No gi White Belt

Brooksdriver, post: 60445, member: 33215

I am a white belt, because of my schedule, I can only make it to the no gi classes 2 days a week. What are some fundamental things that I can be focusing/working on, specifically for no gi training, as I only have 2 days a week in the gym?

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If you're really new to jiu jitsu then just keep showing up and following your coach's program. If you've been around for a while I'd focus on either staying on top (when you get on top) and guard retention on the bottom. What you're looking for is just feeling comfortable in each spot, you won't have a depth of techniques to use against your opponents so don't expect to be hitting a lot of techniques.

When you're trying to stay on top try to use your bases and figure out why you can/can't retain your control.

When you're on the bottom try and keep legs and knees in front of your opponent. If they get around your legs then have a think about what they did e.g. moving backwards, grips, pressuring in and what you could have done to prevent that earlier.

The fundamentals topic based has been very helpful to me as a supplement. If your technique of the day is closed guard, then you review closed guard topics in the fundamental section. So on and so forth. You'll learn many stuff and concepts that are not discussed mostly in training.

For my first year of training I was in the same boat. I could only train once a week because of other life BS. Like what was mentioned above work on getting and staying on top or on guard retention. I'm a heavy prior wrestler, so being on top is where I am comfortable. So I have really been trying to work on guard retention but I'm terrible at it.

the most important thing is to keep going. I also try to do something BJJ everyday. Whether it be watching techniques on GG, thinking about last nights move or reading something.

No gi is so much faster and there are fewer grips so make sure you are limber and agile. Win the scrambles and gain the positions...but if you injure yourself along the way then all bjj is out the window... warm up well.

Focus on escapes from bottom position first. Once you can escape back to guard, start studying guard retention. Half guard would be good to study here as well. That should take you through your first 6mo at least.

Focus on escapes from bottom position first. Once you can escape back to guard, start studying guard retention. Half guard would be good to study here as well. That should take you through your first 6mo at least.

An additional benefit to training bottom position first is that you might find yourself more fluid and confident attacking certain positions (e.g. mount) and submissions (e.g. armbar) from top position that have a higher risk of you ending up on your back if your opponent escapes.