question for grapplers

[BryanS]

just curious if this happens to anyone else, when doing gi grappling i get cramps in my forearms and my hands tend to lock up after i get done with the match, its usually from holding the collar or sleeve for extended amounts of time while on the bottom ,is there anything i can do to work out those particular muscles to prevent this from happening , any input would be helpful thanks

[OmaPlata]

you might be holding too tight during training, loosen up a little, drink lots of water, stretch and you should be OK

[mixwell]

Haha I get that all the time. I think its just from the constant holding. I asked some guys in my class when I first got it if they had that happen and they said yes, but with time it will go away.. I actually had my forearms aching last night because all we did was train.. I find with the more advanced people i roll with that are in my guard this tends to happen more.

Since they have pretty good guard passing skills i try to hold them in my guard and work from there.. The white belts i usually just go lighter.. Maybe if you started to work your forearms out. I was thinking about doing that just to get a stronger grip. But as far as any fixes I don't know myself. It sucks right ? I mean last night i got tapped soo fast after my arms were aching because i couldnt keep a grip or defend because my arms were just too tired.. haha.. You aren't the only one out there that gets it so don't worry !!

[SamuraiGuy]

Maybe take off the Gi and go like that...

always an option I would think.

[mixwell]

Yeah but the gi is pretty much the class norm. I mean they have no gi classes on fridays at my school but for the most part you roll with the gi. I guess unless you could ask someone if they want to roll with out it and your instructor doesnt mind. Its kind of unfair for you to not wear one and have your opponent in one. I think it gives you a HUGE advantage since you can hold on to a lot more and its harder for them to slip out of submissions but easier for you. Hmmm that might not be a bad idea. Maybe ill try that one day in class.. haha..

[SamuraiGuy]

Never done any grappling in a gi, thats why I recommended no Gi Grappling as ive never had hand /fore arm troubles either.

I think its all about your grip strength and eventually you will get used to it. When I started working on a farm we had to use clippers to cut the sheep toe nails, doing that for 8 hours for 3 days made my hands and fore arms burn, but after awhile its not so bad.

I laughed when my friends started landscaping and would always complain how much their hands and forearms hurt from holding on things like a wheedwhacker (constant vibrations) all day.

There is alot of ways to work out your fore arms and grip strength... I think there are some grip forums out there, why not check out one of those.

[Ahoym8e]

no reason to white-knuckle the opponents gi for the whole match. if you are choking for 6 minutes, you're doing the choke wrong.

relax and don't be so tense.

no reason for an Iron grip on the go all the time. tighten your grip only when attempting the takedown, defending your grip, choking, executing a sweep. no need for a death grip on the gi while setting up the moves.

just my .02

[mixwell]

Ahoy when I do it, its mainly to keep my opponent in my guard and control them. I find that I don't have many tools from the guard. I know the armbar, triangle, kimura and some sweeps but its hard against the more advanced people. usually i have the "death grip" when my opponent puts their hand on my pants and elbow against my knee to try to open my guard. I grab the collar and sleeve and pull the shit out of it to break their posture.. haha..

[Tant01]

Think... It's not so hard to consciously consider your grip for a moment WHILE you are gripping at his Gi. I think these kind folks are right about the tightness of your fists. Relax a bit even if you need to remind yourself with a que. Unless you very recently started the game or the gripping part of it???


I often tell folks that rock climbing is (in my experience) the best thing for hand strength and toughness. You think it's tough to keep a grip on cloth? Try solid rock!

The results are similar, new guys will hang on with some kind of "death" grip the entire time without even realizing how rigid they actually are and wonder why their parts are aching later...

[cakegirl]

It's definitely from holding too tight, and if you're getting it in your biceps as well, it's probably from holding them tight and pulling them towards you.

The suggestion to stop and think about your grips is a good one. Also, if you're holding them down all the time, you're limiting your attacks - maybe let the pass your guard, or set them up to think they're going to pass, and try an attack (triangle) or a sweep from there, or bail to your knees and go for a single/double leg or something?

If you're determined to hold them down, what about arm triangling their head? You won't get a choke doing it from your guard, but you'll control them well.

Grappling should be fluid, though, and any time that you're staying still and maintaining a position, and forcing them to maintain the position, you've kind of killed the game, IMO.

[SamuraiGuy]

Killed it? I think thats more than half of it.

If youve got me in a side mount and all you are doing is working to keep that position you cant submit me cause all you can do is stay on top and keep position.

[Tant01]

LOL Can't what?

Killed it? I think thats more than half of it.

If youve got me in a side mount and all you are doing is working to keep that position you cant submit me cause all you can do is stay on top and keep position.

Right, and instead of tapping out to a sneaky choke you go nite-nite? That's not submitting...

[SamuraiGuy]

What im saying is you wouldnt have time to put on a choke, sneaky or not, if all your doing is trying to maintain position and control me.

[Tant01]

Perhaps but it's not so hard to get to it from there. Newaza was one of my favorite things in Judo. In that game you can win by maintaining position. The Jiu-Jitsu is not too different except for the rules. Submission is only one way to win...


"A contestant shall be deemed to have been defeated when from any cause or causes he may become unconscious."

Kano Judo Contest Rules



I like that guy! LOL

[mixwell]

another good way to build up the forearms is masturbating 3 times a day switching hands in the middle of your session. Just dont let anyone catch you !! haha