The FB BJJ / MA Thread

stimpsonslostson

I agree. I certainly went through a stage where I felt I’d stagnated- partially because I was always rolling with the same group of people (early morning session = less variation). It’s easy to learn a few tricks that work (arm triangle, crucifix & Kimura are mine) and to just hit them ad nauseam. I chatted to the instructor & we started playing games where I HAD to do other things and broaden my game. 

Having said I had little interest in gradings, I started Judo a few months ago... learned the first few throws etc, got injured & came back just after a grading... all “my” cohort of white belts are now red belts & I felt a pang of jealousy, which surprised me. Apparently I WOULD really like to get a coloured belt!

Fuengi

stimpsonslostson said:

I agree. I certainly went through a stage where I felt I’d stagnated- partially because I was always rolling with the same group of people (early morning session = less variation). It’s easy to learn a few tricks that work (arm triangle, crucifix & Kimura are mine) and to just hit them ad nauseam. I chatted to the instructor & we started playing games where I HAD to do other things and broaden my game. 

Having said I had little interest in gradings, I started Judo a few months ago... learned the first few throws etc, got injured & came back just after a grading... all “my” cohort of white belts are now red belts & I felt a pang of jealousy, which surprised me. Apparently I WOULD really like to get a coloured belt!

So, for BJJ do you just roll in a white belt without any stripes? I bet the new guys get a bit of a shock! 

stimpsonslostson

Fuengi said:

stimpsonslostson said:

I agree. I certainly went through a stage where I felt I’d stagnated- partially because I was always rolling with the same group of people (early morning session = less variation). It’s easy to learn a few tricks that work (arm triangle, crucifix & Kimura are mine) and to just hit them ad nauseam. I chatted to the instructor & we started playing games where I HAD to do other things and broaden my game. 

Having said I had little interest in gradings, I started Judo a few months ago... learned the first few throws etc, got injured & came back just after a grading... all “my” cohort of white belts are now red belts & I felt a pang of jealousy, which surprised me. Apparently I WOULD really like to get a coloured belt!

So, for BJJ do you just roll in a white belt without any stripes? I bet the new guys get a bit of a shock! 

BJJ- no gi, so no belt. I make a point of chatting to new folk to welcome them to the class & then testing them out rather than charging in with submissions. Against the “regulars” we just go at it. 
If I attended a Gi class I’d wear a white until the instructor told me otherwise- I’ve never been formally graded. 


At Judo I’m a plain white belt (as I should be)- I have no experience with throwing etc.
 The coaches know about my grappling experience & throw me in against anyone, including black belts at newaza, but I (& the coaches) make a point of saying “don’t go easy on me- I’ve done BJJ before”.
It’s a well run club so I’ve not encountered any bruised egos seeking revenge after a hard round, quite the opposite- many senior members have sought me out and given me lots of advice after I’ve “proven” myself on the ground with them. 

FarleyUK

Quick update on my traditional JJ class; just got the yellow belt, and passed with a score including a merit. Not bad for only doing it since January I think.

Going for Orange in 2 months time, then green, blue, purple, brown and black finally....!

EDIT: On a slightly related note, after that arsehole broke 3 of my ribs in Judo in February, they're still sore and I've noticed the left ribcage is now bigger than the right. Makes groundwork a bit more painful....!

grungebob

FarleyUK said:

Quick update on my traditional JJ class; just got the yellow belt, and passed with a score including a merit. Not bad for only doing it since January I think.

Going for Orange in 2 months time, then green, blue, purple, brown and black finally....!

EDIT: On a slightly related note, after that arsehole broke 3 of my ribs in Judo in February, they're still sore and I've noticed the left ribcage is now bigger than the right. Makes groundwork a bit more painful....!

Congratulations on the promotion! I’d get those ribs checked. When I broke one and fractured one they were all good to go in about 6 weeks. I was much Younger though so maybe we heal slower as we get erm.... older 

FarleyUK

grungebob said:

FarleyUK said:

Quick update on my traditional JJ class; just got the yellow belt, and passed with a score including a merit. Not bad for only doing it since January I think.

Going for Orange in 2 months time, then green, blue, purple, brown and black finally....!

EDIT: On a slightly related note, after that arsehole broke 3 of my ribs in Judo in February, they're still sore and I've noticed the left ribcage is now bigger than the right. Makes groundwork a bit more painful....!

Congratulations on the promotion! I’d get those ribs checked. When I broke one and fractured one they were all good to go in about 6 weeks. I was much Younger though so maybe we heal slower as we get erm.... older 

Cheeky sod

Yeah, I can feel that they've 'healed' and fused, but I just wonder if the fusing has happened in a weird way. Other difficulty is that the breaks were all at the side, making it hard to x-ray.

And thanks

snakemanStoo

Had a junior grading today, first one since I got my judo black belt.

All the kids passed, and passed well.

And I got awarded 2nd dan jujitsu.  Which was nice.

grungebob

snakemanStoo said:

Had a junior grading today, first one since I got my judo black belt.

All the kids passed, and passed well.

And I got awarded 2nd dan jujitsu.  Which was nice.

That’s quite some day!

Fuengi

Got my third stripe on my white belt tonight, almost exactly a year to the day since I started BJJ. 

Really enjoying rolling the past few weeks. 

grungebob

Fuengi said:

Got my third stripe on my white belt tonight, almost exactly a year to the day since I started BJJ. 

Really enjoying rolling the past few weeks. 

Congratulations, looks like you’re on the fast track to blue. 

Fuengi

Was promoted to the front row of the line up on Thursday evening, only two blue belts (unusually) than me next in line! Felt weird being one on the most experienced in a class of around 20. 

The drop out rate in BJJ is surprisingly high, even at blue belt. I think a lot of guys want to get to blue and then are satisfied. Anyone else noticed this?

When I got my stripe on Tuesday, my professor gave me a pat on the back and said he had one other guy start this year at my age (49 next week) but he injured himself doing a break fall on his first class. 

grungebob

At my class there’s one purple two blues and three 3 stripe whites , myself and two other 2 stripes plus some new starters. 
Even some of the one stripe guys have dropped out recently which I thought weird as they were naturals and got that first stripe real fast. 

Im away with work next week and tried to arrange a drop in class at another academy and they didn’t even bother to respond. 

Fuengi

grungebob said:

At my class there’s one purple two blues and three 3 stripe whites , myself and two other 2 stripes plus some new starters. 
Even some of the one stripe guys have dropped out recently which I thought weird as they were naturals and got that first stripe real fast. 

Im away with work next week and tried to arrange a drop in class at another academy and they didn’t even bother to respond. 

Where are you working next week? 

Looked at Cambridge in case I can do a drop in class when visiting family, one place had a really good website and encourage drop ins.

We have a couple of black / purple belts that our prof knows who drop in from time to time. Always fun.

grungebob

Peterborough for three days of work training, oh the joys of a premier inn ( hence looking for a drop in)

Fuengi

These guys in Cambridge, not too far.

http://www.axisbjj.co.uk/

grungebob

Thanks. Bit too far that an hour each way from where I’m staying. I’ll find something surely 

Fuengi

grungebob said:

Thanks. Bit too far that an hour each way from where I’m staying. I’ll find something surely 

Ah, yes two hours travel for an hour's class is probably counter productive! 

BigLicks67

Sorry to hijack this thread briefly, but I've been struggling with a rotator cuff injury for the past few months. Any of you got any tips for recovery etc.

Fuengi

BigLicks67 said:

Sorry to hijack this thread briefly, but I've been struggling with a rotator cuff injury for the past few months. Any of you got any tips for recovery etc.

Yes. There is a brilliant rehab on Yoga for BJJ which got me back on the mats within a fortnight. 

You can sign up free for a period which would mean you can easily complete the rehab course without paying. 

The rehab is not BJJ specific obviously.

https://www.yogaforbjj.net/rehab-for-shoulders/

stimpsonslostson

Fuengi said:

BigLicks67 said:

Sorry to hijack this thread briefly, but I've been struggling with a rotator cuff injury for the past few months. Any of you got any tips for recovery etc.

Yes. There is a brilliant rehab on Yoga for BJJ which got me back on the mats within a fortnight. 

You can sign up free for a period which would mean you can easily complete the rehab course without paying. 

The rehab is not BJJ specific obviously.

https://www.yogaforbjj.net/rehab-for-shoulders/

^this. 
I've used it to rehab shoulder, hip & back injuries. I now do at least a short session daily & think it really helps.