Can you learn BJJ online? Sure, if you want to be the laughing stock of the BJJ community.
I mean, who needs real-life training partners and instructors when you can just watch some dude in his basement on YouTube?
And don't even get me started on those online courses that promise to take you from white belt to black belt.
Because we all know that's totally legit (cough....Gracie University....cough).
Yeah, who needs years of hard work of real life grinding and dedication when you can just click a button and magically become a black belt?
But seriously, while online BJJ courses can be helpful, they can't replace the real thing.
So, if you're serious about learning BJJ, get your butt to a real-life gym and start training with other people.
Trust me, it's way more fun than staring at a computer screen all day.
But first....
I pour my heart and soul into bringing you awesome BJJ content for free, but keeping this blog alive takes more than just the occasional sweep.
If you're feeling extra generous and want to show some love, consider throwing a few bucks to support me.
Table of Contents
The Limitations of Learning BJJ 100% Online
BJJ is a physical martial art that requires hands-on training and sparring to develop the necessary skills.
You need to feel the techniques and movements in your body, and you need to practice them against a resisting opponent.
This is simply impossible to do in an online course, where you're limited to watching videos and practicing on your own.
Even if the videos are high-quality and the instruction is excellent, you won't be able to replicate the experience of training in-person.
Here are some more limitations of learning BJJ 100% online:
Lack of training partners
BJJ is a combat sport that involves ground fighting and submissions.
To improve your skills, you need to train with partners who can provide resistance and feedback.
Online courses cannot provide you with the same level of training partners as in-person classes.
No direct feedback or correction
In-person BJJ classes allow for immediate feedback and correction from your instructor.
With online courses, you may not receive feedback until after you submit a video for review.
This can slow down your progress and make it difficult to correct mistakes in real-time.
There is no actual drilling or rolling
Drilling and rolling are essential components of BJJ training.
Drilling allows you to practice techniques repeatedly until they become second nature, while rolling allows you to apply those techniques in a live setting.
Online courses may not offer the same level of drilling and rolling opportunities as in-person classes.
Limited access to equipment and facilities
Okay, you have your gi, rash guard, white belt and a computer with internet to start learning BJJ online.
However, you suddenly realize that you also need a mat space if you want to practice the techniques.
Now, you realize that online courses may not provide access to the necessary equipment or facilities to train properly.
Limited focus on self defense and fitness
BJJ is not just a combat sport, but also a practical self-defense system and a great way to stay fit.
Online courses may not provide the same level of focus on self-defense and fitness as in-person classes.
Benefits of In-Person Training in BJJ
BJJ is a complex martial art that requires a deep understanding of body mechanics, timing, and leverage.
It's not something you can learn by watching videos alone.
You need to have an instructor who can directly correct your mistakes, answer your questions, and guide you through the learning process.
Without this guidance, you're likely to develop bad habits and misunderstandings that will hinder your progress in the long run.
Building strong fundamentals
To be good in BJJ, you need to have strong fundamentals.
Once you have strong fundamentals, you can build your game on top of it and become a more advanced practitioner.
While online courses can teach you some basic fundamental techniques, they cannot provide you with the same level of understanding that you would get from in-person training.
Getting feedback directly in BJJ
Direct feedback is crucial when it comes to improving your BJJ game.
In-person training allows you to get feedback directly from your instructors and training partners.
Feedback can help you identify your weaknesses and areas where you need to improve.
Without feedback, it can be difficult to assess your skills and make improvements.
Build consistency and discipline
Consistency and discipline are key when it comes to making improvements in BJJ.
In-person training provides you with a structured training program that can help you stay on track and make progress towards your goals.
It also provides you with a training schedule that can help you stay motivated and disciplined.
If you rely solely on online resources to learn BJJ, most likely you will only leave the downloaded instructional videos collecting dust somewhere inside a folder in your hard drive.
Provide real life sparring sessions
Real life sparring or rolling is an essential part of improving your BJJ game.
In-person training provides you with the opportunity to roll with training partners who are at a similar level or higher than you.
Hard rolling can help you develop your techniques, improve your fitness, and prepare you for competitions.
Build humility
Learning BJJ online can easily put you into the ego trap because you have no one else to measure yourself with.
Developing an ego, essentially, can be a major obstacle when it comes to improving your BJJ game.
In-person training provides you with the opportunity to train with a variety of training partners who can help you avoid developing an ego.
It can also help you develop a sense of humility by exposing you to different styles of grappling and techniques.
Effective drilling sessions
Drilling is the process of repeating a technique over and over again until it becomes second nature.
This is an essential part of BJJ training, as it allows you to build muscle memory and improve your movements.
In an in-person BJJ class, you will have the opportunity to drill techniques with a partner, receive feedback from your instructor, and make corrections to your form.
To wrap it up....
So, can you learn BJJ online?
In conclusion, while online BJJ courses can be a useful supplement to in-person training, it is impossible to become truly proficient in BJJ by relying solely on online courses.
BJJ is a highly physical sport that requires hands-on training, sparring, and feedback from experienced instructors.
Online courses may provide some technical knowledge and theory, but they cannot replace the essential physical and mental aspects of training in-person.
Additionally, online courses may lack the personalized attention and feedback that is crucial to improving your technique and avoiding injury.
Furthermore, BJJ is not just about learning techniques, but also about developing physical and mental toughness, discipline, and camaraderie with your training partners.
These aspects of training cannot be replicated through an online course.
While online BJJ courses can be a useful supplement to your training, they should not be relied upon as your primary source of learning.
To truly excel in BJJ, you must commit to regular, in-person training with experienced instructors and training partners.
Get Ready to Roll with Our Free BJJ Workout Plan - Sign Up Now!
Simply enter your details below: