I teach a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu physical education course at my college, so I have a whole introductory curriculum planned out for the semester to cover the most fundamental takedowns, positions, transitions, and submissions.

The first thing I teach students is a standing arm drag to the back, followed by a seatbelt-grip takedown and a rear naked choke. This gives students a practical self-defense technique chain that also works well in sport. It also makes you feel like Superman (or Wonder Woman) on the first day. I want a new student to leave class saying, “I love Jiu-Jitsu!” so they’ll come back for their second class.

We always start with showing basic positions (backguard, mount, sidecontrol and guard) with hierarchy and transitions (mount bottom flip to guard top, passing the guard to sidecontrol and up to top mount), which also gives a quick overview of basic positions.

Then basic four directions alternatives of breaking balance and getting in position from starting on the knees. And applied partial training, just finding the first position from starting on the knees.

If they're really quick learners, americana can also be squeezed in.

Then we really like them to get to experience sparring already in their first class. Often with more experienced students (a stripe or two on white is often enough) so they can draw conclusions themselves on that technique is the way to go and just exerting force will exhaust them quickly.

I've always started someone off with the trap and roll escape, shrimping and stand in base. Three core movements that are fast and easy to learn, and include solo drills they can practice at home. I teach them this so they could immediately put to use if necessary. What's more, when they see that they can learn it during that initial session, it gives them confidence to keep going.

Take what i say as a kid telling their parents about the first day of school.

Whenever we get new people to the gym, I try to be the first person they meet. Many thoughts are going through their head already and I remember when I first started I came in with an ego and wanted to be the best on the team and not understand the levels. So I usually go along with whatever the move of the day was, along with the escape, and just build up their confidence and make them feel welcomed. As their curiosity grows, and they start to get the basics down, that confidence strikes, and then boom they are introduced to the levels of the game. some are enthralled and love it. Those come back and the others well, they disappear.

We always like to start with snakes or shrimps as others call it. Then basic portions so know where to go and try get like little movement flow drills.

I like showing a flower sweep from closed gaurd. Once in mount we talk about securing the position and i show the americana. If we have time i will show a mount escape. I like my newbies to roll also, so at least 30 mins of live with selected students or myself. I try to hook them in with the americana...it got me coming back to class.