Jiu Jitsu discussion / complete beginner!
Discussion
Hi All 
Last night, at the grand old age of 31, I attended my first Gracie Jiu Jitsu class. Being a complete newbie (stood out like a sore thumb due to no Gi!) I'm not ashamed to admit I was outside of my comfort zone.
My interest stems from my 7 year old daughter who also started a few weeks back. She loves it and watching some of the more advanced kids has really opened my eyes to the techniques and confidence they possess when on the ground.
My first lesson went well, started very basic (obviously) some simple escapes from mount, closed guard to armbar and standing guillotines. Apparently I made the classic newbie mistake of thinking strength will overcome most moves - wrong! (as evident by my slightly pulled back this morning).
All in all, really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to progressing. Made an effort to introduce myself to the guys in the class so next time should be a little less nerve racking.
I'll update this thread as time goes on but in the meanwhile I'm interested to hear about your experiences and thoughts
Thanks
Pete
Last night, at the grand old age of 31, I attended my first Gracie Jiu Jitsu class. Being a complete newbie (stood out like a sore thumb due to no Gi!) I'm not ashamed to admit I was outside of my comfort zone.
My interest stems from my 7 year old daughter who also started a few weeks back. She loves it and watching some of the more advanced kids has really opened my eyes to the techniques and confidence they possess when on the ground.
My first lesson went well, started very basic (obviously) some simple escapes from mount, closed guard to armbar and standing guillotines. Apparently I made the classic newbie mistake of thinking strength will overcome most moves - wrong! (as evident by my slightly pulled back this morning).
All in all, really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to progressing. Made an effort to introduce myself to the guys in the class so next time should be a little less nerve racking.
I'll update this thread as time goes on but in the meanwhile I'm interested to hear about your experiences and thoughts
Thanks
Pete
My colleague has been doing it for years and got me into it last year as I wanted to get fitter.
Apart from a badly sprained ankle and torn shoulder muscle, have loved every minute of it.
I went with him to a private lesson with someone who competes, he was about 6 stone lighter than me and absolutely demolished me!!
As you said, good technique will beat a stronger opponent at this sport.
Only thing to watch out for is take downs, that's how I sprained my ankle, got it caught under me, and high knees!!
Apart from a badly sprained ankle and torn shoulder muscle, have loved every minute of it.
I went with him to a private lesson with someone who competes, he was about 6 stone lighter than me and absolutely demolished me!!
As you said, good technique will beat a stronger opponent at this sport.
Only thing to watch out for is take downs, that's how I sprained my ankle, got it caught under me, and high knees!!
Well done! Hardest part is walking into the place and being the awkward new one that doesn't know anything. Hopefully it's a good school that won't make you feel left out.
See your first 3 months don't really worry about trying to hard for submissions. Just try to defend and build your own position.
Wee tip think of a T. rex. That's your hand position when trying to defend. Don't let your arms be isolated. Breathe and relax ( hard to do when a 12 stone brute is exerting shoulder pressure on your face).
You will be tapped often but don't worry and don't try not to tap if the position is on as you will get injured.
Start your 5 minute rolling sessions by seeing if you can hold position and get tapped less than the previous one.
It takes time but the bug will get you.
On a side note I'm out injured just now as I snapped my Tib and fib in a bit of a freak accident drilling take downs. I'm going mental not being able to train or roll
Don't let that put you off as it was a complete freak accident on a drill I have down a thousand times.
It is a contact sport and you will get injuries and you will be sore and bruised( prepare for loads of bicep bruises and wrist bruises where you are grabbed but these get less over time as your skin toughens up)
Most of all enjoy it it is good fun!!!
See your first 3 months don't really worry about trying to hard for submissions. Just try to defend and build your own position.
Wee tip think of a T. rex. That's your hand position when trying to defend. Don't let your arms be isolated. Breathe and relax ( hard to do when a 12 stone brute is exerting shoulder pressure on your face).
You will be tapped often but don't worry and don't try not to tap if the position is on as you will get injured.
Start your 5 minute rolling sessions by seeing if you can hold position and get tapped less than the previous one.
It takes time but the bug will get you.
On a side note I'm out injured just now as I snapped my Tib and fib in a bit of a freak accident drilling take downs. I'm going mental not being able to train or roll
Don't let that put you off as it was a complete freak accident on a drill I have down a thousand times.
It is a contact sport and you will get injuries and you will be sore and bruised( prepare for loads of bicep bruises and wrist bruises where you are grabbed but these get less over time as your skin toughens up)
Most of all enjoy it it is good fun!!!
shambolic said:
Well done! Hardest part is walking into the place and being the awkward new one that doesn't know anything. Hopefully it's a good school that won't make you feel left out.
See your first 3 months don't really worry about trying to hard for submissions. Just try to defend and build your own position.
Wee tip think of a T. rex. That's your hand position when trying to defend. Don't let your arms be isolated. Breathe and relax ( hard to do when a 12 stone brute is exerting shoulder pressure on your face).
You will be tapped often but don't worry and don't try not to tap if the position is on as you will get injured.
Start your 5 minute rolling sessions by seeing if you can hold position and get tapped less than the previous one.
It takes time but the bug will get you.
On a side note I'm out injured just now as I snapped my Tib and fib in a bit of a freak accident drilling take downs. I'm going mental not being able to train or roll
Don't let that put you off as it was a complete freak accident on a drill I have down a thousand times.
It is a contact sport and you will get injuries and you will be sore and bruised( prepare for loads of bicep bruises and wrist bruises where you are grabbed but these get less over time as your skin toughens up)
Most of all enjoy it it is good fun!!!
how did you manage that?See your first 3 months don't really worry about trying to hard for submissions. Just try to defend and build your own position.
Wee tip think of a T. rex. That's your hand position when trying to defend. Don't let your arms be isolated. Breathe and relax ( hard to do when a 12 stone brute is exerting shoulder pressure on your face).
You will be tapped often but don't worry and don't try not to tap if the position is on as you will get injured.
Start your 5 minute rolling sessions by seeing if you can hold position and get tapped less than the previous one.
It takes time but the bug will get you.
On a side note I'm out injured just now as I snapped my Tib and fib in a bit of a freak accident drilling take downs. I'm going mental not being able to train or roll
Don't let that put you off as it was a complete freak accident on a drill I have down a thousand times.
It is a contact sport and you will get injuries and you will be sore and bruised( prepare for loads of bicep bruises and wrist bruises where you are grabbed but these get less over time as your skin toughens up)
Most of all enjoy it it is good fun!!!
Really appreciate the replies from everyone.
I'm now 3 lessons in, 4th one tonight. Since my original post I've managed to pick up a lightly used (almost pristine infact) Gi which will hopefully alleviate me standing out like a sore thumb.
At my 2nd lesson I bumped into an old friend who's been doing it quite a while and he asked if I wanted to roll. Figuring all I can do is defend (and making this clear beforehand!) I accepted.
Hardest. Five minutes. Ever.
I like to think of myself as a pretty fit guy but this was another level. I appreciate a large proportion will be wasted energy on my part due to panic/poor technique/general exertion but it took a good 10 - 15 minutes before I was recovered properly. Post-roll googling has made me realise as a newbie I should concentrate on establishing a good base and looking at passing the guard rather than attempting anything else (not that I'd really know what else there is at this point)
It also opened my eyes to how it might translate to a street scenario i.e. guy with no skills (but hell bent on putting you out) versus a BJJ practitioner. I like to think I almost had him, at one point I had his back and the choke was on but evidently I didn't have my hooks in tight enough or execute an effective choke. The roll ended with a rear choke from him on me, and me tapping. All good fun, mutual respect, really enjoyed it.
Techniques for the past few sessions have been mainly focused on headlock escape from the ground, clinch (without takedown) and standing elbow lock. I assume this is all really basic to you guys but its a steep learning curve for me and I come away in wonder after every session.
There is a seminar by Ryron Gracie in May at my local leisure center. I was a little apprehensive about going, being an absolute newbie and all, but my instructor is supportive and says I'll definitely get something out of it, regardless of my level.
Anyway, gotta go for now, my daughter has her session tonight as well.
I'll keep you updated.
I'm now 3 lessons in, 4th one tonight. Since my original post I've managed to pick up a lightly used (almost pristine infact) Gi which will hopefully alleviate me standing out like a sore thumb.
At my 2nd lesson I bumped into an old friend who's been doing it quite a while and he asked if I wanted to roll. Figuring all I can do is defend (and making this clear beforehand!) I accepted.
Hardest. Five minutes. Ever.
I like to think of myself as a pretty fit guy but this was another level. I appreciate a large proportion will be wasted energy on my part due to panic/poor technique/general exertion but it took a good 10 - 15 minutes before I was recovered properly. Post-roll googling has made me realise as a newbie I should concentrate on establishing a good base and looking at passing the guard rather than attempting anything else (not that I'd really know what else there is at this point)
It also opened my eyes to how it might translate to a street scenario i.e. guy with no skills (but hell bent on putting you out) versus a BJJ practitioner. I like to think I almost had him, at one point I had his back and the choke was on but evidently I didn't have my hooks in tight enough or execute an effective choke. The roll ended with a rear choke from him on me, and me tapping. All good fun, mutual respect, really enjoyed it.
Techniques for the past few sessions have been mainly focused on headlock escape from the ground, clinch (without takedown) and standing elbow lock. I assume this is all really basic to you guys but its a steep learning curve for me and I come away in wonder after every session.
There is a seminar by Ryron Gracie in May at my local leisure center. I was a little apprehensive about going, being an absolute newbie and all, but my instructor is supportive and says I'll definitely get something out of it, regardless of my level.
Anyway, gotta go for now, my daughter has her session tonight as well.
I'll keep you updated.
Glad to hear you're enjoying it, Grappling is my favourite aspect of MMA and i've recently started to add BJJ to my game after focussing purely on No-Gi for the last 8-9 years. I'm finding the BJJ fun and very weird as so much of it seems counter intuitive to No-Gi and MMA, however there is far more depth to the technique and much less emphasis on being explosive etc as there is in no-gi, i intend as i get older (33 now) that i'll do more and more BJJ and less MMA
Main advice i would give is really focus on technique, especially the basics, understanding positioning, underhooks, elbow position, hip placement, posture etc is far more important than flying armbars
Main advice i would give is really focus on technique, especially the basics, understanding positioning, underhooks, elbow position, hip placement, posture etc is far more important than flying armbars
Pete102 said:
I'm now 3 lessons in, 4th one tonight. Since my original post I've managed to pick up a lightly used (almost pristine infact) Gi which will hopefully alleviate me standing out like a sore thumb
If you 'follow' your instructors on facebook or instagram then they occasionally have massive clearouts of gi's as well. Meerkatsu gets sent gi's to review and keep and ends up giving them away in competitions or for sale after a while.Another lesson in the bag, spent the first 10 minutes drilling a technique if someone grabs you round the neck from behind - grab, lower my stance, reverse into the opponent, lift onto hip/back, dump off the side into a restrained arm / knee in the ribs position.
Almost all of the rest of the night worked on Kimura from guard. Simple to start off with then introducing aspects such positioning from close guard and force variation (using your attacker to lift you into the start position).
To my untrained eye it looked quite complicated but fell nicely into place once the drills started, I just need to make sure my legs stay tight, grip is transferred to thumb over and I shrimp completely out to really get the leverage before applying the submission (as indicated by my opponents face being firmly planted into the mat before twisting).
Finished off the class with a roll variation looking to trap the leg as it comes over. I struggled with this and its going to need some further work but I can see the value in it.
Finally, post session roll with a 4 stripe white belt I had been drilling with. He was good and it showed. Two submissions on me, 1 via arm bar from side control and 1 triangle choke. git. Never the less, I enjoyed it and its good conditioning on my part to get used to the close contact and its additional mat time!
Almost all of the rest of the night worked on Kimura from guard. Simple to start off with then introducing aspects such positioning from close guard and force variation (using your attacker to lift you into the start position).
To my untrained eye it looked quite complicated but fell nicely into place once the drills started, I just need to make sure my legs stay tight, grip is transferred to thumb over and I shrimp completely out to really get the leverage before applying the submission (as indicated by my opponents face being firmly planted into the mat before twisting).
Finished off the class with a roll variation looking to trap the leg as it comes over. I struggled with this and its going to need some further work but I can see the value in it.
Finally, post session roll with a 4 stripe white belt I had been drilling with. He was good and it showed. Two submissions on me, 1 via arm bar from side control and 1 triangle choke. git. Never the less, I enjoyed it and its good conditioning on my part to get used to the close contact and its additional mat time!
shambolic said:
Doing a judo throw. My partner was throwing me and my leg planted and was twisted between his legs. His weight snapped it in half.
Sh!t happens.
I did a very similar thing whilst training for a MMA fight - multiple break & compound fracture, it took 9 months before I could move my toes again. Didn't put me off though, got back on the mats and I'm currently BJJ Purple belt. Sh!t happens.
Gogoplata said:
I did a very similar thing whilst training for a MMA fight - multiple break & compound fracture, it took 9 months before I could move my toes again. Didn't put me off though, got back on the mats and I'm currently BJJ Purple belt.
Good to hear you are back ok. I'm 3 months in and been at the gym last 2 weeks building up cardio and muscles in my leg that had atrophied. Still no impact exercises or running but I'm getting there.
Heading down tomorrow to an open mat/grading to watch some of my team mates rolling.
Can't wait to get back on the mats.
shambolic said:
Doing a judo throw. My partner was throwing me and my leg planted and was twisted between his legs. His weight snapped it in half.
Sh!t happens.
Done this myself back in the day doing an Ippon Seoinage, the guy I was sparring with just pulled back and dropped as I came in - his knee broke my ankle and foot...ouch!Sh!t happens.
Unfortunately I was away with work most of last week so I missed Wednesdays lesson. I did make it back for the Friday lesson and boy was it a tough one.
Double leg takedowns.
Im a relatively big guy, 6ft and circa 105kg, I tend to do alot of weight lifting so I dont tend to notice the extra mass too much. The downside of this is that i get paired with the biggest guy in the class, a fellow white belt whos somewhere around 110 to 115kg, drilling and having that sort of mass land on your abdomen multiple times during the takedown drills is draining!
We progressed the double leg takedown to combine it with half escape from opponent guard, stacking and full escape into a normal or modified side mount.
Really pleased to admit that during open rolling at the end (with my heavy partner) I actually managed to pull off what we had been drilling and put myself in a full mount from side. The fact I had no learnt submission to do from that point (other than smash him with my fists, but that would be frowned upon) kind of put the brakes on a little but I was shown a legal collar choke - he very quickly tipped me off so I suspect it was part of his plan but it was good for my confidence to actually get in that position. The other little wins for the me is that I didnt have to sub at any point, I effectively managed and escaped an attempted guilloteen as well as an attempted arm bar from guard.
I hurt quite alot today to be honest and I have a few dubious looking marks, to be expected.
Thats it for now folks, thanks for listening.
Double leg takedowns.
Im a relatively big guy, 6ft and circa 105kg, I tend to do alot of weight lifting so I dont tend to notice the extra mass too much. The downside of this is that i get paired with the biggest guy in the class, a fellow white belt whos somewhere around 110 to 115kg, drilling and having that sort of mass land on your abdomen multiple times during the takedown drills is draining!
We progressed the double leg takedown to combine it with half escape from opponent guard, stacking and full escape into a normal or modified side mount.
Really pleased to admit that during open rolling at the end (with my heavy partner) I actually managed to pull off what we had been drilling and put myself in a full mount from side. The fact I had no learnt submission to do from that point (other than smash him with my fists, but that would be frowned upon) kind of put the brakes on a little but I was shown a legal collar choke - he very quickly tipped me off so I suspect it was part of his plan but it was good for my confidence to actually get in that position. The other little wins for the me is that I didnt have to sub at any point, I effectively managed and escaped an attempted guilloteen as well as an attempted arm bar from guard.
I hurt quite alot today to be honest and I have a few dubious looking marks, to be expected.
Thats it for now folks, thanks for listening.
I've been doing Atemi JuJitsu for about 18 months, similar principles to BJJ but more emphasis on practical self defence as apposed to rolling from what I can tell. I was 36 when I started and I have ankylosing spondilitis so somethings aren't too easy, really struggle with break falls and rolls due to lack of movement in my spine and tend to ask not to be thrown by my training partner as a result.
Grading seems very different than BJJ, going for my green belt next week (takes minimum of 3 years to try for black in this style) and I have to demonstrate (from memory):
Breakfalls (side, forward & back)
8 arm locks
8 wrist locks
8 throws or takedowns
8 chokes
4 leg locks
3 immobilisation techniques
8 defences from punches
4 defences from chokes
2 defences from knife attacks
2 escapes from arm locks
Demonstrate a few basic kicks (meagre, mawashageri, king geri etc)
Demonstrate a few basic punches (oizuki, gyakazuki etc)
Demonstrate a few blocks
3 x rounds ground fighting, different opponent each time
Grading next week hopefully, so last week of practise this week.
Grading seems very different than BJJ, going for my green belt next week (takes minimum of 3 years to try for black in this style) and I have to demonstrate (from memory):
Breakfalls (side, forward & back)
8 arm locks
8 wrist locks
8 throws or takedowns
8 chokes
4 leg locks
3 immobilisation techniques
8 defences from punches
4 defences from chokes
2 defences from knife attacks
2 escapes from arm locks
Demonstrate a few basic kicks (meagre, mawashageri, king geri etc)
Demonstrate a few basic punches (oizuki, gyakazuki etc)
Demonstrate a few blocks
3 x rounds ground fighting, different opponent each time
Grading next week hopefully, so last week of practise this week.
Sounds good that Tony, very comprehensive. I'm a long way from a belt at this point, I imagine it will be around October or November before I'm looking at a grading for blue but I should pick up a few stripes in the interim.
Being completely honest the stripes and belts are secondary at the moment, I'm much more focussed on tring to nail the techniques and put them into practice or connect a few moves together. I think part of this drives my eagerness to roll as it allows me to test them out in more of a realistic application.
Looks like I'm going to need to incorporate some flexibility work into my gym sessions, maybe with a visit to the chiropractor every couple of weeks as I ssem to be picking up a few short term back strains (couple of days or so) - this could be symptematic of my age (hopefully not) but I don't think it will hurt.
Messing around with my dad earlier in the week I was showing him some of the bits I had learnt, even with him struggling I managed to put them into practice, truth be told I think he fancies it himself!
Being completely honest the stripes and belts are secondary at the moment, I'm much more focussed on tring to nail the techniques and put them into practice or connect a few moves together. I think part of this drives my eagerness to roll as it allows me to test them out in more of a realistic application.
Looks like I'm going to need to incorporate some flexibility work into my gym sessions, maybe with a visit to the chiropractor every couple of weeks as I ssem to be picking up a few short term back strains (couple of days or so) - this could be symptematic of my age (hopefully not) but I don't think it will hurt.
Messing around with my dad earlier in the week I was showing him some of the bits I had learnt, even with him struggling I managed to put them into practice, truth be told I think he fancies it himself!
Pete102 said:
Sounds good that Tony, very comprehensive. I'm a long way from a belt at this point, I imagine it will be around October or November before I'm looking at a grading for blue but I should pick up a few stripes in the interim.
Being completely honest the stripes and belts are secondary at the moment, I'm much more focussed on tring to nail the techniques and put them into practice or connect a few moves together. I think part of this drives my eagerness to roll as it allows me to test them out in more of a realistic application.
Looks like I'm going to need to incorporate some flexibility work into my gym sessions, maybe with a visit to the chiropractor every couple of weeks as I ssem to be picking up a few short term back strains (couple of days or so) - this could be symptematic of my age (hopefully not) but I don't think it will hurt.
Messing around with my dad earlier in the week I was showing him some of the bits I had learnt, even with him struggling I managed to put them into practice, truth be told I think he fancies it himself!
Yes, it's great when you get to mess about with some of the bits and pieces you learn on your mates and family - the pressure point attacks are a particular favourite!! That's the one thing we don't do enough of for me, sort of sports ju jitsu, we only do a few odd rounds of ground fighting. We do though get taught in a fairly practical manner, e.g. when dealing with a mugger don't mess about trying to put a flowery arm lock on or go for a fancy hip throw, basically give them your wallet but throw it on the floor away from them and make your escape when they move away for it. They teach you to try and avoid using the techniques as 'the street' is a completely different environment to a sanitised dojo, but it gives you the confidence that should you need to defend yourself you have a good idea of what could help you rather than putting up your dukes and squaring up Queensbury rules style. They do leave a fair few nasty bits in, grabs, elbows and what have you and they do teach you to 'fight dirty' if the need arises and 'escaping' isn't an option.Being completely honest the stripes and belts are secondary at the moment, I'm much more focussed on tring to nail the techniques and put them into practice or connect a few moves together. I think part of this drives my eagerness to roll as it allows me to test them out in more of a realistic application.
Looks like I'm going to need to incorporate some flexibility work into my gym sessions, maybe with a visit to the chiropractor every couple of weeks as I ssem to be picking up a few short term back strains (couple of days or so) - this could be symptematic of my age (hopefully not) but I don't think it will hurt.
Messing around with my dad earlier in the week I was showing him some of the bits I had learnt, even with him struggling I managed to put them into practice, truth be told I think he fancies it himself!
Sounds very similar to the approach my instructors take. Obviously always try and defuse or retreat from the situation but then the 'levels' of an altercation ranging from verbal through to eye gouging 'fully mental' mode.
Something I hadn't thought about is that in a full mount this tends to elicit a fight or flight trashing and raging response from opponents since its such a dominant position, to counter this they recommend spending a little extra time in side control to tire them out before going for the full mount 'ground and pound' and reduce the chance of being tipped.
I have a class tonight, kind of hoping its nothing too impact heavy as I'm still a little sore from Friday.
Something I hadn't thought about is that in a full mount this tends to elicit a fight or flight trashing and raging response from opponents since its such a dominant position, to counter this they recommend spending a little extra time in side control to tire them out before going for the full mount 'ground and pound' and reduce the chance of being tipped.
I have a class tonight, kind of hoping its nothing too impact heavy as I'm still a little sore from Friday.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff