Can I Learn Jiu-Jitsu at Home

Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that has continued to grow rapidly since Royce Gracie (a member of the “founding family” of jiu-jitsu in the U.S.) won the very first UFC bout.  Since then, people have found more and more new ways to practice and improve their game.  And since the amount and quality of online coaching has continued to soar, there comes a point where one could ask, “can I learn jiu-jitsu at home?”

There are a few different ways we can ask this question, so I will answer it in a few ways and under a few different stipulations.  What equipment you have at home? Where you are in your practice?  Do you have anyone around that can work with you?  All of these things matter and can change the answer depending on your goals.

This article will cover all of the above questions and more!  As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the box at the bottom of the page!

 

Can I Learn Jiu-Jitsu at Home as a Brand New Practitioner?

Let’s start with absolute worst case scenario.  You are brand new, you don’t have anyone to train with, and you have no equipment.

The good news is that there is a tremendous amount of high quality coaching on YouTube, Tik Tok, and every other social media there is.  Most of it is free and there are lessons for just about everything.  I actually cover some specific channels you should be following in another article linked here to help get you started.

The bad news is that jiu-jitsu is a sport that requires you to roll with a partner.  So while you can practice some movement and offensive drills, it will not fully simulate a match and will not allow you to become better defensively.  And in starting out, learning how to defend yourself is absolutely crucial to being an effective jiu-jitsu practitioner.

So the gist of worst case scenario at home is that you can get better, but you won’t be receiving any higher belts anytime soon.

 

What Jiu-Jitsu Equipment Would Be Most Useful to Have at Home?

Let’s say all of the above is still true.  You are new, you don’t have a partner, and you have no equipment.  To help you advance more quickly assuming those first two are still true, getting yourself a grappling dummy will be the best first purchase to help you on your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

This will, at the very least, simulate training with a partner and will massively help your positioning, movement, and attacks.  So when you learn how to do an armbar, kimura,  knee on belly, or otherwise, you have a decent simulation of what it would actually feel like.  The big bonus being that you can go as hard as you want and not feel bad about it.

The next piece of useful equipment (assuming you have a gi) is a jiu-jitsu mat.  Even if you have a carpeted area or an area rug, you will quickly find that it is not very comfortable being on your knees, elbows, and back while on any of those surfaces.  So having a nice roll up, fold up, or tiled mat will make your practice far more enjoyable.

Lastly, while it’s not a piece of equipment, having a decently large area to practice will be incredibly useful.  As you start doing more and especially if you start working trips and takedowns, space will most certainly be your friend.

 

Can I Learn Jiu-Jitsu at Home With a Training Partner?

If you are trying to learn jiu-jitsu at home, having a training partner will enable you to learn jiu-jitsu far faster at home than without one.  As long as you are both interested in improving your game and willing to be a live grappling dummy for your partner, then you can make impressive strides in your practice with nothing more than some YouTube videos.

The main factor that changes with a live partner vs a grappling dummy are simulating real pressure and resistance while attacking and defending.  Unfortunately Bob (or whatever you named your grappling dummy) can’t do that.  This “feel” for a real persons movements will truly help you to start understanding jiu-jitsu and figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

So if you are kicking off your jiu-jitsu journey at home with a partner, then go forth knowing that can get you a lot further than just you and grappling dummy Bob can (sorry Bob).

 

Can I Learn Jiu-Jitsu At Home If I’m Not New?

If you are a seasoned practitioner or at least not brand new and have trained in a gym before, then you should have the capability to still improve your game decently well while at home.  As I’m sure you know, it is hard to simulate a match by yourself.

That being said, there are a number of great exercises, stretches, and drills that can help you to improve in a way you possibly hadn’t spent as much time on previously.  And if you have yourself a “Bob”?  Watch out world.

So what can you improve particularly?  Technique, technique, technique.  Being seasoned means you have a decent idea how someone may defend themselves.  Knowing that, you can ensure your grips, positioning, and speed all work to your advantage while you drill.

Will you become a champion while by yourself at home?  Probably not.  But can you improve and make strides in your game?  Most definitely.

 

Final Thoughts

The main issue with learning jiu-jitsu at home will be working your defensive game. Without a partner, you won’t get the chance to defend yourself and adjust against an opponent, which is a critical piece in jiu-jitsu.

Offensively however, you can make great strides.  With just a Bob (a grappling dummy), you can work grips, movement, and pressure while completing the moves.

On top of that, the number of social media practitioners seems to grow every day and the content only gets better. So big score for at home learning with that one.

So, can you learn some jiu-jitsu at home and get better?  Ultimately, yes.  Will you become a world champion?  Not so much.  But if you are willing to learn and that’s all you have to work with, then allow me to give you a fist bump and an oss while you go through your journey.

 

If I missed anything, let me know in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!