All and any advice welcome!!

[fpd]

New to the forum, looks great with alot of intresting posts. I am really intrested in trying to compete in some bjj/grappling tournaments. I'm fairly new to this and have only been training for about a year so obviously I have alot to learn. I've read on some webistes that some of these tournaments have novice or beginner levels. I"m really just curious as what to expect as a newbie and any tips or advice would be great. I"m in Kentucky and have been training in a combo style of jj called kenage jj. And any tournaments in this region I should check out just let me know. Thanks again.

[gong fu]

i would suggest train for longer before you enter a tournement, but if you just wana go in for it then alright, i suggest you just have full contact training with a few partners, get as much grappling and close combat training before hand, try not to use any pads or gloves while training toughen up your body,

when you grapple dont use force on force, ie if someone pulls you push them, if someone pushes you pull them, use there wieght against them, tai chi methods go with the flow, and use up less energy this way, and you will find many other advantages of this fighting system practise it, and try not to tense up and get to ridgid use power but from within not from your muscles, stay relaxed the mind works better when its not clouded by rage or struggling force.

[SamuraiGuy]

hmmm.. it may seem like im intentionally following this gong fu guy around and just disagreeing with him... but...

when you say this..

" suggest you just have full contact training with a few partners, get as much grappling and close combat training before hand, try not to use any pads or gloves while training toughen up your body, "

hes not gonna get hit, if you notice it said bjj/grappling... not mma.. he doesnt need to use pads or gloves at all.. maybe a cup, but thats personal preference.... and all grappling is full contact... kinda a pointless statement.. your telling him to do what... train?...

[Shoot]

My advice

I'm no MMA competition expert by any means. My advice is more for those interested in developing an effective MA system. Maybe it's good competition advice. Maybe it's not. Go to a good school is probably the best advice in that regard. With that said:

I like the scene in Enter the Dragon when that dude from New Zealand (I think) says “What’s your shtyle?”

This is an important question because whatever system you train in doesn’t matter as much as what “system” YOU carry with you and use. What the heck do I mean? I mean that there is a finite number of things we can do physically as it relates to combat. You can probably make a list of them. You can divide them up however you like (blocks, strikes, kicks, takedowns, footwork etc...). From this encyclopedia of techniques you can derive every system of empty hand martial art there is. The various arts distinguish themselves simply by grouping techniques from the finite list together and utilize various strategies and preferences.

My suggestion is that you make your own system. I further suggest that your system consist of things that work well–high percentage techniques.

I further suggest that your system be small and simple. Here is a good one:

Strikes: Jab, Cross, Head butt, knees, elbows.

Blocks: Leg block (muay thai style) and elbow block (muay thai style)

Kicks: Low round kick. Low front snap kick. Low side kick/stomp.

Takedown: Tackle (Double Leg, Single leg). Back trip from clinch.

Takedown Defense: Sprawl.

Clinch: Muay tai clinch; BJJ side clinch

Submissions: Guillotine, Triangle, Kimura, Arm Bar, Knee bar, ankle lock.

Submission defense: Guillotine defense standing/ Triangle defense, arm lock defenses, ankle lock defenses.

Ground Position maintenance: Guard, Mount, side mount; side headlock positions.

Ground Position escape: 2 guard pass techniques; knee/elbow escape; umpa (just because it’s simple).

This is not complete, but gives you an idea. If you watch fights you’ll see that most techniques aren’t used. Take punching for example. Developing a good jab and cross is better IMO than spending a bunch of time trying to become a great boxer. Most fights involve straight punches.

You should also develop your strategy. Keep it simple. Make it your own. Get great a few high percentage techniques. That’s my advice.

[JkD187]

when your in a tourney just remember to try and finish as quick as you can without gettig tired (if you do alot of conditioning you got nothing to worry bout) and be agressive, take a wrestling approach to jits:relentless pressure on the guy and just weAR HIM DOWN AND TAP HIM OUT.A good training method to do is to set a time limit for 5 mins and try and tap the guy out as many times as possible,remember the number after the 5 mins and then do the same thing with as many people as you can.do that day in and day out and eventually you will be able to tap people out in seconds,This is espically good for self defense. P.S the guard arm-triangle choke and guard kimura are two easiest subs to pull off,espically used in a circuliation.

[cam427]

One year of training is enough to enter a novice category in a bjj competition. My advise would be to train hard and just do it. Don't worry about if you win or lose (as it is your first comp you will probably lose at some point) as long as you are happy with how you went and then try to improve on it next time. You should view competition as just another part of your training.

Remember it is supposed to be fun. You will find that you really perform when the pressure is on. This always seems to be the case. I think it is because of how BJJ is trained.


Have Fun
Cam

[EmptyneSs]

My suggestion is that you make your own system. I further suggest that your system consist of things that work well–high percentage techniques.

I further suggest that your system be small and simple. Here is a good one:

Strikes: Jab, Cross, Head butt, knees, elbows.

Blocks: Leg block (muay thai style) and elbow block (muay thai style)

Kicks: Low round kick. Low front snap kick. Low side kick/stomp.

Takedown: Tackle (Double Leg, Single leg). Back trip from clinch.

Takedown Defense: Sprawl.

Clinch: Muay tai clinch; BJJ side clinch

Submissions: Guillotine, Triangle, Kimura, Arm Bar, Knee bar, ankle lock.

Submission defense: Guillotine defense standing/ Triangle defense, arm lock defenses, ankle lock defenses.

Ground Position maintenance: Guard, Mount, side mount; side headlock positions.

Ground Position escape: 2 guard pass techniques; knee/elbow escape; umpa (just because it’s simple).

This is not complete, but gives you an idea. If you watch fights you’ll see that most techniques aren’t used. Take punching for example. Developing a good jab and cross is better IMO than spending a bunch of time trying to become a great boxer. Most fights involve straight punches.

You should also develop your strategy. Keep it simple. Make it your own. Get great a few high percentage techniques. That’s my advice.

so ur saying to train in bjj and mt then?

[fpd]

Thanks to all that have replied. At this point I just want to get involved. I love competition and this just seems like the logical thing to do.

[bbbb]

Don't Block...(Waste of time).

...instead, Attack their Attack. ( It's a mindset/decision...Use Attack...as if Attack, itself, were a tool)

Their attack is your defense.

->apply this philosophy with Full Intention.

I would like to know if it work's for you or not!!

Of course- Preparation is the key.

...attack!

[OmaPlata]

Thanks to all that have replied. At this point I just want to get involved. I love competition and this just seems like the logical thing to do.

Its great to compete. Once you do it a few times, it seems if someone on the street calls you out to fight, its almost a laughing matter, its like "what is THIS guy gunna do?" But if you havent trained in 6 months like me, its like I hope I dont wind to early

[BoarSpear]

Its great to compete. Once you do it a few times, it seems if someone on the street calls you out to fight, its almost a laughing matter, its like "what is THIS guy gunna do?" But if you havent trained in 6 months like me, its like I hope I dont wind to early

Oh i dunno....probably all these harmless things that are against your rules...

"Butting with the head.
Eye gouging of any kind. (this prohibits any kind of advanced eye gouging techniques found in most Chinese styles)
Biting.
Hair pulling. (again prohibits some of the most lethal techniques such as twisting or breaking the neck)
Fish hooking. (prohibits many effective eagle and tiger claw techniques)
Groin attacks of any kind. (prohibits many effective testicle kicks found in karate and kung fu)
Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
Small joint manipulation. (prohibits a vast array of chin na techniques)
Striking to the spine or the back of the head.
Striking downward using the point of the elbow.
Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea. (again, this prohibits a large number of techniques, some of which are very important in Chinese martial arts, such as the fok sau of wing chun, or the eagle claw techniques used on the throat)
Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh. (this would render most tiger and eagle claw styles useless)
Grabbing the clavicle. (a very effective chin na technique)
Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
Stomping a grounded opponent.
Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.
Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
Spitting at an opponent.
Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
Holding the ropes or the fence."

thanks to HuSanYan for providin the list

[OmaPlata]

Oh i dunno....probably all these harmless things that are against your rules...

"Butting with the head.
Eye gouging of any kind. (this prohibits any kind of advanced eye gouging techniques found in most Chinese styles)
Biting.
Hair pulling. (again prohibits some of the most lethal techniques such as twisting or breaking the neck)
Fish hooking. (prohibits many effective eagle and tiger claw techniques)
Groin attacks of any kind. (prohibits many effective testicle kicks found in karate and kung fu)
Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
Small joint manipulation. (prohibits a vast array of chin na techniques)
Striking to the spine or the back of the head.
Striking downward using the point of the elbow.
Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea. (again, this prohibits a large number of techniques, some of which are very important in Chinese martial arts, such as the fok sau of wing chun, or the eagle claw techniques used on the throat)
Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh. (this would render most tiger and eagle claw styles useless)
Grabbing the clavicle. (a very effective chin na technique)
Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
Stomping a grounded opponent.
Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.
Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
Spitting at an opponent.
Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
Holding the ropes or the fence."

thanks to HuSanYan for providin the list

Exactly,. all things I can do too. I agree, in a street fight, anything goes.

[Shoot]

that's funny

so ur saying to train in bjj and mt then?

Basically yes now that you mention it. But my advice goes beyong that. I suggest that even if you choose MT/BJJ as your foundation you should narrow down what you use. For example, you might find that open guards don't work well in a real fight. You might find that MT thrust kicks expose you to takedowns etc... For all I know you might find that the crane technique really works for you and is "high percentage." My list of techniques comprising a system is a mere example based on what works for me and many other.