JH34PG's SECOND attempt at Jiu Jitsu...

[JH34PG]

Hey everyone...decided to make a log about my progress and experiences training at a traditional legit Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School.

My background...I have about 6 months No-Gi training in submission grappeling...I used to go to a boxing gym that had an octagon with a purple belt as an instructor. We didnt get too deep into learning but learned some.

Unfortunatly one day we did takedowns and due to crappy instruction, I stuck my arm out to brace myself only to dislocate my elbow real bad (now I know to slap the mat)

Dislocated it real bad...did therapy...all that, still cant full extend it 100%...sucks.

Regardless I really loved what I was doing and I was naturally good since I am an athlete.

I started doing submission wrestling with a friend...I got hurt, he moved to NY...and he went on to join a good school and wins local tournaments. I became envious and anxious to train again...with working out there isnt really a feeling of competition and an edge...looked into local schools.

Luckily in South Florida, we have a large Brazilian population as well as a lot of BJJ schools. Decided to join a school that is a brother school of De La Riva...you can google him.

I am currently a white belt with some GREAT instruction. Our classes never have more than 5 people. Its a real family situation which I love. My training partners are very good as well.

Here I am going to discuss my experiences and what I've learned.

[JH34PG]

I love the fact that my classes are small...very individualized instruction as well as when we do drills...i normally train with an advanced blue so he helps..

this is my second week of training and thankfully everything is beginning to come back.

adapting to GI was extremely hard at first but now I am beginning to get the hang of it.

this is what we have learned thus far:

Breaking the guard with knee in butt
Breaking the guard by standing
Sweep by grabbing the wrist and pant leg
collar choke with partner in your guard
collar choke from mount
triangle
kimura
X-guard...which is real hard

[JH34PG]

I can tell that I have def made progression as a white belt

Our school is small...we have a Great Blue, good green, and advanced white. I do decent against the green and white.

Today we went to a diff, much bigger school that had alot of white belts, so i got to test out my skills.

I did great....pulled several submissions from several positions. but the best part is that all the white belts that i rolled with could NOT break my guard.

[JH34PG]

dont have any followers but thats ok...

today was somewhat a frustrating training session.

one a good note, learned a variation of the triangle which i picked up quick as well as reviewing the armbar...both i can do pretty well.

we then, on an advanced note, began to go over the de la riva guard...not that easy but itll take some time.

frustrating part was trying to break my training partner's guard...whenever id grab the pant legs, hed move my arms. i need to remember to apply pressure with my elbows.

then when my partners tried to break my guard, i couldnt move their arms from applying pressure.

learned that i need to use my legs to control their hips and get back into guard.

i wish my school had some white belts to practice this on.

of course itll just take time.

[slimrhcp]

frustrating part was trying to break my training partner's guard...whenever id grab the pant legs, hed move my arms. i need to remember to apply pressure with my elbows.



When in your opponent's guard, remember to maintain posture and do not let your hands get separated (opens you up to get triangle'd, brah).

[JH34PG]

trying man...keeping the hands inside the legs...

[bluebeltATT]

trying man...keeping the hands inside the legs...

just remember, either both arms in, or both arms out.

[JH34PG]

just remember, either both arms in, or both arms out.

im trying...its so much easier passing guard for me no-gi because i can use my strength were GI they can grab onto a sleeve and trap me

[JH34PG]

today we started to work the half guard...

had a little but of a hard time passing this...we did a pass to getting the back.

tough because it was something completly new.

in rolling...i did decent...my endurance is there...had a nice sweep...starting to pick it up a lil just tough because everyone i roll with is much more advanced

[JH34PG]

real good class tonight...very small so we worked on what i needed the most...passing the guard.

did real good...i surprised my instructor because i did textbook triangle escape which he taught us...

said if i keep it up, ill have a stripe in a month and half

[bluebeltATT]

real good class tonight...very small so we worked on what i needed the most...passing the guard.

did real good...i surprised my instructor because i did textbook triangle escape which he taught us...

said if i keep it up, ill have a stripe in a month and half

which escape did you work?

there are quite a few ranging from when it's loose to when it's really tight.

i like to anticipate the triangle when i feel the legs come up, i posture, then grab the bent leg and pull off as i put my knee in the buttcrack to take away the hips.

the one thats tight and sunk in, i raise my head , look to the ceiling, then using both hands grab the bent knee, and punch both my hands to the mat, doing a " push up " to break the grip, then swing my leg over their body to complete the break.

[ERolon3725]

Rolling in the Gi is a totally different animal, just take your time and establish your grips then work... don't ever let someone get a deep collar grip or lapel grip on you they are difficult to fight off Lol

And another thing that helped me is to always try to be on your side/hip don't let someone flatten you.

I got alot more but good luck on your BJJ journey I'm still in the beginning of mine and I love it so far

[SupremeMMA]

the one thats tight and sunk in, i raise my head , look to the ceiling, then using both hands grab the bent knee, and punch both my hands to the mat, doing a " push up " to break the grip, then swing my leg over their body to complete the break.

I use this one a lot myself.

[sonvolt]

got any tips for beginners?
I've had a couple classes...it seems like I am missing some basics or something.
kickboxing/muay thai you start out with the basics and learn technique and advance.
I felt like I was just thrown in to a BJJ class that everyone else knew what they were doing but me....

[jemiller8966]

got any tips for beginners?
I've had a couple classes...it seems like I am missing some basics or something.
kickboxing/muay thai you start out with the basics and learn technique and advance.
I felt like I was just thrown in to a BJJ class that everyone else knew what they were doing but me....


Where are you training out of? Who teaches? whats the lineage?

Ive been training for 8 yrs now and the basics are the most important aspect of Bjj.

Check out Renzo Gracie with John Danaher or Renzo and Roylers books..both very basic

[sonvolt]

Where are you training out of? Who teaches? whats the lineage?

Ive been training for 8 yrs now and the basics are the most important aspect of Bjj.

Check out Renzo Gracie with John Danaher or Renzo and Roylers books..both very basic

I think I was a little intimidated at first... I realize there are all types of experience in the class and everyone works on the same techniques, some more advanced than others.
I kind of felt like if I can't go 5 times a week, I am missing something, but most guys said they go 2-3 times a week. Anything is better than nothing.

The instructor is awesome....I learned a ton in just a couple classes and love it. The other guys in the class were great and very helpful. BTW, just doing Gi for now.

http://www.mmalab.com/index-3.html

I guess I was just looking for some tips/advice, like things you wish you knew when you started type of stuff..... like

Learn to breathe, take your time, and not try to muscle everything. Technique will beat muscle a majority of the time.

[jemiller8966]

Ok heres my advice:
- I dont think you can make progress if you go under 3 times a week. Two times a week is good to maintain, but 3 should be the goal.
- Dont have an ego. You are going to get your ass kicked.
-Work the moves that are shown in class..stay away from youtube until you follow the scene more closely and you know who is legit.
-Gi is great. I do more Gi than no gi but i enjoy both. I definitely prefer the gi though cause of the options you have.
-Technique will 97% of the time beat muscle. That being said muscle helps. Dont let anyone tell you differently. If you are strong just know when to use it. No one tells a person who is flexible not to use their flexibility. But if your mounted and you're flailing like a tard trying to bench the guy off you..than thats not good.