4 important tips for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu beginners by Ann Osman

BRAZILIAN Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art focused on grappling, and it teaches a practitioner various tricks of the submission game.

At the competition level, it has proven to be immensely valuable, and it is the primary tool of some of ONE Championship’s biggest stars such as Adriano Moraes, Bibiano Fernandes, Shinya Aoki, and Marat Gafurov.

The popularity of “the gentle art,” as it has been called,” has been steadily on the rise. If you’re looking to start your BJJ journey, here are four valuable tips from Malaysia’s martial arts queen, Ann “Athena” Osman.

#1 Be patient

To be successful at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it requires a lot of hours on the mat and practice in mastering the complex techniques.

In order to advance up the belt system and perfect the moves, it will require plenty of patience.

“Remember, BJJ is not a one-off class, but instead a journey you embark on,” Ann shared.

“Everything on your first day might seem a bit weird, but hang in there. There are various strategies and techniques you will learn over the course of a month or a year, so be patient.”

#2 Write down your drills in a notebook

Constant drilling and sparring sessions will teach you hundreds of skills such as hip escapes, bridging, sweeping, and submission moves.

Since there is so much to learn, Ann encourages you to write everything down in a notebook.

To this very day, the Borneo Tribal Squad representative still writes valuable notes down to help her prosper during grappling tournaments and sessions.

#3 Find a best friend

Ann’s BJJ classes with fellow Malaysian athlete AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor usually lasts for a good hour or so, but the 32-year-old’s grind does not stop there.

Instead, the highly-disciplined Sabahan chooses to spend a couple more minutes to recap what she learned throughout the day.

“Practice what you’ve learned during the class by finding a best friend or a partner,” she said. "This helps you remember the drills you’ve been taught.”

#4 Practice good hygiene

Though it may not have anything to do with the sport, one of the most vital tips from “Athena” has to do with cleanliness.

According to Ann, no one likes to train with someone who has poor hygiene.

“Always keep your hygiene in check,” she explained. “It’s a really small thing, but it instills good discipline on you. Attend your classes with a clean gi, bring a small towel to wipe down the sweat, and please, cut your nails.”