Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

[Kinicky]

I have always loved grappling and martial arts derived from jiu -jitsu (I used to wrestle, have studied aikido for a while), and I recently (abotu 2 months ago) began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. So far, I'm loving it, and have learned that I need hardcore work on my cardio.

Does anyone else train in BJJ? How long? Any tips, or anything I can do to practice techniques when I am not at the academy?

[Hegemon]

No. And I'll tell you why.

Whenever the situation calls for violence, I yell "Antonio! Now! While his back is turned!" While pointing behind my attacker. As he turns to confront "Antonio", I deliver a swift kick to the groin, and follow it up with a spinning elbow delivered to the side of the head. As my attacker moans in pain, I search through his pockets for any objects of value, before delivering some form of witty, snide remark ("Happy Valentine's Day", "Never go against the family", and "Sean Connery" being my personal favourites) before walking away to spend whatever money I found on beer.

[mya]

Make friends with the instructor and his inner circle.

That will open possibilities for invites to train/hang informally with them.

Recruit a friend to join you at the BJJ classes. Chose wisely who, because most people are afraid to shame themselves by training it alone with other people. Like at a beach. The "gay" factor weights a lot in BJJ.

Failing that, do what people in other sports do.

Random technick on random friend/family member.

My personal approach to this is:

"Hey, you want to see a Mata Leão (RNC) ?"

"What is a Mata Leão ?"

"Is something cool. Just look."

I do that to my small cousins who love WWF.

I would advise you to avoid the Leg Triangle.

PS:

You can also entertain yourself watching videos at yourtube. Like this one:

I made leg triangles my nº1 finisher after a instructional video from yourtube.

Some sites have interesting info on techs:

http://www.lockflow.com/article_view.php?id=1793

[HBwillie]

i absolutely love bjj. i get into wrestling/submission matches all the time with my friends, but i've never been formally trained. i dare say i'm very adept though, at submission, losing very rarely. if you need advice on a specific maneuver, maybe i can offer some advice from personal experience.

[Kinicky]

Went and checked out a different BJJ school last night - a little closer, a little less expensive, and the class schedule works out well with my new schedule. (Got promoted, and it changes my hours. Can only hit one class at the other place now).

Turns out, this school I checked out is ranked #4 in the state by NAGA rankings. Last NAGA tourney, they took 18 competitors, and 16 of them finished within the top 3 in their division (several of which took gold in both gi and no-gi). And just rolling with them, EVERYTHING is tighter and more fluid. I recieved a 'welcome', where I was partnered to grapple, and subsequently had my butt handed to me over and over again. It was pretty sweet, and the people are cool as hell. Several of which came to chat with me after class and showed me ways I can improve my technique next time I grapple.

Class was scheduled to go from 6:30 - 8pm, but half of us didn;t wind up leaving until closer to 9:30. Pretty sweet.