Halfcain46's blog
To jitz ot not to jitz...
I am a 57 year old blue belt that has seen better days body wise. Despite the numerous lingering injuries I train 4 days a week.
With tbat in mind, I have been asked when communicating with people in settings up matches if I will use bjj in the match.
The simple answer is it depends.
If it is someone who also trains I will obviously agree. These people know the rules of the road and know how to roll safely. While I am all for rolling in this context, I prefer to do so in that persons academy or gym for safety reasons.
If we cant do it in at an academy I will still accept as long as they understand I am looking for more of a flow roll and to learn things if they are better than myself.
For those not versed in bjj, I generally throw caution to the wind. I tell people these locks and chokes can be very dangerous if not done properly and with care. During a match I may catch a kimura or a choke but I will do what is called "catch and release" which simply means I have the submission but I let it go pretty much after it is established.
In some wrestling matches, I will exclusively play from the bottom while the other guy tries to pin or submit from the dominant position. This way, I can work on my frames and escapes while giving the other guy a chance to work.
As with anything grappling, I just want a fun and safe experience.
Zorba (8 )
10 days agoI must put my glasses on before reading Blogs, for some inexplicable reason I missed the T's out of Jitz 🤣 and as to your body having seen beter days now I've found my glasses I can tell you it still looks good to me.
nycbrawl (2)
10 days ago(In reply to this)
Ha! Me too. :)
Ringwrestler (36)
9 days ago(In reply to this)
Ok, I admit it...me three. <G>
Halfcain46 (24)
9 days ago(In reply to this)
You naughty boy lol. Fair point tho....
Small package (0)
8 days ago(In reply to this)
Lol me aswll ! Ide wrestle you 1st to cum
Zorba (8 )
8 days ago(In reply to this)
I thought you wanted a Death Match you never mentioned 1st to cum, I've already dug a shallow grave for you.
osakarob (123 )
9 days agoI'm very glad that you introduced the term 'catch and release' in this blog post. If there was one singular concept that I wish everyone on MF understood it would that one.
I think in most MF meet ups, technical superiority is established fairly quickly. The two opponents generally know who the better technical grappler is within minutes (or even seconds) - especially if it's between a layperson wrestler with little formal grappling training and a proficient BJJ guy. Whatever transpires in the match after that will make or break whether both guys have a good time.
So the ability to 'give and take' to me shows a definite sign of thoughtfulness on the part of a practitioner. At least in the context of a MF meet up. (But frankly, it is also true in an academy setting as well)
Halfcain46 (24)
9 days ago(In reply to this)
100% Rob and I am glad you responded since I know you train as well.
I am the oldest guy at my gym, ans I am nit afraid to roll with younger guys who are higher belts. They play at a slower pace but will put it to me if I make a mistake. Oftentimes tbey will catch and release ir They apply the sub slowly anf give me plenty of time to tap.
If you are caught in a sub its beat to tap anyway...you done screwed up earlier
PureContest (0 )
8 days ago(In reply to this)
I agree 100% re catch and release. I’m also the oldest guy in our club, and the smallest, and possibly the dumbest. I hate it, always at a disadvantage, but I keep showing up for some stupid reason.
Halfcain46 (24)
6 days ago(In reply to this)
Nothing stupid about it. Train for longevity
osakarob (123 )
9 days agoHi Halfcain, yeah I tried BJJ for a while but pivoted to freestyle wrestling recently because my body couldn't endure some of the joint pain involved in bjj submissions. But the experience was fun and hopefully I'll go back to it.
Even a little BJJ exposure can be transformative. It forces a person to deconstruct every move you make when grappling or wrestling. And I don't think I've ever met anyone with an upper belt who felt particularly unsafe. They all seem to get the point you made which is 'try your best to get the submission but catch and release once you get it so that the action can either re-set and continue or the roll breaks with an established winner'.
Halfcain46 (24)
9 days ago(In reply to this)
I wish there was a wrestling club near me. Nogi bjj is loaded with wrestlers so its nice to pick up some pointers. My academy did offer a wrestling class on Saturday nights but sadly that is gone now
JasonFL (21)
9 days agoVery cool title for your post! Am sure you "caught" quite a few with it.
Reminds me of the old BJJ joke..............What's the extra "J" stand for?