DrumzCT

I know alot of us are beginner level grapplers so I was just wondering where you guys have found yourself starting out.

Bottom Game:

When I first started I went to closed guard all the time because that's what I saw all the time but I didn't have the hip movement to get any subs or sweeps from there. I read Eddie Bravo's JJ Unleashed and started messing around with rubber guard which was interesting. there's a rubber guard variation my coach uses (dean lister used it in his last fight to set up the triangle after the omoplata) that I've been trying if my partner is in close and i try to get the omoplata or triangle

After my last private lesson I've been playing open guard based on my instructors advice that it will be the most beneficial at developing my fundamental hip movement. When people manage to pass I usually end up in half guard from which I've been beginning to be able to sweep fairly well from. My coach plays alot of half guard himself.

This month has been focused on mount escapes as well and I feel more comfortable mounted than I do sidemounted. (I hate being sidemounted, so many variables with hip, leg and arm position and weight0)

Top Game:

the sweeps that are working for me so far usually put me in sidemount where i usually go for a kimura or arm bar

My main training partner has an awesome closed guard which I hate being in. He has awesome trianlges and arm bars from the guard which makes it very difficult to pass. He also never gives up his back so I haven't been there much.


Right now my main focus is I really want to learn sidemount escapes because that's one of the most difficult areas, work open guard to develope my hip movement (this also puts me in half guard alot of the time which forces me to work on half guard), and passing the guard. Trying not to worry about submissions that much at this stage even though we all love to hear the "tap" but I have been very attracted to leg locks for some reason

gmack

So far i think joining BJJ is one of the best decisions I have made. We have class four times a week and i make it to all four every week. The first two weeks I thought that i would never be able to hang with anybody but now i am competitive with everybody in my gym that is below a blue belt.

Usually when I would start a match I would try to get my opponent in my closed gaurd. That is how i first got my submission so I think that gave me an over inflated view of how good it is. Now of course everybody more advanced than me usually passes it and gets side mount on me (which is also the hardest for me to get out of). So for now I am going to work on getting a better starting position. Maybe try to get on top even if it is into somebody's gaurd and try to pass it see if that would work.

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DrumzCT

Got my first arm bar tonight. Very excited about that. Finally getting the arm bar from the bottom is a direct result of practicing the hip movement used in most of the side mount and mount escapes we've been drilling all month.

I love the way certain moves are used in so many different ways and once you drill it in one position you start to see opportunities in other areas that would seem unrelated. Great stuff.

Also, since my top sidemount is stronger (better balance, can sense weight shifts etc.) I've been able to take the back more as well. Love the body triangle control from the back.

AikaImmortal

I have been working more on implementing judo so my sweeps are turning more away from the BJJ side of things so I cant really comment on how that is developing since it is going well but in a different way than I had first started. My guard game still needs work as about all I am apt to do is trap the arms to piss them off and make time or go for the odd triangle choke here and there.. come to think of it thats something to work on Saturday

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marnold

I can relate. 2 Days ago I got my first ankle lock and 5 minutes after that I tapped in Rear Naked Choke. My arsenal is mainly stocked with kimuras, but I'm obsessed and have been making progress. Humility seems to be the best thing to bring into BJJ and if you don't have it, someone will give it to you. When I realized that I was tentative--big word for scared--to get on the mat and get schooled, I knew I had to. What I love is the new way in which I watch bouts. I use to like the striking, but now I see how fighters are setting up 3 moves in advance. This is sooo humbling. I know nothing, and I love it.

DrumzCT

Absolutely. We've got some big dudes that just started coming but thier progress is so hindered by thier "unwillingness" to learn. Maybe it's not unwillingness or maybe they're too focused on trying to look good, I dunno but intelligence and ability to observe and learn seems far more important that your athletic ability.

I was having the same problem. I asked my coach about it and he said that he found that the really good hip movement required to get most submissions from closed gaurd takes alot of mat hours to develope and that right now I should play open guard. It's been really cool. Occassionally I'll close my gaurd if my opponent is high risk at passing but then I'll open it again and usually go butterfly and look for sweeps. My submissions from the top are much better right now than the bottom.

Also, I'm kind of the gym "ankle lock guy" right now and have put in a few private lessons on the subject. I've been finding that my ankle and leg locks are transitionsing very very well into guard passes. Now that people know I go for ankles it presents so so many more opportunities to pass the guard than before so my top game is getting alot better than it was.

Also now that I'm spending more time on top my sensitivity to when my opponent is shifting thier weight as well as my balance are improving alot too. Now I'm starting to find that leg and ankle locks also present alot of opportunities to take the arm so I've been working on that.

I just love how one area developes another which developes another and just the logical path in which your skills develope. Love this stuff.

j87gtmd

What kind of injuries do you guys get, how often? I wouldnt be able to miss work due to injuries. Im trying to find a place to join in my area.

DrumzCT

I've never been injured in training. As long as you don't try to be a tough guy by not tapping when your body is telling you you should you'll be fine. I actually just rolled my ankle jogging today and couldn't go to class. I'm pissedd. Train like 10 hours a week and I hurt myself running... :P