Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - General Thread

Mellor · 14-04-2020 2:05pm

Doff wrote: »

BJJ gyms will have to be one of the last places to open back up fully unfortunately. Unless they were to open, enforce social distancing, and just do solo drills with a head instructor but I'm not sure how plausible that would be.

They should.
I’d be surprised if the “rules” will highlight a niche sport like Bjj. Most likely will get lumped in with gyms

Black Sheep · 14-04-2020 2:34pm

Nothing has been that prescriptive to date, so it's unlikely that individual sports will get a name-check.

BJJ will be in the same pickle as other contact sports or similar close contact activities.

Gyms in Ireland mostly closed on the government's request that social distancing considerations be taken seriously (There was a key speech by the Taoiseach on the 12 March and that was when the GAA and a cascade of gyms closed). There was no explicit directive to close at that stage, the closures mandated were for schools, colleges and related to gatherings of a particular size.

But my point is if we do a phased re-opening of "non essential" businesses that won't really help BJJ gyms if the advice to observe social distancing while doing so remains.

If you think of commercial gyms (Flyefit, Ben Dunne etc) they actually could re-open and have social distancing. Limit numbers on the floor, have staff going about wiping down equipment constantly, etc. It would at least be a token effort at it.

But no BJJ gym could do that.

One thing they could do, funnily enough, would be to work with a request that gatherings be limited to 10 people or fewer (Just for sake of argument). A lot of private training businesses that do small group training are already running software that forces people to book spaces in classes of this nature, and when they're gone they're gone.

Mellor · 14-04-2020 3:23pm

Black Sheep wrote: »

If you think of commercial gyms (Flyefit, Ben Dunne etc) they actually could re-open and have social distancing. Limit numbers on the floor, have staff going about wiping down equipment constantly, etc. It would at least be a token effort at it.

But no BJJ gym could do that.

I’m not saying gym owners should open back up the save time as Flyefit and the like. I’m saying that I think they will unless told they can’t. The bills will have piled up by that point.

RoboRat · 22-04-2020 11:54am

I'm going to follow the direction given to the IRFU in regards to when they get back and what they are/ are not doing.

This is probably the closest mainstream sport to what we do (rucks, scrums, mauls etc).

feelpablo · 25-04-2020 7:20pm

I was thinking if there was a test that could be done with a DR for say 50 euro and it showed you being covid 19 negative, you could get a Cert from the DR, take to your gym when your monthly fee is to be paid and be free to get on with it. If everyone done this everytime they had to pay the monthly membership it could be an active way of getting going?!

granturismo · 25-04-2020 8:46pm

feelpablo wrote: »

I was thinking if there was a test that could be done with a DR for say 50 euro and it showed you being covid 19 negative, you could get a Cert from the DR, ...

This wont work. If you mean the current test to see if a person have Covid19 virus or doesnt - if the throat and nasal swabs are taken in the 2-3rd week some of these tests are negative because there is little viral load in the upper respiratory tract.

If the tests were 100% effective, you'd have to test every gym goer every day - if all gym goers are negative on day 1, one of them can get infected after having the test and then go on to infect everyone in the gym.

The only test that should work in your scenario is a test for Covid antibodies which shows positive testers have had the infection and in theory should be immune. This is the typical scenario with infectious diseases, but the WHO say there is no proof at the moment that the presence of Covid antibodies guarantees protection against a second infection.

Mellor · 27-04-2020 8:56am

Craig being Craig and heelhooking elite grapplers.
Vinny being vinny and refusing to tap to leg locks.

https://twitter.com/UFCFightPass/status/1254557297633898504

Tazzimus · 27-04-2020 9:11am

That hurt just watching it..

Black Sheep · 27-04-2020 10:25am

Sport Ireland chief executive John Treacy has warned that the Covid-19 pandemic means it could be some time before it is possible for contact sports to be played again in the country.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/2020/0424/1134664-treacy-return-of-non-contact-sports-will-be-priority/

'Some time' certainly means further months, obviously. I'm not confident we'll be back in 2020.

I could see more training occurring between small, closed groups of the same 2-3 people (Let's be honest, this is already happening by some people), but gyms reopening seems way, way off.

Mellor · 27-04-2020 10:51am

Tazzimus wrote: »

That hurt just watching it..

Yeah. Vinny is clearly tough as nails, but he's also clearly insane.
A match on Chael Sonnen's niche grappling event is not worth mangling your knee.

Tazzimus · 27-04-2020 10:57am

Mellor wrote: »

Yeah. Vinny is clearly tough as nails, but he's also clearly insane.
A match on Chael Sonnen's niche grappling event is not worth mangling your knee.

Craig seemed more concerned about it than Vinny. Also, he has ridiculous flexibility.

Mellor · 27-04-2020 1:50pm

Here’s the match. Bizarre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kMtQi-pzUI

Mellor · 01-06-2020 3:56pm

First time back training on saturday. Just two of us. Drilling only.

Black Sheep · 02-06-2020 4:22pm

Could someone who was training in the SBG HQ gym (John Kavanagh's gym) before lockdown PM me a copy of the timetable, if they wouldn't mind?

I emailed the website direct looking for some info on that and another thing but no reply. Have resent the query again today too. In the current times I can understand no one might be monitoring it as doubt there are many enquiries at the moment...

badbeatcentral · 05-06-2020 10:20am

In general are people looking at returning to full contact rolling on the 10th August?

The government guidelines seem misaligned where they're allowing traditional gyms to re-open on 10th August but they must maintain effective social distancing.

arse..biscuits · 05-06-2020 6:56pm

So July 20th then?

Mellor · 15-06-2020 8:11am

Classes back in my gym tonight.
Sorry for rubbing it in, but i'm happy.

Not sure how drilling/rolling/social distancing works

Doff · 15-06-2020 8:42am

Mellor wrote: »

Classes back in my gym tonight.
Sorry for rubbing it in, but i'm happy.

Not sure how drilling/rolling/social distancing works

I'm not jealous......

Let us know how you get on! I might be a tad bit jealous.

Tazzimus · 15-06-2020 9:15am

I'll be avoiding the gym for the first month anyway when they open again on the 20th.
It'll be like January with all the people and I want to see how things actually pan out before I head back down, restrictions etc.

Mellor · 15-06-2020 9:27am

Tazzimus wrote: »

I'll be avoiding the gym for the first month anyway when they open again on the 20th.
It'll be like January with all the people and I want to see how things actually pan out before I head back down, restrictions etc.

Numbers are limited initially. 10 per class at the minute.

RoboRat · 16-06-2020 4:16pm

I'm starting back at the end of this month with outside classes with social distancing and no contact. Mainly just working on flexability and drilling.

Hoping full training will resume on the 20th July. Smaller class numbers with specific measures in place (temperature checks/ sign in/ pre-booking / sanitiser)

Have to say, this lay off has been great for my body, can't remember being this injury free!

Mellor · 17-06-2020 1:23am

RoboRat wrote: »

)

Have to say, this lay off has been great for my body, can't remember being this injury free!

I woke up last week and my back/neck was put out. No reason why.
Been in bits since. Typical the week I go back.

As for the process. Class was fine.
Sanitizer on the way in. Classes limited to 4m2 per person.
Warm-up.
Partner up with partner. Stay with same partner whole class.

Low contact rentioned drills
Darce drilling
No rolling
Classes caped at an hour

Worked on my grading a bit after that.

DrPhilG · 17-06-2020 2:19am

Mellor wrote: »

Classes caped at an hour

Did you wear your pants outside of your gi too for full effect?

Mellor · 17-06-2020 4:16am

DrPhilG wrote: »

Did you wear your pants outside of your gi too for full effect?

Blue gi pants with red undies on top. Superman innit

Chairman Meow · 23-06-2020 11:48am

Tazzimus wrote: »

I'll be avoiding the gym for the first month anyway when they open again on the 20th.
It'll be like January with all the people and I want to see how things actually pan out before I head back down, restrictions etc.

Yeah im not sure what to do myself, might give it a month or so post re-opening before i actually go back. Its bound to be really restrictive and if it goes to a "book your place" system, bound to be next to impossible to get a slot, and even harder to get a time that suits. Im lucky i do lunchtime classes cause i imagine getting an evening slot would be insanity. But as Robo said, im currently enjoying being injury and pain free, i've been working on nothing but HIIT workouts and bodyweight exercises the last 3 months, and its honestly going really well so im okay to pace myself when it comes to getting back to BJJ and lifting weights for another month or two yet.

Tho i gotta say, i watched a video of 2 guys rolling in their back yard on some mats the other day and got a crazy itch to start rolling again

Mellor · 09-07-2020 7:39am

Have to say, I'm very much loving be back at the gym and training.
Mostly be working in pairs on material for the grading.

MrStuffins · 09-07-2020 9:44am

Anyone's gym just rolling like normal? Multiple sparring partners. No social distancing etc.?

RoboRat · 13-07-2020 10:48am

MrStuffins wrote: »

Anyone's gym just rolling like normal? Multiple sparring partners. No social distancing etc.?

Not mine, I have the lads sticking with single partners and maintaining distancing - gym is quite large so it's easy enough.

I do feel bad because my partner is getting hammered... but to his credit he hasn't complained and has come on in leaps and bounds. I'd say once we mix it up again, he will see how much he has come on. Goes to show, avoiding the hard rolls will slow your progress.

Chairman Meow · 13-07-2020 4:30pm

I swear to god reading all this stuff now about the 'rona causing heart and brain damage has me nervous again. I was initially thinking early august or so to go back to training but if the cases keep going up again i doubt the wife will let me train (i have asthma so technically im high risk even tho im quite physically fit). I kinda miss the days when all i had to worry about was screwing up a knee or something.

To make matters worse ive binged all the Quintet grappling tournaments and am dying to do some training now lol

rob316 · 13-07-2020 4:31pm

Seems to be fairly normal in our gym, rolled with a few different partners last week. Membership is limited but still good numbers. Temp checked at the entrance, sanitizer and wipes all over the place.

Bloody great to be back, it was starting feel strange my body not broken.

MrStuffins · 14-07-2020 1:02am

rob316 wrote: »

Seems to be fairly normal in our gym, rolled with a few different partners last week. Membership is limited but still good numbers. Temp checked at the entrance, sanitizer and wipes all over the place.

Bloody great to be back, it was starting feel strange my body not broken.

Yeah we're the same. Temp checks on the way in, hand sanitizer, mats cleaned all the time etc. Rolling just like we did pre-Covid.

I thought I'd feel weird about it but I really missed it and didn't feel weird at all.

Black Sheep · 16-07-2020 10:38am

Our gym has split training into different 'teams' who never meet. My training time is lunchtime and I have Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I can't attend at other times / days.

Between sessions the gym is cleaned thoroughly.

In a large gym I think this is a reasonable means of hoping that if a group did become ill then the other groups have a reasonable expectation that they will never have been close contacts. It's actually the same model we used for my work, we split into an 'A' and a 'B' team who never cross.

Coaches aren't training across the groups, as you'd expect.

To be honest if the R rate continues to rise and gets quite high I fear the gyms will shut again. Hard to say if that will occur at this stage. Seems like the experience of some other countries is that where social distancing measures are in place in other areas of society the R rate will increase more slowly than with the first wave, no exponential growth. With any luck we can keep it down.

Chairman Meow · 16-07-2020 12:43pm

Black Sheep wrote: »

Our gym has split training into different 'teams' who never meet. My training time is lunchtime and I have Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I can't attend at other times / days.

Between sessions the gym is cleaned thoroughly.

In a large gym I think this is a reasonable means of hoping that if a group did become ill then the other groups have a reasonable expectation that they will never have been close contacts. It's actually the same model we used for my work, we split into an 'A' and a 'B' team who never cross.

Coaches aren't training across the groups, as you'd expect.

To be honest if the R rate continues to rise and gets quite high I fear the gyms will shut again. Hard to say if that will occur at this stage. Seems like the experience of some other countries is that where social distancing measures are in place in other areas of society the R rate will increase more slowly than with the first wave, no exponential growth. With any luck we can keep it down.

They tried doing an A & B team in my job but everyone moaned so much about being on the B team they had to rename it team red and team green :rolleyes:

But yeah the R number going up and phase 4 pushed back i was worried gyms might end up having to close again too. My manager was like "i cant believe this is happening over only 30 cases", but like, this whole thing started because of ONE case so 30 is nothing to be ignored. I guess well see how it goes. At the moment im thinking ill go back in August, but it depends on how things go to be honest.

Tazzimus · 16-07-2020 12:49pm

Chairman Meow wrote: »

They tried doing an A & B team in my job but everyone moaned so much about being on the B team they had to rename it team red and team green :rolleyes:

But yeah the R number going up and phase 4 pushed back i was worried gyms might end up having to close again too. My manager was like "i cant believe this is happening over only 30 cases", but like, this whole thing started because of ONE case so 30 is nothing to be ignored. I guess well see how it goes. At the moment im thinking ill go back in August, but it depends on how things go to be honest.

Lads were asking me last night if I'll be down Monday.
We have trouble getting people to wear flip flops into the toilets, so I don't trust 99% of them to sanitise properly.
I'll be waiting a few weeks as well to see how things pan out.

MrStuffins · 16-07-2020 1:07pm

Chairman Meow wrote: »

They tried doing an A & B team in my job but everyone moaned so much about being on the B team they had to rename it team red and team green :rolleyes:

But yeah the R number going up and phase 4 pushed back i was worried gyms might end up having to close again too. My manager was like "i cant believe this is happening over only 30 cases", but like, this whole thing started because of ONE case so 30 is nothing to be ignored. I guess well see how it goes. At the moment im thinking ill go back in August, but it depends on how things go to be honest.

That's the thing, some people can't seem to grasp the importance of the reinfection rate.

If the rate is at 1, then 30 cases becomes 60, becomes 120 etc. It's not to be sniffed at and it's this attitude that's making people become complacent. "Ah sure it's only a handful of cases".

Chairman Meow · 17-07-2020 10:12am

MrStuffins wrote: »

That's the thing, some people can't seem to grasp the importance of the reinfection rate.

If the rate is at 1, then 30 cases becomes 60, becomes 120 etc. It's not to be sniffed at and it's this attitude that's making people become complacent. "Ah sure it's only a handful of cases".

Yeah it definitely seems like the "ah sure feck it itll be grand" attitude is coming back in some ways. That gob****e Niall Boylan on the radio yesterday bemoaning the fact that pubs cant reopen because of "only a hanfdul of cases", i get hes playing devils advocate and thats his schtick but that attitude is what makes people lazy about social distancing / sanitizing etc.

We have trouble getting people to wear flip flops into the toilets, so I don't trust 99% of them to sanitise properly.

Thats hilarious and disgusting in equal measure

Tazzimus · 17-07-2020 10:41am

Chairman Meow wrote: »

Thats hilarious and disgusting in equal measure

It is when they wonder why you won't roll with them. Genuine look of confusion :pac:

Black Sheep · 20-07-2020 6:42pm

I agree people struggle to conceptualise what exponential growth looks like, humans just aren't good at it, we default to imaging linear growth and think we have time when we don't.

That said, for you guys that are waiting to see how it pans out... In a way the safest time to train was probably the last month just passed. That was when the transmission rate within the community was almost nothing. Now it's rising again, I think it'll probably be less safe in the coming weeks, not safer...?

Will the R rate continue to rise, albeit more slowly, or is it going to remain pretty static due to the social distancing measures we're still observing? I think gyms staying open is tied to that more than anything that gyms themselves can do at the moment.

rob316 · 21-07-2020 10:35am

With BJJ your talking about a fairly niche activity, the numbers of people doing this are low. I understand the R rate is rising, but we accepts the risks and the majority are smart enough to know when to train and not to and practice good hygiene.

Chairman Meow · 22-07-2020 6:44pm

rob316 wrote: »

With BJJ your talking about a fairly niche activity, the numbers of people doing this are low. I understand the R rate is rising, but we accepts the risks and the majority are smart enough to know when to train and not to and practice good hygiene.

The thing is its a niche sport yes, so not a large amount of the population take part in it, but you still dont know how many people your training partner has been in contact with that day. For all you know they work in a nursing home!

I agree with Black Sheep tho, the safest time to train definitely would have been in the last 20 days or so when the R number was at its lowest, now we just have to wait and see really. Im going to give it til the Govt mandated day of Aug 10th, if cases are properly declining by then, ill sign back up. If theyre still rising, ill wait it out another month, rewatching team 10th planet v team reebok at quintet for the hundredth time...

Mellor · 01-08-2020 8:27am

We added a new coach since reopening. And the main coach is splitting he class into a main group
and an advanced group. One night the advanced group was only two of us with coach. So I feel like training has been very productive lately. Which is a nice change from frustrating spells.

MrStuffins · 04-08-2020 3:05pm

Yeah, just on the above..........

Is anyone else finding that training has been a little better since the restart? Maybe the break did my body good, but i'm finding that I was able to pick up pretty well from where I left off and, in fact, am doing a bit better in sparring against lads who I wasn't doing as well against pre-lockdown.

Chairman Meow · 05-08-2020 11:23am

MrStuffins wrote: »

Yeah, just on the above..........

Is anyone else finding that training has been a little better since the restart? Maybe the break did my body good, but i'm finding that I was able to pick up pretty well from where I left off and, in fact, am doing a bit better in sparring against lads who I wasn't doing as well against pre-lockdown.

Theyre probably a bit out of practice, which maybe lets you catch up with them a bit id imagine. Tho a break can definitely help. I took maybe 7 months off in 2017, and in early 2018 i felt like some grappling so i went to a Judo class near me and after 7 months of no grappling i went in and managed to hit an anaconda choke which i had never done in live rolling before until then, so all that muscle memory is still there!!

Cases going back up again, doesnt look like my 10th august return will be on the cards

Black Sheep · 09-08-2020 11:24am

I presume BJJ gyms are shut in the counties that are locked down again?

Doesn’t bode well in general, I would be nervous that we’ll see the same elsewhere in winter. Suspect a lot of gyms couldn’t handle a second bout of this craic, in business terms.

In some ways the measures are more considered than the first lockdown, and would allow for a lot of sports to continue outdoors... Just not ours.

RoboRat · 10-08-2020 12:49pm

Black Sheep wrote: »

I presume BJJ gyms are shut in the counties that are locked down again?

Doesn’t bode well in general, I would be nervous that we’ll see the same elsewhere in winter. Suspect a lot of gyms couldn’t handle a second bout of this craic, in business terms.

In some ways the measures are more considered than the first lockdown, and would allow for a lot of sports to continue outdoors... Just not ours.

Yup, we're closed again until the restrictions are lifted. It's going to be hard on a lot of gyms if this continues. It's not a massive issue for me as I am just paid to train in the gym and being honest, I am not doing it for the money - the gym is close to me and it's handy to be able to set the times to suit my schedule, and by schedule I mean what my wife allows :-P

My gut feeling is that this is a slap on the hand by NPHET. People were getting lax and their authority was being openly questioned so I feel this is a bit of a f*** you show of power. This could have been handled on a more local basis, but that would have encouraged people to flout the restrictions and guidance.

It has certainly got people thinking if it can happen there, it can happen here, so I can see the logic despite being the sacrificial lambs. Hopefully people will cop on and just do what they have to.

rob316 · 10-08-2020 1:19pm

If there is closures again I don't think I will be able to keep paying my membership. A good number of us kept up our payments for the 3 months and is the only reason we had a gym to go back to. It is so tough, especially when a gym owner isn't really making much anyway.

Chairman Meow · 10-08-2020 2:45pm

rob316 wrote: »

If there is closures again I don't think I will be able to keep paying my membership. A good number of us kept up our payments for the 3 months and is the only reason we had a gym to go back to. It is so tough, especially when a gym owner isn't really making much anyway.

I kept paying from march til July, it was as long as i could afford to keep paying while not actually training. Even at that i felt terrible messaging the coach and asking him to stop my membership. I imagine if lockdown does come back full force only the biggest gyms will be able to keep their heads above water

average hero · 12-08-2020 9:44pm

In the past fortnight (under strict hygiene protocols etc.) I started BJJ and I must say I love it. I am taking a strategic break from Judo at the moment until I make a plan to assault the brown belt syllabus and win my fights etc. That will probably be next year.

As you all know, Judo is a cousin to BJJ so I have some basics. I rolled with a couple of blue belts and they were delighted that I wasn't 'jerky' or 'spazzy' like many white belts. They said I could use my weight well, could defend myself a little and could position myself well for a white belt(although it was more wrestling-style of grappling, not as 'refined' as BJJ). I didn't get close to any submissions though. I more-so threatened one or two and then they easily positioned/postured away.

Pros - It is very technical. I have already learned a lot that will help my Judo too. Great instructor, sound rolling partners, I have an extremely basic idea of how it works. It is a great workout too. I don't even register I am working out as I am learning all the time!

Cons - I need to get fitter, strong and more flexible!

I can see why you all love it. I am now a convert! However I still love Judo. I look forward to my white belt journey.

Doff · 13-08-2020 9:03am

average hero wrote: »

In the past fortnight (under strict hygiene protocols etc.) I started BJJ and I must say I love it. I am taking a strategic break from Judo at the moment until I make a plan to assault the brown belt syllabus and win my fights etc. That will probably be next year.

As you all know, Judo is a cousin to BJJ so I have some basics. I rolled with a couple of blue belts and they were delighted that I wasn't 'jerky' or 'spazzy' like many white belts. They said I could use my weight well, could defend myself a little and could position myself well for a white belt(although it was more wrestling-style of grappling, not as 'refined' as BJJ). I didn't get close to any submissions though. I more-so threatened one or two and then they easily positioned/postured away.

Pros - It is very technical. I have already learned a lot that will help my Judo too. Great instructor, sound rolling partners, I have an extremely basic idea of how it works. It is a great workout too. I don't even register I am working out as I am learning all the time!

Cons - I need to get fitter, strong and more flexible!

I can see why you all love it. I am now a convert! However I still love Judo. I look forward to my white belt journey.

My only advice to you:
Learn to pass someones guard. Once they find out you do Judo, no one is going to start standing against you!

santana75 · 18-08-2020 9:47am

I'm new to this sub forum so forgive me if I ask questions already asked and answered........I want to start BJJ, its something I've been trying to wrangle my schedule to accommodate for a long time and finally I have the freedom to do that. There seems to be a lot of clubs in Dublin (where I'm based) which is good for choice, but could anyone direct me to a club they'd recommend that has a good reputation all in all but one that is friendly and helpful to beginners?
Also how many days a week would you need to train to really get the most out of it?
Cheers

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - General Thread

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