Importance of patience in Jiu-Jitsu

Importance of patience in Jiu-Jitsu

Patience is one of the most important attributes to have in jiu-jitsu. The learning process in the beginning can be slow for some. First, it is the first time many are doing something physical and having to think simultaneously. If you weren’t active in sports, you don’t have this type of training. Futhermore, training Jiu-Jitsu can be likened to someone building a house. No one starts by the roof. First comes the foundation, the base for everything you will learn going forward. Your shrimps, upa escapes, basic chokes and submissions, learning to fall. Houses are not built starting with the roof. Then we erect the lateral beams and the walls separating the rooms In BJJ terms, those would be a little more intermediate techniques likes takedowns, sweeps and guard passing. You have to crawl before you walk. Finally, advanced techniques like setups and such. If you do not build the foundation, the house will fall.

Patience

Dedication, drive, commitment are all among the many attributes that make a good jiu-jitsu student. But without patience, you will not last long in BJJ training. Students without patience are the ones that lose the passion to train and quit quickly. Committing to training as a white belt requires placing trust in the process.  New students have to learn to respect the process, like the old saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a dayâ€. Another thing is you must have patience for is learning to relax and breathe and in the techniques themselves. Sometimes things that may not work for you in the beginning, work down the road after some more practice. Repetition is the key to mastery. Your progress through the art is yours alone. Therefore, don’t compare yourself with others. Only strive to be better than you were yesterday.

Recommended Reading

Want recommended eading suggestions? We suggest Saulo Ribeiro: Jiu Jitsu University https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434 and Gracie Jiu Jitsu: The Master text https://www.amazon.com/Gracie-Jiu-jitsu-Master-Text-Helio/dp/B001WX4U00