Why Recognizing Mistakes is the First Step to Evolution

In Jiu-Jitsu, ego is often your biggest opponent. The humility to accept that you are a beginner and will make mistakes is crucial. Each correction from an instructor and each time you are submitted in training is a valuable lesson. Students who embrace this mindset progress much faster. They understand that Jiu-Jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. This perspective is what we cultivate in our BJJ classes in Valencia.

The Most Common Mistakes on the Mat

We have compiled a list of the seven most frequent mistakes we see among new practitioners. By being aware of them, you will have a significant advantage.

1. Using Strength Instead of Technique

This is, without a doubt, the number one mistake. Beginners often try to compensate for their lack of technical knowledge with brute force. They tense up, push, and pull with maximum intensity, only to end up exhausted and submitted by a more experienced, calmer opponent.

• The Problem: Jiu-Jitsu was created for the weaker to overcome the stronger. Using only strength negates this principle. It leads to rapid exhaustion, increases the risk of injuries (for you and your partner), and hinders real learning.

• How to Fix It: Focus on breathing and relaxing. Try to understand the leverage and mechanics of each movement taught in class. During sparring, prioritize executing a technique correctly, even if it “fails,” over winning with force. At Gracie Barra Valencia, our fundamental programs are designed to build a solid technical base from the start.

2. Holding Your Breath During Sparring (“Rolling”)

When under pressure, a beginner’s natural instinct is to hold their breath. This happens especially when defending a submission or trying to escape a bad position.

• The Problem: Lack of oxygen quickly drains your energy. Your muscles fatigue, your thinking becomes clouded, and you make poor decisions. You will feel “gassed” in less than a minute.

• How to Fix It: Make a conscious effort to breathe. Focus on deep, controlled breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. This practice not only conserves energy but also helps keep your mind calm under pressure, a vital skill in self-defense.

3. Focusing Only on Submissions

Every beginner wants to learn the spectacular submissions they see in competitions. This “submission hunting” causes them to neglect the most important aspect of Jiu-Jitsu: positional control.

• The Problem: If you cannot control your opponent, you will never be able to apply a submission effectively. You might get a lucky submission on another beginner, but you will be easily dominated by anyone with a basic understanding of positions.

• How to Fix It: Adopt the mantra: “position before submission.” Focus on learning how to pass the guard, maintain the mount, and take the back. Celebrate achieving a dominant position with the same enthusiasm as a submission. A solid positional game is the foundation of advanced Jiu-Jitsu.

4. Tapping Too Late (or Not at All)

Ego can be dangerous. Some beginners see tapping (giving up) as a sign of weakness and try to resist a submission to the end, hoping for a miraculous escape.

• The Problem: This is the fastest way to get injured. A joint lock applied for a second too long can mean weeks or months off the mat. Tapping is not losing; it is learning. It is acknowledging that your partner executed a technique correctly.

• How to Fix It: Tap early and tap often. Protect your body. If you feel pain or pressure, tap. If you don’t know how to escape, tap. Each tap is a reset button that allows you to start over and continue learning, injury-free.

5. Being an Inconsistent Student

Jiu-Jitsu is a complex art that requires continuous practice. Many beginners show up with great frequency in the first month but then start missing classes.

• The Problem: Irregular attendance makes it impossible to retain information and build muscle memory. The progress is slow and frustrating, which can lead to giving up completely.

• How to Fix It: Set a realistic training schedule and stick to it. Consistency is more important than intensity. It is better to train twice a week for a whole year than five times a week for just one month. The community at our academy in Valencia will help keep you motivated to come back.

6. Neglecting Defense and Escapes

Just as they focus only on submissions, beginners often forget to learn how to defend themselves. They only think about attacking and are surprised when they are trapped in basic positions.

• The Problem: A good defense is the foundation of a good offense. If you are not confident in your ability to escape from bad positions (like mount or side control), you will fight with fear and tension, which will limit your entire game.

• How to Fix It: Dedicate specific time to study and practice escapes. Ask your instructor for the fundamental escapes from each dominant position. Being a “tough nut to crack” is a highly respected quality in Jiu-Jitsu.

7. Comparing Your Progress with Others’

You will see colleagues who started with you learning some techniques faster. Others may have more athletic ability. It is easy to fall into the trap of comparison and feel discouraged.

• The Problem: Everyone has a different learning pace and unique abilities. Comparing yourself to others only generates anxiety and frustration, taking the joy out of your own journey.

• How to Fix It: Focus on your own progress. The only valid comparison is with who you were yesterday. Celebrate your small victories: escaping a position you used to get stuck in, executing a new sweep, or simply surviving a round with a more advanced student.