first bjj class tonight

[bently]

ok so its safe to say im outta shape bad. the warm up almost killed me. my face was red and i was breathing like a steam train. im still pretty flexible for 35. i love the class though. i almost subbed a blue belt. he was really small like 130lbs. im right at 200lbs at 5'6". he admitted later he didnt realize i was that strong. woo hoo a compliment! which is good because the rest of the night i looked like a punk. when we rolled the only thing i had going for me was strength and speed. but my endurance sucks big time. how do you bjj guys build endurance outside the class. its going to be tough for me since i work on a boat two weeks at a time. cant wait for the next class this stuffs like crack. im hooked.

[zimmy]

time buddy... time builds the endurance. Running works well...especially after you work out. Congrats on your class... beginner's always do the huffing / puffing bit because they don't know how to calm themselves yet. I don't really agree with the idea of letting someone spar on the first day of class...that's how people get hurt and you pick up bad habbits. Strength = bad when there is no skill. More than likely the guy you spar'd with was just playing catch with you (like a blue should do with a new guy) and just let you get away with something a little too deep. If i were you, i'd worry more about mental enurance...watch higher belts spar...look at there movements. I think you'll get more out of watching than sparring for the first month.

[bently]

thanx for the tips zimmy. i trained in shotokan(shodan) and i wrestled in highschool a little so im not a complete novice. i talked with the guy after class and he said the reason i almost caught him was hes used to new guys esp. people on thier first night knowing nothing. so i caught him off guard. and he did defend it and reverse and get mount and well you get the idea but i was so happy. as far as rolling and running its going to be real hard for me since i work offshore. im on a 165ft. boat for two weeks then home for one. but i can run the deck and if i get some mats i can stretch and work on breakfalls and things like that. does anyone make good fold up or roll up mats.? thanx again for the advice. Bently

[armbar83]

try to relax man, this is the main problem with new people. you are tense because you dont know any moves. if you get that feeling again, instead of blowing through a move, relax and ask what you should do in that situation. let go of all pride and ask for help every chance you get. people will respect you more than if you were to muscle your way around. i love new guys like that because theyre so much more fun to humble. im saying this because i was like that too. if you relax your heart rate will stay lower and you will not need as much oxygen. when im flowing really good i hardly break a sweat and can still talk easily without huffing, and my cardio sucks.

[bently]

Great advice from everyone i like the part about stopping and asking for help. i like my instructors but sometimes i feel like i could use a little more explain and less rolling around. he also has a no-gi class and there was a young guy in there i was rolling around with (im 35he was 21) he let me start from side control. he knew it was like my third class total so he wasnt worried however i do pay attn. in class and the night before we practiced starting from side control placing your hand on the gi at the waist and then sliding up your knee the belly then secureing his knee and transitioning up his body to the head for the armbar.. so i thought well shit? see if it works.? it worked like a charm and i got the chump.it was beautiful. we have a picture of helio on the wall and as i was getting up i looked right at the pic and said thanx ole boy. my instructor saw it and laughed because the kid looked at me and said third class my ass! i said hey i watch the ufc i got skills. lol. anyway im still having fun and learning alot. Bently

[armbar83]

sounds like you pick up quick, good luck!

[Slowhand]

if you can't run on the boat...jump rope

[Homer 8]

couldnt agree with the lads more, when we get new big guys coming to class, they all have a point to prove for some reason. i always take bottom poisition and just lie there, the guy is working so hard on strength to try sub me and is out of breath in 2 mins he make big mistakes and gets subbed in a triangle he never even seen coming