Grapple Smart

From Twitter: Follow me @GrappleSmart

@texasangelmom Hi Angel, my twitter goal is to help people be successful in #BrazilianJiuJitsu or any form of self-defense for that matter. #BJJ is a very practical and effective art for protection in real world scenarios where a smaller individual is often attacked by a larger stronger person.

Although BJJ and Aikido are derived from Judo, BJJ requires students to live spar or “roll” against each other attempting to submit (allow partner to stop before any damage is done) or gain a dominant position on their partner.

Since 90% or more of real world altercations end up on the ground, BJJ focuses a large amount of time on learning to fight off your back.

U can read more on my bio page: http://www.grapplesmart.com/blog/?page_id=2

Feel free to hit me up w any questions u may have! Jeff

If you’re an experienced grappler or Jiu-Jitsu player then you know about these invisible nuisances on the mat.  Bacteria is constantly lurking on your skin and on the mat just waiting for the right time to attack.  In order to keep yourself safe you must be aware of the dangers these pests present and how to deal with them.

Check out this great site for an informative look at Preventing Skin Infections!

From Ring Worm to Impetigo to Herpes Gladiatorum there are many forms of infection you can get while rolling.  Some things like Staphylococcus (AKA Staph) infections can actually be life threatening.  There is one form Staph (MRSA) that is resistant to most antibiotics and can be potentially deadly.  If you see a pimple surrounded by a read area that is hot you should see the doctor immediately.

Post from Twitter:

#BJJ #BrazilianJiuJitsu #Grappling QUESTION: What methods do you use to keep mat bugs away?  This a serious topic!!!

My Methods:

1. Wash Gi right after practice each and every time to avoid growing unwanted bacteria.

2. Use Ken Shield before each practice (esp Nogi) It’s creates a anti bacterial barrier on your skin.  My doctor also recommended Hibiclens (sold over the counter) to use once a week  to keep the skin clean!

3. Use Defense wipes or anti microbial wipes directly after each and every practice to kill or remove any unwanted Staph germs that may enter through small breaks in skin common in Jiu Jitsu.

4. Don’t roll with anyone who clearly has (or admits to having) ringworm or other infection.  Kindly encourage them to sit out until it is treated and healed.

Gym:

1. sweep and mop before class (use a good mat cleaning solution and hot water).

2. Clean blood immediately with appropriate cleanser.

3. Make sure students understand that good hygiene mat is EVERYONE’S responsibility!

Ok, so I’ve been posting my weekly goals on Twitter and I thought I’d post them here as well.  You’re welcome to follow me at @GrappleSmart on Twitter!

My #BJJ/ #BrazilianJiuJitsu goal for this week is to be inefficient!  That’s right inefficient when I train.  Far too often I catch myself utilizing as little effort as possible to win because I’m afraid of gassing out in later sparring rounds… sound familiar?  So this week I’m going to gas myself out so that I finish my sparing sessions in O2 debt (hopefully).  I’m hoping this will do 2 things: first, it will give my cardio a boost since I’ll be pushing my aerobic threshold and second, I’ll get used to attacking faster and more often.  I’ll let you know how it goes.  Anyone else have a goal they’d like to share?
The interesting thing about BJJ is that it’s similar to doing any repetitive exercise in one respect.  Just like running, biking, or whatever exercise you do, if you do it the same way consistently enough you’re body will get used to the exercise and slowly become fore efficient at performing it.  Sounds good right? Well, if the goal is to burn as many calories as possible in a workout then it’s not.  Basically, your body adjusts to what ever stress  you put it through and adapts.

The same adaptation can be said for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  Think about it, back when you first started BJJ wasn’t it hard to breathe all the time, and so tough to think of the move you were just taught when it’s time to live spar?  As the weeks and months went by you were able to feel more comfortable sparing, and could think better in tight spots right?!?  Well, now it’s time to give your Jiu-Jitsu metabolism a boost and make you’re self gas out.  I mean what’s the worst that can happen? You get tapped out? So what!  But the benefits can be huge!

Question: from Twitter: Wayne (@vinson06) asks: Why did you go to Gi grappling?

Answer:

Special thanks to xharekx33 amazing photography!

Hey Wayne n Bruce.  My transition to mostly Gi BJJ occurred when my PB instructor, Tyrone Glover, introduced GI work into City Boxing which at the time was nogi all the time.  Over time I began to realize that I had a lot more techniques available to me with the addition of “handles” which of course are the things you can grip on the Gi jacket; collar, sleeves, belt, pants etc. Another reason is that as I got older (and a little slower lol) the Gi game was more methodical, slower and negated some of the pure athleticism many of younger wrestlers possessed.

I also like the Judo throws that you can implement in BJJ, especially competition.  Since I’m always looking for any edge I can get to catch up with some of the really experienced sport jiu-jitsu players I tried to get better at Judo take downs than my opponents.  I found that a lot of sport jiu-jitsu players (people who train to compete in BJJ tournaments vs. Brazilian jiu-jitsu only for self defense)  didn’t always have the best stand up game.

Interestingly, I use nogi techniques when rolling gi and vice versa.  You also have a lot more options for sweeps and subs in Gi game which I like.  Finally, the belt system in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu gives you yet another incentive to improve and train consistently.

Nice question Wayne!