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 [...]
I love Jiu Jitsu. But as I’ve mentioned before, I don’t want to get sick of it. 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 [...]
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 [...]
Via Georgette Oden, here’s great video on five triangle types by Stephan Kesting.
I have not been able to train for longer than I would like because I am shaking off a cold. Of course, I’m tempted to go train, but I won’t: training when feeling sick or ill is not just a breach of ettiquite, it’s a jerk thing to do. Grappling isn’t like other sports or [...]
It is hard to train over the holidays. Class schedules may be different at your school, class attendance can be inconsistent (especially if you live a college town), and finding time to get yourself the the gym can be a challenge – especially when you have the misfortune of working some between Christmas and the [...]
Last night, after some deliberation, I skipped class. I’ll make it up soon enough. I attend class about 3 times a week, but I aim for 4. Sometimes it’s only 2. The number of classes I attend depend on the usual things: work, I how I physically feel, etc. No surprises there. When I think [...]
I was recently thinking about the different people I have rolled with at this point in my Jiu Jitsu career and the characteristics of a good rolling partner. On the one hand, the answer I came up with is “it depends” – it depends on (your) mood, what you and your partner are looking to [...]
For my first six or seven months of Jiu Jitsu I was convinced it was smart to wear a cup when training. This was confirmed when I racked my training partner with my knee – on accident, of course – and when my cup protected me from various impairments to my reproductive compacity when people [...]
I need my sleep. For one reason or another I have betrayed my body over and over again and neglected to get enough sleep this week. Yesterday the reality of how sleep deprivation effects my performance in Jiu Jitsu become clear to me. Yesterday’s class was a good class – but it took considerable effort [...]
I am a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) enthusiast and blogger. A blue belt under Relson Gracie, this is where I share insights, stories and reviews related to BJJ. I train in Colorado at Boulder Grappling Academy. Contact me at ryanpeterson DOT me **AT** gmail DOT com. Legal info.