Building Your Foundation: The First Moves Every White Belt Should Learn

Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can feel overwhelming. The mat is a whole new world of movement, technique, and experienced practitioners. But don’t worry! Every journey begins with a single step, and in BJJ, those first steps are crucial. At Performance Jiu-Jitsu, we believe in building a strong foundation for all our students. Here are some of the essential moves every white belt should focus on learning.

1. Guard Retention:

Guard is your safe space on the mat, allowing you to control your opponent and dictate the pace of the match. Learn to effectively maintain positions like closed, open, and half guards. Practice transitioning between these positions to keep your opponent off-balance and create opportunities for submissions or sweeps.

2. Passing the Guard:

While maintaining guard is important, you’ll also need to learn to escape your opponent’s guard and control their position. Focus on developing fundamental passing techniques like passing the guard, passing the half guard, and utilizing pressure to break down your opponent’s defenses.

3. Top Game Domination:

Once you’ve passed your opponent’s guard, you need to be able to maintain control and advance to more helpful positions. Learn to secure dominant positions like side control, mount, and the back. You can effectively control your opponent and look for submissions from these positions.

4. Fundamental Submissions:

Learning fundamental submissions is key to succeeding in BJJ. Focus on mastering a few basic submissions from common positions. This could include chokes from the guard, arm bars from mount, and rear-naked chokes from the back. Remember, it’s better to master a few submissions than to learn many poorly.

Developing a strong base is essential for all aspects of your BJJ game. A strong base allows you to maintain balance, generate power, and move around the mat effectively. Practice proper posture, weight distribution, and hip movement to develop a solid foundation for all your techniques.

Get Started Today!

At Performance Jiu-Jitsu, we emphasize a gradual and progressive learning approach. We focus on building a strong foundation of fundamental techniques before introducing more advanced concepts. Our experienced instructors will guide you every step of the way, ensuring you develop a well-rounded and effective BJJ game.

We invite you to come experience the transformative power of BJJ at Performance Jiu-Jitsu. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some prior experience, we have something for everyone. Start your BJJ journey today and discover the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of this incredible martial art. Sign up today!

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Testimonials

Levon Arvanian
05:57 06 Nov 24
Great workout. Everyone is very friendly. You get the chance to roll with higher belts who are all very courteous and always try to advise and help.
Stephanie Antonova
02:25 26 Aug 24
I tried a few classes at another bjj school in NJ, but after one class here I knew it was the one for me. The instructors are great and so is the usual crowd. Everyone is friendly, patient, and understanding. It felt like I found a new little community. On top of that I come out of every class feeing like I learned something new. Truly a great place with the best people. 10/10 would recommend.
Avik Mkrtchian
16:06 11 Aug 24
Great all around school. I started two years ago with zero experience. Lou is very good at teaching techniques and very professional. Plenty of class options available to fit anyone’s schedule. Highly recommend for people looking to get in shape and learn self defense.
Yuliya Kanatova
20:00 07 Aug 24
Jason Plata
23:44 01 Aug 24
I have been training at Performance Jiu-Jitsu for many years and it has been an exceptional experience. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed by both the instructors and fellow students. The environment is friendly catering to practitioners of all levels—from beginners to advanced competitors.The instructors are highly skilled and possess a deep understanding of Jiu-Jitsu. They are patient, approachable, and excellent at breaking down complex techniques into manageable steps. Each class is structured to maximize learning, and they ensure that every student gets personalized attention.The curriculum is well-rounded and comprehensive. It covers a wide range of techniques, from basic fundamentals to advanced submissions and transitions. The school also offers specialized classes, such as self-defense and no-gi training, which enhance the overall learning experience.
Michael Moles
00:14 07 Jul 23
If you want Top-Quality, Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, Performance Jiu-Jitsu is the place to train. Prof. Louis is an Excellent and Patient instructor, and training here will definitely change you life for the better. Try a Free Trial Class and you will say to yourself, “I wished I had started training here earlier in my life”.Try it! You will not be disappointed!Best, Crusher
Brian C Ward
02:06 01 Mar 22
PJJ is my gym, therapy and social club. You’ll meet the greatest friends, lose weight, gain endurance and reduce stress. Changed my life…????????.
Adam Kunkis, MD, MBA
21:05 30 Apr 21
Have been there three months so far. The head instructor Lou is extremely professional and welcoming. The atmosphere is very supportive, members all strive to help each other learn and grow as Jiu Jitsu martial artists. I originally joined to get into shape and lose some weight. In doing so, I have found BJJ to be both physically AND mentally interesting, fortifying, strengthening, as it tests your capacity to learn and grow in multiple dimensions. Would recommend to anyone.
Carlos Ruiz
23:51 02 Mar 21
Professor Lou’s teaching style is excellent, and he really takes his time to give everyone individual attention when there’s something that can be corrected in your game. Great atmosphere, everyone is helpful, humble, and respectful. Honestly one of my favorites places to be on any given day.
Tasca Elizabeth
01:45 20 Nov 20
I’ve been a member of PJJ for about 3 months and I can’t get enough. The instruction from professor Lou and the help of everyone is class is second to none. I have learned so much in such a short amount of time, I’m moving my body more than I have in a while, and my stress levels are way down. It’s a great physical and mental workout. 11/10 recommend!!
Gevorg Martirosyan
01:35 11 Nov 20
If you are looking for the best Martial art school in the area - look no more, you found it. There are classes for all levels of skill and classes for kids. Amazing training partners and friendly atmosphere included.
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Get Your Free Trial Class!

Full Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get started with a free trial class today!

The best way to find out if Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is right for you is to try it out right here in our academy. Sign up today for a free trial class and see for yourself why Performance Jiu-Jitsu in Fair Lawn, NJ, is your best option for physical fitness, confidence, and self-defense.

Fill out the form and we'll reach out to get you scheduled for the class that's best for your schedule.

Or call us now at 201-287-4842
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