Cross Training

Ive been doing BJJ for close to a year now. I also train Kajukenbo, Judo, Muay Thai and Kickboxing. My main BJJ gym knows all this. Thing is, cross training in other styles, I realized its like a 6 degrees of separation thing going on. Guys I train with in Judo go to other BJJ schools Ive visited who train at MMA gyms ive visited, who belted at Karate schools ive visited, etc....I hear some professors have a thing with "loyalty". Is that really a thing? Would my Main professor really feel some type of way if I cross train at another BJJ gym full time? Im obviously gonna belt at my main gym but I wanna get more hours in and learn more and I feel I can do that by adding morning hours as my main gym only has evening hours. Do professors really get mad at cross training?

Im just a curious white belt if anyone along the years noticed some byproducts from training grappling for a long time, like maybe becoming more confident around people since you get used to being skin to skin with people, or maybe being able to read someone’s body language since you spend ages trying to read your opponents, making you more empathetic

I’m a wrestler who has been training BJJ for about 6 months, and I’m starting to realize I might be falling into the trap of becoming a one-trick pony.
My wrestling background gives me a pretty big advantage in certain areas, and I’ve developed a couple of go-to moves that I can hit fairly consistently. Right now, my game is basically a blast double and a kimura. I really like kimuras, and that’s been my most reliable submission so far. I can get the occasional RNC, but usually that’s because someone gets tired and gives up their back rather than me intentionally setting it up.
The problem is that I don’t want to become overly reliant on a handful of techniques. I think I fell into the same trap when I was wrestling, too. Having a few reliable moves works until you run into someone who knows how to shut them down, and then you realize how limited your game actually is.
I’m also aware that I can get away with relying on my athleticism and wrestling right now, but eventually I’ll run into people I can’t just blast through.

For those of you who came from wrestling, how did you go about developing a more well-rounded BJJ game? Is this a mental thing? Idk

My synthetic stuff smells fine out of the dryer, then reeks the second I start sweating again. Tried regular detergent, vinegar soaks, extra rinses — nothing really sticks. What actually works for you, or am I cooked?

I had a long hiatus and first week back I applied a lot of rotational sideway force and my rib/side started hurting.

Like an idiot I trained through it. Come second week something popped in another similar movement and now I can barely move, sit or stand up without assistance.

A cough or sneeze is like a knife in ribs.

Has anyone had a similar side injury? What is it usually and what is the outlook like?

Edit: thanks so much for sharing your similar experiences! Very comforting to know that there is a possible recovery in the short term, I was afraid I’d have to take 6-12 months off.

I come from an MMA background, mostly no-gi and wrestling with some striking, so I know how to judge gloves and shin guards. But the Gi market feels like a completely different language. Pearl weave, gold weave, 550 GSM, A2L, preshrunk, sanforized… I have no idea which specs actually matter and which are just there to fill out a product page. If you have zero Gi experience, what should you look for before spending serious money instead of sticking with a starter Gi forever?

Not like as an intentional submission but instead one of those ways you make life really uncomfortable for your opponent like mothers milk or knuckle in throat torture. Alternatively it could also be used to help finish a triangle choke and realistically the thing is how would they even prove you did it unless it was truly loud. I understand this might sound like a joke but it's no secret a big part of the gameplan is making the opponent as uncomfortable as possible and if you can't prove it who's stopping you. Plus how can you prove it's intentional. I'm just wondering if farting is like an instant DQ or more like a generally frowned upon but surprisingly effective method (sorry!). Of course here I am talking tournament only since although I'm 99% sure it would work it's one of those things you don't do against your teammates. Anyway let me know if this is actually legal or not because on one hand I don't see why it would be if crushing me between your sweaty bollocks isn't but on the other hand it might be to good to be true

Like if they try and do a wrist lock on you but it fails are you allowed to flash them a middle finger or will this get you disqualified. Also like mental games like you lean in to fist bump but then give them a middle finger and surprise attack. I know it's not moral but if you really need to win is it strictly against the rules

Every Gi seems to advertise the same things: premium weave, reinforced stitching, preshrunk fabric, and competition fit. But the prices range from $90 to $250, and I can't figure out what actually makes one worth more than another. Both of my starter Gis started coming apart around the collar within about a month of each other, so I'm finally taking my next purchase seriously. I'm a purple belt now, which makes me feel like I should probably know this already, but what do you actually check to tell whether a Gi is well made or just overpriced?

Hi all,
I’be been wanting ti start BJJ for a while and I have my first session tomorrow for a taster which I am very excited about! But form people who do I is there anything I should know and be prepared for anything like that?

Thanks in advance!

Edit: thank you all for the advice I absolutely loved my taster and have signed up officially! And to the comment who said I’d get choked out by a 14 year old, I did not! Instead was put in an arm bar which might be worse tbh.

So we are a few months removed from Alexa falsely accusing andre. Do you still believe her ? Did your opinion change after the pd said they would no longer investigate the claim. Do think andre is due a "I'm sorry" from the bjj community. Do you think Alexa should be charged for making such a wild claim ? Let's discuss.

I’ve been thru like 5 iterations of different bags that I use for my gear and change of clothes, but I can’t find anything that I’m happy with. What do you guys use?

Curious if anyone is or knows anyone at their gym training with joint replacements?

I have a total hip replacement and have started bjj and am really enjoying it. My gym is aware of my replacement and I let my training partners know as well. I have seen a handful of guys online talking about training with artificial joints but was curious if anyone in the sub has first hand experience with this themselves or friends/training partners in their gym.

Unfortunately some injury complications when I was younger forced me to get a THR way earlier than normal and I live a very active life. Prior to starting BJJ I still trained and worked out daily, dirtbike, surf, hike, etc.

Not looking for medical advice necessarily, really just looking to hear from or talk to anyone else that has a similar factor in their journey.

I just wanna begin this by saying thank you so much for comments on my previous post. A lot of you gave me incredible advice on the perspective I had about my bjj. Now, I am less stressed and worried about my training. I had a few days off and slowly eased into training and Now I feel I can see a clear path to my BJJ career.

In my training/competitions I noticed, I play a decent guard game for a beginner (2 years), and these days I prefer to play top position and when I try to do it. I look sloppy and I barely pass anyone's guard. and I've seen clips of John Danaher saying that having an incredible defense builds attacking confidence. and I am not confident in my defensive game either.

I looked up on google and I have seen good reviews on priit mihkelson's defensive bjj videos on Youtube. So I might try it.

What are your thoughts? Is there any instructional that would be worth getting for guard passing and escapes?

Starting to get ear swelling as white belt 1 stripe. Embarassing.

Did some research and self drained some clear yellow fluid and some blood (from two separate injection). Got some fluid out and it looks relatively back to normal (very slightly swelled compared to other normal ear)

Swelling was in mid antihelix area (i had to look it up) so it's hard to compress it afterwards. How important is compressing? Since it's kid antihelix area not sure how to effectively compress that tiny part.

Is magnet ear compression thing a must to stop cauliflower ear from forming? Any advice would be recommended!

Hey community, I am a two stripe white belt and wanted to ask everyone to recommend attacking mount positions/moves. I always seem to get into the mount position when rolling and am a very defensive athlete. I would appreciate some feedback and tips.

Thank you and GOD BLESS

Have you been through this phase of your bjj journey. Where you fully dedicate yourself to the game. You don't miss training, you don't miss your workout, you constantly seek knowledge in bjj by watching tape and instructionals only to get beaten by guys who don't even care about being the best grappler they can be...

Sounds familiar? Well I'm going through it right now. I don't know if it's a phase or a brick wall in my grappling journey. At this point I just feel like what's the point of trying to get good.

True story - Even today, one of my close friends who has the same amount of experience as me came to the mats after months. He got carried away because of his work but he comes every few months or weeks and submits me effortlessly while I haven't even submitted him once in my 2 year bjj journey. It kinda feels unfair but I would love to know your thoughts regarding this.

Have you experienced this? How did you overcome this? Or am I just overthinking?😅

just started training and struggling to find Gi that fits a 4’11 125lb lady 😪 I’ve tried F1 and A1 and i feel like I’m still drowning in my top.

I started bjj about 3 months ago and I just recently enrolled in my first newbreed bjj tournament. I got about a month before the event and was wondering if now I should focus on going back to old moves and relearning them in the opposite direction config. Like for instance if normally I do a move on my right side with my right limbs, should I learn to do it on my left as well? Is this I should be focusing on right now. Is there something more important to work on for preparation?

To the BJJ enthusiasts in India, have you all found a really good rashguard apart from the ones like Akiba or USI or similar brands, have tried Sasib but not great quality?

Looking for some long sleeve rashguard suggestions, I have Venum ones and those are amazing, looking for something different but great fit and designs

Hey guys! My name is Wesley.

I’d really like to watch a match I had at the South American Championship this year, but a FloGrappling subscription is pretty expensive here in Brazil.

I was wondering if anyone would be able to screen record the match and send it to me.

I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks a lot! 🙏

Link: https://www.flograppling.com/events/16080705-2026-ibjjf-sul-americano-championship/videos?playing=16202962&search=Wesley%20Alexandre

New video for the community!

In this video, we go into detail regarding Mateusz's finishing of his famous shotgun armbar. On top of that, we look at how he enters K-guard from failed entries as well.

The content is drawn from my full study on him, featuring 2 techniques from section 1.

As always, I've included plenty of references as well, including comp footage and sparring clips for you to study and learn from.

I hope you enjoy!

Anyone with experience participating in any of the AJP/IBJJF (Gi) Rulesets:

Could y’all give me a detailed breakdown of what sort of straight foot locks would be allowed in comp for amateurs (white/blue) ?

I’m obviously aware of no reaping. But are they any other things to beware of?

Finishing on the opposite side of the captured leg/cross ankle locks, straight butterfly ashi’s etc ?

So I made a post about what I should know before my first bjj class and I did miss the class that week but made my first one the next week.

I finished my first week and I’m in love!!!! I’ve been getting compliments on how I know how to wrestle a bit and can get to side control/ knee to belly.

My coach even asked if I’ve trained before haha

I honestly went too hard my first two days rolling because I honestly had no idea what I was doing lol
I’ve definitely narrowed down to focus on escapes,passing the guard, getting into side control, knees to belly, getting to full mount, and few sweeps/take downs lol

I tried to a few submissions I definitely shouldn’t have looking back 😓

But I’m excited for this upcoming training week.

Sadly I work mondays now so I don’t think I’ll make Mondays or Tuesdays classes :/ hopefully I’ll be able to get the perfect schedule for me to train lol

I appreciate you guys reading and I’m very open to any advice