Learning The Basics | Dear White Belt #1

I know you want to try all the fancy stuff you see on the internet, but the basics will always have your back!

If you are reading this, you’re probably a white belt hunting for new information to add to your training routine. Before this, you may have spent hours watching YouTube videos, trying to absorb as much as possible.

What you typically see online are flashy techniques—the high-level, competition-proven moves used by top athletes.

Do they work? Yes. Do they work for you? Probably not. At least not at this stage in your journey.

Let me tell you something: I know you’re passionate about jiu-jitsu and eager to learn everything as fast as possible. I also know that drilling the basics can feel tedious. It’s not exciting to repeat the same technique thousands of times, especially when some moves seem awkward or unnecessary. But trust me, you will use them—again and again.

Do you know when will you realize this? When you become more aware of attacks and defenses, or when you find yourself in a bad position, relying on that hip escape to survive in a roll.

White belts are often the biggest consumers of jiu-jitsu content online because they’re hungry to improve. That’s great! But without the right approach, this can actually slow down progress instead of accelerating it.

When I was a purple belt, I ran a weekly women’s class. Being a purple belt is interesting—you're not quite a beginner, but you’re also not an expert. You feel powerful because you have more technique than a blue belt, and you can even make a brown belt struggle. But sometimes, you overlook the basics.

Teaching that class was one of the most challenging experiences for me. About 90% of the students were white belts. Some had been training for a while, but most were stepping onto the mats for the first time. That put a huge responsibility on my shoulders—to make their experience so positive that they wouldn’t quit.

They asked many questions, and they were always about the basics. Was I prepared to answer? Honestly, no. I could effortlessly hit a triangle—my favorite technique—but explaining the step-by-step details of a perfect setup was another story.

So, I had to go back and study. I had to relearn the basics because, without realizing it, I was using them every single day in my own training (maybe on autopilot).

Jiu-jitsu is modernized now. Berimbolos, Crab Rides, Pretzelbolos… and I know it’s beautiful to watch it. But what do all these fancy techniques have in common? They start from the basics. It’s impossible to execute fancy moves without knowing the fundamentals.

If you’re just starting out and feeling frustrated drilling the same armbar from closed guard fifty times per session, think of it as a gift to your future self. One day, you’ll look back and thank yourself for not skipping the basics.

I hope this helps you, white belt. If you're not a white belt but realize you're neglecting the basics, I get it. See you next week!