[kvolcom]

hey guys im just looking for some advice on some bjj. im entering my second bjj tournament in two weeks or so and wondering what you basics you think are essential. im a very able athlete and an exceptional wrestler (not being cocky, just giving you an idea) and although i have no formal training in bjj i watch a lot of it and roll around with an experienced friend of mine. so i have some basics down, but what mistakes do you see beginners making that i need to remember?

this is actually a video of my first tournament, (guy w/o shirt on) when i knew nothing at all. needless to say i DID learn to protect my neck, so dont need any advice there lol and i have learned some submissions but im just looking for some input from you experienced guys. i appreciate it, fellas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng6rGsTU4Qg

[vonanaka]

Well most newbies do stiffen up, use alot of force and get tired very quick. Be smooth, go for position first and submission second. If you easily get a takedown based on your wrestling and feel uncomfortable in his guard or the position you end up in stand up and go for the boring point win.

And you might wanna start training at a school.

[Flutterby Guard]

Ask Santa to sign you up for BJJ lessons! Stop being cheap and PAY for your education as opposed to learning virtually via advice from sherdoggers!

I mean that seriously....if you want to compete you really should be training regularly! You need to DRILL things over and over....not have someone tell you what to do and expect to remember it!

You are giving yourself too much credit as an "athlete" - You feel that you can just pick it up that quickly bc of your wrestling background and thats not the case....if the guy you fought wouldve had a good sprawl you wouldve been up shits creek

[Ballz_Onya_Chin]

Wrestler with no formal experience going to a tourney?

Protect your neck... and learn how to pass the guard.

[kvolcom]

Originally Posted by Flutterby Guard

Ask Santa to sign you up for BJJ lessons! Stop being cheap and PAY for your education as opposed to learning virtually via advice from sherdoggers!

I mean that seriously....if you want to compete you really should be training regularly! You need to DRILL things over and over....not have someone tell you what to do and expect to remember it!

You are giving yourself too much credit as an "athlete" - You feel that you can just pick it up that quickly bc of your wrestling background and thats not the case....if the guy you fought wouldve had a good sprawl you wouldve been up shits creek

its not a money issue, its a time issue. i have my job, training for wrestling myself, and coaching my middle school team... and i wasnt trying to come off as cocky (even said that) i was just hoping to eliminate posts that would advise learning control of my body/center of gravity, etc. i was just trying to give people an idea of my abilities/standing so i could recieve better input.

edit: also, by getting tips from people here i can bring them up with my buddy and we can work on it. i know that just having it in my head wont do much without practice, but if i know what i should be learning i can focus on that when i roll around.

[Flutterby Guard]

Some more advice after watching the video again....

You were doing a can opener to break the guard but it was already open....you need to pass from there! Get a knee in the middle and pass to either side.

You also do not have a very good base when you are in someone guard. Your weight was forward too much! I wouldve swept you in a second. You need to keep that weight centered, posture up and work to pass! You can not tap someone from inside the guard (at your level anyway) so when you are in the guard always say "OK I need to get out and get to side mount"

You are also fixated on using strength...you need to relaxxxxxxxxx!!! and yes protect that neck! =)

[Aesopian]

The biggest mistake you're making is not training at a real gym. Fix that then I'll try to help you with the rest.

[kvolcom]

Originally Posted by Aesopian

The biggest mistake you're making is not training at a real gym. Fix that then I'll try to help you with the rest.

i appreciate it, but i really just dont have the time. i roll around with a friend and just want to get as much under my belt as i can until i do have time. better than nothing, anyway.

[Garrett E.]

Yeah... you had the opp to take a bunch of subs but didnt...

I'm not even going to try to tell a wrestler what to do because your upbringing is different than mine.

I'm telling you though, you learn some BJJ mixed with your strength as a wrestler and you can do 100% better at these tournies.

But yeah, pass his gaurd. Aka, get in sidecontrol, N/S, mount, then you have a lot more options for subs.

[jerbone]

Do not attack while you are in their guard.