Tap Early Tap Often
Tap Early, Tap Often: The Key to Safe and Effective Learning in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) student, it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of rolling, testing your limits, and striving to improve. However, one of the most important lessons you’ll learn on the mats isn’t a flashy submission or a complex guard pass—it’s the concept of tapping early and often.
Tapping is not a sign of failure. It’s a hallmark of growth, humility, and respect for both your training partners and yourself. Here’s why tapping early and often is essential for every BJJ student and how it can transform your journey on the mats.
1. Safety First: Protect Your Body for the Long Game
BJJ is a physically demanding martial art, and injuries can happen if you’re not careful. Tapping early is the simplest way to protect yourself from unnecessary harm. Whether it’s a joint lock, choke, or submission you don’t fully understand yet, tapping before the pressure escalates ensures you walk off the mats healthy and ready to train another day.
Remember, your body is your most valuable tool in BJJ. Protect it by letting go of ego and prioritizing safety. A short-term tap is far better than a long-term injury.
2. Focus on Learning, Not Winning
In the heat of a roll, it’s tempting to resist tapping because you don’t want to “lose.” But training isn’t about winning or losing—it’s about learning. When you tap early, you acknowledge that your partner executed a technique effectively, and this gives you an opportunity to understand what happened and how you can improve.
Instead of viewing tapping as a defeat, see it as a lesson. Ask your partner or coach questions after the roll:
“What did you do to set up that submission?”
“How can I defend it next time?” This mindset will accelerate your growth far more than stubbornly refusing to tap.
3. Build Trust and Camaraderie
BJJ is a community-driven martial art, and trust with your training partners is crucial. Tapping early shows respect for your partner’s skill and ensures that both of you can train in a safe and controlled environment.
When you refuse to tap or wait until the last second, you not only risk injury but also put your partner in an uncomfortable position. They may hesitate to apply submissions in future rolls, fearing they might hurt you. By tapping early, you create a culture of mutual respect and safety on the mats.
4. Ego Has No Place on the Mats
One of the greatest lessons BJJ teaches is humility. Everyone taps—white belts, black belts, and even world champions. The mats don’t care about your rank, size, or strength. Ego-driven training, where you refuse to tap to prove a point, will only hinder your progress and potentially lead to injuries.
Letting go of ego allows you to embrace the process of learning. Tapping often means you’re putting yourself in challenging positions, experimenting, and growing as a martial artist. Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection.
5. Embrace the Journey of Growth
Tapping is a natural part of the learning curve in BJJ. Each time you tap, you’re one step closer to understanding the art on a deeper level. Over time, you’ll notice patterns, refine your defense, and develop the ability to anticipate submissions before they happen.
Celebrate your taps—they’re proof that you’re pushing yourself, taking risks, and evolving. The more you tap, the more you learn.
Practical Tips for Tapping Early and Often
Recognize the Signs: Pay attention to when a submission is locked in. If you feel pressure or discomfort, tap before it becomes painful.
Communicate: Use verbal taps in addition to physical ones, especially if your hands are tied up.
Leave Ego at the Door: Remind yourself that training is about improvement, not proving dominance.
Learn from Every Tap: Reflect on what led to the submission and how you can adjust your technique or strategy.
Final Thoughts
Tapping early and often is more than just a safety measure—it’s a mindset that fosters growth, humility, and respect. By embracing this concept, you’ll not only protect yourself and your training partners but also create an environment where learning thrives.
So, the next time you’re caught in a submission, remember: tap early, tap often, and get back to learning. The journey of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is long and rewarding, and tapping is simply part of the process. See you on the mats!
