take a trial class and see how you like it. nothing wrong with getting your feet wet, you don't have to jump in if it isn't for you.
NeoGAF Martial Arts |OT| Should You Desire the Great Tranquility, Prepare to Sweat
- Thread starter Esch
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themadhatter444
Neo Member
Thanks for the recs. Will begin showering at the gym before I head home. In regards to gear, I went and bought two pairs of compression underwear this week. They're little trunks (read: booty shorts) made from a nylon type of material by Champion. Is there any value to getting the longer type of compression shorts that Hayabusa makes? As far as rashguards go, can you recommend a brand? Are they any different than typical long sleeve Under Armour compression shirts?
I was in side control when trying to go for my Americana. After rehashing the whole once it was done, I realized that my mistake was fighting for a sub rather than position. I could have probably mounted if I wanted to which would have opened up some much bigger opportunities. Next time. Live and learn.
Boxing class last night was a blast, but we were throwing some LONGGGGG combos and both my partner and I had some trouble keeping everything straight. I bought a pair of Hayabusa gloves (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007DBFFIQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20) and they were excellent. Great ventilation.
BJJ Mon/Weds. Stoked! Need to buy a gi!
compression shorts should be no different. as far as rash guards, the more expensive ones are cut and sewn in a way where there are no seams near the armpit area where most chaffing occurs. I cant comment on brands because I'm too cheap to buy any. i just use $10 full poly athletic tees from old navy.
if you are Gi shopping, eBay search "good luck gi." the prices start at a low $39 for the white, $52 for the black, and $60 something for blue. i bought a black and they're awesome. these are the same gis schools will slap logos on and sell to their students for $150. the colored stitching really make these look incredible, so much so i might buy a white one too. at $39, it's too hard to pass up.
I just buy the $10-15 compression shorts at target or walmart, same with the shirts. Old navy stuff is good for workouts IMO, but I haven't bought any that were 'fitted' so to speak, which is good for grappling. As he says, the expensive ones are cut and sewn better and probably hold up better, but at 2-3x the price I don't think it's worth it.
As for gi's I believe you get what you pay for. Atama is the standard and is by far the best. They are expensive and can run 130-180 a pair. I have 2 atama, one fuji and one koral. I think the fuji and koral have served as good cheaper alternatives so far. When you're in the sub 60-70 range I think you're taking a chance Unless someone can really recommend them. I've used mma warehouse for my last two gi's, bought the atamas off their own site.
No gi shorts are also a weird subject IMO and have a huge variety. Atama makes some solid cheap ones for $30 each, but you can get 50-60 pairs pretty easily. I have two venum pairs but I think mma / grappling shorts are much more fad oriented and that's why they can get so expensive. I'd be a lot more comfortable buying low priced grappling shorts over a low priced gi.
Open mat tomorrow morning at ten, looking forward to putting in some work!
What are you looking for in the martial art?
I'd advise you to stay the fuck away from Ninjutsu as the whole history of the martial art is iffy. It seems like you're going for the cultural/mental aspect of it?
I've heard almost no complaints about muay thai from anyone, it seems great for both self defense and fitness and all that. I want to take that, but there aren't any good muay thai places in my area, and the ones that are close to me are pretty pricey.
What's your guys' opinion on krav maga? Worth checking out, or is it one of those martial arts that look cool, but is pretty impractical irl, like aikido?
What's your guys' opinion on krav maga? Worth checking out, or is it one of those martial arts that look cool, but is pretty impractical irl, like aikido?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qkyoId7rP8
that's a review of the good luck gi. that shop is selling for $120, same gi on eBay starts at $40. I only have my Gracie Barra official gi to compare it to and can say the good luck is of better quality. I believe it's also the gi worn by team Lloyd Irvin as the bold stitching is really recognizable.
I would say the opposite, that krav looks a little rough or ugly but it is intended to be very practical.
the krav maga studio in my area is excellent. they put you through kickboxing, training with rubber knives/guns, situational self defense, etc.
just skip scud missile disarming week. (jk)
Witchfinder General
punched Wheelchair Mike
Well I do Krav Maga and its sole purpose is to keep you alive. That's it. No flashy moves, no mysticism no reaching harmony within oneself. Survival. As an effective self-defence discipline it has little peer as it is widely used in the military, police, VIP protection and civilian fields.
Just make sure that whichever place you train at is a legitimate branch of Krav Maga (like Krav Maga Global or the International Krav Maga Federation) and not some Israeli dude who thinks that serving in the army is all you need to teach "killer techniques" that bears only a passing resemblance to the real thing.
Feel free to ask me any questions.
Metroid Killer
Member
Taught a 1 day seminar this Saturday for advanced students. Was a nice success. My girlfriend attended it as well and she pretty much praised every aspect of it, and she's usually brutally honest about what she thinks of my teaching(when I do it every once in a while).
Spending a nice weekend on training AND getting paid is an awesome feeling!
Btw any good tutorials or articles on how to train with nunchucks. The guy who owns our dojo (martial art affectionado) just bought a big bag of nunchucks for anyone free to train with. I have no experience with the weapon at all, and would like not to end up on youtube like this guy. Thanks.
Spending a nice weekend on training AND getting paid is an awesome feeling!
Btw any good tutorials or articles on how to train with nunchucks. The guy who owns our dojo (martial art affectionado) just bought a big bag of nunchucks for anyone free to train with. I have no experience with the weapon at all, and would like not to end up on youtube like this guy. Thanks.
anyone go to an http://www.ibjjf.org event as a spectator? I'm trying to find out if there's a spectator fee but can't get any info.
I'm not positive but I'd be shocked if it wasn't 5-10 bucks to get in. Are you going to worlds?
masters/seniors tourney in long beach ca.
ChiTownBuffalo
Either I made up lies about the Boston Bomber or I fell for someone else's crap. Either way, I have absolutely no credibility and you should never pay any attention to anything I say, no matter what the context. Perm me if I claim to be an insider
Woo hoo! Mario Sperry is coming to my school!
Sub_Level
wants to fuck an Asian grill.
I'm a complete newb at MA. I go to school full time and have a part-time job which leaves 2 or 3 nights out of the week I could take an MA class. I took Aikido for a few months as a kid and took a random kickboxing class one time.
My goals would be fitness and self-defense, especially the latter. I've been in a couple of fights that really didn't go so well for me. I'm 5'7" 140 lbs so I'm not exactly the most intimidating dude in the room.
I did enjoy the kickboxing class and am still considering it, but ultimately I want to get beat up and reciprocate in a friendly environment. Intense cardio, punching pads, that sorta thing. My town has a couple MMA places, and I was wondering if this is a wise starting point. There's a krav maga place but it's part of a family inclusive dojo. I'm not really looking to spar with 13 year old Timmy, regardless of how tough or experienced he is. There's also a couple good boxing places that offer free trial classes.
My goals would be fitness and self-defense, especially the latter. I've been in a couple of fights that really didn't go so well for me. I'm 5'7" 140 lbs so I'm not exactly the most intimidating dude in the room.
I did enjoy the kickboxing class and am still considering it, but ultimately I want to get beat up and reciprocate in a friendly environment. Intense cardio, punching pads, that sorta thing. My town has a couple MMA places, and I was wondering if this is a wise starting point. There's a krav maga place but it's part of a family inclusive dojo. I'm not really looking to spar with 13 year old Timmy, regardless of how tough or experienced he is. There's also a couple good boxing places that offer free trial classes.
The university I attend has a fun cardio kickboxing class. Instructor always switches it up each day to make it a little different and work different groups. Really great for cardio and fitness. He does kind of show how to do proper kicks and punches (he is trained in many different martial arts) but focuses more on the fitness aspect. I enjoy it for that but not sure if it is the best for fighting situations. This is also if that is how the class you attended is and is not fighting focused.
I am sure other members would say this but you should try whatever classes is offered and you have time for. Not every martial art is for everyone so go to the free trial classes. For me, the instructor is just as important as the art so try a few places even if its the same thing like MMA. In my opinion, there is not a wrong place to start...
Great class tonight. Worked on the pendulum sweep (I think that is what its called) off of an armbar attempt in guard. Had to leave class early though which kind of sucked but glad I was able to attend as long as I did. I am really liking the sweeps and gaining position more than trying for submissions. What are some of you guys favorite techniques (All arts included)?
I'd go with MMA for sure. For a start it offers lots of different styles within the one style which keeps it interesting, gives you a better chance of finding something you are good at, offers more options in a fight, etc.
You'll definitely do pads and get a chance to do some good cardio work with striking, wrestling is also a very tough workout (too tough at times to be honest).
In terms of sparring it should provide a lot of different types in terms of both intensity (provided there is a good mix of pro wannabes and casual members alike) not to mention variety as No-GI sparring is about as different as you get from striking sparring.
Finally I think MMA is incredibly effective 1 on 1, Krav Maga is probably one of the only more effective styles for defending yourself (in terms of common/popular stuff anyways). Stuff like leg kicks, wrestling in general and ground game when you get proficient can be really hard for an untrained opponent to deal with.
I like trying to work from having someone in my guard. It's fun feinting with a Kimura attempt and then putting them in a guillotine (it is a Kimura, right?). Triangles, arm bars, omaplatas, etc. Mind you I have a hard time getting pretty much any of them even after a year.
yeah i'm enjoying sweeps as well. i hardly defend my guard just so my opponent can full mount right into my sweep. then again, in my fundamentals class i always have a strength and weight advantage and i know my sweeps wouldn't be as effective against grown men who have a good base.
as to some of my fave moves, i'm trying to perfect my arm triangle at the moment. oh, and reversing arm triangles into arm triangles.
edit: sorry, i meant reversing an arm bar into an arm bar.
as to some of my fave moves, i'm trying to perfect my arm triangle at the moment. oh, and reversing arm triangles into arm triangles.
edit: sorry, i meant reversing an arm bar into an arm bar.
i used to allow passes because i have a few sweeps i would do with someone in side control. the reason the sweep worked is because it was unconventional and would surprise guys the first few times i did it. i got out of that habit because when it doesnt work (people learn), you are in deep do-do. so i would recommend never giving up mount because it is easy to sweep (which it is in the beginning levels) just so you dont wind up developing a bad habit.
im assuming your mount sweep is trap arm / trap leg / bridge and roll over. that is effective for forever if you ask me, but as soon as you roll with someone who is smart, youll find yourself completely stuck. your mount goal should be guard recovery, not bucking and rolling someone over. again, of course, this 'rule' is primarily so you will be in the habit to recovering your guard fo when you face that person where the bucking doesnt work. imagine it like this- lets say you could bridge out of mount 95% of the time, but then there is that 5% where it doesnt work. when you reach that 5% that doesnt work, how much do you think you have worked and trained on your other techniques? i bridged for a long long time in my jiu jitsu game, but i am at a point now where i realize that guard recovery is a more sure thing and it is something that will work against a bigger stronger opponent more often than my bridge.
Thats a really good tip. Especially when i get tired it is harder to buck.
thank you for the tips. i know i have to work a lot more on my techniques. i realize i'm also skipping many steps and simple basics due to having a size/strength advantage in my beginners class. i can get sloppy with leaving my arm out there, leaving my opponent under me a lot of spacing where he/she can work escapes, etc.
it takes a long time to get even the basics 'perfect'. i know guys that used to bait armbars so they could stack and pass guard. now, when i have someone do that to me, i get my positioning completely correct before i lock onto the armbar and work to control like hell before i commit to it 100% and try to extend. i was only using the mount example because allowing someone to get mount on you sort of flies in the face of what jiu jitsu is all about in the first place, you know?
probably one thing about going to a beginners class as a bigger stronger guy is that you will be able to get away with a lot of BS- the sort of stuff that will catch up with you later. ive learned the most in my game by getting beaten by people who are smaller than me but they just have more knowledge. 'whyd you leave your arm out there?' 'so i could stack you.' '.... not a good gameplan....'
if there is one thing i could say to someone who is bigger, it is to not ignore certain aspects of bjj. i know guys that are really good grapplers and are big strong tough dudes that i have to really work to roll with, but they have no submissions off their backs. that is a gap i see with bigger guys in general- i can beat the hell out of you on top, but from my back it is sweep or stand back up, but no offensive game. just make sure you never fall into that pit, because as an instructor, you dont want to give a belt to someone that has a gigantic hole in their game. theres a guy i trained with who fights mma and runs his own school now, but he left my gym because he got passed over for a brown belt when i got mine. bottom line- he doesnt have a solid game off his back, and while he is probably one of the best no-gi grapplers in the state and can beat a lot of brown and black belts in no-gi tournaments, from my gym that isnt enough to get the belt.
I'm in a Gracie Barra school, they're pretty good about teaching students to work while on their backs. I think my current issue is I'm too eager to get better too soon. with BJJ, it just can't be rushed; patience, humility, and respect are all a part of the process. cheat the process and you end up cheating yourself.
Agggh. I hate a frustrating practice. Just had one. It always feels like a setback or that i've compromised my form. If i have a fatal flaw as a martial artist, its that i get very irritated by spending the time and not getting smooth, natural results that I want. I guess thats just part of maturing though.
cool interview with the head of the Xingyi research association, refreshing to hear from a modern day TCMA practitioner
cool interview with the head of the Xingyi research association, refreshing to hear from a modern day TCMA practitioner
I'm going to check this place out later tonight:
http://www.burbankkravmaga.com/
Says the instructors are approved by the "Krav Maga Alliance". Is that a legit organization?
you are in Burbank? I'm in the valley too. expensive muay Thai schools? all the ones in the north Hollywood area are all legit, but yeah they run about $100 a month. did you check prices on that krav maga school? if so, what do they charge? since you'll be in the area you should also check out http://www.gbburbank.com/ on victory. the owner, Alberto crane, also owns the gym i'm at and it's an amazing facility but does costs about $150 a month. the muay Thai instructor there, Brian, teaches in a traditional Thai way.
if you ever wanna try muay Thai at a nearby park with me sometime let me know, I have pads, mits, and gloves in my trunk. PM me.
Ooh, you're in the Valley too? Nice! What part? I'm in Northridge.
I probably wasn't looking hard enough for Muay Thai places if what you say is true. I saw one that charges about $200/mo. And I saw some others that were more affordable but didn't seem to have any actual sparring involved (which is a deal breaker for me).
$150 isn't too bad. Do you guys spar? How long have you been going there?
Thanks for the offer! Sure I'd totally be down to practice some time.
been going to GB for 2-3 months now. previously I was going to an all muay Thai school in north Hollywood, trying out pretty much all the legit muay Thai schools along the way. as to sparring, yes GB has (optional) sparring after the hour class and specific all sparring days. they even branched off their muay Thai into 2 levels to keep the "MMA meatheads" from scaring the regular folk. go walk in and take a tour, they're all pretty friendly.
themadhatter444
Neo Member
Got my first submissions on Monday. We learned a gi choke that just sort of struck home with me and I caught a guy 60lbs heavier than me in it. Same thing with my routine partner that consistently wrecks me.
Unfortunately, I was feeling so confident with it that it's all I went for in last night's class and I paid the price. The guys I rolled with saw it coming and I ended up with tunnel vision. Lesson learned. Need to start thinking outside the box and being creative.
Slowly but surely adding to my arsenal and it's paying off. I don't want to rush things but I need to start learning more submissions. When I roll with guys I can control, I achieve a good position and don't know what to do once I get there. I have americanas and gi chokes on lockdown, but that's all I'm comfortable with. I'm a smaller guy so I always end up in my guard (which is rock solid). Need to figure out how to grow my guard game to include some subs. Trying to learn about arm bars, triangles, and omo platas via YouTube.
Anyway. Having a blast with BJJ.
Unfortunately, I was feeling so confident with it that it's all I went for in last night's class and I paid the price. The guys I rolled with saw it coming and I ended up with tunnel vision. Lesson learned. Need to start thinking outside the box and being creative.
Slowly but surely adding to my arsenal and it's paying off. I don't want to rush things but I need to start learning more submissions. When I roll with guys I can control, I achieve a good position and don't know what to do once I get there. I have americanas and gi chokes on lockdown, but that's all I'm comfortable with. I'm a smaller guy so I always end up in my guard (which is rock solid). Need to figure out how to grow my guard game to include some subs. Trying to learn about arm bars, triangles, and omo platas via YouTube.
Anyway. Having a blast with BJJ.
Sweeps need to come before subs.
Witchfinder General
punched Wheelchair Mike
They seem legit but I'm not personally familiar with that organization.
I'm not very experienced in any way but I am starting to agree with this a lot more as time progresses. I used to think I need to learn more submissions to try and end things quicker but I believe survival is more important. I think I am starting to understand why position is more important then submissions for it can be easy to screw up a submission and end up in a very bad position. Maintaining a better position is helping me to last longer during rolls which I think will be more of an advantage and easier to submit especially on someone that is gassed out.
Glad you're having fun.
I had a great night tonight at class. My knee started killing me so I switch up my stance and started dominating. Now I'm off from BJJ for a few months to focus on father duties and take my boy to his gym classes.
Your right in what you're saying, it's good that you see that because it's a lot more exciting in the beginning to sub somebody than it is to sweep them. Survival - sweeps - submissions. As you progress you'll find your victories will come from winning the grind and not from just catching somebody in a sub really fast. Also you'll find it a lot more demoralizing when someone is able to sweep you, pass your guard, then submit you with relative impunity. That's when you realize that you really do need to work on parts of your game and what your weak spots are. Gassing comes with breathing and pacing yourself correctly and that just comes with time. It's good to roll with people at your skill level and beat them, but if you have the opportunities to roll with people that are a lot better than you take them. As long as they aren't pricks that's probably when you'll learn the most.
GungHo
Single-handedly caused Exxon-Mobil to sue FOX, start World War 3
Wear the headgear. I suggest medical assistance if you want to drain your ears, as bolstering is the quickest way to do it and will preserve the structure of your ear. However, if you're a real DIY'er or don't have insurance, there are alternatives.
I wear the headgear. I don't care if people make fun of me. I don't care to look like a Ferengi in business meetings.
Heres my experience- you get cauliflower ear from trauma. It could be from a punch like mma or from hitting and rubbing your ear against another persons head like in rugby. In jiu jitsu I got cauliflower ear when I tried pulling my head out of submissions to escape and folded my ear on top of itself. Think about how you escape from a triangle choke or a guillotine choke. If you just pull yourself out, you're putting a ton of pressure on your head and you could be crushing your ear.
I wound up just learning to escape properly and wouldn't use techniques that could give me cauliflower. After I started being conscious about it i no longer seem to have any problems. Six years and I probably haven't drained in the last three or four. Headgear works but it's annoying. I'd rather just be smart about it and avoid getting my ears hit.
Witchfinder General
punched Wheelchair Mike
After two weeks overseas today I resumed my training headfirst with two 3 hour workshops. The first was about groundwork;how to defend on the ground as well as performing basic chokes and submissions. Really interesting although I got partnered up with someone who was a "pincher" which has left me (along with the other bruises from today) with several cluster of red bruises spread across my arms and chest. It looks so horrid that I appear to be infected with the T-virus. The second seminar was on defending against common objects such as sticks, glass bottles, etc. Fascinating but also rather technical which I suck at. Still I learnt a lot.
I also have my regular class tomorrow of which I hope to not be too in pain to perform optimally.
Also, I was wonderfully surprised when speaking to one of my regular instructors today when he remarked after enquiring as to what my current grading is that I should be ranked a lot higher. I was very chuffed.
I also have my regular class tomorrow of which I hope to not be too in pain to perform optimally.
Also, I was wonderfully surprised when speaking to one of my regular instructors today when he remarked after enquiring as to what my current grading is that I should be ranked a lot higher. I was very chuffed.
hahahaha, i used to spar with a couple guys from a mantis program in the area and theyd do that shit once in a while. good experience though.
Really fun class today. It was pretty small but got a lot out of it. Rolled with a dude with a year and a half more experience then me (I am a beginner with only 3 months under my belt) so it was very humbling. He had very good control over me and it was hard to get him off top of me but my breathing and stamina was a lot better today then it was last time. My breath was what I concentrated most on and trying to survive. It helped because he kept applying a lot of pressure at the ribs with his knee which made it harder to breath but I never felt gassed out or out of breath. Got submitted by armbar twice but my third roll with him I got a gi choke. Was not thinking about submitting but just trying to get him off me and prevent a third armbar from the same position. I was on bottom and he was in scarf hold position (i think that is what its called, side control but his arm around my neck with one arm wrapped close to neck, close to arm triangle). I was able to get my free arm around his neck and grab a collar. When I realized it was the inside collar, I pulled as hard as I could to try and roll him into a better position. Held it for a bit then he just finally gave it to me; it took very little effort to get top position. When I got on top, I kept the grip and was about to release but I saw him turn really red and he had difficulty breathing. So I pulled hard from bottom of his neck and took my free arm and compressed down while his head was turned to the side and got the tap.
This experience made me realize I need to work on the strength part more for I always try to use only technique not realizing that strength is also a technique that needs to be used. I could feel all his weight on top of me when I was on bottom but everytime I was on top, it was easy for him to sweep me mainly from balancing issues and not applying weight to keep him down. It also helped that the dude was about the same as me and not smaller or bigger. Rolling with smaller dudes I could easily use strength to help and rolling with bigger dudes it was hard to do much because of their strength. This time I can see him using both technique and strength to overcome me in every position. I think that is something I need to do more, use both strength and technique in combination.
Had a lot of fun today and cant wait for the next class!
This experience made me realize I need to work on the strength part more for I always try to use only technique not realizing that strength is also a technique that needs to be used. I could feel all his weight on top of me when I was on bottom but everytime I was on top, it was easy for him to sweep me mainly from balancing issues and not applying weight to keep him down. It also helped that the dude was about the same as me and not smaller or bigger. Rolling with smaller dudes I could easily use strength to help and rolling with bigger dudes it was hard to do much because of their strength. This time I can see him using both technique and strength to overcome me in every position. I think that is something I need to do more, use both strength and technique in combination.
Had a lot of fun today and cant wait for the next class!
was he doing knee on belly or just jamming his knee into your side? if its knee on belly, once someone does that you need to get on your side (turn your body into him) so he cant leave it laying on there, or you need to try to recover to half guard. just dont lay flat on your back and let him pressure you there. for one, its worth two points every time he does that. two, when he has knee on belly he really can make you uncomfortable and has an extremely dominant position. just know that there are some positions that you can hang out in and knee on belly should not be one of them.
describing gi chokes is hard, lol
Metroid Killer
Member
Got the final word last tuesday that my 3rd dan test is on the next Saturday. Knowing only 14 days in advance, with our dojo being closed 1 week because of replumbing, can leave you slightly nervous. But we've gotten hints about the test for the last 6 months and I've been training like a mad man lately, and with my new built home dojo everything adds up just nicely. Looking really forward to the day.
Sub_Level
wants to fuck an Asian grill.
Took a boxing class for the first time ever last night and I feel amazing today. Sore in the morning but I feel like a million bucks now. Problem is it required a $200 signup fee and $65 a month for two years. Not to mention its a 25 minute drive from my house to the gym. Need to save up for a month or so before I can join 
Cool thing is that they also offer Kickboxing, MMA, sparring, and Muay Thai. It's L.A. Boxing.
Cool thing is that they also offer Kickboxing, MMA, sparring, and Muay Thai. It's L.A. Boxing.
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