I think there is a small circle of us who give a shit about this stuff here, but maybe others are curious, have questions, or will just wander in here by accident. Starting a new thread, bc I'd prefer to move away from that "Boxing vs MMA" thread.

ShawndmeSlanted posted this at the end of the "Boxing vs MMA" thread, and I thought it was worth bringing over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-BExc9SS68

He said, "Overall its like a B.

Its well shot, the editing jumps around a bit and I dont know if it tells a cohesive story rather than a bunch of short stories. I also think a lot of the stories are basic, but still a good 70 minute watch if you dont know some of the history of BJJ"

I haven't seen it yet, except for the short monologue by Chris Haueter before the title sequence. He's one of my favorite American black belts, and current ref for Metamoris. He's one of a handful who I try to emulate in my game.

Hopefully this can be an ongoing thread with some good interest and dialogue for the foreseeable future.

mental/physical/etc

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

(sorry if I ramble, I'm avoiding work and loaded on caffeine)

The physical fatigue and the workout stands out the most. I was always athletic; I played football growing up and have worked out consistently since I was 13 or 14. But I will never, ever forget my first day training BJJ. Hardest workout I've ever had, no doubt. Tougher than the rough days I had when kickboxing/boxing, which I don't do anymore. Didn't help that it was mid-June, the gym I was at had no AC working at the time, and it was nearly 100 degrees outside. Who knows how hot it got in the gym.

The drive home in actuality took probably 7 or 8 minutes but it felt like forever. When I got to my driveway I just sat in my car another 5 or 10 minutes just to compose myself before I went in.

Another big factor is that I'm almost certain I have OCD. When I first started, I was constantly getting submitted by EVERYONE, which is how all of our stories begin. So I had to deal with always reviewing my matches that day in head, which took a toll on me mentally. It was draining as well.

but was that first training session in gi or no-gi? I didn't roll too consistently, and it wasn't at a high level dojo, but learning how to relax on the floor and getting used to wearing the gi definitely takes a long time to get used to.

I didn't start training in the gi until roughly 3 months later.

>I didn't start training in the gi until roughly 3 months
>later.

Not even factoring in the extra grappling and choking capabilities, rolling around in a thick gi adds another level of difficulty. First time I messed around with a gi, I felt like I was wearing a sweater about 10 minutes in. So exhausting.

Particularly if you're wearing a lightweight gi. All the gis I've owned have been pearl weave except one. They are lightweight, comfortable, but can still take a whoopin'.

doesnt matter what kind of shape im in..how much ive been lifting or running...

Find all these little muscles that just get sore as fuck.

Its good to hear how tough things will be even in beginner classes since im giving up the gym membership for this

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

learning how/when to breathe and not getting gassed. knowing when to rest and when to burst.

literally a 4.5 min casual walk from my job. I could probably get there in 1 min if I ran.

Pretty cool, sat and watched the Advanced 1 class that Marcelo and Paul Schreiner were teaching.

Its always interesting seeing grappling live instead of on TV. You quickly remember how physical and fast things look in real time

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>
>Pretty cool, sat and watched the Advanced 1 class that Marcelo
>and Paul Schreiner were teaching.


edit: He's got a few black belt and brown belt students at that academy that I am a fan of, also.

i was thinking about it in terms of basketball -- if LBJ was practicing/teaching somewhere how crazy it would be. Also how crazy it is in NY with things being built vertical how close you can be to celebrities. I know theres all kinds of random studios in the city.


LOL matter of fact I forgot about this but the South park guys have a studio in our building on the 7th floor (we're on the 8th). Last Tuesday I rode the elevator up with Matt Stone.


I mean the class was huge there mustve been about 40 people in it. The woman told me the 1230 and 7 are the busiest cause Marcelo teaches those.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

i'm in the bay but i make it to ny once a month for work. amazing that he just strolls in and conducts class like normal (marcelo garcia is a normal human being!?!?!). the style of the folks in his class was one of a kind...very strong top game, very strong, fundamental jits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZxWJ-edhpc&spfreload=10

Not the biggest or most important tournament each year, but it's still a big one, and pretty much anyone who matters will likely be there competing.

... Gained like 80 pounds due to the toll it took on me. The struggle is read tho especially when you've outclassed by weight. It's great for the spirit and builds character over the long-term.

>... Gained like 80 pounds due to the toll it took on me.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

There were three (unofficially four+) instances where I almost had to leave school involuntarily, so to speak over possible legal situations.

By the time i finished training, I was burned out from life and everything that went down so I didn't perform well... at all.

What position did you prefer to work the most? Any favorite combinations and submissions? What goals did you have with it?


>... Gained like 80 pounds due to the toll it took on me.



I'm also interested in what this means.

>What position did you prefer to work the most?

I love guard work honestly. Having someone in your guard and trying to stop attacks and get the submission was the part I loved.

>Any favorite combinations and submissions?

Locking in a good triangle on someone felt great as did an armbar out of nowhere.

>What goals did you have with it?

I needed to get in shape quickly and wanted to give myself focus other than drinking/fornicating. Besides, dropping $180 a night at bars was not a good idea three nights a week for years.

>
>
>>... Gained like 80 pounds due to the toll it took on me.
>
>
>
>I'm also interested in what this means.

When I started practices were real intense to the point that I shredded five pounds for the first three months of practice. <-- No way to verify exact pounds lost per practice but it was a lot. This happened to the point that I had to alter my diet to eat a lot in order to gain weight necessary to roll with people 80 and 90 pounds of muscle heavier than me. In sports, you have to gain weight to compete at certain positions and this was one of them.

>>What position did you prefer to work the most?
>
>I love guard work honestly. Having someone in your guard and
>trying to stop attacks and get the submission was the part I
>loved.
>


Any guard in particular? Over the past year I've worked on my guard a great deal. For my first 3 years or so I ONLY wanted to play top game, but then made a conscious effort to work towards a more well-rounded game. I was already using closed and butterfly, but I've sharpened them. I've also added some fairly smooth spider/DLR/lasso guard work, as well as deep half. They're all still works in progress.

... Odds are if you get into a fight with someone bigger than you and it goes to the ground then you need a solid closed guard in order to fend off attacks and outwit your opponent.

There's something exhilarating about having someone to take your back, turning the tables, and giving them that work.

>... Odds are if you get into a fight with someone bigger than
>you and it goes to the ground then you need a solid closed
>guard in order to fend off attacks and outwit your opponent.



I don't concern myself with "real" fighting; I've done enough for my lifetime. I'm a black belt at ignoring morons, and walking away. I love sport BJJ, and fighting folks trained in it.



>
>There's something exhilarating about having someone to take
>your back, turning the tables, and giving them that work.



Man, I thought we were talking guard work. : )

>>... Odds are if you get into a fight with someone bigger
>than
>>you and it goes to the ground then you need a solid closed
>>guard in order to fend off attacks and outwit your opponent.
>
>
>
>
>I don't concern myself with "real" fighting; I've done enough
>for my lifetime. I'm a black belt at ignoring morons, and
>walking away. I love sport BJJ, and fighting folks trained in
>it.
>

In the film Chris Haueter and the og guys talked a about practical BJJ vs Sport BJJ. They were obviously talking about how in the old days it was more practical.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

My instructor's instructor is one of those Dirty Dozen that Haueter mentions in the beginning (Haueter is one of them also). So my instructor is very old-school in his lessons, his game, and his rolling. Very much a smash-oriented, fundamental game that is totally focused on positional control leading to submission.

I try strive to blend the old-school smash game with the newer, more "modern" stuff. Some of techniques I do my instructor isn't into, but he knows everyone develops their own personality on the mat.

edit: Oh, I've been in fights as a young child, a teen, and an adult. I'm over it. Getting hurts sucks.

>>... Odds are if you get into a fight with someone bigger
>than
>>you and it goes to the ground then you need a solid closed
>>guard in order to fend off attacks and outwit your opponent.
>
>
>
>
>I don't concern myself with "real" fighting; I've done enough
>for my lifetime. I'm a black belt at ignoring morons, and
>walking away. I love sport BJJ, and fighting folks trained in
>it.
>
>
>
>>
>>There's something exhilarating about having someone to take
>>your back, turning the tables, and giving them that work.
>
>
>
>Man, I thought we were talking guard work. : )

... talking about guard work. Turn the tables and go for the submission the good way. My training consisted of Gi work because it felt natural.

Been enjoying your book, too. Incorporated the movement assessments into my warm-up routine.

Seems liek pretty much a given ill get injured at some point.
Im not scared of the actual injury per se, but scared of having an injury that keeps me immobile. Im pretty active. I ride my bike to work every day --and more than that I got 2 kids to chase around. When I broke my toe a couple months ago, that shit sucked and made me have to adjust my schedule a lot.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

More minor, but still very painful, stuff has been my shoulder and ribs. Shoulder was from being put in an Americana repeatedly by a black belt. Ribs was from MMA. Nothing broken, but certainly come close with a few arm bars, and one heel hook. Haven't been put to sleep, but also come very close numerous times.

Your skin will get tougher after being exposed to mat burn and gi burn over and over, particularly on your face. You will get scars all over your feet also, and countless bruises. Knees can also get worse doing this sport.

The more experience you get, the less injury prone you become. That first year will suck, however. I don't really get hurt anymore, bc I train smart, and I tap early. I rarely go a full 100% when I roll. Most people do, and I don't sweat it, bc I'm in this for the long haul.

it was something that was lingering for a while and finally it completely tore off while sparring (but doing something completely harmless). took about 8 months off (i had just started so i wasn't a complete jits fiend just yet). that was 7 years ago, knock on wood, i haven't had anything serious since.

After watching how involving it is I don't know at this point if taking my other class once a week and bjj once week will remain feasible, but I'll give it a shot

Still want to practice other forms, I don't want to roll exclusively, but goddamn it looks like I'll be a whitebelt for years going once a week

>After watching how involving it is I don't know at this point
>if taking my other class once a week and bjj once week will
>remain feasible, but I'll give it a shot
>
>Still want to practice other forms, I don't want to roll
>exclusively, but goddamn it looks like I'll be a whitebelt for
>years going once a week


For me the enticing thing is that I can stick to it for 10 years, ill be on my way to a black belt if I can train 3-5 days a week. Im good at grinding and sticking things out. I'm not looking to be the GOAT bjj player, just learn the skill and see where it takes me. Hopefully id be able to bring what I learn to my kids.


Why didnt you go to class 1 if you want to do a number of things? You just really wanted to do JKD?

I mean id say for me if you can only go once a week and youre more interested in acquiring the skills and techniques--thats fine. Whats your finish line...becoming an x belt or just learning?

At some point with my crossfit I started to dial back. Obviously I knew I wasnt in a league to compete with the games athletes by any means. But after years of doing it, I realized im doing it because I like it and there wasnt an end point. I didnt have to rush to throw more weight on the bar or do more reps of something to prove any kind of point. Yea, id still push myself but the ultimate goal was being fit long term and I enjoyed it.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

when I was getting beaten up in sparring by him, 'how do I get better (so I don't get beat up), come 3 - 4 times a week?' I answered my own question and said, you know what, if it takes longer and I pace myself, that's fine, I can take being beat. I'm in it not to compete but to have it enrich my life in many ways, and it definitely does.

In jkd the thing is that there are no belts, only level 1 to pass in the future as a first step. Kind of think the idea of belts if I pick up bjj will be an adjustment mentally.

>Why didnt you go to class 1 if you want to do a number of
>things? You just really wanted to do JKD?

Nah I only recently found Class 1 because I was looking up schools where I could supplement my jkd class with something else. I already went to classes my homie was teaching in wing tsun, but that was too much unapplied science for me. Seemed like it would take forever to get to sparring, and that's all we do in JKD.

>I mean id say for me if you can only go once a week and youre
>more interested in acquiring the skills and techniques--thats
>fine. Whats your finish line...becoming an x belt or just
>learning?

just learning. Just thinking once a week will just not be enough, but maybe it will supplement my ground work in JKD, because we do do a little of that, although the main focus once we are on the ground is how to get back up.

in a month or so
the school is in another part of brooklyn thats most convenient to bike to, so we were just waiting for the weather to break - which i THINK it just did.

but you cant force these things-- and itd be crazy we'd have to split up for child care.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

She's taken some extended breaks along the way, but is still in it and loves it. We have a kid, and get a babysitter for a couple hours while we go.

It helps if you two can find a gym that already has women there, which shouldn't be much of a problem if you are in NY. She should be wary of rolling with male white belts.

>She should be wary of rolling with male white belts.

Cross that bridge once you get there?

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

we've got a month of free classes - just want to see how much we dig it first.

Im either gonna go this week or next to time my free trial classes so it rolls into when I start

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

One of my coworkers who just got his purple belt was geeked when I told him I was going.

I went on friday. One of the second in commands was extremely friendly and helpful. A brown belt named Joel gave me the trial class after the basic warm up. Worked on some basic stuff and finished with showing how to execute an arm bar.

It was cool because he was like "you definitely have done some work before" because my shrimping / hip escapes were natural, but I picked up some bad habits in my JKD class that he straightened out to be more in line with how they teach BJJ.

The school and everybody there is pretty awesome. Going again this Friday.

>One of my coworkers who just got his purple belt was geeked
>when I told him I was going.

Is he a Purple at MGA?
>
>I went on friday. One of the second in commands was extremely
>friendly and helpful. A brown belt named Joel gave me the
>trial class after the basic warm up. Worked on some basic
>stuff and finished with showing how to execute an arm bar.

The day I went to visit I saw Paul Schreiner, white hipster looking dude with big glasses was helping to run a class.

So the trial class is run as a private with a brown belt? You dont just jump in with the rest of the Fundamental 1s?


>
>It was cool because he was like "you definitely have done some
>work before" because my shrimping / hip escapes were natural,
>but I picked up some bad habits in my JKD class that he
>straightened out to be more in line with how they teach BJJ.
>
>The school and everybody there is pretty awesome. Going again
>this Friday.
>
>

I think thats one of the things I feel like sets MGA apart from some of the other schools. Places like these: dojos, gyms, etc. Often take on teh character of the person who owns/runs them. Since Marcelo is such a cool friendly dude, I think you get away from some of the douchery that may be more prevalenet at other bjj gyms Ive read about

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>>One of my coworkers who just got his purple belt was geeked
>>when I told him I was going.
>
>Is he a Purple at MGA?
>>
>>I went on friday. One of the second in commands was
>extremely
>>friendly and helpful. A brown belt named Joel gave me the
>>trial class after the basic warm up. Worked on some basic
>>stuff and finished with showing how to execute an arm bar.
>
>The day I went to visit I saw Paul Schreiner, white hipster
>looking dude with big glasses was helping to run a class.

yeah that's the guy. real friendly and helpful.

>So the trial class is run as a private with a brown belt? You
>dont just jump in with the rest of the Fundamental 1s?

yeah you warm up with the white belts and rest of the fundamentals, but then you split off and do real basic stuff. they were doing basic judo throws in fundamental 1 while I was there, I doubt they want a first-timer partaking.

>>It was cool because he was like "you definitely have done
>some
>>work before" because my shrimping / hip escapes were
>natural,
>>but I picked up some bad habits in my JKD class that he
>>straightened out to be more in line with how they teach BJJ.
>
>>
>>The school and everybody there is pretty awesome. Going
>again
>>this Friday.
>>
>>
>
>I think thats one of the things I feel like sets MGA apart
>from some of the other schools. Places like these: dojos,
>gyms, etc. Often take on teh character of the person who
>owns/runs them. Since Marcelo is such a cool friendly dude, I
>think you get away from some of the douchery that may be more
>prevalenet at other bjj gyms Ive read about

That's what it seems like

He's supposed to be really good technically.

Cali guy to boot (Santa Cruz though)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJebWahArQg#t=102

How busy was the Friday class?

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

to a lot of tech guys in Norcal, which explains why he is so patient and friendly probably. Dude went out of his way to welcome me and then to ask how my class was afterwards.

To think I almost went to UCSC. I'd be a different dude.

Yeah I would say Friday was pretty crowded, it got more crowded for the 7 pm advanced class.

>to a lot of tech guys in Norcal, which explains why he is so
>patient and friendly probably. Dude went out of his way to
>welcome me and then to ask how my class was afterwards.
>
>To think I almost went to UCSC. I'd be a different dude.
>
>Yeah I would say Friday was pretty crowded, it got more
>crowded for the 7 pm advanced class.


My wife volunteered to pick up my son so Im debating going in then riding my bike home.

If I still have any gas, I may go to the gym too. Gotta maximize my time!

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

my jkd class had me way more tired, but it IS emphatic on your core. I personally don't work my core enough so it was a little tough. But your legs don't bear the brunt of the work as much as your stomach.

I think I could have gotten a few miles on the treadmill in after class. I had to get home cause my girl was cooking but yeah if you get that time off from wifey take it!

let me know if you go this Friday, I'll see you for the 6pm