Question: “Hi, I’ve been getting an accumulation of small injuries from sore joints, to minor muscle strains. It’s getting more difficult to train on a regular basis because these little injuries are beginning to add up. I know I should stretch before practice but a lot of times I get to practice with just enough time to throw on my gi and go. Please help.”
Grapple Smart Answer:
I’ve had the same problem in the past. Making time to stretch out before class will definitely help to prepare your muscles and joints for the strain they will go through. Stretching after working out can also help to minimize injuries.
One of the best decisions I ever made was to incorporate yoga into my training regimen. I’ll have to admit I felt a little bit awkward going into my first yoga class but it was well worth it. With increased flexibility and core strength I basically stopped getting injured.
I know yoga was the answer for me because the times that I stopped attending yoga for whatever reason resulted in injuries cropping up again. Although there are many great DVD’s on Yoga out there, I needed an instructor and a set time to stay consistent. Although any amount of yoga will help, regular attendance will truly yield the best results.
If I could go back in time and start my training all over again I’d force myself to train both sides. I now see the value of training your weak side as well as your strong side. For example, I am very confident with my left leg triangle, where my left leg is by my opponents head and back and the right leg locks in the triangle. However, I have almost no confidence in my right leg triangle. When I first started grappling, I had moderate success with my left leg triangle so I only trained that side. Yes, my left leg triangle got much better but since I neglected to practice the right leg triangle, I rarely attempt it when I spar or compete. It is not really a legitimate part of my arsenal of attacks.
Now that I realize my mistake, I force myself to train both sides of every technique my coach gives me. If it’s a sweep, I’ll do it to the left and to the right. It is still a little uncomfortable for me to train my off side because I spent several years favoring one side over the other.
By starting this discipline at the beginning of your grappling career you will perfect your techniques from on sides. You’re opponents will be guessing which side you’ll try to sweep, throw, or submit them.
Question: Think this is a good way to start MMA off?
I have been a fan of mixed martial arts for a few years now and love everything about it. I joined a gracie gym up the street from my house a few months ago and am progressing fast. I just thought that I would share my steps on becoming a MMA fighter and see if the world agrees with my steps.
#1- Have a good ground game. I think to become a great fighter one must posses a great submissive ground game because it can be used as offense as well as defense. If you’re getting owned on the stand up you take it to the ground. I see a lot of really good strikers but their weakness is ground game and that’s how they lose.
After you have a fantastic ground game you work on striking.
#2- First work on technique- I think you should work on the technique of kicking and striking before you jump into strength and conditioning. If you have the right technique down it will only get better with strength and conditioning.
#3 Condition your bones- I think after the technique is perfected for all striking you should condition your bones as much as possible.
And lastly
#4 Strength- After you have perfected all of the other things you should work on your strength. But not just bulking up you must posses lean and dense muscles. Having big muscles is only for show and will slow you down. But building your muscles after you have completely all of the other things will just help. You will have muscle memory for all of the striking as well before you get them stronger.
So this is just my opinion on how I am going about becoming a fighter. If anyone thinks they have a better theory onto become a great fighter please tell me in the comments.
Respectfully,
FailingIdeals
Grapple Smart Answer:
Great well thought out question!
Overall, I think the simple fact that you’ve already have several months of Gracie JJ under belt shows that you’re off to a great start!
If you’re ultimate goal is to be an MMA fighter you’ll have to cross train in many of the disciplines you described above since the window of opportunity for most MMA fighers is relatively small (most are in their 20’s).
You may have heard of the 3 pillars of MMA: Muay Thai kickboxing(or similar striking art), BJJ, and grappling experience. You need all 3 to even put yourself in a position to be a competitive MMA fighter.
Since you’re already doing BJJ, train it hard and begin competing. That will be your your second hurdle on your MMA quest. You’ve already completed the first by surviving live sparring in BJJ for a relatively extended period of time (good job!). Competing in BJJ/ sub grappling will allow you to realistically assess your overall strength and conditioning as well as how well you execute technique under duress.
You’ll probably want to get your feet wet in Muay Thai and eventually begin live sparring there as well. In terms of your #3 (condition bones) you’re bones will harden as you hit and kick the bag. In the beginning you shins will get bruised and swell but that’s part of the process. Soon the nerves in your shins will begin to dead’n and it won’t hurt so bad.
Of course you want to train some MMA to integrate what you’re learning in stand up and ground. MMA sparring takes training to another level as you’re thinking about striking and takedowns simultaneously.
The final step is to fight pankration which is essentially MMA without the head strikes. You also sometimes wear shin pads but that depends on the tournament.
Since you probably have a full time job or school you may not have time for everything so keep up with BJJ and start competing. Don’t worry about wins and losses at first just focus on executing what you know, the wins will come.
Good Luck!
I’ve written an E-book and audio entitled “10 Things I wish I knew before I started Brazilian jiu-Jitsu – A practical introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling” I cover physical and mental preparation as well as executing technique when under duress.
Check it out at http://www.GrappleSmart.com
I’ve had the same problem in the past. Making time to stretch out before class will definitely help to prepare your muscles and joints for the strain they will go through. Stretching after working out can also help to minimize injuries.
I know yoga was the answer for me because the times that I stopped attending yoga for whatever reason resulted in injuries cropping up again. Although there are many great DVD’s on Yoga out there, I needed an instructor and a set time to stay consistent. Although any amount of yoga will help, regular attendance will truly yield the best results.
Take steps to ensure your grappling future. Check out “10 things I wish I knew before I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” E-Book and Audio.
