How do *you* grapple with a newbie?

[MrPoopy]

To crush the newbie, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of Mr.Poopy!

This is moderator abuse and I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT!!!!

[Szczepankiewicz]

No, it's Poopy abuse.

And you'll take it, just like you always have.

Because you love it.

[adacas]

Poopy abuse For the love of BOB. I must be in the wrong forum. This must be the sado masicist forum. Is that how you spell it. I'm sure someone here knows.

[jaykay]

sadomasochist, I think?

[osopardo]

Originally posted by adacas
Poopy abuse For the love of BOB. I must be in the wrong forum. This must be the sado masicist forum. Is that how you spell it. I'm sure someone here knows.

Sadomasochist: noun def. Anyone who practices, or is involved in the study of, martial arts.

[jaykay]

Something else I like to do with newbies is give them a taste of how effective the mount and knee ride can be. I give em a good solid mount and a semi-hard knee ride. I think it gives them a bit of respect for skilled grappling.

It's really quite odd when grappling a lady though - they tend to me a lot smaller than much less strong, so I'm not entirely sure how to go about it. We get a few girls come along to our club. Most seem scared of grappling, though. Or maybe they're just shy because of my studliness *cough cough*.

[adacas]

You know osopardo I think you're on to something. I should start a new poll and ask if anyone uses their grappling skills when they do the no-no-cha-cha.

[osopardo]

Originally posted by jaykay
Something else I like to do with newbies is give them a taste of how effective the mount and knee ride can be. I give em a good solid mount and a semi-hard knee ride.

I, ahh, hmmm... I feel so...violated.

[SweepEm]

I've been in the martial arts game a while now and have seen the full range of new guys.
I've seen guys that are the geeks and nerds, inspired by Royce Gracie and the Tito Ortiz's to come out and learn some martial arts. These guys have never trained much more than then when they had P.E. Class in high school. Maybe a pick up game of touch football or half court basketball.
And on the opposite extreme, I've seen guys come in and say they are new to martial arts or have trained a few weeks here and there but are sandbaggers.
It's the sandbaggers that get taught a lesson since they are lying to you.
For those that go hard against the guys that are brand new, you're doing a dis-service to your school. If you're the instructor, you're feeding your own ego, but cutting short what could be a potential new student that could and should grow into a good martial artist.
I've been to schools that look at new guys as "Fresh Meat". There's one school that routinely trashes new guys and the guys that can't take a trashing leave with their tails between their legs. The tough ones stick it out and "earn" there place. The tough schools are out of the pages of the Cobra Kai Karate schools and it's because of the weak egoed instructors that produce bullies that prey upon the weaker people which goes against all principles of martial arts philosophy.
I personally take it easy on new guys and if they lie and tell me they aren't experienced but are, I put the pedal to the medal and go hard, otherwise the first class will determine whether or not a new guy is going to join up and become a student at your school.

Instructors and students should realize they have the responsibilty to make a school a warm, welcoming environment to learn and have fun. If your idea of fun is to trash the newbie, you have a lot to learn........

[jubaji]

My, aren't you all nice?

Just something to consider...

You are not talking about knitting class. If someone can't handle it, you might be doing them a favor by at least 'implying' that it is a tough road they are starting down. If someone's body or ego can't handle rough treatment, sooner or later they'll bail. Why not 'help' them reach appropriate conclusions sooner? There's no shame in admitting that they got too worked up by a ufc video and would really be more suited to another type of hobby. Its not cruel or mean-spirited.

[osopardo]

Originally posted by jubaji
My, aren't you all nice?

Just something to consider...

You are not talking about knitting class. If someone can't handle it, you might be doing them a favor by at least 'implying' that it is a tough road they are starting down. If someone's body or ego can't handle rough treatment, sooner or later they'll bail. Why not 'help' them reach appropriate conclusions sooner? There's no shame in admitting that they got too worked up by a ufc video and would really be more suited to another type of hobby. Its not cruel or mean-spirited.

Yes it is. It's as mean-spirited as shoving a non-swimmer into the deep end of the pool. If they drown, well, tough! They shoulda never presumed to try learning how to swim in the first place.

And so we weed these "weak ones" out. You know, the one's who're not tough enough or don't like violence. The one's who maybe are in the greatest need of instruction on how to handle violence. The one's who might be more likely to use their brains intead of their suppressed anger. The one's who are least likely to become bullies. Who needs 'em! Let's crush their spirits while we can! After all, nobody ever gave us a chance when we started out. Nobody ever encouraged us to try again or showed us the correct way. Nobody ever reassured us that, given time and practice, we would become proficient. Nahh! So go ahead and eat the newbies - and feed your ego!!

[gregimotis]

Originally posted by SweepEm
The tough schools are out of the pages of the Cobra Kai Karate schools and it's because of the weak egoed instructors that produce bullies that prey upon the weaker people which goes against all principles of martial arts philosophy.

Well put.

Additionally, a good grappler (or in my case a mediocre on) can always feel the other guy out and ramp it up in the first few seconds if need be anyway.

[gregimotis]

And also...

A first timer in a grappling class is going to feel some discomfort no matter how courteous his classmates are; He is gonna get smashed and tapped and stacked. He is also gonna be plenty sore the next day.

Taking it easy on someone means not stacking them any harder than you have to in order to get control; It means no dynamic knee-to-stomachs or knuckle grinding cross-faces. It doesn't mean rub thier shoulders and bring them a margarita.

[jubaji]

Originally posted by osopardo


And so we weed these "weak ones" out. You know, the one's who're not tough enough or don't like violence. The one's who maybe are in the greatest need of instruction on how to handle violence. The one's who might be more likely to use their brains intead of their suppressed anger. The one's who are least likely to become bullies. Who needs 'em! Let's crush their spirits while we can! After all, nobody ever gave us a chance when we started out. Nobody ever encouraged us to try again or showed us the correct way. Nobody ever reassured us that, given time and practice, we would become proficient. Nahh! So go ahead and eat the newbies - and feed your ego!!

Ya know, there's being "kind", and then there's being a pussy. You have jumped the line. Grapplin's not swimming, or tennis, or whateverthehellyoudo. There are lots of options for people who want other things, and that's great, but you don't help the weak by weakening the strong.

[jubaji]

Re: And also...

Originally posted by gregimotis

Taking it easy on someone doesn't mean rub thier shoulders and bring them a margarita.

I believe this distinction has been lost on some of the rose-petal-throwing-pussies here.