Common BJJ Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Them)

After years of teaching BJJ and watching hundreds of students start their journey, I’ve noticed patterns in the mistakes beginners make. The good news? These mistakes are completely normal and avoidable. Let me share the most common BJJ mistakes I see and how to avoid them so you can progress faster.

1. Using Too Much Strength

The Mistake

Beginners often try to muscle through techniques instead of using proper BJJ technique. They rely on strength to force positions and submissions.

Why It’s a Problem

You’ll gas out quickly: Strength is finite, technique is infinite
You won’t learn properly: You’re not developing skill, just using force
It doesn’t work long-term: Stronger opponents will still beat you
You’ll get injured: Forcing movements leads to injuries

How to Fix It

Focus on technique: Let your instructor correct your form
Relax: Tension wastes energy
Use leverage: Learn how BJJ uses angles and leverage
Trust the technique: Proper technique works even against stronger opponents

Remember: In BJJ, a smaller person with good technique beats a larger person with poor technique.

2. Not Tapping Early Enough

The Mistake

Beginners often wait too long to tap, trying to “tough it out” when caught in submissions.

Why It’s a Problem

Injury risk: You can get seriously hurt
Ego gets in the way: Pride shouldn’t override safety
You’re not learning: Tapping early lets you reset and try again
Respect for training partners: They’re trying to help you learn

How to Fix It

Tap early, tap often: There’s no shame in tapping
Recognize when you’re caught: Don’t wait for pain
Thank your training partner: They’re helping you learn
Reset and try again: That’s how you improve

Remember: Everyone taps, even world champions. It’s part of learning BJJ.

3. Skipping Fundamentals

The Mistake

Beginners want to learn flashy, advanced techniques instead of mastering the basics.

Why It’s a Problem

Weak foundation: Advanced techniques won’t work without basics
Slower progress: You’ll plateau quickly
Gaps in your game: Missing fundamental skills
Frustration: Advanced techniques are harder without basics

How to Fix It

Attend fundamentals classes: These are the most important
Master basic positions: Guard, mount, side control, back control
Learn basic escapes: These are more important than submissions
Be patient: Fundamentals take time but pay off long-term

Remember: Black belts still drill fundamentals. They’re that important.

4. Not Asking Questions

The Mistake

Beginners stay silent when confused, afraid to ask “dumb questions.”

Why It’s a Problem

You stay confused: Questions clarify understanding
You practice wrong: Bad habits form from misunderstanding
Slower learning: Instructors want to help
Missed opportunities: Questions lead to deeper understanding

How to Fix It

Ask during drilling: Perfect time to clarify
Ask after class: Instructors are usually available
Ask training partners: They might have the same question
There are no dumb questions: Everyone was a beginner once

Remember: The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask.

5. Comparing Yourself to Others

The Mistake

Beginners constantly compare their progress to other students, getting discouraged.

Why It’s a Problem

Everyone progresses differently: We all have different backgrounds
It’s demotivating: Comparison kills joy
Different goals: Not everyone wants the same thing
Waste of energy: Focus that energy on your own improvement

How to Fix It

Compare to your past self: Are you better than last month?
Focus on your journey: Your path is unique
Celebrate small wins: Every improvement matters
Support others: Their success doesn’t diminish yours

Remember: The only person you should compete with is yesterday’s version of yourself.

6. Training Too Much Too Soon

The Mistake

Beginners get excited and train 6-7 times per week, leading to burnout or injury.

Why It’s a Problem

Burnout: You’ll lose motivation
Injury risk: Your body needs time to adapt
Diminishing returns: More isn’t always better
Life balance: BJJ should enhance life, not consume it

How to Fix It

Start with 2-3 times per week: Build the habit
Listen to your body: Rest when needed
Quality over quantity: Better to train 3 times well than 6 times poorly
Build gradually: Increase frequency over time

Remember: Consistency beats intensity. Training 3 times per week for a year beats 7 times per week for 3 months.

7. Not Drilling Enough

The Mistake

Beginners want to roll (spar) all the time and skip drilling practice.

Why It’s a Problem

Poor technique: You’ll develop bad habits
Slower improvement: Drilling builds muscle memory
Inefficient learning: Rolling without drilling is inefficient
Frustration: You’ll keep making the same mistakes

How to Fix It

Drill with purpose: Focus on the technique
Repetition matters: Do techniques hundreds of times
Ask for feedback: Make sure you’re doing it right
Balance drilling and rolling: Both are important

Remember: Champions aren’t made in competition, they’re made in the drilling room.

8. Having Too Much Ego

The Mistake

Beginners let ego prevent them from learning:won’t tap, won’t ask questions, won’t admit mistakes.

Why It’s a Problem

Blocks learning: Ego prevents growth
Poor training environment: Nobody wants to train with egos
Injury risk: Ego leads to dangerous situations
Missed opportunities: You won’t try new things

How to Fix It

Check your ego at the door: We’re all here to learn
Embrace being a beginner: It’s a temporary state
Learn from everyone: Even lower belts can teach you
Focus on improvement: Not on looking good

Remember: The best BJJ practitioners are humble. They know there’s always more to learn.

9. Not Showing Up Consistently

The Mistake

Beginners train sporadically:intense for a few weeks, then disappear for months.

Why It’s a Problem

No progress: Consistency is key
Forgetting techniques: Skills degrade without practice
Losing momentum: Hard to restart after long breaks
Missing community: You don’t build relationships

How to Fix It

Set a schedule: Commit to specific days
Start small: Better to train 2 times per week consistently than 5 times sporadically
Make it a habit: BJJ should become part of your routine
Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good: Something is better than nothing

Remember: The best training schedule is the one you’ll actually stick to.

10. Not Taking Care of Your Body

The Mistake

Beginners neglect recovery, nutrition, and injury prevention.

Why It’s a Problem

Injuries: Your body breaks down
Poor performance: You can’t train well when unhealthy
Slow recovery: You need more time between sessions
Shortened career: You won’t be able to train long-term

How to Fix It

Sleep well: Recovery happens during sleep
Eat properly: Fuel your body for training
Stretch and mobilize: Prevent injuries
Listen to your body: Rest when needed
Warm up properly: Don’t skip warm-ups

Remember: You can’t train if you’re injured. Take care of your body.

11. Trying to Win Every Roll

The Mistake

Beginners treat every training session like a competition, trying to “win” every roll.

Why It’s a Problem

You don’t experiment: Afraid to try new techniques
You don’t learn: You stick to what works
Poor training environment: Nobody wants to train with someone who goes 100% all the time
Injury risk: Going too hard leads to injuries

How to Fix It

Focus on learning: Not winning
Try new techniques: Even if you “lose” the roll
Flow roll: Sometimes go lighter and focus on movement
Save intensity for competition: Training is for learning

Remember: Training is for learning. Competition is for winning.

12. Not Watching Higher Belts

The Mistake

Beginners focus only on their own training and don’t observe advanced students.

Why It’s a Problem

Missed learning opportunities: You can learn by watching
Don’t see techniques applied: Advanced students show how techniques work
Limited perspective: You only see your own game
Slower understanding: Visual learning is powerful

How to Fix It

Watch advanced rolls: Pay attention to higher belts
Ask to observe: Most people are happy to explain
Watch competitions: See techniques at the highest level
Study instructionals: Supplement mat time with learning

Remember: You can learn a lot by watching. Keep your eyes open.

How to Avoid These Mistakes

Be Patient

BJJ is a long journey. Don’t rush. Enjoy the process.

Stay Humble

You’re a beginner. That’s okay. Everyone was once.

Focus on Learning

Every session is an opportunity to improve. Embrace it.

Trust the Process

BJJ works. Trust the techniques, trust your instructor, trust the process.

Have Fun

BJJ should be enjoyable. If you’re not having fun, something’s wrong.

Conclusion

These common BJJ mistakes are completely normal. Every beginner makes them. The key is recognizing them and working to avoid them.

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re making these mistakes. Awareness is the first step to improvement. Focus on one or two at a time, and you’ll see your BJJ progress accelerate.

Remember: Everyone makes mistakes in BJJ:even black belts. The difference is that experienced practitioners recognize mistakes faster and correct them. You’ll get there too.

The most important thing? Keep showing up, keep learning, and keep having fun. The mistakes will work themselves out as you gain experience.

Want to avoid these common mistakes and accelerate your BJJ progress? Contact Costello BJJ in Exeter. Our experienced instructors help beginners build strong fundamentals from day one. Located at 4 Cofton Road, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8QW.