{"id":9767,"date":"2019-08-23T22:00:05","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T19:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voimla.ee\/11-recommendations-to-beginners\/"},"modified":"2022-01-18T12:54:56","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T10:54:56","slug":"11-recommendations-to-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voimla.ee\/en\/11-recommendations-to-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"11 recommendations to beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"

A lot of gyms (including V\u00f5imla) introduce new people to combat sports via their basic courses. We have basic courses for people interested in Brazilian jiu-jitsu<\/a> and grappling and for those interested in MMA<\/a>, Muay Thai and kick-boxing. Basic courses are the place to get more familiar with the basics of the sport, prepare your body and mind to the specifics of combat sports and after the course participants are welcomed to our advanced classes. Basic courses that include one group of people starting at the same time have several advantages: the participants have a similar level of experience, people get to know each other and themselves with each training; it helps them grow their self-confidence and courage in an understanding and supportive environment. Often you get close to other trainees and it is wonderful to take them with you to the advanced classes.<\/p>\n

We usually hold 6 to 8 basic courses per year, half of them for ground fighting and half for stand-up fighting. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive but it is understandable that people have some doubts and fears before joining our courses.<\/p>\n

People like things that are familiar whereas new and unknown places and experiences may cause anxiety and even fear. The easiest way to cope with these emotions is to avoid these situations. We have gathered some recommendations from our coaches to help people overcome their fears and join our basic courses. When you follow these notes your experience will be safe and pleasant, providing you with new skills and fresh experiences.<\/p>\n

1. DON’T BE A D*CK!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you only remember one recommendation from this post, this is it. Do not be a d*ck and everything else will work itself out. Be polite and pleasant to all participants, listen to your coach, don’t hurt anyone on purpose. Do not use the course to show your technical prowess or raw strength. This course is meant to learn something new and to have a good time. If your coach notices you acting not according to this point they will tell you \u2013 don’t get offended by this, just look into your behaviour and stop being a d*ck.<\/p>\n

2. ASK QUESTIONS!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you have any questions or doubts do not hesitate to ask your coach. This is why they are there and your questions are a tool that help them make training more clear for everyone. It is likely that if you have a question about something, someone else also has the same question \u2013 help them out in case they’re shy and ask the question yourself.<\/p>\n

3. SHARE YOUR PROBLEMS!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There is no room for fear, pain, or discomfort in our courses. If you have problems with something or someone \u2013 please do notify your coach. A part of their job is to ensure a safe and comfortable training environment for everyone. This includes combining partners in a similar physical condition and weight class but they are also human and can miss some things. Share your problem with your coach so they can change partners if necessary, give advice to be a better training partner and have some eye-to-eye conversations as well (refer to point 1).<\/p>\n

4. BE FAMILIAR WITH THE TRAINING CONCEPTS!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are three basic elements we use when structuring our training sessions. All of them have their place in learning and remembering new skills \u2013 we try the techniques, we drill and we do live sparring. Each of them have their goals and characteristics.<\/p>\n

Trying a technique \u2013 trying a new move or technique with no resistance. Usually this is done in pairs \u2013 one partner gives a couple of tries and then the other one. There is no active resistance but the partner retains good posture and movement.<\/p>\n

Drilling \u2013 an exercise with a set purpose, beginning and end point. The coach explains the purpose and execution of the drill and provides instructions of resistance necessary for a successful drill. Drilling takes place in pairs \u2013 each partner has an amount of time to practice a technique with some resistance. After the time is up the partners switch and repeat.<\/p>\n

Sparring \u2013 both training partners use all agreed-upon techniques, skills and resistance. We don’t start with sparring until halfway into the course as certain technical skills are necessary for sparring to be successful.<\/p>\n

You will also hear the expressions \u201cflow roll\u201d and \u201cpoint sparring\u201d. Both are subsections of sparring that are characterized by minimal resistance. Flow roll is a fun exercise that is usually done to warm up for your BJJ class \u2013 it helps your body to get used to the movements while keeping the intensity of the training low. During your flow roll both partners keep moving, no positions are held more than a couple of seconds and there are no submissions. It is mostly to exchange techniques or movements. Point sparring is a form of stand-up sparring where you try to land clean punches with minimal contact while protecting yourself from punches.<\/p>\n

5. BE A GOOD TRAINING PARTNER!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Refer back to point no. 1.<\/p>\n

Some parts of the learning process are going to be more difficult than others. When you are not as successful with some techniques as you wish, do not try to find an easier way or a workaround. Keep trying again and again and ask your coach for assistance if necessary. It is also possible to ask your partner to reduce their resistance so you can practice and when they ask you to do so, please listen.<\/p>\n

Be prepared to \u201close\u201d to your training partners. Your friend submits you while sparring? Try to not act angry or hurt, do not try to teach them how they could have submitted you faster or better. Instead ask them for advice on how to nail the same submission or how to defend yourself against their attacks. This enables you both to improve.<\/p>\n

Choose proper resistance for your training partner! While practicing techniques you will learn to feel what kind of resistance your opponent works best with. There should be enough resistance to provide a realistic environment for training but low enough that your partner is successful with the execution of the techniques and experiences success. If your partner is unable to successfully complete their techniques even once during their drill you have been a bad partner \u2013 it is probably necessary to reduce your resistance and pressure. The same applies to sparring as well \u2013 if you are clearly stronger or more technically advanced than your partner, use the spar to practice some new and unfamiliar techniques and set-ups while giving your partner some chances for attacks. In this way you both benefit from this exercise.<\/p>\n

6. TAPPING IS YOUR BEST FRIEND!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA joint locks and chokes are used to submit an opponent. It might seem dangerous but in reality the training environment is safe. To ensure this safety one of the most important things is the \u201ctap\u201d – a notice to your partner that their submission attempt was successful (joint lock is secured, the choke is tight) and they can release the hold. After tapping the partner releases their opponent and training can continue.<\/p>\n

There are two best options for tapping \u2013 tapping your opponents body strongly at least three times in a row or yelling \u201cstop\/tap\u201d loudly enough to hear. If you softly tap the mat or whisper to yourself your partner might not notice and this can lead to injuries.<\/p>\n

When you are the one completing the submission be mindful of your training partner \u2013 do not act too suddenly or fast, give your partner the chance to tap out. If you have doubts about them tapping release your hold immediately and check into it \u2013 better safe than sorry!<\/p>\n

Tapping is a part of our training and competitions, it helps us train and learn. Never try to push the tap \u2013 if you have an idea \u201cmaybe I should tap\u201d then do so immediately.<\/p>\n

7. BE A CONSIDERATE TEAM MEMBER!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Even though we are training combat sports that focuses on one-on-one fighting we are all in this together. Be a considerate member of the group and the gym.<\/p>\n