What to expect in your first 3 months starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is exciting, challenging, and at times a little overwhelming. If you are new to BJJ, understanding what the first three months usually look like can help you relax, stay consistent, and enjoy the process.

At Noble Grounds BJJ in Mitcham, Melbourne, we remind beginners that the early stages are not about winning rounds or being perfect. They are about learning how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu works, understanding positions, and allowing your body to gradually adapt to a new style of training.

Month 1: Learning the basics and staying calm

The first month of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all about orientation. You are learning a new language, a new environment, and new physical movements all at once.

You will be introduced to fundamental positions such as guard, mount, side control, and back control. You will practise core movements like shrimping, bridging, and standing up safely. You will also begin learning basic submissions and escapes.

Everything can feel unfamiliar in the beginning. You will tap often, forget techniques mid roll, and feel physically tired after training. This is completely normal and part of the learning curve for every white belt. Many beginners notice muscle soreness in places they are not used to using, especially the neck, forearms, and hips.

The goal in month one is simple: show up, learn the fundamentals, and stay calm under pressure.

Month 2: Understanding positions and timing

By the second month of BJJ training, things start to make more sense. You begin recognising positions more quickly and remembering simple sequences instead of isolated techniques.

Live rolling becomes less chaotic. You may still get caught frequently, but you start to understand why it happened. This is often when students realise Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is more about leverage, timing, and positioning than pure strength.

Fitness improves steadily. Breathing becomes easier, movements feel smoother, and confidence starts to grow. Progress may still feel inconsistent from session to session, but your overall awareness on the mats increases significantly.

Month 3: Building confidence and consistency

By month three, you are no longer brand new. You understand how classes are structured and what is expected during training.

You may start to develop favourite positions or techniques. Instead of reacting instinctively in every situation, you begin rolling with more intention. Small successes, such as escaping a bad position or completing a sweep, become more common.

This stage is about consistency. Training two to three times per week leads to noticeable improvement over time. Mentally, many students stop worrying about looking inexperienced and begin focusing on enjoying the process of learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

The key to early progress in BJJ

The first three months of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are about showing up and staying patient. Focus on learning the fundamentals, staying healthy, and asking questions when you are unsure. Improvement follows consistency.

If you are starting BJJ in Mitcham or the surrounding eastern suburbs of Melbourne, remember that every black belt once felt exactly how you do now. Stay committed to the process, and the results will come.