Any non-flexible brahs become successful in BJJ?

[Gringo12]

Man I feel so disheartened lol, just started doing bjj again after a 3 year break. I'm so unflexible that I can barely lock my legs in full guard lol. Triangles are out of the question too. I've been told I have short hamstrings too. Fml

[DubSilky]

Focus on half guard.

[Duckliver]

Just 20minutes, few times a week.

Straight leg deadlifts help with hammies also

[MJAffliction]

Came in to post that you should strongly consider taking up yoga. Stretch daily. The more flexible guard players are almost impossible to pass, i.e. Keenan. Guys like Jeremiah Vance are dangerous from bottom side control and bottom mount because of how flexible they are.

It's a huge advantage. Not saying you or I will reach that level of dexterity and mobility, but we should certainly take steps to try to get there.

[1slo5oh]

Funny enough I have questioned this very same thing... As soon as my son is old enough I am enrolling him in BJJ Classes and I plan on beginning with him... Since I have added quite a bit of LBM over the last decade or so my flexibility (and golf swing) have gone straight to $hit...

Big man is about to get checked ..lol.. but we all have to start somewhere... the bottom seems as good as any.

[Duckliver]

Funny enough I have questioned this very same thing... As soon as my son is old enough I am enrolling him in BJJ Classes and I plan on beginning with him... Since I have added quite a bit of LBM over the last decade or so my flexibility (and golf swing) have gone straight to $hit...

Big man is about to get checked ..lol.. but we all have to start somewhere... the bottom seems as good as any.

IMO the biggest thing strength does to hinder learning isn’t even the lack of flexibility. It’s how easy it may be for you to force your way through and make techniques work even if you aren’t doing it correct. Which might be ok with some people but being able to accept losing rolls in class and practice even if you could win through force can be a hard pill to swallow, but it will help you figure out how to make yourself better faster, instead of handicapping yourself in the long run.

[XFactor416]

think you gotta fix your issues (in this case, flexibility) via yoga and stretching bruh.

tbh yoga helps a lot.

[1slo5oh]

IMO the biggest thing strength does to hinder learning isn’t even the lack of flexibility. It’s how easy it may be for you to force your way through and make techniques work even if you aren’t doing it correct. Which might be ok with some people but being able to accept losing rolls in class and practice even if you could win through force can be a hard pill to swallow, but it will help you figure out how to make yourself better faster, instead of handicapping yourself in the long run.

Interesting , will definitely keep that in mind because as a former D1 Athlete the competitiveness never goes away. The blinders still get put on and the W is all you can see... But I genuinely want to learn if anything so I can help my son as he progresses

[MJAffliction]

Yeah, you're going to beat most people based on your size alone, even the upper level belts. There's not many people who roll that are 6'2, 250. The people who say size doesn't matter are incorrect.

[FLman333]

Does your instructor do stretches with the whole class in the beginning of class? My coach does about 10 min of warm ups and stretching ( about 5 min stretching) of kind of yoga based stuff. I was very inflexible when I came in and started and because of those I have gotten much more flexible. I found dropping body weight helped a ton as well and made me overall better at jiu jitsu.

I have been to schools where there was no stretching and it blew my mind. Sounds like injuries waiting to happen.

[Duckliver]

Interesting , will definitely keep that in mind because as a former D1 Athlete the competitiveness never goes away. The blinders still get put on and the W is all you can see... But I genuinely want to learn if anything so I can help my son as he progresses

Yeah it will click and you will understand the difference. I typically save my strength from stopping me from getting embarrassed by someone, because while I say I try not to use strength I’m still not gonna let a 65 year old purple belt beat me just because I’m a white belt. Same applies to most smaller females. But on the same token I’m not gonna elbow grind and can opener a win, I’m going to be more gentle and try to make the techniques work. I also disassociate from losing while rolling while trying new techniques etc..

Had one of the guys at a tournament I went to last comment “so you just go easy on me in class or ?” And I just said class is for learning and trying to get better, in a tournament I’m going to try and murder someone.

At the same time if I’m going against someone stronger than me/bigger than me/ and better then me I will be much more aggressive and try to do anything to survive.

[EidFnatic]

The people who say size doesn't matter are incorrect.

You should come train with me sometime, bigboi.

[EidFnatic]

in a tournament I’m going to try and murder someone.

You should come and compete with me sometime.

Swear on me mum, you could do with a lickle humbling.

[Duckliver]

You should come and compete with me sometime.

Swear on me mum, you could do with a lickle humbling.

Lol I’m humbled constantly. What part of being a 180lb white belt makes you think I’m not constantly smashed?

I’m sure someone in my age/weight range/belt will have my number in a tournament eventually as well. Doesn’t mean I won’t try to murder them.

My entire post was literally about checking your ego and working on technique and not worrying about losing rolls in class. Not forcing things with strength.

[EidFnatic]

Lol I’m humbled constantly. What part of being a 180lb white belt makes you think I’m not constantly smashed?

I’m sure someone in my age/weight range/belt will have my number in a tournament eventually as well. Doesn’t mean I won’t try to murder them.

My entire post was literally about checking your ego and working on technique and not worrying about losing rolls in class. Not forcing things with strength.

Oh ok, in that case I have respec' for you.

[1slo5oh]

Oh ok, in that case I have respec' for you.

You seem like a ******* IRL... no Respek for you

[Slayermanlet]

You can be good as a rock ofc but being immobile will always be a huge disadvantage

Yeah, you're going to beat most people based on your size alone, even the upper level belts. There's not many people who roll that are 6'2, 250. The people who say size doesn't matter are incorrect.

Not really, but it is still a big advantage. Most decently sized blues will smash a huge beginner especially if they are athletic competitors. I've seen it many times. It isn't good to rely on strength anyway because you'll be completely fukked when you're out skilled by someone a similar size.

[cgc]

IMO the biggest thing strength does to hinder learning isn’t even the lack of flexibility. It’s how easy it may be for you to force your way through and make techniques work even if you aren’t doing it correct. Which might be ok with some people but being able to accept losing rolls in class and practice even if you could win through force can be a hard pill to swallow, but it will help you figure out how to make yourself better faster, instead of handicapping yourself in the long run.

I see what you're saying, but I think there is a happy medium.
No, you don't want to have technique that is an absolute crap show...but sometimes strength IS a strength. When I trained, I never considered myself to be one to have clean technique and if I was almost there with a submissions...you can bet I was going to muscle through it and get it. There are some people when they roll, it's just fluid and honestly a beautiful thing to watch. Others, it's a little more brutal lol

Its a balance.

Yeah, you're going to beat most people based on your size alone, even the upper level belts. There's not many people who roll that are 6'2, 250. The people who say size doesn't matter are incorrect.

This...you have a little room where size doesn't matter. But at some point...yeah, it's going to be a factor. I rolled and sparred with Jermaine Wiggins (former NFL) several times. As long as I could keep him from getting on top, I did OK. But once he was there, trying to move and navigate from under someone who weighs 70-80 lbs more than you...it's not a walk in the park.

Man I feel so disheartened lol, just started doing bjj again after a 3 year break. I'm so inflexible that I can barely lock my legs in full guard lol. Triangles are out of the question too. I've been told I have short hamstrings too. Fml

My flexibility as an adult is crap. I have very tight hamstrings which in turn has given me some knee problems. You CAN improve your flexibility and and you absolutely will the more you roll, but like others have said...I'd get some Yoga worked into your routine along with a good stretching routine. Now...will you be a BJ Penn and be able to tie your shoes with your foot behind your head...probably not. But it'll get better with work.

[akmerle]

Yeah, you're going to beat most people based on your size alone, even the upper level belts. There's not many people who roll that are 6'2, 250. The people who say size doesn't matter are incorrect.

Lol, very true. Strength is a strength. Size is a strength. Them combined is very powerful since physics is a bitch for smaller guys like me. Always a relief to roll with most anyone sub 180lbs and sub 5’10”.

I only 5’7”, 160lb, 42 year old blue belt, relatively strong / flexible / athletic. Big dudes, especially when I find myself in side control, are problematic. Not as bad in the gi since grips help so much, and thank god for baseball bat and loop chokes from the bottom.

For starting out as a big strong guy, arm locks like the kimura and americana will be super easy for you. Chokes may be easy for you as well, but a big function of that may just be the pressure you can apply. It’s not cool to neck crank / jaw crank / face smash your training partners.

Also props to you 5.0 for wanting to start BJJ with your son. It’s always so cool to see all the kids and families there together. I’m taking my 15 year old to his first class this Saturday.

[1slo5oh]

Lol, very true. Strength is a strength. Size is a strength. Them combined is very powerful since physics is a bitch for smaller guys like me. Always a relief to roll with most anyone sub 180lbs and sub 5’10”.

I only 5’7”, 160lb, 42 year old blue belt, relatively strong / flexible / athletic. Big dudes, especially when I find myself in side control, are problematic. Not as bad in the gi since grips help so much, and thank god for baseball bat and loop chokes from the bottom.

For starting out as a big strong guy, arm locks like the kimura and americana will be super easy for you. Chokes may be easy for you as well, but a big function of that may just be the pressure you can apply. It’s not cool to neck crank / jaw crank / face smash your training partners.

Also props to you 5.0 for wanting to start BJJ with your son. It’s always so cool to see all the kids and families there together. I’m taking my 15 year old to his first class this Saturday.

More than anything I am wanting to do this young for discipline and defense...But this is also something he could literally practice his entire life if he chooses to do so. And although I am getting a very late start myself think it would be cool to do it with him... lead by example!!

[Duckliver]

I see what you're saying, but I think there is a happy medium.
No, you don't want to have technique that is an absolute crap show...but sometimes strength IS a strength. When I trained, I never considered myself to be one to have clean technique and if I was almost there with a submissions...you can bet I was going to muscle through it and get it. There are some people when they roll, it's just fluid and honestly a beautiful thing to watch. Others, it's a little more brutal lol

Its a balance.

Yeah I can agree to that. I think it was a raspberry ape podcast I was listening to where he went into it. Was talking about people playing certain games cuz flexible, cuz long legs, but how strong people get chit on a lot for playing a game because they are strong.

I absolutely think you should be playing your game around your body types strengths. Was more speaking from my experience as someone with no good knowledge in the basics, and trying to learn. How the strength may be detrimental to learning simply from the fact you will have such a strong game from the very beginning.

[Duckliver]

More than anything I am wanting to do this young for discipline and defense...But this is also something he could literally practice his entire life if he chooses to do so. And although I am getting a very late start myself think it would be cool to do it with him... lead by example!!

I started late to for the same reasons, after watching my son in class for awhile I wanted to do it with him. Hopefully can be a helper in the kids class once I get to blue belt. but honestly no regrets with starting late, fell in love with the sport. The nice thing is you can compete in age division and skill range, so in a tournament I’m against other white belts, who started late at my age and weigh the same. You can be competing at a large tournament like pan-ams competitively still even with a late start in learning.

[akmerle]

More than anything I am wanting to do this young for discipline and defense...But this is also something he could literally practice his entire life if he chooses to do so. And although I am getting a very late start myself think it would be cool to do it with him... lead by example!!

Hell yeah. Lead from the front!

Never too late to start, and best day to start bjj was yesterday. I started as gift to myself when I turned 40 and was too comfortable / bored with gym and life in general. Wish I would have started 30 years ago.

Good luck, stay healthy, and enjoy the journey with your son.

[I3igAl]

Funny enough I have questioned this very same thing... As soon as my son is old enough I am enrolling him in BJJ Classes and I plan on beginning with him... Since I have added quite a bit of LBM over the last decade or so my flexibility (and golf swing) have gone straight to $hit...

Big man is about to get checked ..lol.. but we all have to start somewhere... the bottom seems as good as any.

If you still got a couple of years until you start, you can easily incorporate more stretches into your lifting routine.
When I started, I was more flexible than most guys in my gym mostly due to squatting completely ass to the ground and stretching my hips.

IMO the biggest thing strength does to hinder learning isn’t even the lack of flexibility. It’s how easy it may be for you to force your way through and make techniques work even if you aren’t doing it correct. Which might be ok with some people but being able to accept losing rolls in class and practice even if you could win through force can be a hard pill to swallow, but it will help you figure out how to make yourself better faster, instead of handicapping yourself in the long run.

I agree one has to sometimes hold back to learn to properly execute the techniques, but one also sometimes has to go ham(ideally vs someone of similar size and strength) to be used to fighting at full power in competetition.

[cgc]

Yeah I can agree to that. I think it was a raspberry ape podcast I was listening to where he went into it. Was talking about people playing certain games cuz flexible, cuz long legs, but how strong people get chit on a lot for playing a game because they are strong.

I absolutely think you should be playing your game around your body types strengths. Was more speaking from my experience as someone with no good knowledge in the basics, and trying to learn. How the strength may be detrimental to learning simply from the fact you will have such a strong game from the very beginning.

Yep...my instructor who was training under Roberto Traven at the time had someone give him crap for "muscling through" submissions. Traven told the guy, "his strength IS his strength...learn how to counter it".

And I agree...don't neglect trying to have and maintain good technique, but absolutely play YOUR game.

[chino3]

Funny enough I have questioned this very same thing... As soon as my son is old enough I am enrolling him in BJJ Classes and I plan on beginning with him... Since I have added quite a bit of LBM over the last decade or so my flexibility (and golf swing) have gone straight to $hit...

Big man is about to get checked ..lol.. but we all have to start somewhere... the bottom seems as good as any.

While flexibility is great to have, it is not required. Jiu Jitsu is about finding a way to make things work for YOUR body. Not everyone is capable of doing whatever the same way as someone else, but you can modify 99% of everything to work for you. I know people with movement limitations due to injuries, or just born that way, that have to learn ways to modify certain moves so it can work for them.

[io31]

OP, even if you don't do BJJ, having short hamstrings can make you more prone to having lower back and knee problems. Stretching can be worthwhile for health benefits alone IMHO.

[Coach McGuirk]

While flexibility is great to have, it is not required. Jiu Jitsu is about finding a way to make things work for YOUR body. Not everyone is capable of doing whatever the same way as someone else, but you can modify 99% of everything to work for you. I know people with movement limitations due to injuries, or just born that way, that have to learn ways to modify certain moves so it can work for them.

This

I’m not saying you shouldn’t work on your physical attributes like flexibility, strength, endurance, speed, but I wouldn’t worry too much about being overly flexible.

[Kay4Kool]

As long as you don't have any serious injuries that negate movement

flexibility should always be a focus on your jiujitsu journey

[TonyTriangles]

what's your definition of success in BJJ? if competing at high levels, you will need to have some flexibility. if it's to get belted, no. look at John Danaher; really bad injuries hindering left leg. he wasnt a competitor but his BJJ is exceptional