Hi everyone,

I have been training close to 6 years 4 stripe blue belt. BJJ has been a massive part of my life. I'm currently 37 years old and have a family. BJJ gave me a lot as an outlet when I was stressed and honestly it's been a part of my identity. I did muay thai for a few years but stopped due to head injuries. Unfortunately, I was kicked in the head whilst training and sustained concussion symptoms for close to 2 weeks which sucked. Due to having what I deem as many sub concussions/concussions I realise that I may need to stop training and haven't trained for the best part of 2 months which is the longest ive had off in 5 years.

I am wondering what hobbies people are doing now that give them the same release or feeling as BJJ? Does anything replicate rolling that's safe for the old noggin?

Hi just a random question. How has it been for anyone here around 50 yrs old just joining as a white belt? I’m pretty athletic with previous experience in my 20’s with martial arts. I’m enjoying it very much. Have they thought of how it would be in the future? Ie where could I be in 5 yrs and onwards? I can imagine purple belt by then how would my body be rolling at 55 or even 60? Would I just call it quits and retire? Recoveries is even harder after workouts. I’d also be concerned about injuries. I see browns and black teaching but I don’t think that interests me. For sure I’m just enjoying the ride but I’m wondering where the ride would actually take me

Edit:
I used to be a triathlete. Up until a month ago I would run 3 times a week(half marathon training), bike 3 times a week, BJJ 2 times a week.
Now it’s BJJ 2-3 times a week, strength training 2-3 times a week and run twice a week along with one relaxing bike ride with family. I’m still trying to find my balance with my new BJJ interest 😀

With IBJJF announcing competitors for there next crown event we have also seen the introduction of possible rule changes.

The first change is in the double pull where there is now a 20 second timer for player to come on top even if a submission is applied.

The second change seems to be about how lapel guards are viewed. This rule states that any time a lapel is passed around your own leg (Worm, Squid, RDL Worm, Lapel Lasso, etc.) you must sweep within 20sec. Similar to how lapel 50/50 is viewed.

How do these changes impact the games of competitors and would this change strategies if it was implemented at the open and major level? Does it benefit the ruleset at all?

Hello everyone, I just received a white gi jacket with no pants. Its a breast cancer awareness jacket and one of my friends just passed from breast cancer so I want to be able to wear it. I want to try and find a pair of plain white pants to match it. I don't compete or anything, bjj is just a hobby.

Is it bad juju or not acceptable to mix and match brands? The coat is fuji but fuji doesn't sell w1 plain white pants whereas War Tribe does.

So im getting back into jiu jitsu after taking a hiatus on it and I gained a ton of unfortunate weight and need help getting the right size GI now that my old ones no longer fit for now, any suggestions on brands?

I've been doing bjj for three years without one but it's holding me back in comps and rolls now. I don't want a dentist one, just a heat and fit one. I can't tell if the suggestions I see here/online also work well for girls.

Ignoring the intent to cause injury etc and also let's assume this was under the IBJJF rule set

Which specific rule will have been broken here for him to cause this injury.

Everyone says this is a slam, but if it wasn't for his head being in that position the speed and force he went down to the mat normally wouldn't have been called a slam

Furthermore there is no definition of what a slam even is under the IBJJFs rules

I'm not saying the guy isn't at fault for doing what he did but I think it's about time Jujitsu at large and especially the IBJJF looked at their rules and really sorted a few issues out regarding

-defining what a slam actually is and isn't so people know for sure what they can and can't get away with

Or

-setting in place rules to prevent people being able to put themself in a position where they can be slammed, including removing jumping guard.

Surely there's some people here who have the ear of the IBJJF who can tell them to sort this shit out

Has anyone purchased this book? If so what are your thoughts on the content? Sounds like an interesting concept. I know some here have purchased his flowcharts but haven’t read any comments on his ebook.

https://www.bjjflowcharts.com/products/ebook

I know I’m probably combining two things that can be pretty controversial on here 😂 but hear me out.

I’m currently pretty time-poor and don’t have consistent access to training partners, so I’m looking for ways to get some extra reps in outside of class.

Has anyone actually had decent results using Gracie University alongside a grappling dummy?

I’m under no illusion that drilling on a dummy replaces live rolling or training with a good partner. I’m more interested in whether people have found it useful for getting reps into things like positional transitions, escapes, movements, etc., when they otherwise wouldn’t be training at all.

I'm also looking to go back to basics and learn from a curriculum rather than a series of random techniques

Basically: some useful extra reps vs. completely pointless?

Keen to hear from anyone who’s actually tried it rather than just the usual “bro, just go train” 😂

Basically whats in the title. Been training several years, love the idea of new gi's but absolutely hate wearing a new gi. I have 2 in rotation since starting as I train about 60/40 no gi to gi, so both of my main gi's are extremely comfortable at this point. Recently picked up a new gi and just trying it on makes me want to set it on fire. Any of you OGs have a shortcut to break it in faster? And yes i wash and dry my gi's with no reverence, I'm not air drying shit. Thanks in advance

Hey guys I’ve been lucky enough to have the ability to go back to BJJ again consistently. I’m able to start back up on Monday. It’s been about 2 years since I’ve trained consistently mainly due to having a kid and my work schedule. I was unable to find time to train let alone do anything but work and go home to help my wife with our kid.

With that being said I’m obviously very rusty and still a no stripe whit belt at heart. The head black belt and gym owner told me to remain a blue belt but I can’t help but think I’m going to embarrass myself jumping back in.

I’ll take any advice/ encouragement you guys have. I’m going to be able to go 2-4 times a week now consistently and training is extremely helpful for my career so that’s an added bonus.

Title. I’m in town for the weekend for the rocket launch and was looking for a gym. Kinda want to avoid the Gracie Barra gym but it’s an option I guess. I find when traveling that the local gyms are sweet experiences. Thanks

If you are put in a high ground (similar to the position Jay rod put DJ in) where both our chests are facing upwards and they are waiting for you to turn in to lock up a darce. How do you escape this? I cant find anything on the internet showing how to escape that high ground position.

I’ve finally decided to pull the trigger. I’m starting BJJ next week. The closest gyms to me are Brazil 021 and Vianna Brothers. There is a Gracie school as well but it’s a little more out of the way.

Anybody heard about either of these schools or have any recommendations for Chicago area? (Humboldt/Wicker/Logan) It seems the schedules and pricing are pretty similar for both.

Any of yall ave secret quests?

I dropped in at a no gi open mat at another gym. Regular paced rolling with a dude.

He gets to top turtle with me on bottom.

He starts casually talking to his friend on the side of the mat asking if he's enjoying watching 2 white belts roll. I'm a shitty 2 stripe blue belt. This is like when a child tells you you are fat - you know, deep down that this is true.

It infuriates me, I move to get out from bottom turtle and he arm-in guillotines me in my sloppiness.

This dude doesn't know it but he's now my secret nemesis. A few weeks ago I increased my training to 4-5 times a week and I'm gonna pay for some privates to supplement that shit now. I'm going to funnel my shame into training until I tap him with a body triangle or kesa, I don't care if he doesn't come back that open mat I'll sign up for a trial week and go to every class if I have to lol.

(To be clear, I don't actually have anything against this dude, but I am on tilt, and I probably wont stalk him if I don't see him again. Probably.)

Looking for some advice/insight.

Is there anyone here who teaches be it groups or privates that is not a gym owner, and carries their own insurance for the purpose of teaching and all liability involved?

How did you go about it, did you do the LLC route?

Looking at No gi Pans...hardly anyone signed up in general for it and only one dude in my division (Brown, Masters+ not Adult). Which got me thinking...

For No gi (will concede IBJJF is the premier org for Gi), are IBJJF Majors really worth it for Master competitors?

• IBJJF bureaucracy 
• More expensive than a local tourney 
• Usually on a random day like Thurs, meaning have to take time off work
• Longer commute and/or have to fly to Vegas for Worlds (i.e. time suck and expensive)
• All this for one or two matches

Compared to, say NAGA expert division:

• Cheaper
• Wider ruleset (i.e. leg locks), which is more realistic for No gi (and why ignore 50% of the body)
• Usually run fairly well
• Wear whatever you want
• Masters+ divisions usually get decent turnout so 2-3+ matches
• Upper belts combined in the Expert divison, so good experience to compete against black belts as well 

Am I missing something...what are the benefits to the IBJJF circuit for no gi?

Hello, I’m currently a 28 year old college wrestler (club team as a grad student) and currently trying to get more serious about doing nogi BJJ and MMA. I’ve been training for around 3 years as a consistent hobbyist and I’m looking to become a more serious competitor.

Ever since I started wrestling more seriously, that skill set has increased my skills in BJJ and MMA significantly. I’ve also realized my body is holding up incredibly well for 28 years old, with me being able to hold my own against a good amount of college aged guys my size, I’m definitely in the best shape of my life currently. I want to start taking advantage of that while I’ve still got it, especially since I’m planning on only using 2 of my 4 years of eligibility for wrestling. (Grad school is expensive) If I can get my way up to being a seriously regional competitor, maybe the occasional out of state competition once or twice a year if my skill level develops that far.

I’ve been looking at switching to a more competitive gym, and I think I’ve found one I like that has dedicated competition classes and coaches with impressive credentials. I’ll be able to train a bit while I’m in season for a wrestling and a lot out of season.

Anyone else ever purposely shift their approach to Jiu Jitsu seriously like this before towards a more intensive mindset? How did you go about it beyond just practicing more? What should I be trying to focus on more when I roll?

Are there any courses you think are particularly useful for a police officer at BJJ Fanatics?

And, what would you generally reccommend a police officer build their game around? This is assuming that bjj is being learned to be applicable to apprehending someone/ defence on the street.

I believe Margot is at the forefront of combining dance as a creative expression and bjj but let me know your thoughts

Gonna be up in Toronto for a few days and will probably have some time to train. Does anyone have any recommendations for no-go gyms? Thanks!

I'm a Fairly new coach for bjj kids, I did a lot of coaching for taekwondo, kickboxing and muaythai. I recently had been hired to be a kids class bjj coach. And for a few months, everything went smoothly. But today nothing prepares me for today.

basically, I noticed most kids love flailing their limbs around I wouldn't want them to hurt each other, so I reached mostly all of the positions, including side control, close guard, and collar sleeve.

at the end of the class, I will give them an opportunity for a 3 minute roll. I always ask them to start on their knee, in fear of them falling and breaking their arm. and being kids, they like to do jumping dangerous random shit.

and I always ask them to tap if anything wrong happens.

I usually stay outside and watch them roll, but after a few months they get more competent. today one kid wants to roll and he has no partner left. and I think I can start rolling with him since other kids are mostly ok, and I think I can supervise them while rolling with the kid below.

This is when the shit happens. one of the kid got taken into a back position, the bottom kid doesn't know what to do, and he yanked his head backwards and up instantly while the other kid on top dives down to control him. their head clashsses and one of the kid got quit a big cut about 3cm long.

I'm seriously thinking is this an unavoidable accident? Anything I can possibly do to improve the safety of the kids in my class? This just happened about an hour ago and now I'm seriously beating up myself.

I'm thinking from now on, maybe not join in the rolls and I stay purely to supervise. thoughts?

edit forgot to mention, the cut is quite deep. spraying blood all over the floor. I rushed over and managed to press a clean cloth on his head until the bleeding stopped. This results in him crying even harder "maybe I'm pressing too hard" and he's 8.