Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - General Thread

Zero-Cool

As suggested in another thread, would be good to have a general thread to discuss all things BJJ.

To kick off, can anyone recommend mats to use at home. I need to practice takedowns and movements on the ground so would need no less than 6ft by 6ft.

A couple of packs of these? or any better suggestions (on a budget)
http://www.halfords.ie/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/garage-essentials/rolson-6-piece-floor-mat-set-120-x-180cm

Thanks

cletus

Forget about those halfords mats. They are designed for standing on to help prevent fatigue from hard surfaces like concrete. They're only about 10-15mm thick. Not much more protection than carpet

A better option would be the jigsaw mats in the link below. You'd get away with the 20mm for rolling, but I wouldt be doing much in the line of throws or take downs. If you can afford it the 40mm are probably the best for home use, short of buying judo tatami

https://www.epayments.co.uk/epages/es771923.mobile/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es771923

Zero-Cool

Thanks man will have a think about those, they look the job alright.

Mellor

Thanks for starting this Zero-Cool. I kinda dropped the ball on it
I agree with cletus regarding mats. Jigsaw mats are a minimum. They'd be fine for practicing shooting, penetration step, and controled double legs. Not so good for sparring takedowns.

Mellor

meh double post. Might as well amke use of it.

This match up was announced this week, and I'm pretty hyped for it. Massive respect for Tonon for looking for this match. I imagine virtually the whole grapplign world wants him to win via heelhook here.

cletus

He's giving up a fair lump of weight, but he claims to see some large and exploitable holes in Palhares' leglock game.

It will be very interesting, technician vs beast

I know Alan Belcher managed to negate it, but he was (at least nominally) in the same weight class, and he was also allowed to punch Palhares in the face

feelpablo

Take it everyone has watched Jiu Jitsu vs the world at this stage??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPyyp7uVmiA

I thought it was a great show

Zero-Cool

feelpablo wrote: »

Take it everyone has watched Jiu Jitsu vs the world at this stage??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPyyp7uVmiA

I thought it was a great show

I just came across that this morning looking for vids, didn't realise it was so new, good timing, will definitely watch that through later! I also saw Eddie Bravo has a documentary series with the 1st episode coming out today, looks interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLsSHWJdNBQ

feelpablo

didnt know about the 10th planet one...nice one will have to catch that...cheers

Mellor

cletus wrote: »

He's giving up a fair lump of weight, but he claims to see some large and exploitable holes in Palhares' leglock game.

It will be very interesting, technician vs beast

I know Alan Belcher managed to negate it, but he was (at least nominally) in the same weight class, and he was also allowed to punch Palhares in the face

It's booked for 83kg or so I heard. Which means Garry has a few weeks to put on up to 10lbs. Palhares prob has to cut.

Tonon appears much more adept at incorporating positions of control like saddle, outside ashi, etc. Virtually pinning his opponent before going for the heelhook.

I definitely believe there's holes in Palhares's game, or maybe opportunities is more fitting. His heelhooks are no doubt technical, but he also relied on aggressively going for it and sacrificing/ignoring any sort of position or control. In MMA it didn't matter, as his opponents either didn't know what to do, or froze with only seconds to react.
Against somebody who knows what to do, they just move around his unsecured attack.

Zero-Cool

Tonon training for Palhares, #ScreamTap :pac:

https://www.facebook.com/tonongarry/videos/972460752846590/

Subcomandante Marcos

Anyone here thinking of entering the ADCC Irish Open?

Zero-Cool

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Anyone here thinking of entering the ADCC Irish Open?

I wouldn't mind going to watch this. Any idea of date and location? I can't find much about it.

Subcomandante Marcos

30th of April in Phibsboro

https://m.facebook.com/adcc.ireland?fref=ts

Mellor

Is it a qualifier for the finals? Or just a regional event under ADCC rules.

Zero-Cool

I was really looking forward to the Eddie Bravo series but you can only watch it on floprograppling.com and have to be a pro member to watch, 15 or 20 quid a month. Balls anyway.

http://www.flograppling.com/video/916012-eddie-bravo-building-an-empire-episode-1

Subcomandante Marcos

Mellor wrote: »

Is it a qualifier for the finals? Or just a regional event under ADCC rules.

As far as I know it's just a national competition under ADCC rules, but maybe the winner gets an entry to the European qualifications or something? ADCC worlds actually tend to be mostly invitational with a handful of qualifiers.

I like the ADCC rules though as I prefer submission only no-gi to sports jiu jitsu so I'm tempted to enter, just waiting on weight classifications, because it's not a pure BJJ event it's not categorised by belt, I want to enter but I don't fancy being fed to a group of sharks, I'm a BJJ blue belt with some judo and Greco-Roman wrestling experience so I could hold my own with most people in ADCC rules but high level brown and black belts would figure me out pretty quickly and I'd end up reverting to trying deep half guard waiter sweeps 😂

Zero-Cool

Watched my 1st Eddie Bravo Invitational EBI 4, man that was excellent! Can't seem to find EBI 5 but really looking forward to 6 now. Definitely an interesting scoring system of cash for subs, no points for positions.

Mellor

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

As far as I know it's just a national competition under ADCC rules, but maybe the winner gets an entry to the European qualifications or something? ADCC worlds actually tend to be mostly invitational with a handful of qualifiers.

Half the field are qualifiers, the other half are invited. From memory there are 2 each in America, Brazil, Europe, Asia.
I forgot it was every second year though.


There's an Abu Dhabi Professional qualifier here in Sydney this weekend. Really considering giving it a go. The prizes are incredible compared to IBJJF tourneys.

All Light Open and Heavy Open winners receive;

National PRO champion’s travel packages include:

Entry for 2016 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in April
Event Registration
Flight tickets from Sydney main Airport to Abu Dhabi
Visa
Transportations
Accommodation
Meals
2016 Abu Dhabi World Pro Competitor T-shirt

Black champs are at IBJJF get nothing, and UAEJJ are giving international prizes to blue belts. :eek:

BOHtox

Got my first submission win today. Had a few stalemates or wins by getting to a better position but this was my first sub. Triangle choke from guard. Was delighted. Long road ahead even to my first stripe but I'm really enjoying it.

Subcomandante Marcos

Anyone heading to the SBG summer camp in June?

Three days of JK, Matt, Tom King and guest players giving workshops and seminars as well as in-house competitions and lots of live rolling.

I'm trying to figure out my work schedule for that month right now before committing to it but I'm not sure I'll be in country for it just yet.

cletus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7BQ5u_ysAs

Not bjj, but Shinya Aoki being a beast on the mats

Subcomandante Marcos

Anyone have a favourite brand of rashguards for grappling?

I've just been using under armour for no-gi but wouldn't mind buying a few bjj specific ones.

TitianGerm

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Anyone have a favourite brand of rashguards for grappling?

I've just been using under armour for no-gi but wouldn't mind buying a few bjj specific ones.

I bought a few Sub Only on Amazon. They were on sale at the time.

Other than that I just use our club rash.

rain on

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Anyone have a favourite brand of rashguards for grappling?

I've just been using under armour for no-gi but wouldn't mind buying a few bjj specific ones.

Tatami and Wolfhound are the best quality ones that I have - I've no gi gear from both of them that's taken a lot of punishment and is still going strong. Penneys do a fairly decent range for the price but I only use them for wearing under my gi really.

Subcomandante Marcos

rain on wrote: »

Tatami and Wolfhound are the best quality ones that I have - I've no gi gear from both of them that's taken a lot of punishment and is still going strong. Penneys do a fairly decent range for the price but I only use them for wearing under my gi really.

I actually have a few pennies ones for under my gi and under my bike kit when cycling, definitely not up to the task of no-gi rolling though.

Good to hear the worlfhound rash guards are durable, I love the gi I got from them.

TitianGerm

Anyone going to the Dublin open in three weeks?

Think I might make it my first comp in two years even though I'm only back training from a layoff since October

rain on

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Good to hear the worlfhound rash guards are durable, I love the gi I got from them.

Ya the ones I have feel quite light and I wasn't sure if they would last, but I've had them nearly two years and they've stood up to MMA, wrestling, gi and no gi with no issues, it's nice to have gear from an Irish owned company as well.

BOHtox

Just out of curiosity how long did it take for each of your belt progressions? How many times a week did you train? Did you have to take a break half way through a belt due to other commitments or money, it's an expensive past time, or just feel like taking a break? And also how good were you? Were you beating 90% of white belts when you were promoted to a blue or closer to 50%?

I ask as a full-time student who works part-time so I can only make an evening or two, or three if I'm really lucky, and will likely have to take breaks for exams and other commitments. But 99% of practitioners are in my shoes where the other commitments and can only train a few times a week. Some of the stuff you read online about being a blue belt in a year or two after training 2 hours a day 5 days a week doesn't really resonate with us haha.

TitianGerm

BOHtox wrote: »

Just out of curiosity how long did it take for each of your belt progressions? How many times a week did you train? Did you have to take a break half way through a belt due to other commitments or money, it's an expensive past time, or just feel like taking a break?

I started in April 12 and got a Blue in August 14. Only started training in the GI in 2013.

I've also missed about 10/12 months altogether since i started with a month or two at a time with injury and work.

Hope to have a purple by the end of 2017.

Before I got my Blue I was beating most of the blues in my club(all much bigger than me) and could hold my own at other clubs against their whites and a good few blues.

When I have time I trained in my club twice a week and used to go to to Seminars when I could and if there was an open map I'd try make those as well.

Mellor

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Anyone have a favourite brand of rashguards for grappling?

I've just been using under armour for no-gi but wouldn't mind buying a few bjj specific ones.

I use either my clubs one, or a tatami. None will last forever with a lot of use. But those appear to be standing up to a beating. I like the Meerkatsu ones also, but don't own any.

I'm currently trying to get some of my own rashguards off the ground out here. Tricky process.

BOHtox wrote: »

Just out of curiosity how long did it take for each of your belt progressions? How many times a week did you train? Did you have to take a break half way through a belt due to other commitments or money, it's an expensive past time, or just feel like taking a break? And also how good were you? Were you beating 90% of white belts when you were promoted to a blue or closer to 50%?

I think it took me about 2.5 years, but I had some time off in there while I was away or traveling etc. Usually 2 times a week, rarely 1 or 3. 90 ,om sessions. 5 times a week for 2 hours would see you progress very fast.

At that point I was beating (although I dislike phrasing it like that) all the white belts bar a one or two that had been there longer but never consistently enough in the Gi to grade. I'd give a lot of the blues a hard time, and occasional catch a sub on a purple.

Competition performance is a better indicator than gym sparring. At my last comp as a white belt I won 6 out of 7 matches by submission.

darced

This post has been deleted.

Subcomandante Marcos

BOHtox wrote: »

Just out of curiosity how long did it take for each of your belt progressions?

It took me about 15 months of training, but it was broken up by a few months here and there so was actually a little over 30 months, if that makes sense?

I work over seas for a few months at a time every year in developing countries and when I'm over seas training generally isn't an option. Usually takes a few weeks to get back into the swing of things.

Luckily I don't think I'll be going over seas much in the next 2 years because I got a promotion and I'm tentatively aiming for purple within 3 years if I can keep training consistently.

I train for about 3 hours 3 or 4 days per week. One of those being open mat time.

CianRyan

I've been training a little over 2 years but I've had a lot of time off between work commitments and a bad injury at the start of last year, probably a year off in total in that time. I'm only on two stripes but I can roll with other guys in my club on 3/4 pretty comfortably, some not so comfortably.
I'm aiming to get my blue this year, I'm in a place where I can be consistent, this really is key.

Mellor

Subcomandante Marcos, emmetkenny, sounds like we're all targeting a purple belt around the same time.


Darced, we'll be doing well to catch you however

Zero-Cool

After 2 months, I'm on my way to skipping blue and going straight to purple as I'm tapping everyone out. In reality, during my last roll, I tried to get a guy in a choke and ended up punching myself in the nose....good times

Great to hear from other people about their journey, motivating stuff.

BOHtox

Zero-Cool wrote: »

After 2 months, I'm on my way to skipping blue and going straight to purple as I'm tapping everyone out. In reality, during my last roll, I tried to get a guy in a coke and ended up punching myself in the nose....good times

Great to hear from other people about their journey, motivating stuff.

Hahaha that's hilarious. I'm forever accidental kicking/punching myself or who I'm rolling with. I'm always apologising.

It's funny where I'm at. When someone's in my guard I feel my guard or spiderguard can be strong enough to try find a sub or keep them there at worst. Maybe sneak a triangle choke or a sweep - but of course I'm losing more than I'm winning. But in a dominate position in side control I'm always getting swept. Maybe that's just because we've done more defence than attack so far.

Yeah that's why I asked the question. I saw similar ones on Reddit or whatever buy hearing stories of real people overcoming adversities or starting late in their life and making slow but steady progress to a blue belt is very much inspiring.

TitianGerm

BOHtox wrote: »

But in a dominate position in side control I'm always getting swept.

By any chance are you putting your hand under your opponent neck and holding your other hand to try squeeze them and hold them towards you?

RonanP77

I'm glad to see this thread was set up, I searched for it on the phone a few times lately but only spotted it today.

Zero-Cool wrote:

After 2 months, I'm on my way to skipping blue and going straight to purple as I'm tapping everyone out. In reality, during my last roll, I tried to get a guy in a coke and ended up punching myself in the nose....good times

This sounds more like me, I'm at it about 2 months now, 2 classes a week, and I struggle to sink things in when we're rolling. If I manage a good sweep or two I'm delighted with myself. I get into good positions at times then haven't a notion what to do from that position.

I have managed to tap a few people but some of that was because they saw what I was going for and let me at it. Others were just as inexperienced as me so it wasn't a big achievement. I'm definitely still at the stage where I tap out a lot.

Regarding belt progression, from next month I'd hope to be doing a double class (2.5hrs) Tuesdays, then a normal class (1.5hrs) every Wednesday and Saturday. I'd love to get a stripe every 6 months or so based on putting in that many hours and I do pick things up quick enough, I'm no slower than the average student. Realistically though I'd be happy if I got my 1st stripe by the end of the year. I know BJJ is a long slow journey.

TitianGerm

RonanP77 wrote: »

I'm glad to see this thread was set up, I searched for it on the phone a few times lately but only spotted it today.



This sounds more like me, I'm at it about 2 months now, 2 classes a week, and I struggle to sink things in when we're rolling. If I manage a good sweep or two I'm delighted with myself. I get into good positions at times then haven't a notion what to do from that position.

I have managed to tap a few people but some of that was because they saw what I was going for and let me at it. Others were just as inexperienced as me so it wasn't a big achievement. I'm definitely still at the stage where I tap out a lot.

Regarding belt progression, from next month I'd hope to be doing a double class (2.5hrs) Tuesdays, then a normal class (1.5hrs) every Wednesday and Saturday. I'd love to get a stripe every 6 months or so based on putting in that many hours and I do pick things up quick enough, I'm no slower than the average student. Realistically though I'd be happy if I got my 1st stripe by the end of the year. I know BJJ is a long slow journey.

Just to yourself and another poster who are just beginning, you might feel like your learning nothing but you in fact are.

My advice would be at this early stage to work on your defense. You will find yourself in Closed Guard(learn how to escape for when your caught, and how to break a persons base/posture if you have someone in your CG).

When in your opponent Side Control focus on preventing them going for full mount. Also practice Hip Bump and Shrimp escapes. If you get SC work on your movement from one control position to another, ie SC, FM, SC, RK, NS, as well as maintaining a strong base for yourself.

When you've been mounted again try working on basic hip bump escapes, they are not flashy bit are great at throwing off the opponents weight and balance.

If you get caught in a sub just tap. Don't be the hero that trys to hang on for dear life. When you try your own sub don't Hulk out and use your strength, work your technique it'll stand to you in the long.

Also just enjoy the roll. A day will come when everything will click and it'll all feel natural to you.

BOHtox

emmetkenny wrote: »

By any chance are you putting your hand under your opponent neck and holding your other hand to try squeeze them and hold them towards you?

Maybe

I think I do actually though to be honest. But I'm not just holding on for dear life I'd be trying to gain a bettter position if you get me

TitianGerm

BOHtox wrote: »

Maybe

I think I do actually though to be honest. But I'm not just holding on for dear life I'd be trying to gain a bettter position if you get me

You won't get a better position squeezing them to you. All your doing is moving your balance to far forward and then the opponent only needs to roll sideways and over you go.

If your in SC get one knee right beside their hip and one under the armpit. Keep your top hand under their neck palm flat to the floor(stops you been rolled) keep your lower arm under the opponent bum outside your leg(this will stop them getting their knee back across your stomach). Your chest on theirs and your bum low to the ground as possible.

This will allow you to keep good pressure with your chest, control your centre of gravity (low bum), control their hips(low hand).

Mellor

BOHtox wrote: »

When someone's in my guard I feel my guard or spiderguard can be strong enough to try find a sub or keep them there at worst. Maybe sneak a triangle choke or a sweep - but of course I'm losing more than I'm winning. But in a dominate position in side control I'm always getting swept. Maybe that's just because we've done more defence than attack so far.

I think that's natural tbh. Guard is a very alien position, when new people are stuck there, then tend to not know what to do. Unless they've learned some specific escapes. Side control is a more "natural" position, young kids will instinctively find that position when playing around. The natural tendency for the guy on bottom to to try roll you over, and for the guy top is to hold on tight - which makes the job easier for the guy on bottom.

A good side control takes work. Emmet has given you a solid foundation above.

FTA69

Out of curiosity what sort of injuries have ye had and how did ye get them? I did BJJ for around 4 months (2 classes a week) and I was forever dealing with a strained neck or back or something or other. I've been boxing competitively for the past few years but can see myself having a bash off grappling at some stage. It seems to me the injuries you get are much more serious in grappling than in striking.

darced

This post has been deleted.

CianRyan

darced wrote: »

Ill be honest and say most people who grapple in my experience are constantly carrying some type of injury. I had a torn Rotator cuff which was a nightmare, multiple broken ribs which are probably the worst because you have to sit out completely. My most serious were ruptured discs in my neck but I have nearly a full recovery at this stage.

Fingers are a constant problem breaks, dislocations or just plain sore.
Right now I'm in pretty good health bar a lingering knee problem as well as the usual overall soreness.

It all depends on how you manage them but BJJ is highly addictive and its not easy to sit out for any length of time.

This is the biggest catch 22 for me.
When on injured I turn up for class anyway just to watch and take mental notes but by the end of the night I'm usually on the mets for a roll anyway.

Depending on how bad I'm hurt of course, I just can't watch everyone roll/spar and not want to jump in.

Subcomandante Marcos

Stubbed toes, tendinitis in my right ankle, hyperextension of fingers the odd knee in the face, nothing major for me, but i tend to be picky about rolling partners and don't try to just muscle into or out of things.

TitianGerm

FTA69 wrote: »

Out of curiosity what sort of injuries have ye had and how did ye get them? I did BJJ for around 4 months (2 classes a week) and I was forever dealing with a strained neck or back or something or other. I've been boxing competitively for the past few years but can see myself having a bash off grappling at some stage. It seems to me the injuries you get are much more serious in grappling than in striking.

Dislocated Fingers,
Dislocated Toes
Torn Rotator Cuff
Tissue Damage/Severe Bruising on my Back(got slammed from standing height by a bigger guy when putting on a triangle)
Hyperextension of both Elbows
Burst Eyebrow (straw knee)

Mat Burn on my Feet(worst injury ever, hate the things)

FTA69

"Gentle art" my hole!

Subcomandante Marcos

FTA69 wrote: »

"Gentle art" my hole!

Accept the warm embrace of a well sunk arm triangle while I whisper "this is what it feels like to die" in your ear, my child.

muhawhawhaw

Mellor

I've had a shoulder injury twice, probable slight torn rotator cuff. And a minor MCL tear. I also tor a ligament on a pinky knuckle, and its never got back the full spread range. But that's about it been lucky.
Badly bruised ribs, bruised bone in a shin, and a nerve spasm in my shin from kick boxing also

Other stuff like strained neck, inflamed elbows etc I won't even count as injurys.