It’s obvious that flexibility is important in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. While flexibility is primarily a muscular attribute, tendons and cartilage also play supportive roles in flexibility. In Jiu Jitsu, athletes oftem find themselves in straining positions. This is why BJJ atheletes, more so than atheletes of many other sports, strongly benefit in having healthy, flexible joints.
For the same reason, Jiu Jitsu also requires healthy bones. Bone health is something most people (even athletes) don’t need to worry about until later in life, but because of the physical nature of the sport, having strong bones seems like a noble goal for any Jiu Jitsu athlete. Ensuring adequate calcium consumption is one of the best ways that I am aware of to promote bone health.
A couple of weeks ago I suffered a rib fracture while rolling in class. The timing was horrible because it was was my first class back since taking a break from the sport. It’s also my first injury from Jiu Jitsu. In the past I have taken calcium and glucosamine supplements, and while I can’t prove it, they did seem to increase the amount of stress my joints and body can take during work-outs and class. I also felt like I recovered faster between classes. In general, I felt less sore after work-outs.
I hate being injured and out of the game, so I have started taking calcuim and glucosamine once again with hope that it will help me heal a little faster. My bigger, long-term hope is that I’ll feel the way I originally did when I first took calcium glucosamine and so that day-to-day I’ll generally feel better between workouts.
Do you – or have you – taken a joint or calcium supplement? What was your experience?
Inside BJJ has posted a great article on Relson Gracie and his frustration with the current Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament system.
Relson is starting the Gracie Pro-Am, a new tournament series that is “focused on the original rules Grandmaster Helio Gracie put together for the first tournament in 1962.”
“The Gracie Pro-Am Circuit is looking to preserve Helio’s heritage and approach to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu through competition. We hope that by changing some key rules, this tournament will promote a more transitional, safe, submission-based game”
- Relson Gracie
I competed in a tournament about a week and half ago. I trained hard for the tournament, and often too. Normally I train Jiu Jitsu at my own pace and intensity. But before the tournament I ramped it up a level; I still had fun, but the experience left me wanting a short break. And I’m giving myself that short break this week.
It’s partly a physcial break – although I’ll still be doing physical activities, I won’t be returning from them bruised up. But it’s mostly an emotional and psychological break. It’s chance for me to reflect on where I am in the sport and think about what part of my game I should improve next. It’s a chance to reflect on what I love so much about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
It’s also a chance for me to have a impressive return to the sport when my batteries are charged – fully ready to go, more ready and motivated than ever.
The Relson Gracie crew at Nationals 2010. I'm fourth-in from the upper right.
It was a ton a fun. Although not everyone took home medals (many did), everyone faught hard. It was also great to see new faces associated with Relson Gracie in the state due to the growth and success of Denver Jiu Jitsu and Relson Gracie Academy in Littleton. Rodrigo Salazar and Steve Hordinski seem to be doing great things at these schools, respectively.
I was scheduled for two brackets, but due to a scheduling snafu or miscommunication, I missed my first bracket, so I only competed in Adult Blue Belt. I fought hard but did not do as well as I would have hoped.
Like last time I competed, however, I’m very motivited to work on and improve my Jiu Jitsu. I’m eager to train and will likely be competing in the next local tournament in the area.
Anyhow, my loss was to a competitor named Gianni Tanza from Easton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and I wanted to give a shout-out to Gianni. Gianni was an incredibly gracious and polite winner and competitor. Gianni not only offered genuine compliments on my effort, he also went well out of the way to shake the hands of my coaches. I was already enjoying my day, but Gianni’s sportsmanship made it that much better.
Gianni, If you ever find this post from Googling your name or something, send me an email and let’s get a beer.
A few of months ago an instructor at Boulder Grappling said this to me:
“Go for the top. Everyone can fight from the bottom.”
These words helped my game grow to a new level relatively quickly.
I think there is a point in many people’s training (well, mine at least) where the novelty of playing on your back becomes comfortable. There is something really interesting about being on your back or shoulders and still having some control over your opponent (when you are in open guard or a similar position). For lack of better words, it’s just cool.
But soon enough, as you fight higher belts or people around you improve, it gets harder and harder to play open guard successfully. It’s possible, but it takes time – years, according to people and instructors I’ve talked to.
Anyhow, when I really internalized the advice to fight harder for a top, dominant position, I felt it helped my game change in a positive, good way (full disclosure: I still play open guard every now and then – but it’s no longer a central strategy at this point in my Jiu Jitsu career). I began to get to dominant positions more frequently – which led, naturally, to more submissions from dominant positions.
I felt it was a good “kernel” of knowledge, shared at just the right time, to help me grow in my game.
Last week Boulder Grappling Academy (BGA) announced we would get the honor to train with Phil Cardella in the form of a seminar at BGA’s facilities in Boulder this upcoming Tuesday (I do now know if the seminar is open to the public).
Phil is a very distinguished Relson Gracie black belt and MMA fighter from Austin, Texas, with impressive grappling credentials. Phil is a key part of Relson Gracie Austin Assocation, one of the most successful – and established – Relson Gracie schools anywhere.
This is great timing for a lot of us at BGA because many of us are competing in an upcoming local tournament – the 2010 Fight To Win Nationals, held at the University of Denver in July.
I am excited to welcome Phil and feel very honored he will be at the academy here in Boulder.
I have been thinking about transitions from side control recently – especially techniques where you capture an arm or limb on the way. I think it’s a great way to get into an even better attacking position. I wish I was better at it.
I like the transaction at the beginning of this video, which is side-control to armbar. He is able to capture the arm at the start of the move – and by using his weight and body leverage – set up a slick armbar attack.
I’m not a medical professional. But when I’m foolish enough not to wear my headgear when grappling and my ears get sore, I’ll almost always ice my ears when I get home.
It seems to help. The few times my ears have taken a beating I’ll take an anti-inflammatory, put some ice in a bag, and just chill (pun intended). It does make them feel better.
The reason for the warning at the beginning of be blog post is that I don’t have the true “medical expertise” to authoritatively say that it does actually help. But in other injuries, blood flow is increased to the area and swelling occurs. In these injuries it is possible for the body part to swell too much, resulting in further damage. Icing the area reduces blood flow to the swollen area and helps the healing process.
In cauliflower ear, blood collects in the ear, and separates the cartilage. When I ice my ear I like to pretend the ice reduces the likelihood of clots and blood collecting. And honestly, it feels really good after your ears have taken a beating. At the very least it’s a way to reduce pain.
This week I’ve been getting more and more excited about tonight’s Strikeforce event as days went by. Strikeforce‘s “Heavy Artillery” features two prominent names in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Roger Gracie – as well as an exciting main event: Alistair Overeem vs. Brett Rogers. It sounds like a great event for just about anyone interested in MMA and Jiu Jitsu.
But today one of Strikeforce’s major shortcomings is becoming evident to me in a very real way: I can’t find a place to watch the fights.
“Heavy Artillery” is showing on Showtime, a premium cable network, which is similar to HBO in case you are not familiar with it. But most (all?) bars in town don’t seem to carry Showtime. My friend said it best as we where trying, earlier today, to find a place to watch it: “this seems like such a stupid problem to have.”
As of writing this, I have just under five hours to solve this problem or me and my friends will be making other plans this evening. I’m definitely interested in the event so I hope something uncovers itself.
I'm a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) fanatic and blogger. Currently a blue belt under Relson Gracie, this is where I share insights, stories and reviews related to the sport and martial art of Jiu Jitsu. I train in Colorado at Boulder Grappling Academy and Louisville Grappling Academy. Contact me at ryanpeterson DOT me **AT** gmail DOT com
This week I’ve been getting more and more excited about tonight’s Strikeforce event as days went by. 
I'm a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) fanatic and blogger. Currently a blue belt under Relson Gracie, this is where I share insights, stories and reviews related to the sport and martial art of Jiu Jitsu. I train in Colorado at 