[S.D.Force]

Just wanted some input on this topic. I'm going to do a tourny in a about two months and I don't want to be considered a sandbagger, so i want to make sure i enter the right division. I'm a little unusual so i'm not sure i fit nicely into any particular category.

A little background.... Just turned 40y/o. But in high school 1984 went to State Championships. Still have excellent strength/mobility/mat awareness. Work out VERY regularly doing running/swimming/eliptical/plyometrics all geared towards grappling and tournament play. I have studied NO GI sub grappling extensively for about two solid years almost every day. I have probably every book and NO GI DVD instructional ever created, plus all of the taped MMA PPV's. My grappling cardio may be in question b/c i basicall do not train with anybody. So NO mat time whatsover in recent times (have done a little previously). I have excellent recall of subs and chaining of subs b/c of "visualization techniques" i use while studying instructionals. I do have a "grappling dummy" which is life like (600$) and good for working out some sub positioning, etc. Note that i probably have every sub you have ever heard of commited to visual memory and can duplicate it on the grappling dummy or a person. And am aware of all of the different types of guards and sweeps, etc. etc. etc.

So the obvious choice would seem to be the "Executive Beginner" division, or whatever it is called for my age group.

BUT....I would like to try and go against some of the younger guys, and cannot decide between the Mens Novice, Beginner, or Intermediate divisions.

I guess with NO mat time basically, and my age i could legitimately maybe enter Novice, but after watching many tournaments in person and on tape, i'm inclined to feel that i could hang with the Intermediates. I would feel bad if i joined Novice or Beginner and won too easily. Of course i would probably feel even worse if i joined Intermediate and got my ass handed to me.....any suggestions?

[flyingknee16]

But you might be surprised at how much skill you have lost when you haven't been on the mat. You probably have rust (which is not a knock, since everyone gets rust with little to not mat time). I'd enter an easy division first and see how that goes and take it from there.

[350 lbs fist]

if it's your first time grappling start at the bottom.
If it's too easy move up the next time around.
Most are quite amazed how much stress and general nervousness take it out of you before subgrappling for the first time. Good luck.

[IMP]

Why not just roll a bit with other people to see how good you are atm?
Try some clubs out, say you just wanta check it out.

[Soid]

Try Intermediate.. Sounds about right. Men's Intermediate and then the Granny division.

[Dean Hamilton]

If you can enter more than one category, then Id enter Mens Beginner and then try to do some intermediates also

[S.D.Force]

thanks for the input so far.... If i was going to do only ONE division, would you say Mens Beginner or Executive Beginner???

I've actually seen some major ass kickers in the executive divisions at times. Sometimes instructors with high BJJ belts roll in the Executive Advanced division. And since there is ONLY the Beginner and Advanced and no in between divisions in the Executive then many times guys with tons of years of experience who are not high BJJ belts will roll in the beginner Executive.

[spanklock]

hs state wrestling champ or runner up
2 yrs studying subs

= enter intermediate

leave novice for the truly new grapplers which you are not and for the sandbaggers

[Q mystic]

try intermediate.

[Soid]

Originally Posted by S.D.Force

thanks for the input so far.... If i was going to do only ONE division, would you say Mens Beginner or Executive Beginner???

I've actually seen some major ass kickers in the executive divisions at times. Sometimes instructors with high BJJ belts roll in the Executive Advanced division. And since there is ONLY the Beginner and Advanced and no in between divisions in the Executive then many times guys with tons of years of experience who are not high BJJ belts will roll in the beginner Executive.

Go mens Beginner or Intermediate and Executives Beginner. The advanced is for .. the advanced!!!