To anyone who trains BJJ at UFC Gym what are classes like for beginners? I ask because white belt in video below is apparently already sparring. I can't learn like that. I need many reps before I can internalize and freeform each technique.
I don't train at a facility in the UFC franchise, however BJJ training follows a common format in my experience. Usually you'll have a warm up and maybe a guard passing drill to start. Then you'll have a technique or position introduced. You'll rep it with increasing resistance in a few variations forbs good portion of the class. There will be time to ask questions and explore different eventualities that arose from that position and any difficulties you have. You'll then likely either isolation spar the position or full spar for a few rounds. Many schools allow beginner sparring from day one but some make you wait until they know you are safe. Communication is key and if you don't feel comfortable rolling then you likely won't have to. But just know that you'll be supported and eased in at a good gym. Honestly, rolling is hugely fun and you'll be supported all the way. Edit - BJJ can be a frustrating experience for some in the early stages but if you stick with it you'll develop an idea of what to do in each position and you'll be away from there on in.
Hey, yes people do spar on day 1 in BJJ. Sometimes there's "specific sparring". Where its to counter/escape a certain move/position and then restart. That's a good taster. And as long as you tell the other person it's your first day, the other person will accomodate accordingly.
Even if they do say you CAN spar on the first day, if you don't want to you really don't have to. Know this though, it's better to roll with purple belts than other new white belts.
I kinda thought that I needed the internalization and thousand repetitions as well, but gradually from doing BJJ figured out 'hey, that's not what I need at all!' There's little feedback to performing a technique on a dummy or the air, and without knowing it you can develop bad habits. Suddenly against a live opponent, you'll find 'hey, if I don't pinch my knees during the armbar, he or she TOTALLY has the opportunity to escape.' It can be frustrating initially, until you kind of have a generalized understanding of grappling, but once you're there it gets really exciting! Your teacher can show you a new technique and you can incorporate it like that day.
Doing the technique in sparring IS learning the technique. Drilling is massively important obviously but it's applying it against multiple people where you really learn which muscles you need to engage, where likely escape routes and resistance will go, countering counters, etc. Some places have sparring day one, some places have beginner courses where you do the basics before being let lose on other people. Both can get results.
Sparring doesn't mean sparring full speed / strength / to the death straight away, most gyms will help you settle in before crushing the bejesus out of you, it's not fight club!
That's what I did. Sparred with a purple belt, after a bit of hand fighting and I got double bicep control, I saw a glint in his eye....and that was it. I was done for Guard pulled and choked in various ways and positions...
