Hey guys,

Context: I'm a hobbyist, train at a small school where I'm the most experienced besides the coach/professor. I did a comp this past week and plan to do one every 3-4 months in my purple journey since getting it earlier this year.

I was at a comp this week and had the chance to watch a BUNCH of matches before mine. I noticed that there really weren't that many takedowns that occurred, at least with the 'masters' and colored belts. Most of the time I saw both guys get into a stalemate with the same boring position: collar/tricep grip, head position, wide base, butt out, pushing back and forth. Then, inevitably someone decides to pull guard.

I attempted some foot sweeps but couldn't seem to 'lift' them up enough to get their hips close enough to mine to effectively get the takedown, eventually resorting to pulling guard myself.

Maybe the answer is just "train more takedowns" but I actually do spend a good amount of time training takedowns. In fact, the last couple of saturdays before the comp I did a little roulette thing that I saw on youtube where I did as many takedowns as I could with like 8 rotating ukes without repeating. That being said, comp resistance is a whole different level than training with ukes.

I'm more curious to understand any resources, strategies or advice to bridge the gap between mat time, open mats, and instilling my will during a comp match without adrenaline dumping hunting for the takedown.

Hey guys,

Im 30 yrs old Brazilian who have been doing bjj for nearly 15 years. I just got my Black belt (many life situations, it was a long journey, but here am I).

I have been teaching bjj in an informal way for a time (for example I have created my college team, and even after graduating I'm still giving weekly classes for free, as a hobby)

I always do my best to give the best classes as possible. I really love to teach and my white belts love my classes (I always ask for anonymous feedback for them). But I realized I have never studied how to teach jiu-jitsu in a more methodological way.

My current methodology is: I teach what I would like to have learned before, always focusing on movement.

I always start my classes with a warmup, some ukemi, 1 or 2 throws, then around two movements that might be a passing/swept, or finishing. When possible, I try to connect the throws-passing-finishing in order to create drills.

I'm not on that fancy franchises like Gracie Barra or alliance where they follow a teaching protocol. Do you have tips, materials or views on how to build great bjj athletes?

Im thinking about taking this hobby more seriously rn and even teaching as a side job

I'm competing in 2 weeks as a masters blue belt (35+) my bracket went from 3 to now just me. I'm assuming they will combine me with another bracket, the options I'm seeing as potential are 18+ blue belts, (I'm 38 and slow compared to kids) or masters purple has 1 person my age and weight...bim very hit or miss with purples, a seasoned purple eats my lunch 10/10 times, but I can keep somewhat of a pace with newer purple belts.

What would you do?

My jiu jitsu sucks.

I’m typically the smaller guy in the room. I want to utilize the oomoplata but when I go for it, it’s like I’m up against a brick wall or a Mack truck. They don’t budge and I just end up losing my guard.

What am I doing wrong? I know it’s impossible to tell me without seeing me roll, but maybe you can tell me some concepts that I might be missing.

Thank you.

I live within walking distance to Charles Gracie BJJ gym in San Francisco's richmond neighborhood and am considering joining to get back into the sport.

Does anyone know their membership prices and whether their branded gi & no-gi uniforms are required for training? This is my first time considering a Gracie gym and wanted to know how strict they are about branded uniforms, their pricing structure and usual practice regime. I'm going to try their trial class to get a feel for the gym but any feedback from those with experience with this gym or affiliated-gyms are appreciated.

For background, I have 2 years of bjj + high school wrestling experience.

I'm new and getting my first gi, and the Alliance school requires an Alliance branded gi. Which Alliance gi should I pick? I was thinking of trying to get a more lightweight/breathable gi if possible. Here are the 3 options I found that are on the lighter side:

Braus Fight Light (400gsm) https://alliance.brausfight.com/products/alliance-fight-light-jiu-jitsu-gi

The Alliance Jiu Jitsu Ultralight (380gsm) https://alliancestoreusa.com/products/kimono-alliance-jiu-jitsu-ultralight-blue?

Keiko Alliance Ultra Light 380 (380gsm) https://keikousa.com/products/alliance-ultra-light-380-adult-gi?variant=48571703197973

Any recommendations on which would be the best choice, or if there are any other Alliance gis you would recommend instead?

I’d really like to figure out my takedowns. Don’t get to practice them enough unfortunately

I noticed I let go of my grip and used it to brace instead

What could I have done better?

Any feedback helps, he was a lot taller than me so that’s something to consider too

Much thanks 🙏🏽

His resume is kinda great tbh anyone think he’s deserving of maybe a top 10 heavyweight all time ?

2x ADCC Champ (in two eras)
2x ADCC Silver medalist
1x ADCC Bronze Medalist
NoGi World Champ at black belt
3x UWW grappling world champ
PAC 10 champ for wrestling

Hello everyone. Looking for everyone’s input on the best patreon accounts to learn advanced grappling. I’m a purple belt kids coach and I realize I need to be putting in extra time learning advanced techniques but freshening up on fundamentals to better be able to teach them. The Patreon I’m currently subscribed to seems to just be recycling techniques and lacks content. I saw Deandre Corbe has some other subscription, anyone used it and found value?

We can leave white belts out of the equation since they don't count as humans. But for blue belts and higher, what mainstream sub do you think is often performed improperly most often?

I think Im going north-south knee-jerk reaction but I havent thought about it too long.

So I use these really old judo mats to teach Jiu-Jitsu at the middle school I work at in Taiwan. They were free so I can't complain too much but they tend to move all over the place when the rolling gets aggressive and they aren't soft enough that I feel comfortable doing much standup. Well today my school told me they could buy me new mats and now I'm at a loss for what to look for. In the photos you can see the space that I'm working with as well as how many old (and dirty) mats I have access to. I was hoping to get some recommendations and here are a few questions I would love to get some advice on:

1) Puzzle mats - would placing new puzzle mats on top of these old judo mats result in a more stable and noticeably softer surface overall? Or do you think that would be problematic for some reason? Depending on the budget they give me, I'm thinking this would be the cheapest way to go.

2) Other Options - other than the puzzle mat stack idea, what type of mats would you recommend?

3) Sourcing - I'm assuming that trying to buy local would give the best price. Has anyone ever bought mats in Taiwan before? Or do you know of companies that aren't too expensive on international shipping (longshot probably)?

Thank you for any and all advice! Oss.

Hello everyone! Today we've got another position that can give you a significant knowledge/tactical advantage over your opponents.

Shallow 5050 is an exceptionally difficult position to deal with for your opponents in a point format.

This position is fixed - meaning you can spend a long time there working towards a finish, or you can be patient and wait for your opponent to spring the trap

It's a little tricky to learn and does require some flexibility, but once mastered, you become very formidable indeed.

This position works best in formats which have points and encourage this underdeveloped area of the game

I hope you guys enjoy!

Is it just me or is she larping as a blue belt

I work early and have no free time after work until I go to bed. Are there any gyms in Jax that have classes 4-5 am? I've seen some with classes start at 6am, but I'd be late to work AND unshowered if I attended the full class then left for work.

- a young laborer who still wants to get rolls in

Relocating to Lincoln, CA in the near future. I typically train during the day, around noon, so finding a gym with midday classes is a big factor.

For those training in Lincoln and or the surrounding area, where would you recommend? I’m really looking for a chill gym culture and solid training partners. I’ve dropped in at Lincoln Jiu Jitsu Academy when visiting the area during the holidays and had a good vibe.

one of my matches from yesterday. after i made the leg entry and got to the ankle my mind went blank only thinking about finishing him with the ankle lock and i completely forgot about my own legs and the position they were in giving him the win. even tho i think i was abit of a reap from him it was very silly of me leaving my legs in such a poor position, do you guys have a system in your head to make sure you are defending your own legs when going for an ankle lock, toe hold etc.
was my first time in a gi in about 5 months and theres obviously alot i need to work on.
any tips appreciated im in the white gi

I'm looking for a new gym for my 11-year-old daughter (grey/black belt, about 2.5 years of BJJ, gi focused). We're in South Austin and can drive to Bee Cave or Dripping Springs.

We've already visited or trained at Campos, Gracie Barra Dripping Springs, Gracie University, and Six Blades, so I'm hoping to hear about places we haven't seen yet.

What I'm looking for:

- **Gi classes for kids**, ideally 3+ per week, with kids her age and size (11–13)
- **Structured teaching**, not just technique-of-the-day. She needs help linking techniques and finishing, not just more rounds
- **Coaches who are good with kids**, not only good competitors
- **Clear safeguarding:** background-checked staff, no one-on-one time with minors, parents welcome to watch, and a way to raise concerns that doesn't go only through the owner
- **A culture where girls and women are respected,** on the mats and in the gym's group chats

If your kid trains somewhere that fits, I'd love to hear:

1. Who actually teaches the kids classes?
   
2. How many kids are usually in class, and how are they grouped?
   
3. Have you ever raised a concern? How did the gym handle it?

Firsthand experiences are the most helpful. I'm not looking to start drama about any gym, just trying to find a good fit for her.

Thanks!

I'm getting a bit disillusioned about life at my gym. Classes are 30 minute warm ups, 15 min technique and 15 min sparring. I don't think anyone is progressing however our conditioning is improving. In the gym the lead professor is the master, the god. He is to be the highlight, he must be praised and he must be loved. He has many black belts but they all are spineless. They don't contribute to anything. There is also a constant need to be "family", "loyal" and also promotions are not clear to anyone. People do love him from the looks of it but its becoming more like a cult then a professionally run gym. Even our whatsapp group is constantly filled with praises for coach and we get almost a daily motivation messages in the gym and in whatsapp. Our Instagram is also all about the coach...students don't get highlighted. Everything and everyone is a vehicle to feed the coaches ego, stature and prestige.

On the other hand, he is a famous competitor and does win a lot! Maybe there's method to the madness?

Currently im not happy but I still want to think about it and make an objective decision.

I am a blue belt, I have been training for a little less than 3 years. I train BJJ 3 days a week two of those twice a day. Mostly gi.

I feel like I do good or even very good against my teammates who are equal to my experience, my same weight or heavier, but I know that competition is different.

I am 26 years old and didn’t start training martial arts until I was 22/23 but I started with kickboxing, and I competed once at a low level.

I am concerned that everyone is working twice as hard as me. I know I will need to compete in the adult division since I’m not at least 30.

Prior to a competition, say 3-6 months out, is there anything you guys do to prepare? Or just train a lot and make sure you’re on weight? I diet, and I strength train on my non martial arts training days.

I know losing is often the price of playing the game, I just want to at least he competitive. I see people who just compete almost casually. They see a comp a few months away and just sign up. Win lose or draw they have fun, I want to be like that.

Sometimes I hear my professor teach a technique and I think to myself "wow, imagine if he called me up to demonstrate, I'd be doomed." LMAO!

I really am in awe of people who can teach multiple techniques and in great detail.

I think at this point I can probably troubleshoot basic problems beginners have.

But wow, I don't think I can really explain much of anything when it comes to a specific technique. Maybe over under pass cause I do it a lot but I don't know all the details.

What are you guys confidently teaching?

Any good training in Boston or surrounding Saturday morning/afternoon or Sunday morning?? Open mats or classes ?

Gi/nogi I’ll take whatever at this point 😂