Jiu Jitsu discussion / complete beginner!
Discussion
Stu-nph26 said:
Afternoon Pete and congrats on the new belt hard work pay offs.
I've just read through this whole thread, I've recently started combat Sambo (only 7 or 8 sessions in) and I absolutely love it. So much to learn even the basic through are taking ages to sink in when practising, no idea how I'll manage to throw someone who's trying to throw me.
Hi Stu, welcome to the thread. I've just read through this whole thread, I've recently started combat Sambo (only 7 or 8 sessions in) and I absolutely love it. So much to learn even the basic through are taking ages to sink in when practising, no idea how I'll manage to throw someone who's trying to throw me.
My only advice would be to stick at it. I remember my first couple of sessions not having a clue what to do, where to place my hands / feet / body etc. You'll be amazed at what you end up committing to muscle memory.
Recently I've been using a large rubber band to solo-drill judo foot movements for the Tai-Otoshi / Uchi Mata which has helped my stand up game massively - maybe something you can do for Sambo depending on the throw? (might need grappling dummy though).
Thanks Tony, I hope to hear of similar news from yourself soon! At the moment I'm trying to get over the 'must not get tapped by a white belt' phase, I'm sure it will happen (given that I was tapping blues up to last week) and just concentrate on getting better, learning the techniques more and drilling.#
Sad news about the Braulio seminar, he's very, very good. I missed his last local seminar but the feedback was positive and hes supposed to be a fun roll (although able to sub you at any moment!)
ben5575 said:
Starting at the deep end there Stu! That's a proper mans sport that one. I did a couple of sessions with Barry Gibson a couple of years ago when he was in the GB team. It was enough to convince that it wasn't for me, as nice as Barry is!
Thanks Ben, I re-read the thread from start to finish yesterday, provided some good reflection on my part. I also thought it had been closer to 20 months than 18. I manage between 2 and 3 1.5 hour sessions a week as well as an hour of movement, solo dummy drills, cardio and judo drills in a morning before work. I also help out the kids class instructor acting as a demonstration dummy and also stopping them from injuring each other (too much) - means I can spend some more time with my daughter as well.
Tough time of the year to be consistent with training, clubs shutdown till the new year etc.
I've managed to get on the mats a little bit and hit the gym a couple of times per week just doing what I can to keep my hand in. During my last club session I had possibly the worst nights on the mats ever. Lots of work / family things on my mind, distracted, couldn't do anything right and performed very poorly in rolling. Left feeling super-down and wholly undeserving of my recent belt.
Anyway, onwards and upwards, these days are to be expected I guess. Just need to make sure I get my backside back on the mats asap.
I've managed to get on the mats a little bit and hit the gym a couple of times per week just doing what I can to keep my hand in. During my last club session I had possibly the worst nights on the mats ever. Lots of work / family things on my mind, distracted, couldn't do anything right and performed very poorly in rolling. Left feeling super-down and wholly undeserving of my recent belt.
Anyway, onwards and upwards, these days are to be expected I guess. Just need to make sure I get my backside back on the mats asap.
Herr Schnell said:
The expectations we put on ourselves after moving up can be brutal but want to know a secret? Nobody else gives a f
k.
Honestly.
BJJ is an art where belts are given on sustained performance but everyone knows that for all kinds of reasons we all have patches of ups, downs and long boring plateaus.
It is very common for people to feel all kinds of pressure with a new belt and then overthink every session afterwards so things which nobody else really noticed become a big thing for you.
It'll pass as you become more confident with the new belt so try to let go of it all and just get back to enjoying the classes and take each roll as it comes.
Remember, your Professor has confidence in you to award the belt in the first place and he knows more about it than you do so trust him and just relax.
I needed that. k.Honestly.
BJJ is an art where belts are given on sustained performance but everyone knows that for all kinds of reasons we all have patches of ups, downs and long boring plateaus.
It is very common for people to feel all kinds of pressure with a new belt and then overthink every session afterwards so things which nobody else really noticed become a big thing for you.
It'll pass as you become more confident with the new belt so try to let go of it all and just get back to enjoying the classes and take each roll as it comes.
Remember, your Professor has confidence in you to award the belt in the first place and he knows more about it than you do so trust him and just relax.
It's been a few weeks since 'that' session and I definitely think I was overthinking the situation (as well as being distracted) which took away the intuitive element of my sparring. I'm back on the mats tonight, with another session Friday (and tomorrow if I can swing it). I'm not one for cliches but you know, its the new year and time to crack on.
BRR said:
Just catching up on this thread after a while...
Congratulations Pete on the blue belt
I'm still training in the Gi once per week to supplement my No-Gi & MMA, starting to enjoy the Gi a bit more now but don't enjoy the classes where the techniques are very BJJ Gi/sport specific, this then shows up when I roll with someone who has a very Gi centric game, I can comfortably hang with decent brown belts if they have a certain style yet can get tapped repeatedly by blue belts that focus on Gi based attacks
Intending to have my first BJJ comp within the next few months, will try to do one of the ones where you can do Gi & No-Gi on the same day
Thanks BRR, let me know what comp you're thinking of, I might be at the same oneCongratulations Pete on the blue belt
I'm still training in the Gi once per week to supplement my No-Gi & MMA, starting to enjoy the Gi a bit more now but don't enjoy the classes where the techniques are very BJJ Gi/sport specific, this then shows up when I roll with someone who has a very Gi centric game, I can comfortably hang with decent brown belts if they have a certain style yet can get tapped repeatedly by blue belts that focus on Gi based attacks
Intending to have my first BJJ comp within the next few months, will try to do one of the ones where you can do Gi & No-Gi on the same day
BRR said:
So my first comp went pretty terribly, I came up against the guy that won my division in the first round, did my usual No-Gi / MMA tactic of shooting a double with the hope of either getting it or instigating the scramble but he got hold of a lapel which forced me to protect my neck so he took my back and I then spent the next 4 minutes or so trying to get out whilst he racked up points going from back to mount, I eventually managed to get out with about 30 seconds to go, got reset in his guard and he used his Gi to wrist lock me which is something I hadn't seen before. was very much a learning experience as so much of the technique being used by competitors was so BJJ specific and not something I'm familiar with. really enjoyed it though so have signed up to do another in April but that one has a No-Gi comp on the same day so i'll enter both
Again, well done mate. You'll learn so much from the 5 minute match which you can take back into the gym with you. As they say, some day you're the hammer, some day you're the nail. Although most days I feel like the nail
. It's been a horrible couple of months for training to be honest, my diet went out of the window, I stopped going to the gym and I had no structure to my sleeping pattern. The effect on my BJJ has been obvious, reduced mobility and rubbish cardio which has really taken the enjoyment out. Not going to lie, there have been times where I didn't want to train (whereas there was a time I couldn't get enough mat time). Anyway, I've reset this week by sorting out the garage as a gym, eating reasonably and being strict on my sleep / wake up times. I also have three BJJ sessions planned this week so should give me a bit of a kick start. Weighing myself on Friday night I was more than a little shocked to see 112kg so focus is very much on reducing that number!
I refuse to be drawn into the common blue belt slump that everyone talks about, my ethos is just keep turning up, good or bad session and eventually I'll come out of it. Another aspect is that at my gym there are some bloody tough rolls, I like to think the colored belts are generally of a high standard and the 4 stripe whites are also tough going.
Anyway - how you getting on Tony? Hows your lad progressing?
ben5575 said:
I think I'd be a lot more worried about his mates and/or a stranger stamping on my head when I was on the floor personally.
Taking somebody to ground really shouldn't be part of the thinking, getting back off it should be the first port of call. But we're drifting off topic a little.
Keep going Pete. Losing motivation/becoming frustrated is all part of the process and perfectly normal. You're plateauing, it happens to everybody and normally around this time too.
Without going all Mr Miyagi on your ass, you've got through the beginner's gains. Whilst you will continue to learn technique and gain experience in class, you'll feel your progress is slowing down and be frustrated as a result.
The real lesson and progress is how you deal with this mentally. That's the 'secret'. Lots of people get to where you are now. Very few are able mentally to push past it, that's why there are relatively few senior belts.
The technique will take care of itself now. You just need to keep pushing/plodding on - don't stop!
Try and apply yourself more in class - up the intensity/application - make that the focus.
Try a couple of lessons at a different club (without leaving yours) just to mix it up a bit.
Speak with one of the senior belts about it. They will all have been through it.
Ben, Taking somebody to ground really shouldn't be part of the thinking, getting back off it should be the first port of call. But we're drifting off topic a little.
Keep going Pete. Losing motivation/becoming frustrated is all part of the process and perfectly normal. You're plateauing, it happens to everybody and normally around this time too.
Without going all Mr Miyagi on your ass, you've got through the beginner's gains. Whilst you will continue to learn technique and gain experience in class, you'll feel your progress is slowing down and be frustrated as a result.
The real lesson and progress is how you deal with this mentally. That's the 'secret'. Lots of people get to where you are now. Very few are able mentally to push past it, that's why there are relatively few senior belts.
The technique will take care of itself now. You just need to keep pushing/plodding on - don't stop!
Try and apply yourself more in class - up the intensity/application - make that the focus.
Try a couple of lessons at a different club (without leaving yours) just to mix it up a bit.
Speak with one of the senior belts about it. They will all have been through it.
Great advice, plateauing is a great way for me to think about it. I absolutely forced myself to go last night, even to the point of almost turning back. As it turns out I had a pretty good session and 3 hard rounds at the end, mostly holding my own and even grabbing the odd sub (foot locks for life, not even sorry!).
I definitely need to up the intensity, this is currently limited by my fatness and lack of cardio but plans are in motion to fix that.
Thanks again mate
Ahhhh the ups and downs of BJJ.
Small class last night which invariably means a horribly tough session due to reduced rest time during positional sparring and an increased number of free sparring at the end. Last nights topic of choice was the Omoplata from guard with a couple of other options thrown in e.g. transition back to triangle, triangle to armbar, armbar to omoplata, omoplata to wrist lock.
It may be in my head but last night I felt loads better since upping my cardio and cleaning my diet, granted its only been a couple of days but already I can feel small benefits.
I've also noticed much more analysis on my part after rolls. For example, tough roll with a 3 stripe blue last night, I ended up in knee on belly and getting grips for baseball bat choke and almost locking it up. The only reason I didn't is because I missed out isolating the nearside arm with my leg prior to stepping over the head which allowed him to defend the choke just that bit more.
It also struck me last night that I'm not even 2 years into my training yet, my start date was around the 23rd March 2016 - helps to keep things in perspective.
Hopefully one day I'll meet some of you, perhaps at a mutually convenient seminar.
Small class last night which invariably means a horribly tough session due to reduced rest time during positional sparring and an increased number of free sparring at the end. Last nights topic of choice was the Omoplata from guard with a couple of other options thrown in e.g. transition back to triangle, triangle to armbar, armbar to omoplata, omoplata to wrist lock.
It may be in my head but last night I felt loads better since upping my cardio and cleaning my diet, granted its only been a couple of days but already I can feel small benefits.
I've also noticed much more analysis on my part after rolls. For example, tough roll with a 3 stripe blue last night, I ended up in knee on belly and getting grips for baseball bat choke and almost locking it up. The only reason I didn't is because I missed out isolating the nearside arm with my leg prior to stepping over the head which allowed him to defend the choke just that bit more.
It also struck me last night that I'm not even 2 years into my training yet, my start date was around the 23rd March 2016 - helps to keep things in perspective.
Hopefully one day I'll meet some of you, perhaps at a mutually convenient seminar.
Essential but tough mount control session on Friday night. Positional sparring in bottom mount has to be up there with effective measures of torture! Felt pretty good and sets up the curriculum for next week on mount escapes.
Very pleased to see some of the new guys get their first stripes as well.
Very pleased to see some of the new guys get their first stripes as well.
Post for posterity! tomorrow marks 2 years since my first class (I've posted today since I have a class tonight). A brief summary since starting BJJ:
The good:
1 belt promotion (white to blue, November 2017)
1 bronze, 2 silver and 1 gold medal (all at white)
Average 2 to 3 sessions per week
Assisting with teaching kids classes
Hardest exercise I've ever done
Confidence to walk into any BJJ club in the world and quickly feel at home
99% of people I've met across clubs and competitions
Emotional ups
The bad:
Numerous black eyes (although I don't completely mind these)
Buggered fingers
Broken toe
Knackered knees
Countless aches and pains
Emotional downs
Onto the next 2 years. Goal for the next to years is to have 2 stripes on my belt and be well on my way to Purple.
The good:
1 belt promotion (white to blue, November 2017)
1 bronze, 2 silver and 1 gold medal (all at white)
Average 2 to 3 sessions per week
Assisting with teaching kids classes
Hardest exercise I've ever done
Confidence to walk into any BJJ club in the world and quickly feel at home
99% of people I've met across clubs and competitions
Emotional ups
The bad:
Numerous black eyes (although I don't completely mind these)
Buggered fingers
Broken toe
Knackered knees
Countless aches and pains
Emotional downs
Onto the next 2 years. Goal for the next to years is to have 2 stripes on my belt and be well on my way to Purple.
Another month of training in the bag. Weight is dropping (soon be sub 100 kg and back into the super heavy category) although I'm plagued at the minute by a stiff lower back, aggravated by going back into my dead lift routine too heavy.
Being a stone lighter is already paying dividends on the mat, combined with a couple of cardio sessions p/week its coming good. Certainly feel like I'm hanging with the more experienced blue belts during rolls.
Other than that not a lot to report, still training regularly.
Hows everyone getting on?
Being a stone lighter is already paying dividends on the mat, combined with a couple of cardio sessions p/week its coming good. Certainly feel like I'm hanging with the more experienced blue belts during rolls.
Other than that not a lot to report, still training regularly.
Hows everyone getting on?
Hi Tony,
I'm not registered for the British...yet. Truth be told I'm not confident of entering it given my current weight and experience at blue so I may sit this one out and go for some of the smaller competitions.
My daughter also isn't paying much attention to the British either, so she'll probably do the same. It's a full day out for what could be a single match, not to mention the need for me to be there on two consecutive days (kids saturday, blue belts sunday).
So yeh, theres my excuses and I'm sticking to them
In other news, Judo tonight...should be fun.
I'm not registered for the British...yet. Truth be told I'm not confident of entering it given my current weight and experience at blue so I may sit this one out and go for some of the smaller competitions.
My daughter also isn't paying much attention to the British either, so she'll probably do the same. It's a full day out for what could be a single match, not to mention the need for me to be there on two consecutive days (kids saturday, blue belts sunday).
So yeh, theres my excuses and I'm sticking to them
In other news, Judo tonight...should be fun.
Wee monthly update. It's been a difficult one and my training has been sporadic due to studying for my final MSc exam and my lower back injury taking longer than expected to heal (I managed to pull it again mid-sparring). However, I'm pleased to say that its now fixed and I've had my exam so I can get back to some level of normality and consistency.
My back seems to be just about better and time away from the mats has even allowed my knees to recover...although my toe is still problematic I'll work through that one.
Definitely not doing the British now as my daughter has a cheer leading competition that weekend, as I said previously I'm not upset by this but it has motivated me to get geared up to do smaller competitions over the summer.
As for the jits, I'm starting to play alot more open guard such as Lasso and De La Riva.....it often goes wrong and I get passed but if I don't start to do it now its going to be much more difficult at the higher belt levels to learn and I want to expand my go-to techniques rather than constrain them.
May is 6 months since my Blue Belt....where did that go!
Edited to add - Weight now at 102kg - 10.5kg overall loss since March.
My back seems to be just about better and time away from the mats has even allowed my knees to recover...although my toe is still problematic I'll work through that one.
Definitely not doing the British now as my daughter has a cheer leading competition that weekend, as I said previously I'm not upset by this but it has motivated me to get geared up to do smaller competitions over the summer.
As for the jits, I'm starting to play alot more open guard such as Lasso and De La Riva.....it often goes wrong and I get passed but if I don't start to do it now its going to be much more difficult at the higher belt levels to learn and I want to expand my go-to techniques rather than constrain them.
May is 6 months since my Blue Belt....where did that go!
Edited to add - Weight now at 102kg - 10.5kg overall loss since March.
Awesome Tony, really please for your lad, I'll watch the video later.
BRR - Again, absolutely cracking effort pal. I haven't done an Allstar event yet (last one in Manc for me was BJJ 24/7) but I'm eyeing up Roll Models in Stoke around July time providing I can get and remain healthy.
At the moment it seems to be injury after injury after injury. Rolling last week one of the bigger lads in the gym (19 stone) went Knee on Ribs on me causing a noticable 'pop' and immediate chest pain. A bit of home googling (because that always ends up well!) suggests something along the lines of an intercostal separation (cartilage / rib interface has slipped). Its been getting better over the past few days and I'm going to lightly drill tonight and see how it goes.
Any sort of lifting has been out of the question so I've taken up running, sticking to between 5 and 7k for now but its manageable and should preserve some fitness.
Still, super frustrating that I seem to fix one bit of damage and then end up with more.
BRR - Again, absolutely cracking effort pal. I haven't done an Allstar event yet (last one in Manc for me was BJJ 24/7) but I'm eyeing up Roll Models in Stoke around July time providing I can get and remain healthy.
At the moment it seems to be injury after injury after injury. Rolling last week one of the bigger lads in the gym (19 stone) went Knee on Ribs on me causing a noticable 'pop' and immediate chest pain. A bit of home googling (because that always ends up well!) suggests something along the lines of an intercostal separation (cartilage / rib interface has slipped). Its been getting better over the past few days and I'm going to lightly drill tonight and see how it goes.
Any sort of lifting has been out of the question so I've taken up running, sticking to between 5 and 7k for now but its manageable and should preserve some fitness.
Still, super frustrating that I seem to fix one bit of damage and then end up with more.
BRR said:
Sorry to hear of the injury, certainly sounds like an intercostal, when i've had that injury previously it has typically taken 4-6 weeks until i can roll properly again 2-3 weeks for light drilling. just be careful with bridging or motions that twist the core
all being well with training I should be competing at Roll Models so may see you there
Roll Models is looking more and more likely now (bit of a group of us going down) so might be a good opportunity to put a face to a name. all being well with training I should be competing at Roll Models so may see you there
Had a very light session last night covering 3 or 4 standing guard passes followed by drills and then some light rolling with a coupe of the less intense white belts. Had a small amount of discomfort but nothing too bad - I guess the injury isn't as bad as first thought but I'll still need to be careful,
All being well I should be entering Roll Models at <95kg which will be a first for me (usually compete at either super or ultra heavy) - weighed in this morning at 100.7 kg with a consistant 1 kg / week loss.
Tony Angelino said:
Great effort, well done.
My lad competed for the 2nd time, showed some guts and we were pleased with how he did in only his 2nd competition against much more experienced competition, losing his fight to an arm bar. All grey belts are grouped together so him being a new grey/white belt he has almost 2 years less experience than the grey/black opponent. He got a bronze so he's pleased with himself.
He had to defend much more than he is used to and couldn't cope in the end giving the other lad an opening that he took, but with more mat time and work on his takedowns/takedown defence he will hopefully progress nicely. Link for anybody interested https://youtu.be/U-PqEn0rN_A
I got my 4th white belt stripe last week, still plugging away at my low level but only managing once a week lately due to other commitments. Still enjoying it and making more mates so all good.
Just watched the match Tony, your lad did himself proud there. Really good arm bar escape early on and it looks like he has a really good bridge / bump, using it at the right times as well. My lad competed for the 2nd time, showed some guts and we were pleased with how he did in only his 2nd competition against much more experienced competition, losing his fight to an arm bar. All grey belts are grouped together so him being a new grey/white belt he has almost 2 years less experience than the grey/black opponent. He got a bronze so he's pleased with himself.
He had to defend much more than he is used to and couldn't cope in the end giving the other lad an opening that he took, but with more mat time and work on his takedowns/takedown defence he will hopefully progress nicely. Link for anybody interested https://youtu.be/U-PqEn0rN_A
I got my 4th white belt stripe last week, still plugging away at my low level but only managing once a week lately due to other commitments. Still enjoying it and making more mates so all good.
I see he falls naturally into the half guard position (I do this alot), once he learns to go underhook and deep half with his head and hips below his opponents he should find it really effective to come out of the back door / sweep.
Turns out my rib injury was more likely a costochondral separation judging by how long its taken to heal. For those that are wondering it happens when a rib separates from the sternum at the costochondral cartilage joints.
I tried to train through it but it was severely limiting my movement and intensity so I made the call to take a few weeks off the mat. Back on it tonight so we will see how it goes - being injured sucks!
I tried to train through it but it was severely limiting my movement and intensity so I made the call to take a few weeks off the mat. Back on it tonight so we will see how it goes - being injured sucks!
Thanks Tony. Actually ended up having a really good session last night, guard breaking. I 'felt' my rib but it wasn't causing me any issues if that makes sense? Good luck in Manchester (for your lad - I'm assuming you're not competing?)
Should be back up to full speed next Wednesday. Funny you should mention cardio, I've been doing alot more running lately which seems to really help me not gassing out so much.
Also, I'm officially out of the Ultra-heavy category! weighed in last night at 99kg although I don't want to stay in super-heavy, ideally 90 - 95kg
Should be back up to full speed next Wednesday. Funny you should mention cardio, I've been doing alot more running lately which seems to really help me not gassing out so much.
Also, I'm officially out of the Ultra-heavy category! weighed in last night at 99kg although I don't want to stay in super-heavy, ideally 90 - 95kg
Ahhh you was at the Figure 4 promotion? I watched it on PPV. Jack actually trains at DMAC (same club as me) and he lives in the same town as me (my coach was cornering him) - he's very very good (as you saw Friday night) - well above the purple belt he currently has!! but also a super nice guy.
Another friend of mine was also on that card, first fight on (Ollie). We started training at about the same time.
As things transpired I managed to get a session in Tuesday and Wednesday night, no issues with the rib so all good. Back on the mats Friday (feeling it today a little) but weight sitting at 98.3, I'll hit 95 before long.
I'm in one of those peaks of training, things appear to be working, I'm not getting swept an awful lot and holding my own (even caught a foot lock last night against one of the purple belts). Theres whispers of stripes coming up but I'll just keep turning up and hope for the best (had my BB 7 months now).
Another friend of mine was also on that card, first fight on (Ollie). We started training at about the same time.
As things transpired I managed to get a session in Tuesday and Wednesday night, no issues with the rib so all good. Back on the mats Friday (feeling it today a little) but weight sitting at 98.3, I'll hit 95 before long.
I'm in one of those peaks of training, things appear to be working, I'm not getting swept an awful lot and holding my own (even caught a foot lock last night against one of the purple belts). Theres whispers of stripes coming up but I'll just keep turning up and hope for the best (had my BB 7 months now).
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