Jiu Jitsu discussion / complete beginner!

Jiu Jitsu discussion / complete beginner!

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Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Thursday 14th June 2018
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I'd say they are A2 James, based on your sizing.

To be honest I don't know if they would be worth much, unless they were Shoyoroll, A&P etc.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Thursday 14th June 2018
quotequote all
I've seen them Tony but no direct experience. I generally stick with our club Gi's (I like the fit and design) but we are free to wear what we want. I'm a bit weak when it comes to collecting them though, currently I have:

2 x black club gi's
1 x black Roll Supreme Base 3
1 x blue Scramble Athlete 2 (least favorite but most expensive)
1 x navy blue Valor VLR

I've been eyeing up a Hyperfly set lately but then I found out our club is ordering in some limited run white ones (at £50 each its an easy sell!).

I try to keep an eye on the latest Shoyoroll releases but I've really not liked the recent ones...and its a lot of cash to spend if I'm not completely made up!

Edit to add that my daughter has used a Scramble kids Gi for the past 18 months, and she has a Fumetsu one to use once she grows another inch or so.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Thursday 12th July 2018
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I didn't end up making it to Roll Models in the end, although a couple of lads from my club went as their first comps (both lost on points).

Been a pretty quiet one for me lately with the world cup etc. Need to get back into a routine now really!

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Friday 13th July 2018
quotequote all
Tony Angelino said:
Well done lads,

Started doing a bit of no gi myself over the last few weeks. Mainly due to problems with my fingers (arthritis) after holding on for dear life in the gi when in certain positions. All going well until breaking my toe last week, managed to inflict far more damage on myself than I have ever come close to putting on anybody else in career!

Without the gi its the lack of time for thinking as much as the increased physical intensity that is taking the most getting used to.

The Submission Sniper gi came and looks pretty good quality - obviously time will tell.
Toe injuries suck, mines not been right since I broke it.

Glad the Submission Sniper gi is decent, hopefully better quality than the Shoyoroll one I picked up a couple of weeks ago!!

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Wednesday 18th July 2018
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Back to it with a bang this week.

Monday night I headed to my local gym and did a couple of no gi mount transition bag work drills, followed by a couple of round sparring then finished off with mount escape --> heel hook drills.

Last night was in Doncaster for the 6 - 7 Fundamentals class, 7 - 745 Sparring then 745 - 830 was a mini-half guard seminar. Mid-way though the seminar I was definitely on the rocks (mainly due to the heat) but some interesting concepts about retaining half guard which I'll try and build into my game.

Kopped a knee to the eye which has come up nicely today. Also I was stacked at some point in rolling so my neck and upper back are feeling it.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Wednesday 29th August 2018
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Little thread resurrection although I don't have anything major to report. Still plugging away, between 5 and 7 hours a week. Classes are getting really good numbers down as well so loads of sparring partners and skill sets.

I'm due away in November for a BJJ camp type holiday in Austria - should be good.

Hows everyone getting on?

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
quotequote all
Halb - I can only really echo what Tony and Ben have already said. 99% of people I've met, at many different clubs and competitions have been nothing but welcoming, friendly and willing to show or teach you if you ask. Be aware though, its very tough on the body and joints, injuries are almost guaranteed.

Tony is absolutely correct that we all choose our clubs for different reasons, although if you do give it a go and don't click with a particular club then I'd recommend trying elsewhere. Personally I ended up switching clubs after 9 months purely because I preferred the coaching style and session structure at my current club (even if it is a 50 minute drive each way!).

Ben, I still find the 4 stages of competence / learning fascinating given that as I carry on training I find elements of conscious competence creeping in..but then for other things complete unconscious incompetence, hah.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Monday 17th September 2018
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Well then, update time.

Missed my first Friday evening training session in a long time last week....aaaaand stripes were given out. Nevermind.

To be fair, the reason I missed it was to attend a 6 hour BJJ camp in York on the Saturday (so not the end of the world). Morning was spent refining No Gi entries to straight foot lock and finishing, afternoon focused on a Gi back step pass and 'clamp guard'.

We were lucky to have a number of 'first-tier' black belts in attendance (essentially a group of black belts deemed to be the first in the UK) and groups from various Northern Alliance clubs. A good day all round, if a little tiring but lots of rounds.

This Thursday I'm heading to a seminar in Goole with standout Australian grappler Craig Jones, No Gi again, and more than likely heel-hooktastic.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Tuesday 18th September 2018
quotequote all
Didn't realise you was competing at GF2 pal, I'd have probably shelled out for the extortionate flograppling fee it that was the case (and also to watch Jack Grants match).

The camp in York had Neil Owen, David Morcegao (he runs roll models I think), Paul Lukowski, Steven Campbell and James Boyle.

Essentially it was a gathering of clubs who've formed the Northern Alliance so DMAC (my club), Infinity, Nottingham MMA and Stealth BJJ. Really good day all round to be honest.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Tuesday 18th September 2018
quotequote all
Good luck, let us know how you get on. I will compete again soon, I was eyeing up the Nottingham Open but I'm away on a club-trip to Austria so looks like it'll be early in the new year for me.

Its a fine balance with Wifey biggrin

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Friday 21st September 2018
quotequote all
Good seminar with Craig Jones last night, fundamentals of heel hook set-up and finishing in the saddle, x-guard saddle entry and z-guard entry into x-guard and finally saddle.

The man moves like butter, quite frankly astonishing how smooth his technique and movement is. It's true when they say there are levels to this game.

Back in the gi tonight, although I am pushing it somewhat this week with BJJ Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings this week!

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Monday 24th September 2018
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Yes! lots of winning on the thread lately!

Tony - Great stuff on your blue belt...you can look forward to quitting now (I'm joking!) - hows your lad doing?

The recent RM comp sounds good, I really must get myself to one and compete now I'm a year deep into my blue belt. Like yourselves I'd like to up my training somewhat, sort out my diet and get my cardio somewhere near I feel it should be.

Now that everything has settled at home (its been a crazy summer really) I can get some consistency back into my training, as a minimum this should be 5 hours-ish a week, split across two sessions with the occasional open mat thrown in. Obviously I'll supplement it with gym work as well.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Tuesday 25th September 2018
quotequote all
Not going to lie...I do like the odd leg lock...but that's largely driven by being lazy when passing guard.

Back on the mats tonight, looking forward to it actually. First day trying to get my diet in check i.e. not eating everything in sight. So far so good, logging via MFP.


Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Monday 1st October 2018
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Bugger. Damaged my knee on Friday night at training, fell awkwardly and landed sideways, immediately felt hot to the touch and pain resonating down to my foot. Ice, elevation and ibuprofen seems to have helped but its still pretty sore to the touch.

I'm away at a 4 day camp in November so I really need to get it sorted out before going. Injuries suck.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Monday 8th October 2018
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Niiiiiice! All gets a bit real now pal! Massive congratulations.

Knee is sore...but better. Managed open mat last Wednesday, then training Friday and kids class Saturday without too much bother.

It's the rest of me falling apart right now lol...lump in my neck, after ultrasound diagnosed as an enlarged lymph node but not sinister (to be fair it has gone down a fair bit now) and last week found a third nut....or rather a cyst (not on the testicle) so off for another ultrasound but its not considered serious.

To top it off I've been feeling the effects of a cold / sinus pain for the past couple of days - probably linked to the enlarged node. Look after yourself gents, just put me in the box now biggrin


Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Monday 8th October 2018
quotequote all
MC Bodge said:
How does the belt/grading system work?
White 2 years to blue
Blue 3-4 years to purple
Purple 2 years to brown
Brown 1 year to black

Generally, there’s always exceptions. I was 18 months or so to blue.

If you get to purple I think it’s generally accepted you’ll go all the way to black. Blue is the grind.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Tuesday 9th October 2018
quotequote all
BRR said:
Thanks all, I definitely feel like there's more of a pressure now for me to get my Gi game on point, though it has progressed reasonably well over the last 6 months and I've took several golds in competition at blue belt, in fact my first ever Gi comp was the only one I haven't taken a medal in. sure it'll be a big step up at Purple though

My timescales through the belts was a little different to normal but then I had about 9 years No-Gi experience before going to Gi, in fact I won Gold at the British Open (white belt) in 2010, the guy I beat in the final has been a black belt for 2 years. I think I was about 9 months to blue and then it has been about 18 months from there to Purple

Pete, certainly sounds like you're in the wars at the minute, to be fair though once you start taking martial arts seriously it's basically a commitment to forever being broken
I'm sure you'll be fine mate - wouldn't have been promoted if you didn't deserve it!

Not sure if I mentioned it but Jack was promoted to brown belt a couple of weeks back. Rolled with him last week and he destroyed me. As usual

Back on the mats tonight, should be alright and hopefully on the mend now. I've been lucky that none of the injuries or ailments have kept me out for any significant amount of time, however, I've had more injuries in 3 years of MA than I did in 15 years of Ice Hockey

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Tuesday 9th October 2018
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Cage warriors announced an event next year in Copenhagen, the betting man in me would say Soren Bak will be fighting.....biggrin


Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Wednesday 10th October 2018
quotequote all
Welcome to the thread AJ, and hopefully welcome back to BJJ biggrin

I travel 50 miles each way once a week to train at my club so I know what a pain a long journey can be (luckily my instructor also teaches a class in my home town once a week, doing the journey twice a week would be a stretch).

Back on the mats last night for me, had a pretty good session actually. 45 minutes of rolling followed by 45 minutes of advanced half / deep half guard stuff. 3 weeks and counting till Austria for 4 days of BJJ.

Pete102

Original Poster:

2,058 posts

188 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
quotequote all
Thanks pal, should be back at it tomorrow. Numbers are holding up at my home town club after dropping off a little with guys going back to university etc.

We don't do too badly to be honest, since I've been training with them there has been at least 5 blue belt promotions and there is a mate of mine pushing for his purple (4 stripe blue atm). The commute once a week is well worth it in my eyes do train with different people, also the advance class is taken by another instructor who has a different teaching style.

I'm making small changes to get myself back on track, improving the diet, getting back in the gym and structuring my sleep, also trying to introduce some Yoga into my daily routine. Although I'm relatively flexible for a big guy, I could be better, inverting isn't particularly easy for me at the moment!