. Right now im just trying to survive and trying yo pay attention to opportunitys for submissions. Not that i can submit anyone yet but im trying to at least look for opening as well. I will try to keep everything you said in mind when i roll. Maybe you made them but i would appreciate any help for smaller guys. Im super tiny and only weight 120 and short om trying to gain more weight but easier said than done. I been trying to implament kettlebell works outs and eat better too.
3 stripe whitebelt here. A tip I give myself every day now is to look at sparring not as rounds I can either lose or win. But when I get tapped the other person deserves a compliment and this is now a moment I can be thankful for because my partner is giving me something to think about and learn from. I wish I knew this approach sooner because I think this would have given me much more joy like I am experiencing now :)
Thank you so much for the video!
@@SmalleHuts absolutely love that. Great tip! And thank you 🙏🏻
love this!!! thanks
@ happy to help! I’m glad you liked it!
45 year old and Just started 2 week ago and man do muscles I never used are so sore. Joints hurt and I’m tapping early, just that my joints have never had 1oz of pressure on them. I ice, take some Motrin and take 1 day off and will see how it goes. But it’s really exciting, just practicing not getting submitted to quickly.
@@jcorona5457 love it! Welcome to Jiu Jitsu! It’s all up from here. Enjoy the journey 🤙🏼
Man, thank you for this. 2 stripe white belt here, bout 1.5 years in..I get compliments a lot about my defense, my ability to tell when I'm in danger, the subs aren't happening for me yet, but I'm starting to find what works for me (gift wrap for one) and what doesn't (short legs kinda hamper my triangles)..love your videos man, your breakdowns are so helpful. 🤙🤘
Sounds like you’re on the right track, keep going!
@willbrooksofficial appreciate it man
9 months in, 2 stripe white belt . . . to be a white belt is to struggle! Love these tips and all the content. I try to focus on getting tapped less or other defensive goals. Currently working on not defaulting to turtle as a safe space and also not getting my back taken because it happens ALL THE F-ING TIME.
@@JoeSantulli4114 solid learnings here! Turtle is a “last line of defense” for me. To be honest, I try to avoid it at all costs. That’s just me tho. I know there are other guys who can make it work really well for them.
You know I watched this whole video and I’m pretty impressed with my self. I just started training 3-4months ago, my submission defense is pretty solid, my understanding of balance, I get submissions on my coach who is a brown belt we always have some really good rolls. In the beginning he tapped me out faster now it’s very hard for him to sub me and I always find a way to reverse it and find an opening. Also one thing he loves about me is I NEVER panick I always stay calm and composed and think of what I need to do to get out. And eventually just sticks like muscle memory. I don’t mean to sound arrogant I’m just super excited about my journey I know I have a lot to learn but I’m a quick learner and everything has been good so far. I would love to roll with other people though to expand my experience. My coach is same weight as me though so our rolls are super fun
@@frankiedc4873 sounds like you’re off to a great start! Keep up the good work
4 months in, he’s letting you get those subs, believe me. It’s good you’re high on yourself, but maybe ease up a little.
your coach is just applying 10% to encourage you because after 3 or 4 months you are still at the doorstep of the journey and not even entered in it, so low your ego now will preserve you for the future.
@@Emotiontours I know this kinda student without even looking at him. He’s a gym hero for sure. Anyone that fresh who boasts of getting subs on their coach, the truth is this.
1. He’s not even applying full pressure to you and letting you pass guard and sweep him etc. if he wanted to you wouldn’t move. You wouldn’t pass him and you wouldn’t even be able to get an offence going. Unless you’re a D1 freak wrestler which you’re not then be humble.
2. You’re not gonna survive in bjj if you’re into the thinking that every round is a competition, because believe it or not, there’s lots of better people better than you.
56yo, just made blue belt. All of this resonates, and is still very applicable for me going forward.
I would also add that the (not so sexy/ flashy or interesting..?) fundamentals are GOLD.
bridging, shrimping, making frames correctly....,
I would advise my 2 years ago self- as you suggested- to not chase subs, only; defence, position, and even getting one successful and correct fundamental in a roll as a WIN.
@@darkmatter1129 love that 🤝
These were EXCELLENT tips! I can relate with every one of them. If you are white belt, these tips should be your “white belt bible!”🎉
@@SupremegreenlawncareLLC happy to help, my friend! I appreciate you 🙏🏻
Hey Will,
i started with Luta Livre about 5 Weeks ago. I trained 11 years bodybuilding/powerlifting before and man..what a switch :D
Luta Livre/Grappling is so much fun and I enjoy every session, despite I never had any expierience in any combat sports.
Your channel inspired me to have the right view on being a complete beginner and get the right mindest on.
Its a long time ago since I felt like a complete "newbie", which is really eye-opening expierience.
I turn 30 in December and first thought it may be to late to start off a new sport, but i can encourage everyone who thinks about starting something new.
Just do it - if you want it and work fort it, you will have fun and with the fun the progress will join your journey.
The only thing i have to admit..due to my long training focus on muscle and mass..i feel that i am to big, the movements and things needed are completely the opposite of my muscle mind connection and the new kind of stress to my body and muscles definately hurt sometimes.
I guess its part of the journey to collect some bruises and evolve with it.
Keep up your nice work, you inspire me to keep going better and I bet there are many more people who think the same!
Greetings from Germany!
Thank you, my friend. Stay on your grind and your body will adapt. you’re absolutely right, we do collect some bruises along the way. They sharpen us into who we are meant to be 💪🏼
This gym is absolutely stunning. Looks amazing on camera too. Always enjoy the content bro 🤙🏻
Thanks brother. Much appreciated 🙏🏻
loved every single second of this video. I just got my second degree as a white belt and everything you said in the video makes total sense after 9 months of training 3 days a week. Thank you for your generosity!
@@jor_dasan1810 I’m very happy to help. Glad you found some value here!
Thank you for the video. New white belt here. I think it is a great reminder, that progress is progress. Personally, I'm still learning to relax and breath. Gassing out is pretty scary when you have a big sweaty person smashing you, but learning to relax and realize that you are all just friendly training partners, is huge in learning to not panic. Thank you sir for your advice, much appreciated.
@@thomasmiskimin8970 wise words 🤙🏼 and I’m happy to help.
Thanks for sharing, Will! Always appreciated. The adrenaline dump was hard to overcome during the first months as my ego ran my body. Still is, but I am working on it.
@@ErikRoseJohnsen happy to help, brother. We all work on that one 🤙🏼
Thank You! You are right on point. Its always nice to watch your videos because as a White Belt (1stripe) I learn quite a bit or simply everything that was thought in class makes more sense now! Again, thank you and keep them coming.
I'm happy to help, my friend. Keep up the good work! 💪🏼
this is super useful. ive only been doing bjj for 6 months and have def got caught in rolls from gassing out and pressing forward too aggressively
@@bweezy7354 I’m glad it’s helped! There’s so much to learn and my goal is to make the info a bit easier to digest.
Super pumped when I found out you're based out of Ohio! I live in Delaware, Ohio, but would still be great to train there with you guys one day for a fun visit. 40 years old here, white belt, one stripe, and love it! Great content man
@@stricktown614 that’s awesome! Come on out anytime, brother! We’d love to have you 🤙🏼
This is good stuff. My game is evolving, and your videos have been immensely helpful.
@@kevinomahoney it’s an honor. Keep up the good work!
You are a wealth of knowledge, my love 😊❤
@@markimeadows1767 well thank you, beautiful 😍
Great video bro 👊🏻
@@danbrewer thanks brother 🤙🏼
Great vid as always my man! 🤙
@@Karif-dk9iv thanks brother! 🤙🏼
Brand new, only couple months in now. Im 49, so its a bit rough on the body, never realized just how out of shape i was until i started this lol. Last week i was rolling with a blue belt. Now i absolutely KNEW he was raking it easy on me and letting me work, but i was wondering just how easy hexwas taking it. Then at one point i was trying for a kimura, when i realized i had an "opening" for a guillotine.
This part is hard to explain, but as soon as i looped my arm up and over and he realized what i was trying to do, but i could.....feel....the change in him. Its like i could feel the realization in his body that what i was doing was a danger to him, and its like his body just went "nope" and i got shut down so fast it was comical. But it aas interesting how i could literally feel the change on him before he did anything. It also showed me just HOW much he was letting me work.
And that was a blue belt. I read these comments from white belts talking about how "good" they are doing against their coaches. Im just like, "Oh buddy noooooo." I mean i knew, but i didnt truly KNOW until that moment lol.
Dont get me wrong, not saying i dont ever want to advance belts, but thats not important to me. As long as i continue to learn and improve everyday, wearing this white belt is just fine by me.
@@pathfinder7614 very great realizations here. You show great awareness, and this will become a valuable asset to you as you progress. Keep up the great work and one of these days, you’ll be the one letting the lower ranks get some work in.
3 stripe white belt that came in with a wrestling background. One tip I realized for myself is to let go of useless grips. There would be times i would be on the bottom holding onto their wrists helping them setup arm bars. All of your tips are everything that's helped me progress over this past year.
@@t24moore solid tip! I used to do the same thing. And thanks 🙏🏻
I was literally wondering about this today. When I get a grip (in Gi), I just don’t let go until I’m forced to. I don’t know if it’s a subconscious thing about if they remove it then I’ve lost an advantage or something. On bottom, I try to pin wrists down. I don’t know why, maybe if their wrist is down they can’t collar choke me? Either way, it doesn’t ever seem to help…Yet I still death grip the wrist.
I’m a no stripe white belt that’s been training off and on for a year btw.
@StringCypher yeah I think it's a subconscious thing and a natural reaction. But if you have a grip on them then they don't have to worry about grabbing you. When on the bottom I try to focus on keeping my elbows in and looking for some kind of under hook. Outside of getting a kimora grip I don't think there are many escapes from bottom grabbing wrists. But run it by your sensei!
Great tips and ones I am going through at the moment, most notably the "don't panic" and spaz tip. Haha.
@@charlierodgers7637 haha I know the feeling. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for sharing this wealth of knowledge, great tips bro 💪🏼
@@jerbears thank you brother! I’m happy to help
Breathing and slowing down was a big one for me. I've been training Crossfit for a number of years and the breath hold bracing is an issue. Tapping early is another one. I've yet to be injured by not tapping, but I have been injured fighting out of bad positions (anacostal rib tear from escaping a figure 4 back control). Sometimes it's easier to tap and reset, or slow down and let the submission happen. If they're not progressing on it, I'll fight out slowly, but no more attempts to rotate 180 degrees to break out.
Wise words here! 💪🏼
Breathing...learning how/when to breathe is A Number One. Then, I would tell myself to focus on conditioning and mobility. Next, would be defensive focus - tap less. Finally, no fear - try what's been taught in class(es).
@@tonysims9892 very well said. 100% agreed 👍🏼
*damn good video - glad I was up late watching it! I think it motivated me (white belt for too long) to get back into BJJ*
@@phx4closureman that’s awesome! I’m happy to help. Definitely get back into it 🤙🏼
I trained for three/four months & got a bad arm/shoulder injury so I havent been all year :( - I would say escapes/sweeps are hugely important for newbies like myself. If you don't know how to attack yet, at least get yourself into a somewhat favourable position. More experienced white belts & blue belts will most likely have you twisted up.
Blue belts definitely! 😅
@@Nejfun escapes and sweeps are definitely essential. Love that 🤙🏼
THANKK YOUU 🙌❤️🔥
You’re very welcome!
4 month white belt pushing 50 years of age. The best thing I've learned is first relax and then go ahead and relax some more. Also viewing the tap as a reset button. Even if i'm not getting properly submitted, I'd rather tap to save my neck from being cranked on by a poorly executed guillotine for 2 minutes than save my ego. I'm not winning worlds, just having fun and learning and staying in shape.
@@theguitarlord1776 wise words here 🙏🏻
Just got my first stripe. I've noticed a can breath through the whole class now at least, still getting smashed almost every time 😂
@@deckhanddude5622 that’s a great mark of improvement! Nicely done 💪🏼
How can you tell if you’re a “struggling white belt” and not just a white belt? Love the vids
@@UncommonSense76 good question. It’s subjective to you. Part of being a white belt IS the struggle, but some white belts struggle much more than others. If you aren’t feeling too upset or negative about your journey thus far, you probably aren’t struggling to a concerning degree (which is obviously great). And by “concerning”, I mean feeling so frustrated that you’re considering quitting.
@ I started two months ago and just try to come out of every class slowly getting comfortable doing something small, because everything BJJ is dozens of small things/details done correctly
Dudes stubble can cut thru steel
@@28copland haha yea it can be a problem at times 😂
Appreciate all the White Belt videos. This past weekend i just received my first stripe. I def have gotta better and gain more control over myself when i first started. Im not as spasy as i use to be and i control my breath better. Right now im just trying to survive and trying yo pay attention to opportunitys for submissions. Not that i can submit anyone yet but im trying to at least look for opening as well. I will try to keep everything you said in mind when i roll. Maybe you made them but i would appreciate any help for smaller guys. Im super tiny and only weight 120 and short om trying to gain more weight but easier said than done. I been trying to implament kettlebell works outs and eat better too.
@@xXxSynthxXx happy to help, my friend. Yea, I can add a video on that topic to my list 💪🏼