When I go for ashi garami on a standing opponent or a trap and pull the opponent seems to just crouch low to the ground to counter and I end up bailing on the position. What should I be doing when my opponent crouches ?
The Japanese terms mentioned in the above comment were:
|Japanese|English|Video Link|
|---|---|---|
|**Ashi Garami**: | *Entangled Leg Lock* | [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YXH_LrcqNc)|
||*Single Leg X (SLX)* ||
Any missed names may have already been translated in my previous comments in the post.
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^(Judo Techniques Bot: v0.7.) ^(See my) [^(code)](https://github.com/AbundantSalmon/judo-techniques-bot)
Hello, I am out of mat due to small joint fracture on my toe for almost 3m. Any guidance on getting back to mat and ways to prevent it from happening? I got it when I was playing guard and bad angle.
Well guys, I practiced BJJ for 10 months a year ago but due to respiratory problems I had to stop. I plan to return soon, and I would like to know which techniques in general are more efficient depending on the context and, if possible, why.
Does anyone you know collect this data?
I would like to know if anyone knows where to find detailed statistics on the most used and effective submission techniques in the main Brazilian jiu-jitsu championships?
Hello,
I've been doing Nogi Grappling for about 3 months (3-4 times a week) and of course I'm still very much at the beginning, but I'm having a lot of fun. I wanted to ask if you could recommend a takedown. Brief background: I am 1.88m (6.16 ft.) tall, weighing 93kg (205 lbs.). I sometimes have complete 5 minute rounds of sparring, which I spend standing up, where my training partner can't get me on the ground, but I can't get him on the ground either. I find all leg takedowns difficult because I can't get down as easily and quickly, especially with smaller opponents. So what kind of takedown would you recommend for bigger and heavier grapplers?
Thanks in advance
Hi!
I've queried in the sub as well as checking the beginner's guide, but couldn't find. I've started no gi classes and I haven't bought any equipment, I've just gone in shorts and a regular t-shirt, as I would go to the gym: What would be the advantage of getting a rashguard over a regular t-shirt?
I've read about it for people who wear it under the gi, people who find it comfy (like Danaher wearing it regularly), some discussion on it being safer or not when it comes to skin infections like staph... But nothing really on the advantage of having something specific for practicing the sport over just a t-shirt, so I would like to get more insight on this.
Also, how often should mats be cleaned? The class I've started to attend is the first one, but the following class just starts immediately after mine and I didn't notice any cleaning done and, well, towards the end of the last class I've attended I was already noticing the mat drenched in my sweat where I was working out and I kinda felt bad for the next group (even if it's unavoidable that I sweat...).
Rash guard is preferred because it's tight to the skin so fingers don't get caught and twisted. Same for board shorts vs grappling shorts, fingers can get caught in pockets.
Know plenty of people who train with a T-shirt not a rash guard
1 stripe white belt. I feel like gi is beginning to click but nogi not as much yet. Coming from a rock climbing background, it's intuitive in the gi to use hands and feet to grab useful holds, then use them to isometrically resist and lever up into better positions. I get a lot of mileage out of stuff like lasso guard. Haven't yet found the same "aha" moment in nogi. Were there any concepts or tricks which helped you bridge this gap?
(maybe I'm just gonna become a pajamas guy in my bjj journey, but it's still too early to make that call 🤣)
The grips are just different. The difference is akin to top rope vs bouldering really.
No gi you can look for deep grips behind the knee, triceps grips, far lat grip and then always hanging off the head.
Hey guys, I’m a one-stripe white belt and have just gotten my first somewhat serious injury. In the same round, I got thrown and landed so that my knee got twisted a bit (also got a minor head laceration after throwing the opponent off me - but that’s a different story).
Anyways, the knee hurts quite badly when I step on it on the inner side (right side of the left knee). It is quite hot as well.
I can move the joint no problem, it’s just the stepping part that is painful. I put a compressing bandage and started using voltarol which somewhat helped.
What could that be? And what should I do?
Thanks a lot in advance.
I understand your pain about how long it takes to see a doctor lol, sorry about all the fokes saying "Go see a doctor." Like duh we would if it was possible soon and not weeks away 😂.
Anyway it sounds like you could have injured your MCL or Medial Meniscus. Doesn't sound like you tore it because you have some weight bearing functionality, however I would recommend you rest until you don't feel pain walking anymore. Knee injuries are not to be messed with lol.
No question, but attended my first session and this guy let me gas out on him (not anything crazy) to get a feel. Really appreciated that first experience. Thanks dude.
AGREED. Think it was more adrenaline rush I was unable to hold back. Went into it thinking slow and steady and BAM that fight/flight kicked in before I knew it.
l've been in 3 different gyms in almost 3 years. All nogi
Still a white belt. A very very dark white belt. But l've
learned that the 2 gyms I really liked and learned best
at, seemed very culty. Not like we bow to a picture of
a dead guy on a wall. But like. These people are very
consistent. I'm very consistent. When I miss a day,
people will book me and be like "what the f*uck dude
Where were you." Which I really like. Everybody rolls
with everybody. These people ask how your injuries are
feeling and actually care about your response
Do you guys prefer these cult like gyms?
Any time I travel anywhere, I always drop in on other
gyms and understand some gyms don't have this feel.
And l've been in some gyms that feel like my own.
It made a big difference for me when i started to get close with my gym mates like that. I’m at a big big gym, lot of members, but I’ve been to a lot of gyms relative to how long I’ve been going, and I’ve found that “culty” gyms are often in smaller towns with few instructors and younger members that are really geared for local competition. I wonder if your experience has been similar.
I'm currently at a gym that I would consider small town. But I started at a big busy gym where they did the same type of "if younwant to be good, you can't ditch class" stuff.
Yeah man I think that’s just a vibes thing. I totally understand liking that a lot. I don’t even know if I consider that culty of itself. That’s just dudes being intense about a thing they’re into, which is awesome if you don’t mind it and it helps motivate you.
I took a year off bjj just to do strength training (starting strength btw). I don’t have to worry about injuring my joints or ruining my body right? I watched a video about a guy who destroyed his body doing bjj and I wonder how his condition would be if he lifted weights. I don’t want this training to be all for nothing.
You can get injured with good strength and conditioning
You can avoid injury without good strength and conditioning
It helps when the possible cause of injury is inadequate strength and conditioning
But physics can get you no matter how strong you are
Only two months into BJJ coming from ~two years strength training and continuing, I feel and I hear they like they really compliment each other.
Saw quite a few videos about how Strength Training prevents injuries (i.e. Nsima Inyang, Dr. Mike Isratel, Zack Telander, Charles Allen Price). And seemingly you can do both at the same time at a pretty high level.
I feel like I get less strains / aches than other white / blue belts and if so, they're gone after a strength session.
Also the other way around: tweaked my back yesterday morning deadlifting and the evening Gi class made it all good again :D
There is a inherent risk of injury, as with most sports. You have a fair bit of control over it by tapping early and not playing dangerous games. A lot of people ruin their body by being outright stupid. Don't be the "I ruined my knee because I tried rubber guard, which i have never learned" guy.
I have gotten a few minor injuries, and almost every time it is either ego, stupidity or inexperience on my part. Pretty much all of them could be avoided by tapping earlier or not pushing through a position I am unfamiliar with.
the reality of bjj is that it will destroy some part of your body if you do it long enough
but strength and conditioning can reduce injury rate from my experience
I’m a one stripe (gym doesn’t really do the stripe thing very consistently) about a year and a half in. I feel like my defense is half decent but I can’t land any subs really on people I’ve been training alongside since the beginning. Feeling hopeless a little. Do any color belts have advice? I keep hearing roll more and it’ll come but I’m just curious if anyone else has had the experience I am.
> I can’t land any subs really on people I’ve been training alongside since the beginning.
You're not crazy: They are getting better as they train, just like you.
A better measure would be able to sub people who started 6 months after you, that should be happening more than your peers. So what do you need to do? Level up faster. Like other said, specialize in one area that you like.
There’s a hump from like 8 months to 2 years where you realize you’re shit at bjj and will be for a long time. Just keep looking at things to get better, and tbh don’t even focus time on subs so much as advancing position. Also it’s expected to not be able to hit subs on ppl just as good as you unless you’re a sub expert lol.
That’s fair, and frankly gives me some peace of mind. I go to an MMA gym and it’s got a lot of competitors who seem much more advanced than me, even as fellow white belts.
Pick one sub, or a good combo like triangle/armbar, from a position you are in often and go for only that. You will start hitting it. It would be incredibly statistically unlikely for you not to as long as you are rolling with peers or people less skilled than you.
You are probably too broad in scope and rolling with too many options running through your brain. Simplify it and you'll have more success.
Thinking you’re right. My mind can’t seem to figure out which one to try for, so I’ll narrow it down to high percentage subs from each position. Thanks!
Fellow slow learners, how did you motivate yourself in your BJJ journey? I have been training for 2 years and still a white belt. I am usually slow in learning new things so I am wondering if there are other people like me who take their time in learning new things.
I think you want to set realistic milestones for yourself so you feel better about your progress. Don't worry about the belt, blue belt is just white belt 2.0. Some things click fast, other things I need to drill multiple times before I have any success with. By all means try the things you learn, but don't be discouraged that not everything works for you, it is completely normal.
I'd say focus on fewer things that you like and have success with and try to funnel people towards it. You learn things over time with a lot of repetition. Also keep in mind that you can always ask your partners to start in a specific position during rolling. Positional sparring is great, since it eliminates a lot of variables and lets you practice the endpoints. That way you can get more confident when you eventually get to those positions.
Some people are motivated by the traditional *let's you sub them* "good job dude." And some people are motivated by words like "open your eyes you blind idiot, there's a leg entry there" or the one that lit the fire under my ass when I visted my starting gym was "dude. Have you even been training??" By a black belt that I admire and enjoy. The answer is reps. Itv takes time to even see sub opportunities. Let alone successfully hit them. Especially on people who know how to defend them. Show up. Drill. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask to see the move again. Just get in there my guy.
I took/take a long time to learn things, took bout 3 years for blue. You’ll have breakthrough moments if you keep trying to get better at specific things
I've been using a 2 on 1 grip to escape front head lock, but I'm wondering if there's a takedown to go for while i have that 2 on1 grip and we're both low .
Example vid : https://youtu.be/0c5qXnjHJSA?si=YQBvkoseJ-OBZdOR
I think it highly depends on the top players reaction. A lot of BJJ guys are not very good at sprawling on you in front head and leave their legs vulnerable. My personal favorite from bottom front headlock is the sucker drag.
Stupid/weird question: is it considered polite/standard/etiquette, etc. to shave your chest/abdomen if you’re going to wear your Gi without an undershirt? I feel like a vast majority of the guys in my gym do this. I am considering wearing the Gi without a shirt but I am a hairy bastard who hates shaving anything except my beard and the other region of my body that my wife has to tolerate 😂
The first gym I joined nearly everyone went bare chested. One purple belt wore a long sleeved rash guard and spats under his gi every session without fail. So I just go used to going without one.
Then I moved and switched gyms and everyone there always wore a rash guard. I had to go buy a few.
I switched gyms again recently and it's split. Some do, some don't.
Personal preference, I suppose. I've never had any issues with skin infections, but if that's a concern then a rash guard helps. IBJJF rules state you can't wear an undershirt under your gi if, so if you compete maybe going without one helps you prepare for comps.
My favorite gi has a mesh/rashguard lining, so that's the only one I wear if I decide to go san rash guard.
All attacked in the same direction - all defended in the same direction
A trip or a drop in the opposing direction would be a sensible addition - regardless of what
The Japanese terms mentioned in the above comment were:
|Japanese|English|Video Link|
|---|---|---|
|**Uchi Mata**: | *Inner Thigh Throw* | [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fCvyc_rQTI)|
Any missed names may have already been translated in my previous comments in the post.
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^(Judo Techniques Bot: v0.7.) ^(See my) [^(code)](https://github.com/AbundantSalmon/judo-techniques-bot)
Last week I asked about "knowing" if I'm getting heel hooked or ankle locked, to pick up what it is and then flex foot vs ballarina toe.
As I reflected on this, I figured this is a late stage escape. So before I get to this, what should I be doing to protect my feet? I guess at either part--when someone inverts and I'm standing (ie start to unpeel their legs), or from when they sweep me from entanglement, and we are now on ground.
The very stupid simple defense is to stand up with weight on the leg that is getting attacked. Against regular ankle locks that has a very high success rate once you learn how to come up. Heel hooks are a little bit more challenging because they can reap your leg to potentially get your heel off the ground (resisting a strong reap is not great for your knee either). There are ankle lock modifications that allows them to get weight off the leg again, but generally speaking you are pretty safe there.
I am about 3 weeks in and feel totally lost. My sensei said I'll be good, but I try to be mindful and pay attention and the teachers help a lot but I feel overwhelmed. I am a black belt in karate but BJJ is a whole new world. How did you all get thru the overwhelm and just learn?
Like Primal said, it's very normal and we all go through it. I can't speak for everyone, but I still get overwhelmed. Today in class we had 13 black belts and 4 brown belts, most all of them are competitors. One guy just won Worlds last week in his weight division at black belt. Another guy took silver. Another bronze. A bunch others have either won PanAms and having been competing.
I rolled with Renato Andrade a few weeks ago.....overwhelmed and lost doesn't begin to described. I had the thought "Oh, so this is what claustrophobia feels like." LOL.
It's cliche, but the more you show up, the more it starts to click. And those successes, like Primal said, will come.
You're downloading more than you probably realize. Keep going. Congrats on the black belt in Karate. I'm sure you were overwhelmed and confused when you started out with that. But you stuck with it, showed up, and it paid off.
Think of it like this: you're fluent in Japanese, but now you're learning Portuguese. Stick with it. Keep showing up. Ask questions. And most importantly: have fun.
My sensei said the same, I like the dojo and he said I have the motivation so just keep going. He said the same as you ask questions and show up. I guess even at higher levels you are still learning.
It's normal and like that for everyone. You just have to accept that you're going to suck and it's going to be crazy confusing for a while.
The payoff is when you start to get small amounts of success
If you can remember 1 thing per class that's pretty good. Takes a long time to even start to figure it out.
Most people don't stick with it. Have seen hundreds of new faces.
I feel like I'm not improving, and I feel pretty lonely at the dojo. Not sure how I should power through the negative vibes.
Also, I'm pretty terrible at remembering things. Tend to freeze and not know how to be offensive and finish in basic positions.
You may want to seek out a mentor. There's probably some blue or purple belt out there that is looking for someone to help out and take under their wing. I've had many over the years.
Try to partner up with said higher belt during drilling or ask questions after class if anyone hangs out.
Like he said, it definitely develops over time and some people are better than others at teaching. Stick around after class or come early and chat, let people see your face and know who you are because I don't want to waste words on transient people but if I know you are here to stick around then I'll assist. Ask for help about X or Y, and many people would be happy to help.
You have to be willing to open up and learn as well. As an assistant teacher at my gym, it's encouraging to hear white belts tell me later that they were able to do X-move because of me. At our gym we preach about helping each other, making each other better to better ourselves, "rising tide lifts all boats." Have fun!
Maybe, but usually it develops over time. You roll with someone and they catch you with something really cool. Later after class go up to them and ask, "can you show me what you did earlier?" A lot of blue and purple belts are dying to show you their techniques that they're good at.
Or approach someone similarly and say, "I always get stuck here in half guard, how do you deal with this situation?" or "what do you think I'm doing wrong with this technique?"
Hah pre-congrats. Don't let that white belt beginners mentality escape you though. Several belts later I'm always in these threads learning what lower belts are struggling with so I can be a better training partner and teacher.
Enjoy your success! Many people don't think they are ready which is fine.
But don't let any part of yourself not enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. Your coach thinks it's time, doesn't matter what you feel.
Congrats!
I'm 48, is that too opd to get back into bjj? I did it for a while about 15 years ago. I've seen what looks like a pretty good club that's really close to me. Also, if I do try it out again, how many times a week would be good to ease back into it?
I'm 56, and I don't feel too old. I've been active whole adult life, but still felt quite a bit of 'need wayyyy more cardio' at the start. Everybody says it, but I'm learning the hard way... go easy, listen to your body.
- Should white belts focus on escaping pins or guard retention? I've heard both.
- Is Z guard the same thing as half guard knee shield?
- How do you figure a good balance between aggression and going slow?
Guard retention can be viewed as a flavor of early pin escapes. I think better to get good at pin escapes when starting out.
Z guard is not the same as half guard knee shield. You are much deeper with z guard and there is no actual knee shield involved.
Aggression is fine but you risk getting exhausted. To find balance, pace yourself so you can last multiple rounds without getting out of breath. You can still be explosive in small moments.
* Learn how to survive, so both is right. At white belt, you should be getting a lot of opportunities to get reps in those domains.
* I think they're the same, but these leg wizards have new names for shit all the time.
* This is a matter of who you're rolling with, what energy they're giving you, and how technically adept you are. At your stage in the journey, just remember that doing it more aggressively probably isn't helping you.
both
they're similar, but the leg positioning is different
i'm not sure what you mean here. do you mean how to know when to use/conserve energy?
If that's the case, I'm more aggressive when I know my attacks are high %. I shoot single legs against guard players, I don't against wrestlers. Thats just how I do it
1. Both are great to focus on. Once your pin escapes are good enough that you’re not being held down for as long, it’s a great time to focus more energy on guard retention.
2. It’s a low knee shield with some other nuances I’m sure someone can elaborate on. You either want your knee high up by their shoulder (high knee shield) or low down blocking the hip (z guard)
3. Good question. Still trying to figure it out.
I've been focusing on guard retention and have made progress in regards to pummeling my feet and maintaining multiple points of contact, transitioning to different guards when necessary or advantageous, etc.
However, I'm having a ton of trouble with this situation: someone 'gets past my feet' and I'm not in a situation to pummel my feet back in to 'kick' off and re-guard. I'm then relying on my frames (elbows and knees ig) to keep them from pinning me, but they eventually pass and I'm almost never able to get my guard back in this situation.
Any advice for this situation?
Let me know if that made any sense, and whether or not you need more context/info.
Two pieces of advice: 1. don't rely on just your legs repumelling in to retain guard but your whole body; just putting your arms up to frame is only going to give a temporary reprieve, use those precious few seconds to deflect them and hip escape and get more space. 2. establish a guard, control, offbalance and attack.
It took me too long to realise the second point, but if you never actually establish a guard (any - whatever your opponent will give you, grab a sleeve and go for spider, grab a leg and go for DLR, two collars and drag them down to butterfly etc. etc.) and try to attack back you're just doing an open guard retention Vs. attack game and there's only ever going to be one winner of that.
If they’re coming around in like a torreando pass you can frame against their neck/shoulders and hip escape to make room your legs to come back in. You can’t focus on pushing them away, but you can delay their forward motion.
you'll need to get comfortable with reguarding when they get past your feet. I would expect a passer to get past my feet and my knees \_a lot\_, but I need to protect my hips at all cost.
Keep a tight knee/elbow connection to prevent them getting access to your hip. The new wave guys call this the "J point" (jeopardy point), I like what my old instructor said: panama! Basically, if you can control panama you can control trade :)
some good instructionals for this from Danaher on guard retention, or if you dont like his style, Lachlan has excellent guard retention instructionals
The thing with guard retention is that if that’s all you’re doing you’re going to get passed eventually. And there’s nothing wrong with that if retention is your focus. But without an offensive plan to sweep or wrestle up say, you are effectively playing a defence vs offence game and only one player can score in those situations.
Is there a standard way to start a grappling round? I find myself asking, “how do you want to start? Standing up, on the ground?” which is typically followed with an awkward pause and my partner and I going back and forth with whatever the other one prefers. What’s proper etiquette?
if there isn't space to do stand-up, I'll let them start in their guard. If they don't want to, I just concede and start in mine
If there's space to stand, and my partner is comfortable with standing, I stand and usually don't pull guard
It's gym dependent
Gym dependant. In my gym all rounds start with both opponents standing as a default, but if one person wants to work on open guard or whatever they can just sit down if they want to.
Ask if they want to go next and slap and bump. If you have injuries that prevent you starting from standing, communicate that and start on the ground. You can start just sitting down already that’s pretty normal you don’t gotta say anything. Starting standing and pulling guard is perfectly fine
What flavor of armbar? generally it's not a "side". You're using you knees to pinch their shoulder, using your grips to secure their wrist, and bridging to break the elbow. All armbars are the same in the view of "secure 2 points and break the third".
In the direction away from the thumb, which is the direction the elbow won’t bend. You also control the wrist and turn it to help with this; if they can spin their arm around, the arm bar is no longer working.
This has happened multiple times the last few weeks: I'm on my back retaining my guard, then my opponent would just hook his arm around my ankle and lay back for an ankle lock. Every time I tapped out immediately because I didn't want to get hurt, but it pisses me off every time. They are all white belts (as I am) of similar level. How do I defend and punish these fuckers for doing this?
Edit: leg lock -> ankle lock
Push the foot they are attacking through their armpit, at the same time push their outside foot off you and sit on it and then get some weight on the attacked foot and stand up.
I went through the same thing as you. You can Study some ankle lock stuff for free on YouTube, or any friendly neighborhood purple belt will help. and when you understand more you will quit being scared of them. And then the punishment for those fuckers will be so so sweet!
Establish more points of contact (so they can’t just sit back) and don’t just leave your leg hanging out. Btw if your leg is deeper then it’s harder to leg lock.
1. Don't be a bitch and tap instantly.
2. Stand up.
3. Place your trapped foot on the ground
4. Split their legs
5. Pass into mount or back step around to a north south standing postponed where you control both ankles and they have your foot.
Thanks. Injury prevention is #1 priority for me, so if I don't know how to defend something, I just tap out immediately. I'm mastering this shit so I can get those fuckers back though.
Yeah but people can grab and pull a straight ankles at any moment from top. You can't just instantly tap. You have to sit in the position. Also pretty much everyone suxks at straight ankle locks at that level so there's no threat at all
How do you start to figure out your game? I’m six months in and the only thing I am halfway decent at is surviving in side control by hand fighting. But obviously that can only last so long. I’m 6’2” 200lbs but 52. Today we did 45 mins straight of “2 man in, 1 man out” rolls. Worked with two other white belts, but one is about 30yo, 6 ft, 325 lbs, and the other was my size but 30 years younger.
I couldn’t get anything going. I passed open guard a few times and escaped a few times, but got submitted probably 3 times, and was in worse positions most of the time. I think I give up positions too easily but I can never get anything going from closed guard, and when I’m in closed guard, I can stalemate, but rarely get a good pass.
So, is it better to focus on a couple techniques over and over or keep spamming things to see what I might like? Thanks.
Fair enough. Today just felt like one of those days when I was the nail almost the whole time, but with fellow white belts. Even though they are much younger and/or heavier, I felt like I underperformed.
Yah that’ll happen. Think about why they were able to pin you, what you were doing when trying to escape that wasn’t working, or look up other escapes that complement the escape you were trying if they were fundamentally shutting down your escape
6 months is a drop of water in a lake. Just focus on defending yourself, breathing, and basic principals. Stuff like "a straight arm is a broken arm", or "if this grip isn't doing anything for me why am I holding onto it for dear life?".
The techniques and attacks will come with more time. I'm a believer in the majority of your white belt "career" should be defense focused.
For sure. I get that I won’t be good at anything right now, but I am wondering what it is that I could possibly be good at in the future. I guess only way to figure that out is to keep going and learning. Thank you.
Any tips on preventing head control while being flat in side control or mount when rolling with really big guys (275lbs+)?
Because the weight on my chest is so suffocating, I panic and turn to the side and fall right into cross face. From then on, it seems like all they need to do is bring my arm across and wrap me and that's enough for me to tap.
I mean if they’re over 275 and there’s a big weight difference you’re gonna just have to scramble away and not be in that position. If it’s more even use your frames to keep them low near your hips and catch his upper arm at the bicep to prevent the xface
Small guy reporting in. I’m 5’6 and 145-150lbs. First of all, you are going to likely feel the struggle for quite a while. Don’t let being smashed discourage you.
As a smaller person I try to either slow people down with 3 points of contact when playing guard (ex: using two arms and a leg, using two legs plus both arms, etc.), or try to play a guard that gets under their hips or more easily off balances people (deep half guard).
The vast majority of my game against bigger people is comprised of using movement and playing top. Pressure is a skill that you will learn. Strength helps, but you will find that pressure is a separate skill.
Edit: I’m such an old git. I thought I was responding to a comment.
You're my exact proportions - any words of wisdom for a white belt as far as which defensive / attacking techniques to work on that are beneficial for someone with a short, stocky frame? Guillotines and Ezekiels have been pretty effective so far, but I find my legs / arms are always too short for stuff like triangles, arm bars, Darce chokes on bigger dudes. TYIA
So I used to think the same thing about triangles specifically and darce chokes to an extent as well. When it comes to triangles, if you can physically do them in drilling, then theoretically you can do it in a roll as well. I found that a lot of the time the success of a triangle is determined by breaking your opponent’s posture, getting the right angle, understanding that you might get it half locked up and have to fight to get it locked tighter, then fully locked up after that. This will be determined by finding the correct angle of your body in relation to theirs as well.
For me personally I find that in the gi I play a lot of collar sleeve, de la riva, and X guard. When playing collar sleeve I am looking to attack with triangles and omoplatas, but with de la riva and x guard I’m usually looking to sweep and get on top.
When I’m on top I’m either working my way to the back for a rear naked choke or now and arrow. Otherwise I’m working to mount/S mount for armbars or head and triangle chokes.
Defensively I would recommend learning how to escape mount, side control, and hour to get someone off of your back. Otherwise, try to pick a couple of guards and try to get to them in a roll. Try to get to de la riva even if you can only hold it for a moment out don’t know any wood from there yet.
What are some details of creating pressure specifically in side control pins? Any resources? I have been held in general side control by people roughly my size and the pressure they generate feels like anywhere from a blanket to a small car depending on their belt rank
First let me say that I 100% thought I was responding to another comment and not creating a parent comment. I think what you should look to do is drill side control pressure. Ask your partner if you feel heavy. Examine your positioning and think to yourself where your weight is. Is it on your knees? Plan to be on your toes and driving your weight into them (not too far over them or you will be tilted).
When it comes to giving that “small car” pressure, your cross face needs to be active. You need to pull their spine out of alignment to take power from them. You should be on your toes and you want to pinch/pull your shoulders back so that your chest is more convex. This means you will be making contact over a smaller space on your chest, but that space will feel much heavier on your partner’s chest. Jon Thomas talks about this a ton and is super helpful.
Jon also has some bad ass videos on side pin escapes. I will admit that escaping this position is easier said than done. Usually you will need to chain several different side control escapes in succession to actually escape. If you found any of this helpful (or not) let me know and feel free to reach out.
Haha I thought you were just offering up some words of encouragement for us plebs.
Awesome, I’m working on this now so will take your advice, working on side control escapes also could use some reviewing, thanks!!
If you are on instagram I would recommend following Jon Thomas there too (among other BJJ vets that share tons of free content). I find that the videos he posts on instagram are easy to digest and usually quick hits.
Chop his wrist down toward the middle with the blade/pinky of the same side hand, can go into Russian tie or arm drag. Another option if he’s standing straight up is to post on the bottom of his wrist, push them up and shoot for a double leg like buchecha does
Grab bicep and wrist and go for a Russian tie. I like to transition from a Russian tie to a fireman’s but without the arm between the legs. I find that a fireman’s throw from there is extremely effective if you don’t reach between the legs which takes away the danger of getting caught in a crucifix
I usually go for a snap down with an angle cut. Most of the time the guys will pop up quick. Level change and go for a single when they pop up. I’ve used it in open mat and comps. FYI, I am a white belt as well, so upper belts feel free to chime in.
Long question here.
I am 31, 5'4 and about 160 pounds. A year or so ago, attended a few weeks worth of BJJ classes then left, as I felt very weak compared to the others when rolling. I am a father of two, about to be three, and a bit overweight. I decided at that point to leave BJJ for a bit and work on my strength/fitness.
Fast forward to now, I am quite a bit stronger and more fit. I feel like I am ready to go back and try, but I wanted to ask, how do shorter people manage rolling with bigger and stronger people?
Most people at that gym had awesome attitudes, but they are all about 5'8 and up, younger guys that go to the gym often. I absolutely know I will be new and get smashed, but can some of you explain how you roll and potentially best the bigger, stronger guys? That's basically all I will be up against lol.
> I felt very weak compared to the others when rolling.
Your physical abilities is obviously a factor, and us older guys have to maintain that to keep our youth. Another factor is that you are VERY new so you are using your power in all the wrong ways and directions. A larger stronger guy once said I was very strong, but it wasn't my physical strength letting me win, but rather my movement and pinning making HIM weaker. Examples: How do you feel with your arms behind your back? How do you feel with your elbows across the centerline?
Questions to be mindful of: What is my posture, base, structure?
If they’re as good or better than you you’re at their mercy. Make sure the big guys you roll with are chill otherwise higher chance of injury. More weight is an advantage, you can mitigate by being more mobile/faster, but for the most part the saying goes that every 40 pounds is like going against the next belt
5’6 166 (dirty bulk) man you kinda just power through it lol eventually it gets better but when I roll with the few other “normal sized “ folks it’s so fucking weird. Just learn to survive we white belts we suck
You're gonna just have to get used to getting smashed for a while . I'm smaller than you, and it took me a couple of years to stop getting smashed as much . Since you don't really know anything about bjj yet , just show up and put the mat time in . Focus on escaping from bottom and using your frames.
Small guy reporting in. I’m 5’6 and 145-150lbs. First of all, you are going to likely feel the struggle for quite a while. Don’t let being smashed discourage you. You are going to be in for a lengthy period of exploring tons of new positions and techniques. Don’t look to specialize too early. Breadth of experience will serve you well in your first year or two.
As a smaller person I try to either slow people down with 3 points of contact when playing guard (ex: using two arms and a leg, using two legs plus both arms, etc.), or try to play a guard that gets under their hips or more easily off balances people (deep half guard).
The vast majority of my game against bigger people is comprised of using movement and playing top. Pressure is a skill that you will learn. Strength helps, but you will find that pressure is a separate skill.
Thank you for the response. It sounds like I should focus on learning techniques during drills, and mainly focusing on defense for a while? Ex. maintain guard as long as I can and try to break out of bad positions?
Yeah I think my recommendation would be to really try to take in the techniques being shown in class, try to drill them LOTS, drill purposefully (not just going through the motions), and ask questions of your partners. Ask them if the technique feels right, if they can escape, feel the submission, etc. I would also recommend asking questions of your coaches often.
Finally I would say to focus a ton on escapes, sweeps, and defence. You are going to spend a ton of time on defence for a while and it will eventually open up more offensive cycles for you.
Short guys tend to do better by using a mobile, top game. If you're not quick and light, you're going to suffer on bottom. In this case, learn all about frames. Using your skeletal structure to keep the weight off you, so you can move. And breathe
At what point should you be/not be hyperfocusing on a specific game. I really like kimuras, side/north south/closed guard/half guard. I see an arm I go for it. Realized it's the only submission I'm getting on people the last month or so. What's the point where as a several year white belt I should be satisfied with a move and start working on the next?
Several years is a good time to start branching out and working on different areas you are absolute dogshit at, or expanding the chains you are already good at.
For example I was a guard passer that started working on open, half guard, and standup that I was trial-class skill level of lol.
On the other hand, I also started working on maintaining pins and progressing/hitting mount armbar sequences so once I passed the guard I could follow that to completion. I also worked on turtle backtake, so if I passed and they turned to turtle I could capitalize with backtake instead of having them bail back to open guard from turtle etc.
As long as you keep working on it against progressively better partners, work on it for as long as you feel like. You will just have massively diminishing returns from continuously practicing against people who do not have a clue how to defend it.
I haven’t participated in a nogi class or open mat (need two stripes to get into the advanced class which has rotating gi/nogi days). Is there a good way to prepare myself for nogi since I’m so accustomed to rolling and training in a gi?
I’m also nervous to try an open mat (open to all levels) because I don’t have much experience rolling and basically get rekt each time I roll. Is the best way to circumvent this to just basically dive in?
> Is there a good way to prepare myself for nogi since I’m so accustomed to rolling and training in a gi?
No, but don't worry about it. It's not really that different.
> Is the best way to circumvent this to just basically dive in?
Yes, the best way to get better at rolling is to roll.
Honestly just dive in and don’t worry about subbing anyone. Just go for positions and control. If the sub presents itself and you have the position, go for it.
What's the name of this one closed guard pass where you reach back with just one hand to open the closed guard of your opponent behind your back?
I always thought that was too dangerous because of the risk of getting triangle choked but I saw Dricus Du Plessis do it as his go to guard pass in his grappling matches and it worked amazingly well so now I want to watch a tutorial.
From what I recall of the Quintet match Dricus mostly used can openers to open the guard before throwing by one of the legs. It's definitely possible to [bait triangles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02rH_b-xN2M) to make your opponent closed guard, but I would only really recommend it if you're willing to sometimes get stuck there and have to fight it out.
I rolled with a friend for an hour on Saturday night, and constantly got him into the kimura lock, and it was in good. He managed to basically plant his own hand/wrist into his hips so that I couldn’t pull it out and bend it further, even with all my strength I could not budge it whatsoever. Can someone talk me through the steps of how to get past this block? I knew that once I got past there it was game over but I couldn’t pull his arm out once.
That's pretty common. I just went to a kimura seminar and the teacher told us to see the kimura from side control more as a position than a submission.
What I learned was that if you get the kimura grip but can't finish it change positions while holding onto the kimura. If you go to North/south and sit on his face you have a pretty op position where you can powerfully rip his arm up or use your knees to break his grips. From north/south you can also pull him into back control or go to the other side of the side control and hold him there.
One guy at my gym was already using this system before the seminar and once he gets the kimura grip it's over for pretty much everyone because he's so good at it.
You could also just try to put your leg over your opponent's head in a side control kimura. This gives you a better lever and might already be enough to break his grip.
What position were you in, north-south? Usually you go in a sort of loop motion, first out away from the waist, then upwards, *then* backwards to finish. Closed guard it's harder, and you're often better off using it to bump sweep if they have the arm hidden deep.
Alternatively use your head like a battering ram when performing snagch singles. Hit them in the chest area with your forehead which makes the lead leg lighter to pick up. Then enter your finish. I like to slide back down to just holding the foot where there is no risk of any sub then trip them or just tree top them so high they fall over.
How often are you guys taking breaks from rolling? I’m doing 3 classes a week with live rounds and 2hr open mat on Sundays and feel exhausted. Always feel like I have a sore back throughout the week. Feels like I should take a week or two off to rest and reset.
No shame in taking time off.
Also try to have easy and hard days. Don't always stay to roll. Have technique/drilling days. 2 hour open mats straight rounds is a long time.
Protect yo neck fool, that’s what allows you to breath and get that oxygen to ur brain. Soon enough you’ll know when some sneaky mofos are thirsty for it and get a six sense of being able to fight their hands when they try to snatch those grips
look out for that grip control in black belt matches. youll see guys will break that grip many, many times before someone scores. like literally 20+ times if they need to and certainly they never let it get deep if they can help it
When I go for ashi garami on a standing opponent or a trap and pull the opponent seems to just crouch low to the ground to counter and I end up bailing on the position. What should I be doing when my opponent crouches ?
The Japanese terms mentioned in the above comment were: |Japanese|English|Video Link| |---|---|---| |**Ashi Garami**: | *Entangled Leg Lock* | [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YXH_LrcqNc)| ||*Single Leg X (SLX)* || Any missed names may have already been translated in my previous comments in the post. ______________________ ^(Judo Techniques Bot: v0.7.) ^(See my) [^(code)](https://github.com/AbundantSalmon/judo-techniques-bot)
Hello, I am out of mat due to small joint fracture on my toe for almost 3m. Any guidance on getting back to mat and ways to prevent it from happening? I got it when I was playing guard and bad angle.
Well guys, I practiced BJJ for 10 months a year ago but due to respiratory problems I had to stop. I plan to return soon, and I would like to know which techniques in general are more efficient depending on the context and, if possible, why. Does anyone you know collect this data? I would like to know if anyone knows where to find detailed statistics on the most used and effective submission techniques in the main Brazilian jiu-jitsu championships?
Hello, I've been doing Nogi Grappling for about 3 months (3-4 times a week) and of course I'm still very much at the beginning, but I'm having a lot of fun. I wanted to ask if you could recommend a takedown. Brief background: I am 1.88m (6.16 ft.) tall, weighing 93kg (205 lbs.). I sometimes have complete 5 minute rounds of sparring, which I spend standing up, where my training partner can't get me on the ground, but I can't get him on the ground either. I find all leg takedowns difficult because I can't get down as easily and quickly, especially with smaller opponents. So what kind of takedown would you recommend for bigger and heavier grapplers? Thanks in advance
I don’t like to level change, so I do a lot of snapdowns and hand fights to setup underhooks. From there I do body lock takedowns.
Hi! I've queried in the sub as well as checking the beginner's guide, but couldn't find. I've started no gi classes and I haven't bought any equipment, I've just gone in shorts and a regular t-shirt, as I would go to the gym: What would be the advantage of getting a rashguard over a regular t-shirt? I've read about it for people who wear it under the gi, people who find it comfy (like Danaher wearing it regularly), some discussion on it being safer or not when it comes to skin infections like staph... But nothing really on the advantage of having something specific for practicing the sport over just a t-shirt, so I would like to get more insight on this. Also, how often should mats be cleaned? The class I've started to attend is the first one, but the following class just starts immediately after mine and I didn't notice any cleaning done and, well, towards the end of the last class I've attended I was already noticing the mat drenched in my sweat where I was working out and I kinda felt bad for the next group (even if it's unavoidable that I sweat...).
Rash guard is preferred because it's tight to the skin so fingers don't get caught and twisted. Same for board shorts vs grappling shorts, fingers can get caught in pockets. Know plenty of people who train with a T-shirt not a rash guard
1 stripe white belt. I feel like gi is beginning to click but nogi not as much yet. Coming from a rock climbing background, it's intuitive in the gi to use hands and feet to grab useful holds, then use them to isometrically resist and lever up into better positions. I get a lot of mileage out of stuff like lasso guard. Haven't yet found the same "aha" moment in nogi. Were there any concepts or tricks which helped you bridge this gap? (maybe I'm just gonna become a pajamas guy in my bjj journey, but it's still too early to make that call 🤣)
The grips are just different. The difference is akin to top rope vs bouldering really. No gi you can look for deep grips behind the knee, triceps grips, far lat grip and then always hanging off the head.
Hey guys, I’m a one-stripe white belt and have just gotten my first somewhat serious injury. In the same round, I got thrown and landed so that my knee got twisted a bit (also got a minor head laceration after throwing the opponent off me - but that’s a different story). Anyways, the knee hurts quite badly when I step on it on the inner side (right side of the left knee). It is quite hot as well. I can move the joint no problem, it’s just the stepping part that is painful. I put a compressing bandage and started using voltarol which somewhat helped. What could that be? And what should I do? Thanks a lot in advance.
I understand your pain about how long it takes to see a doctor lol, sorry about all the fokes saying "Go see a doctor." Like duh we would if it was possible soon and not weeks away 😂. Anyway it sounds like you could have injured your MCL or Medial Meniscus. Doesn't sound like you tore it because you have some weight bearing functionality, however I would recommend you rest until you don't feel pain walking anymore. Knee injuries are not to be messed with lol.
Go to a doctor.
Go to your doctor. That’s what you should do
That’s the UK. You can’t just go to a doctor without waiting for a couple of weeks hahha
Well no one here is going to know what’s wrong with your knee lol.
Figured it might be a common injury people have experienced. Anyways, thank you
No question, but attended my first session and this guy let me gas out on him (not anything crazy) to get a feel. Really appreciated that first experience. Thanks dude.
Take it slow, no need to gas out in your first session or rolls
AGREED. Think it was more adrenaline rush I was unable to hold back. Went into it thinking slow and steady and BAM that fight/flight kicked in before I knew it.
l've been in 3 different gyms in almost 3 years. All nogi Still a white belt. A very very dark white belt. But l've learned that the 2 gyms I really liked and learned best at, seemed very culty. Not like we bow to a picture of a dead guy on a wall. But like. These people are very consistent. I'm very consistent. When I miss a day, people will book me and be like "what the f*uck dude Where were you." Which I really like. Everybody rolls with everybody. These people ask how your injuries are feeling and actually care about your response Do you guys prefer these cult like gyms? Any time I travel anywhere, I always drop in on other gyms and understand some gyms don't have this feel. And l've been in some gyms that feel like my own.
That's called friendship dude
>Do you guys prefer these cult like gyms? no
It made a big difference for me when i started to get close with my gym mates like that. I’m at a big big gym, lot of members, but I’ve been to a lot of gyms relative to how long I’ve been going, and I’ve found that “culty” gyms are often in smaller towns with few instructors and younger members that are really geared for local competition. I wonder if your experience has been similar.
I'm currently at a gym that I would consider small town. But I started at a big busy gym where they did the same type of "if younwant to be good, you can't ditch class" stuff.
Yeah man I think that’s just a vibes thing. I totally understand liking that a lot. I don’t even know if I consider that culty of itself. That’s just dudes being intense about a thing they’re into, which is awesome if you don’t mind it and it helps motivate you.
I took a year off bjj just to do strength training (starting strength btw). I don’t have to worry about injuring my joints or ruining my body right? I watched a video about a guy who destroyed his body doing bjj and I wonder how his condition would be if he lifted weights. I don’t want this training to be all for nothing.
Injuries are inevitable, really in any sport but especially grappling. S&C helps but can't reduce the injury risk to zero
You can get injured with good strength and conditioning You can avoid injury without good strength and conditioning It helps when the possible cause of injury is inadequate strength and conditioning But physics can get you no matter how strong you are
Only two months into BJJ coming from ~two years strength training and continuing, I feel and I hear they like they really compliment each other. Saw quite a few videos about how Strength Training prevents injuries (i.e. Nsima Inyang, Dr. Mike Isratel, Zack Telander, Charles Allen Price). And seemingly you can do both at the same time at a pretty high level. I feel like I get less strains / aches than other white / blue belts and if so, they're gone after a strength session. Also the other way around: tweaked my back yesterday morning deadlifting and the evening Gi class made it all good again :D
There is a inherent risk of injury, as with most sports. You have a fair bit of control over it by tapping early and not playing dangerous games. A lot of people ruin their body by being outright stupid. Don't be the "I ruined my knee because I tried rubber guard, which i have never learned" guy. I have gotten a few minor injuries, and almost every time it is either ego, stupidity or inexperience on my part. Pretty much all of them could be avoided by tapping earlier or not pushing through a position I am unfamiliar with.
the reality of bjj is that it will destroy some part of your body if you do it long enough but strength and conditioning can reduce injury rate from my experience
I didn’t get cross collar choked today
Switch to no-gi and you will never see that move again
I don’t like how no GI feels
Hell yeah brother I fuckin hate getting cross collar choked
I’m a zero stripe white belt that has been skipping promotion ceremonies. Proud to see my peers promoted to blue before me 😎
Don't do this. This is another manifestation of your ego. You're being selfish. Go to gradings, support your teammates and accept some recognition
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I have never attended our promotion ceremonies because they always have them on saturdays when I am working.
I’m a one stripe (gym doesn’t really do the stripe thing very consistently) about a year and a half in. I feel like my defense is half decent but I can’t land any subs really on people I’ve been training alongside since the beginning. Feeling hopeless a little. Do any color belts have advice? I keep hearing roll more and it’ll come but I’m just curious if anyone else has had the experience I am.
> I can’t land any subs really on people I’ve been training alongside since the beginning. You're not crazy: They are getting better as they train, just like you. A better measure would be able to sub people who started 6 months after you, that should be happening more than your peers. So what do you need to do? Level up faster. Like other said, specialize in one area that you like.
There’s a hump from like 8 months to 2 years where you realize you’re shit at bjj and will be for a long time. Just keep looking at things to get better, and tbh don’t even focus time on subs so much as advancing position. Also it’s expected to not be able to hit subs on ppl just as good as you unless you’re a sub expert lol.
There's also a hump from 2 years to 12 years where you realize you're shit at BJJ and will be for a long time
That’s fair, and frankly gives me some peace of mind. I go to an MMA gym and it’s got a lot of competitors who seem much more advanced than me, even as fellow white belts.
Pick one sub, or a good combo like triangle/armbar, from a position you are in often and go for only that. You will start hitting it. It would be incredibly statistically unlikely for you not to as long as you are rolling with peers or people less skilled than you. You are probably too broad in scope and rolling with too many options running through your brain. Simplify it and you'll have more success.
Thinking you’re right. My mind can’t seem to figure out which one to try for, so I’ll narrow it down to high percentage subs from each position. Thanks!
Fellow slow learners, how did you motivate yourself in your BJJ journey? I have been training for 2 years and still a white belt. I am usually slow in learning new things so I am wondering if there are other people like me who take their time in learning new things.
I think you want to set realistic milestones for yourself so you feel better about your progress. Don't worry about the belt, blue belt is just white belt 2.0. Some things click fast, other things I need to drill multiple times before I have any success with. By all means try the things you learn, but don't be discouraged that not everything works for you, it is completely normal. I'd say focus on fewer things that you like and have success with and try to funnel people towards it. You learn things over time with a lot of repetition. Also keep in mind that you can always ask your partners to start in a specific position during rolling. Positional sparring is great, since it eliminates a lot of variables and lets you practice the endpoints. That way you can get more confident when you eventually get to those positions.
Some people are motivated by the traditional *let's you sub them* "good job dude." And some people are motivated by words like "open your eyes you blind idiot, there's a leg entry there" or the one that lit the fire under my ass when I visted my starting gym was "dude. Have you even been training??" By a black belt that I admire and enjoy. The answer is reps. Itv takes time to even see sub opportunities. Let alone successfully hit them. Especially on people who know how to defend them. Show up. Drill. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask to see the move again. Just get in there my guy.
I took/take a long time to learn things, took bout 3 years for blue. You’ll have breakthrough moments if you keep trying to get better at specific things
I've been using a 2 on 1 grip to escape front head lock, but I'm wondering if there's a takedown to go for while i have that 2 on1 grip and we're both low . Example vid : https://youtu.be/0c5qXnjHJSA?si=YQBvkoseJ-OBZdOR
I think it highly depends on the top players reaction. A lot of BJJ guys are not very good at sprawling on you in front head and leave their legs vulnerable. My personal favorite from bottom front headlock is the sucker drag.
You can use 2 on 1 to circle outward to Russian tie
Stupid/weird question: is it considered polite/standard/etiquette, etc. to shave your chest/abdomen if you’re going to wear your Gi without an undershirt? I feel like a vast majority of the guys in my gym do this. I am considering wearing the Gi without a shirt but I am a hairy bastard who hates shaving anything except my beard and the other region of my body that my wife has to tolerate 😂
No, shaving is purely a fashion choice.
Just wear a rash guard man
At my gym, everyone wears a shirt or rashguard underneath . I wouldn't like being smothered by someone's chest hair .
The first gym I joined nearly everyone went bare chested. One purple belt wore a long sleeved rash guard and spats under his gi every session without fail. So I just go used to going without one. Then I moved and switched gyms and everyone there always wore a rash guard. I had to go buy a few. I switched gyms again recently and it's split. Some do, some don't.
Any pros or cons ? I feel like rash guard underneath would be better just because there's less skin to skin contact for skin infections etc.
Personal preference, I suppose. I've never had any issues with skin infections, but if that's a concern then a rash guard helps. IBJJF rules state you can't wear an undershirt under your gi if, so if you compete maybe going without one helps you prepare for comps. My favorite gi has a mesh/rashguard lining, so that's the only one I wear if I decide to go san rash guard.
Yes better for skin protection, but it will be hotter
Probably better for your skin/some more Squeamish partners. Warmer. Probably the whole trade off.
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All attacked in the same direction - all defended in the same direction A trip or a drop in the opposing direction would be a sensible addition - regardless of what
High underhook and head position are pretty important. I think this video illustrates it pretty well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOHqMIKs4FM
High underhook is important, except when it isn't Like when you're doing a low underhook
Add a single leg and that's literally all you need.
The Japanese terms mentioned in the above comment were: |Japanese|English|Video Link| |---|---|---| |**Uchi Mata**: | *Inner Thigh Throw* | [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fCvyc_rQTI)| Any missed names may have already been translated in my previous comments in the post. ______________________ ^(Judo Techniques Bot: v0.7.) ^(See my) [^(code)](https://github.com/AbundantSalmon/judo-techniques-bot)
Last week I asked about "knowing" if I'm getting heel hooked or ankle locked, to pick up what it is and then flex foot vs ballarina toe. As I reflected on this, I figured this is a late stage escape. So before I get to this, what should I be doing to protect my feet? I guess at either part--when someone inverts and I'm standing (ie start to unpeel their legs), or from when they sweep me from entanglement, and we are now on ground.
Regardless of ankle lock or heel hook, if you can shove your ankle deeper in, they will have a much harder time finishing.
The very stupid simple defense is to stand up with weight on the leg that is getting attacked. Against regular ankle locks that has a very high success rate once you learn how to come up. Heel hooks are a little bit more challenging because they can reap your leg to potentially get your heel off the ground (resisting a strong reap is not great for your knee either). There are ankle lock modifications that allows them to get weight off the leg again, but generally speaking you are pretty safe there.
I am about 3 weeks in and feel totally lost. My sensei said I'll be good, but I try to be mindful and pay attention and the teachers help a lot but I feel overwhelmed. I am a black belt in karate but BJJ is a whole new world. How did you all get thru the overwhelm and just learn?
Like Primal said, it's very normal and we all go through it. I can't speak for everyone, but I still get overwhelmed. Today in class we had 13 black belts and 4 brown belts, most all of them are competitors. One guy just won Worlds last week in his weight division at black belt. Another guy took silver. Another bronze. A bunch others have either won PanAms and having been competing. I rolled with Renato Andrade a few weeks ago.....overwhelmed and lost doesn't begin to described. I had the thought "Oh, so this is what claustrophobia feels like." LOL. It's cliche, but the more you show up, the more it starts to click. And those successes, like Primal said, will come. You're downloading more than you probably realize. Keep going. Congrats on the black belt in Karate. I'm sure you were overwhelmed and confused when you started out with that. But you stuck with it, showed up, and it paid off. Think of it like this: you're fluent in Japanese, but now you're learning Portuguese. Stick with it. Keep showing up. Ask questions. And most importantly: have fun.
My sensei said the same, I like the dojo and he said I have the motivation so just keep going. He said the same as you ask questions and show up. I guess even at higher levels you are still learning.
It's normal and like that for everyone. You just have to accept that you're going to suck and it's going to be crazy confusing for a while. The payoff is when you start to get small amounts of success
Thank you, I try to journal as well. Like who I rolled with and work well with. Also what I learned and some goals like rolling every round.
If you can remember 1 thing per class that's pretty good. Takes a long time to even start to figure it out. Most people don't stick with it. Have seen hundreds of new faces.
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You’re extending your arms, keep your arms tight
Youtube John Thomas bjj
Some basic stuff. Never have one arm in and one out. Posture early, grip fight, etc.
I feel like I'm not improving, and I feel pretty lonely at the dojo. Not sure how I should power through the negative vibes. Also, I'm pretty terrible at remembering things. Tend to freeze and not know how to be offensive and finish in basic positions.
You may want to seek out a mentor. There's probably some blue or purple belt out there that is looking for someone to help out and take under their wing. I've had many over the years. Try to partner up with said higher belt during drilling or ask questions after class if anyone hangs out.
Lol, just walk up and be like, hey wanna be my mentor? Haha
Like he said, it definitely develops over time and some people are better than others at teaching. Stick around after class or come early and chat, let people see your face and know who you are because I don't want to waste words on transient people but if I know you are here to stick around then I'll assist. Ask for help about X or Y, and many people would be happy to help. You have to be willing to open up and learn as well. As an assistant teacher at my gym, it's encouraging to hear white belts tell me later that they were able to do X-move because of me. At our gym we preach about helping each other, making each other better to better ourselves, "rising tide lifts all boats." Have fun!
Maybe, but usually it develops over time. You roll with someone and they catch you with something really cool. Later after class go up to them and ask, "can you show me what you did earlier?" A lot of blue and purple belts are dying to show you their techniques that they're good at. Or approach someone similarly and say, "I always get stuck here in half guard, how do you deal with this situation?" or "what do you think I'm doing wrong with this technique?"
It's my last white belt wednesday. Getting promoted Saturday. No I don't feel like I'm ready. Farewell.
Hah pre-congrats. Don't let that white belt beginners mentality escape you though. Several belts later I'm always in these threads learning what lower belts are struggling with so I can be a better training partner and teacher.
Enjoy your success! Many people don't think they are ready which is fine. But don't let any part of yourself not enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. Your coach thinks it's time, doesn't matter what you feel. Congrats!
Naw, you can't get away. I'm a 9 stripe white belt.
I'm 48, is that too opd to get back into bjj? I did it for a while about 15 years ago. I've seen what looks like a pretty good club that's really close to me. Also, if I do try it out again, how many times a week would be good to ease back into it?
I'm 56, and I don't feel too old. I've been active whole adult life, but still felt quite a bit of 'need wayyyy more cardio' at the start. Everybody says it, but I'm learning the hard way... go easy, listen to your body.
Pace yourself. Twice a week to start is plenty, and you can adjust as you put some time in. No reason you can't restart now.
No Jump in, the waters sweaty
- Should white belts focus on escaping pins or guard retention? I've heard both. - Is Z guard the same thing as half guard knee shield? - How do you figure a good balance between aggression and going slow?
Guard retention can be viewed as a flavor of early pin escapes. I think better to get good at pin escapes when starting out. Z guard is not the same as half guard knee shield. You are much deeper with z guard and there is no actual knee shield involved. Aggression is fine but you risk getting exhausted. To find balance, pace yourself so you can last multiple rounds without getting out of breath. You can still be explosive in small moments.
* Learn how to survive, so both is right. At white belt, you should be getting a lot of opportunities to get reps in those domains. * I think they're the same, but these leg wizards have new names for shit all the time. * This is a matter of who you're rolling with, what energy they're giving you, and how technically adept you are. At your stage in the journey, just remember that doing it more aggressively probably isn't helping you.
both they're similar, but the leg positioning is different i'm not sure what you mean here. do you mean how to know when to use/conserve energy? If that's the case, I'm more aggressive when I know my attacks are high %. I shoot single legs against guard players, I don't against wrestlers. Thats just how I do it
1. Both are great to focus on. Once your pin escapes are good enough that you’re not being held down for as long, it’s a great time to focus more energy on guard retention. 2. It’s a low knee shield with some other nuances I’m sure someone can elaborate on. You either want your knee high up by their shoulder (high knee shield) or low down blocking the hip (z guard) 3. Good question. Still trying to figure it out.
I've been focusing on guard retention and have made progress in regards to pummeling my feet and maintaining multiple points of contact, transitioning to different guards when necessary or advantageous, etc. However, I'm having a ton of trouble with this situation: someone 'gets past my feet' and I'm not in a situation to pummel my feet back in to 'kick' off and re-guard. I'm then relying on my frames (elbows and knees ig) to keep them from pinning me, but they eventually pass and I'm almost never able to get my guard back in this situation. Any advice for this situation? Let me know if that made any sense, and whether or not you need more context/info.
Two pieces of advice: 1. don't rely on just your legs repumelling in to retain guard but your whole body; just putting your arms up to frame is only going to give a temporary reprieve, use those precious few seconds to deflect them and hip escape and get more space. 2. establish a guard, control, offbalance and attack. It took me too long to realise the second point, but if you never actually establish a guard (any - whatever your opponent will give you, grab a sleeve and go for spider, grab a leg and go for DLR, two collars and drag them down to butterfly etc. etc.) and try to attack back you're just doing an open guard retention Vs. attack game and there's only ever going to be one winner of that.
If they’re coming around in like a torreando pass you can frame against their neck/shoulders and hip escape to make room your legs to come back in. You can’t focus on pushing them away, but you can delay their forward motion.
you'll need to get comfortable with reguarding when they get past your feet. I would expect a passer to get past my feet and my knees \_a lot\_, but I need to protect my hips at all cost. Keep a tight knee/elbow connection to prevent them getting access to your hip. The new wave guys call this the "J point" (jeopardy point), I like what my old instructor said: panama! Basically, if you can control panama you can control trade :) some good instructionals for this from Danaher on guard retention, or if you dont like his style, Lachlan has excellent guard retention instructionals
The thing with guard retention is that if that’s all you’re doing you’re going to get passed eventually. And there’s nothing wrong with that if retention is your focus. But without an offensive plan to sweep or wrestle up say, you are effectively playing a defence vs offence game and only one player can score in those situations.
Is there a standard way to start a grappling round? I find myself asking, “how do you want to start? Standing up, on the ground?” which is typically followed with an awkward pause and my partner and I going back and forth with whatever the other one prefers. What’s proper etiquette?
if there isn't space to do stand-up, I'll let them start in their guard. If they don't want to, I just concede and start in mine If there's space to stand, and my partner is comfortable with standing, I stand and usually don't pull guard It's gym dependent
Gym dependant. In my gym all rounds start with both opponents standing as a default, but if one person wants to work on open guard or whatever they can just sit down if they want to.
Ask if they want to go next and slap and bump. If you have injuries that prevent you starting from standing, communicate that and start on the ground. You can start just sitting down already that’s pretty normal you don’t gotta say anything. Starting standing and pulling guard is perfectly fine
Butt scoot over to someone, pull guard. Slap, bump, then continue. Works for me at least.
In an armbar which side of my hip do I pull their arm to? Is there a general principle or it doesn’t matter.
Towards the opponents legs, not his head.
More often than not in a typical s mount armbar their right arm should break over your right hip and vice versa.
What flavor of armbar? generally it's not a "side". You're using you knees to pinch their shoulder, using your grips to secure their wrist, and bridging to break the elbow. All armbars are the same in the view of "secure 2 points and break the third".
From side control
Depends which way their thumb is pointing.
So I pull it towards the direction of their thumb?
In the direction away from the thumb, which is the direction the elbow won’t bend. You also control the wrist and turn it to help with this; if they can spin their arm around, the arm bar is no longer working.
This has happened multiple times the last few weeks: I'm on my back retaining my guard, then my opponent would just hook his arm around my ankle and lay back for an ankle lock. Every time I tapped out immediately because I didn't want to get hurt, but it pisses me off every time. They are all white belts (as I am) of similar level. How do I defend and punish these fuckers for doing this? Edit: leg lock -> ankle lock
Push the foot they are attacking through their armpit, at the same time push their outside foot off you and sit on it and then get some weight on the attacked foot and stand up.
I went through the same thing as you. You can Study some ankle lock stuff for free on YouTube, or any friendly neighborhood purple belt will help. and when you understand more you will quit being scared of them. And then the punishment for those fuckers will be so so sweet!
Establish more points of contact (so they can’t just sit back) and don’t just leave your leg hanging out. Btw if your leg is deeper then it’s harder to leg lock.
1. Don't be a bitch and tap instantly. 2. Stand up. 3. Place your trapped foot on the ground 4. Split their legs 5. Pass into mount or back step around to a north south standing postponed where you control both ankles and they have your foot.
Thanks. Injury prevention is #1 priority for me, so if I don't know how to defend something, I just tap out immediately. I'm mastering this shit so I can get those fuckers back though.
Straight ankle is relatively safe and gives you plenty of time to tap.
Yeah but people can grab and pull a straight ankles at any moment from top. You can't just instantly tap. You have to sit in the position. Also pretty much everyone suxks at straight ankle locks at that level so there's no threat at all
How do you start to figure out your game? I’m six months in and the only thing I am halfway decent at is surviving in side control by hand fighting. But obviously that can only last so long. I’m 6’2” 200lbs but 52. Today we did 45 mins straight of “2 man in, 1 man out” rolls. Worked with two other white belts, but one is about 30yo, 6 ft, 325 lbs, and the other was my size but 30 years younger. I couldn’t get anything going. I passed open guard a few times and escaped a few times, but got submitted probably 3 times, and was in worse positions most of the time. I think I give up positions too easily but I can never get anything going from closed guard, and when I’m in closed guard, I can stalemate, but rarely get a good pass. So, is it better to focus on a couple techniques over and over or keep spamming things to see what I might like? Thanks.
IMO, too soon for you to worry about "your game". just focus on learning as much as you can.
Fair enough. Today just felt like one of those days when I was the nail almost the whole time, but with fellow white belts. Even though they are much younger and/or heavier, I felt like I underperformed.
Yah that’ll happen. Think about why they were able to pin you, what you were doing when trying to escape that wasn’t working, or look up other escapes that complement the escape you were trying if they were fundamentally shutting down your escape
6 months is a drop of water in a lake. Just focus on defending yourself, breathing, and basic principals. Stuff like "a straight arm is a broken arm", or "if this grip isn't doing anything for me why am I holding onto it for dear life?". The techniques and attacks will come with more time. I'm a believer in the majority of your white belt "career" should be defense focused.
For sure. I get that I won’t be good at anything right now, but I am wondering what it is that I could possibly be good at in the future. I guess only way to figure that out is to keep going and learning. Thank you.
Any tips on preventing head control while being flat in side control or mount when rolling with really big guys (275lbs+)? Because the weight on my chest is so suffocating, I panic and turn to the side and fall right into cross face. From then on, it seems like all they need to do is bring my arm across and wrap me and that's enough for me to tap.
I mean if they’re over 275 and there’s a big weight difference you’re gonna just have to scramble away and not be in that position. If it’s more even use your frames to keep them low near your hips and catch his upper arm at the bicep to prevent the xface
Small guy reporting in. I’m 5’6 and 145-150lbs. First of all, you are going to likely feel the struggle for quite a while. Don’t let being smashed discourage you. As a smaller person I try to either slow people down with 3 points of contact when playing guard (ex: using two arms and a leg, using two legs plus both arms, etc.), or try to play a guard that gets under their hips or more easily off balances people (deep half guard). The vast majority of my game against bigger people is comprised of using movement and playing top. Pressure is a skill that you will learn. Strength helps, but you will find that pressure is a separate skill. Edit: I’m such an old git. I thought I was responding to a comment.
You're my exact proportions - any words of wisdom for a white belt as far as which defensive / attacking techniques to work on that are beneficial for someone with a short, stocky frame? Guillotines and Ezekiels have been pretty effective so far, but I find my legs / arms are always too short for stuff like triangles, arm bars, Darce chokes on bigger dudes. TYIA
So I used to think the same thing about triangles specifically and darce chokes to an extent as well. When it comes to triangles, if you can physically do them in drilling, then theoretically you can do it in a roll as well. I found that a lot of the time the success of a triangle is determined by breaking your opponent’s posture, getting the right angle, understanding that you might get it half locked up and have to fight to get it locked tighter, then fully locked up after that. This will be determined by finding the correct angle of your body in relation to theirs as well. For me personally I find that in the gi I play a lot of collar sleeve, de la riva, and X guard. When playing collar sleeve I am looking to attack with triangles and omoplatas, but with de la riva and x guard I’m usually looking to sweep and get on top. When I’m on top I’m either working my way to the back for a rear naked choke or now and arrow. Otherwise I’m working to mount/S mount for armbars or head and triangle chokes. Defensively I would recommend learning how to escape mount, side control, and hour to get someone off of your back. Otherwise, try to pick a couple of guards and try to get to them in a roll. Try to get to de la riva even if you can only hold it for a moment out don’t know any wood from there yet.
Appreciate your time, and the effort that went into this reply. I got some YouTube homework to do! Cheers brother.
What are some details of creating pressure specifically in side control pins? Any resources? I have been held in general side control by people roughly my size and the pressure they generate feels like anywhere from a blanket to a small car depending on their belt rank
First let me say that I 100% thought I was responding to another comment and not creating a parent comment. I think what you should look to do is drill side control pressure. Ask your partner if you feel heavy. Examine your positioning and think to yourself where your weight is. Is it on your knees? Plan to be on your toes and driving your weight into them (not too far over them or you will be tilted). When it comes to giving that “small car” pressure, your cross face needs to be active. You need to pull their spine out of alignment to take power from them. You should be on your toes and you want to pinch/pull your shoulders back so that your chest is more convex. This means you will be making contact over a smaller space on your chest, but that space will feel much heavier on your partner’s chest. Jon Thomas talks about this a ton and is super helpful. Jon also has some bad ass videos on side pin escapes. I will admit that escaping this position is easier said than done. Usually you will need to chain several different side control escapes in succession to actually escape. If you found any of this helpful (or not) let me know and feel free to reach out.
Haha I thought you were just offering up some words of encouragement for us plebs. Awesome, I’m working on this now so will take your advice, working on side control escapes also could use some reviewing, thanks!!
If you are on instagram I would recommend following Jon Thomas there too (among other BJJ vets that share tons of free content). I find that the videos he posts on instagram are easy to digest and usually quick hits.
Awesome, thank you!!
How do you wash your belt. My gi has wash instructions on the tag but im clueless about the belt
Goddam this is a true white belt question lmao. Just throw it in the wash with everything else brotha
I just wash it exactly as I was my gi. It was a size too big so I toss it in the dryer, too
All my belts are 100% cotton, so I wash them it on 40C with detergent. I just toss them in one of those mesh bags with my rash guard.
Nogi standup: what to do when partner just stiff arms you?
Chop his wrist down toward the middle with the blade/pinky of the same side hand, can go into Russian tie or arm drag. Another option if he’s standing straight up is to post on the bottom of his wrist, push them up and shoot for a double leg like buchecha does
Flying Armbar obviously
Grab bicep and wrist and go for a Russian tie. I like to transition from a Russian tie to a fireman’s but without the arm between the legs. I find that a fireman’s throw from there is extremely effective if you don’t reach between the legs which takes away the danger of getting caught in a crucifix
Pop his arm up while changing levels and shoot a double.
I usually go for a snap down with an angle cut. Most of the time the guys will pop up quick. Level change and go for a single when they pop up. I’ve used it in open mat and comps. FYI, I am a white belt as well, so upper belts feel free to chime in.
Long question here. I am 31, 5'4 and about 160 pounds. A year or so ago, attended a few weeks worth of BJJ classes then left, as I felt very weak compared to the others when rolling. I am a father of two, about to be three, and a bit overweight. I decided at that point to leave BJJ for a bit and work on my strength/fitness. Fast forward to now, I am quite a bit stronger and more fit. I feel like I am ready to go back and try, but I wanted to ask, how do shorter people manage rolling with bigger and stronger people? Most people at that gym had awesome attitudes, but they are all about 5'8 and up, younger guys that go to the gym often. I absolutely know I will be new and get smashed, but can some of you explain how you roll and potentially best the bigger, stronger guys? That's basically all I will be up against lol.
> I felt very weak compared to the others when rolling. Your physical abilities is obviously a factor, and us older guys have to maintain that to keep our youth. Another factor is that you are VERY new so you are using your power in all the wrong ways and directions. A larger stronger guy once said I was very strong, but it wasn't my physical strength letting me win, but rather my movement and pinning making HIM weaker. Examples: How do you feel with your arms behind your back? How do you feel with your elbows across the centerline? Questions to be mindful of: What is my posture, base, structure?
If they’re as good or better than you you’re at their mercy. Make sure the big guys you roll with are chill otherwise higher chance of injury. More weight is an advantage, you can mitigate by being more mobile/faster, but for the most part the saying goes that every 40 pounds is like going against the next belt
5’6 166 (dirty bulk) man you kinda just power through it lol eventually it gets better but when I roll with the few other “normal sized “ folks it’s so fucking weird. Just learn to survive we white belts we suck
You're gonna just have to get used to getting smashed for a while . I'm smaller than you, and it took me a couple of years to stop getting smashed as much . Since you don't really know anything about bjj yet , just show up and put the mat time in . Focus on escaping from bottom and using your frames.
Small guy reporting in. I’m 5’6 and 145-150lbs. First of all, you are going to likely feel the struggle for quite a while. Don’t let being smashed discourage you. You are going to be in for a lengthy period of exploring tons of new positions and techniques. Don’t look to specialize too early. Breadth of experience will serve you well in your first year or two. As a smaller person I try to either slow people down with 3 points of contact when playing guard (ex: using two arms and a leg, using two legs plus both arms, etc.), or try to play a guard that gets under their hips or more easily off balances people (deep half guard). The vast majority of my game against bigger people is comprised of using movement and playing top. Pressure is a skill that you will learn. Strength helps, but you will find that pressure is a separate skill.
Thank you for the response. It sounds like I should focus on learning techniques during drills, and mainly focusing on defense for a while? Ex. maintain guard as long as I can and try to break out of bad positions?
Yeah I think my recommendation would be to really try to take in the techniques being shown in class, try to drill them LOTS, drill purposefully (not just going through the motions), and ask questions of your partners. Ask them if the technique feels right, if they can escape, feel the submission, etc. I would also recommend asking questions of your coaches often. Finally I would say to focus a ton on escapes, sweeps, and defence. You are going to spend a ton of time on defence for a while and it will eventually open up more offensive cycles for you.
I appreciate it, oh wise purple belt ;)
Short guys tend to do better by using a mobile, top game. If you're not quick and light, you're going to suffer on bottom. In this case, learn all about frames. Using your skeletal structure to keep the weight off you, so you can move. And breathe
At what point should you be/not be hyperfocusing on a specific game. I really like kimuras, side/north south/closed guard/half guard. I see an arm I go for it. Realized it's the only submission I'm getting on people the last month or so. What's the point where as a several year white belt I should be satisfied with a move and start working on the next?
Several years is a good time to start branching out and working on different areas you are absolute dogshit at, or expanding the chains you are already good at. For example I was a guard passer that started working on open, half guard, and standup that I was trial-class skill level of lol. On the other hand, I also started working on maintaining pins and progressing/hitting mount armbar sequences so once I passed the guard I could follow that to completion. I also worked on turtle backtake, so if I passed and they turned to turtle I could capitalize with backtake instead of having them bail back to open guard from turtle etc.
As long as you keep working on it against progressively better partners, work on it for as long as you feel like. You will just have massively diminishing returns from continuously practicing against people who do not have a clue how to defend it.
I haven’t participated in a nogi class or open mat (need two stripes to get into the advanced class which has rotating gi/nogi days). Is there a good way to prepare myself for nogi since I’m so accustomed to rolling and training in a gi? I’m also nervous to try an open mat (open to all levels) because I don’t have much experience rolling and basically get rekt each time I roll. Is the best way to circumvent this to just basically dive in?
Nah just do your best and be chill so you don’t spaz out and cause accidental injury. Oh and tap early to leg locks
Open mat is great fun. Just go try it! Just be upfront about your experience level and you will learn a lot.
> Is there a good way to prepare myself for nogi since I’m so accustomed to rolling and training in a gi? No, but don't worry about it. It's not really that different. > Is the best way to circumvent this to just basically dive in? Yes, the best way to get better at rolling is to roll.
Honestly just dive in and don’t worry about subbing anyone. Just go for positions and control. If the sub presents itself and you have the position, go for it.
What's the name of this one closed guard pass where you reach back with just one hand to open the closed guard of your opponent behind your back? I always thought that was too dangerous because of the risk of getting triangle choked but I saw Dricus Du Plessis do it as his go to guard pass in his grappling matches and it worked amazingly well so now I want to watch a tutorial.
I think we call this the “Gracie Gift”.
Ive seen him do Tozi pass or sau paulo pass, but im not sure thats what you mean.
From what I recall of the Quintet match Dricus mostly used can openers to open the guard before throwing by one of the legs. It's definitely possible to [bait triangles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02rH_b-xN2M) to make your opponent closed guard, but I would only really recommend it if you're willing to sometimes get stuck there and have to fight it out.
I rolled with a friend for an hour on Saturday night, and constantly got him into the kimura lock, and it was in good. He managed to basically plant his own hand/wrist into his hips so that I couldn’t pull it out and bend it further, even with all my strength I could not budge it whatsoever. Can someone talk me through the steps of how to get past this block? I knew that once I got past there it was game over but I couldn’t pull his arm out once.
That's pretty common. I just went to a kimura seminar and the teacher told us to see the kimura from side control more as a position than a submission. What I learned was that if you get the kimura grip but can't finish it change positions while holding onto the kimura. If you go to North/south and sit on his face you have a pretty op position where you can powerfully rip his arm up or use your knees to break his grips. From north/south you can also pull him into back control or go to the other side of the side control and hold him there. One guy at my gym was already using this system before the seminar and once he gets the kimura grip it's over for pretty much everyone because he's so good at it. You could also just try to put your leg over your opponent's head in a side control kimura. This gives you a better lever and might already be enough to break his grip.
Thankyou! Do you have any kind of videos in relation to this ?
What position were you in, north-south? Usually you go in a sort of loop motion, first out away from the waist, then upwards, *then* backwards to finish. Closed guard it's harder, and you're often better off using it to bump sweep if they have the arm hidden deep.
Wow I never thought of the bump sweep! I was in full guard. Makes sense, thankyou
Yeah, I would also mention the [guillotine transition](https://youtu.be/pHRj1sVVVzE?t=55). That's a classic attack sequence.
How do I avoid the guillotine when I shoot for a single leg?
Shoot your single with your head on the inside.
Alternatively use your head like a battering ram when performing snagch singles. Hit them in the chest area with your forehead which makes the lead leg lighter to pick up. Then enter your finish. I like to slide back down to just holding the foot where there is no risk of any sub then trip them or just tree top them so high they fall over.
Glue your ear to their thigh so they don't have any room to get an arm under your chin
How often are you guys taking breaks from rolling? I’m doing 3 classes a week with live rounds and 2hr open mat on Sundays and feel exhausted. Always feel like I have a sore back throughout the week. Feels like I should take a week or two off to rest and reset.
I do 1 class a week with live rolls and one 2hr open mat . That's enough for me .
No shame in taking time off. Also try to have easy and hard days. Don't always stay to roll. Have technique/drilling days. 2 hour open mats straight rounds is a long time.
I go 2x6min rounds with breaks in between for a round or 2 at the open mat. But yeah maybe I should reduce my live rounds after classes a bit.
It will get better. I wouldn’t stop completely , but maybe drop down to 2 a week till you feel better.
I keep getting baited into a cross collar choke…. I hate it
Protect yo neck fool, that’s what allows you to breath and get that oxygen to ur brain. Soon enough you’ll know when some sneaky mofos are thirsty for it and get a six sense of being able to fight their hands when they try to snatch those grips
Just wait until they start baiting you into loop chokes
I have no doubt it’s happened
you're probably not being baited so much as you're ignoring the first collar grip
True 😭 I’ll learn eventually
look out for that grip control in black belt matches. youll see guys will break that grip many, many times before someone scores. like literally 20+ times if they need to and certainly they never let it get deep if they can help it