Skip to main content

Your BJJ Journey - First 6 Months

Welcome to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!​

This interactive checklist will guide you through your first six months of training. Each section includes detailed descriptions and links to help you understand what you're learning.

📊 How This Works​

  • ✅ Check items off as you complete them - your progress saves automatically
  • 📈 Track your progress with the progress bar at the top of each section
  • 📖 Click "Learn more" to dive deeper into specific topics
  • 🔄 Reset anytime using the "Reset Progress" button if you want to start over
  • 💾 Data stays in your browser - private and works offline

💡 Remember: Everyone progresses at their own pace. This is a guide, not a race. Train 2-3 times per week for best results.

Month 1: Survival & Foundation​

Week 1-2: Getting Started​

0%0 / 0 completed

Week 3-4: Basic Positions​

0%0 / 0 completed

Month 2: Defense First​

Week 5-6: Protecting Yourself​

0%0 / 0 completed

Week 7-8: First Escapes​

0%0 / 0 completed

Month 3: Basic Offense​

Week 9-10: Your First Sweep​

0%0 / 0 completed

Week 11-12: Position Maintenance​

0%0 / 0 completed

Month 4: First Submissions​

Week 13-14: Learning to Finish​

0%0 / 0 completed

Week 15-16: Submission Defense​

0%0 / 0 completed

Month 5: Building Your Game​

Week 17-18: Find Your Preference​

0%0 / 0 completed

Week 19-20: Smooth Transitions​

0%0 / 0 completed

Month 6: Putting It Together​

Week 21-22: Live Application​

0%0 / 0 completed

Week 23-24: Assessment & Goals​

0%0 / 0 completed

🎯 Milestones to Celebrate​

Technical Milestones​

0%0 / 0 completed

Mental Milestones​

0%0 / 0 completed

📚 Recommended Study Order​

  1. Start Here: Four Combat Fundamentals
  2. Then: Map of Combat
  3. Next: What is Guard?
  4. Then: Front Mount
  5. Study: Body Reading Basics
  6. Understand: Training Methods

💡 Tips for Faster Progress​

Training Tips​

  • Consistency > Intensity - Better to train 2x/week regularly than 5x/week then burn out
  • Ask questions - Higher belts love helping motivated beginners
  • Drill more than you roll - Repetition builds muscle memory
  • Focus on one thing per class - Don't try to learn everything at once

Mental Approach​

  • Tap early and often - Protect your body for long-term training
  • Position before submission - Control first, attack second
  • Learn from every roll - Losses teach more than wins
  • Be a good partner - Your growth depends on training partners

🚨 Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid​

  1. Using too much strength - Technique > Power
  2. Holding your breath - Remember to breathe!
  3. Death grips - Relax your grips to save energy
  4. Neglecting escapes - Defense wins fights
  5. Comparing yourself to others - Compare to yesterday's you

📈 What's Normal?​

Typical Timeline (training 2-3x/week)​

  • Week 1: Everything is confusing
  • Week 4: Starting to recognize positions
  • Week 8: First successful technique in rolling
  • Week 12: Feeling comfortable with basics
  • Week 16: Developing personal preferences
  • Week 24: Ready for more advanced concepts

Physical Adaptation​

  • Weeks 1-2: Everything hurts
  • Weeks 3-4: Building mat conditioning
  • Weeks 5-8: Bruises become normal
  • Weeks 9-12: Body adapts to pressure
  • Weeks 13-24: Feeling stronger and more flexible

Next Steps​

Completed everything? Congratulations! You're ready for:

  • More advanced guard variations
  • Leg lock basics (with supervision)
  • Competition preparation
  • Teaching basics to newer students

Remember: Black belts are just white belts who never quit!

🔗 Related Progress Tracking​

Looking for more structured learning paths?

📊 Your progress is saved locally - No account needed! Works completely offline.