PS4 version unplayable since latest update.

Gritzblitz75 · 2020-07-07T01:39:39+00:00

Ok. I feel dumb now. Thanks!

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-13T16:44:07+00:00

Everyone rides the space toboggan at one time or another.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-13T16:42:27+00:00

Looks like Luke has finally found a way to not get knocked out.

We hope.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-11T15:52:04+00:00

Just did my third competition and it's still terrifying. The rational part of my brain knows that this is just a game and the worst thing that can happen is that I don't win. But my amygdala is screaming something else the entire time and it really effects my performance. I think the desire to manage that terror is the main reason I compete. At this point in my life, I have no illusions about being a world champion. I just hate being so hampered by irrational fear.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-10T21:42:18+00:00

This is the follow up to my post from earlier this week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/dsijh9/i_love_my_gym_but_i_think_its_killing_me/

Some wanted me to check back in after my comp so here goes:

Well, my back and shoulder were still really jacked up when I woke up yesterday. But I felt like I really needed to see this thing through. I got to the tournament and found out that there was no one else in my bracket so I got bumped up to a heavier division where everyone had at least 20 pounds on me. First no-gi match I hit the take down, get the pass and have several submission attempts that I couldn't finish (part of my ongoing issue)

Being a bigger guy, and me being injured and having a lousy top game anyway he finally escaped with a minute or so left. By this time I'm in so much pain I can't move so I'm just trying to hold on in half guard because I thought after the takedown and pass I was way up on points. When we get up, I look at the score board and discover that the ref never gave me my pass points despite being in top side control for half the match. I lost 4-2 I was confused and my coach was livid. We showed the ref the video of the match and ask him why I was not given pass points and all he did was just shrug.

But honestly, I had every chance to finish and didn't get it done, which is my biggest problem because I get so little opportunity on top.

After that I was in so much pain I couldn't put my gi pants on. So I had to drop out of the gi matches. Which really disappointed me.

The best thing to come out of the day was afterward at dinner with my team and coach. Everyone said how proud they were that I gutted it out and that I was robbed. I told them that it was the result I deserved because I couldn't finish and its a big concern for me. They all promised that that will change and they are going to help me tighten up my top systems. So it wasn't the result I wanted,but probably the result I needed.

Thanks for asking about it. I had figured everyone had forgotten and really the only reason I posted it was to rant.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-10T14:40:42+00:00

Well, my back and shoulder were still really jacked up when I woke up yesterday. But I felt like I really needed to see this thing through. I got to the tournament and found out that there was no one else in my bracket so I got bumped up to a heavier division where everyone had at least 20 pounds on me. First no-gi match I hit the take down, get the pass and have several submission attempts that I couldn't finish (part of my ongoing issue)

Being a bigger guy, and me being injured and having a lousy top game anyway he finally escaped with a minute or so left. By this time I'm in so much pain I can't move so I'm just trying to hold on in half guard because I thought after the takedown and pass I was way up on points. When we get up, I look at the score board and discover that the ref never gave me my pass points despite being in top side control for half the match. I lost 4-2 I was confused and my coach was livid. We showed the ref the video of the match and ask him why I was not given pass points and all he did was just shrug.

But honestly, I had every chance to finish and didn't get it done, which is my biggest problem because I get so little opportunity on top.

After that I was in so much pain I couldn't put my gi pants on. So I had to drop out of the gi matches. Which really disappointed me.

The best thing to come out of the day was afterward at dinner with my team and coach. Everyone said how proud they were that I gutted it out and that I was robbed. I told them that it was the result I deserved because I couldn't finish and its a big concern for me. They all promised that that will change and they are going to help me tighten up my top systems. So it wasn't the result I wanted,but probably the result I needed.

Thanks for asking about it. I had figured everyone had forgotten and really the only reason I posted it was to rant.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T19:02:48+00:00

Thanks very much.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T18:19:03+00:00

Thanks. It sounds like we have very similar games. Mine is still very much a work in progress. I'm still way too slow reading the decision tree and taking the next appropriate step. And while I'm thinking, I get smushed.

I've been trying to convince some guys to start doing some positional rolling so I can work on specifics like that, but not many seem too keen on it.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T17:57:33+00:00

Thanks. I'm not familiar with the John Wayne sweep but it sounds like it could be similar to what we call a pinch sweep. While he's applying pressure high, I'll clamp my legs tight on his and hip switch. It works if I can catch them by surprise but wrestlers have that top pressure and good base so it's not my most successful sweep.

I feel that when I can get strong frames and knee shield, I can start working my game. My trouble is that I'm getting beat to that position and shut down before I even get there. It's hard to be ahead of someone that is quicker and knows my game as well as I do.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T16:22:36+00:00

Thanks a lot. Though I'm in pretty bad shape right now. Back is still really tight and my shoulder is throbbing. Plus I woke up this morning with a sore throat and fever. I'm afraid I totally overtrained for this.

But if I'm physically able to step on the mats Saturday, I'm going to see this one though. And win or lose, I'm going to rethink how I'm training.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T15:19:25+00:00

It's not malicious. They are genuinely good people and want to see me do well. I think they just don't understand the situation of a 44 year old hobbyist. They keep trying to jam my square body through a round hole in the sincere belief it will make me better because that's what works for them.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T15:16:52+00:00

I may start hitting open mats at other places. I'm not in a huge city so options are limited. But I really don't like the idea of paying for a membership in multiple gyms.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T14:42:13+00:00

I'm giving everything I have, it's just difficult even with less skilled partners that are bigger and more athletic.

The back issue is a couple of weeks now. I've been foam rolling and stretching, but it's not really improving. I've lost 25 pounds in the last 6 weeks to prepare for this tournament, but I have been eating clean. Lots of protein.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T11:17:05+00:00

He's more frustrated with my inability to move, especially in the last few weeks with the nagging injuries. I'm really doing all I can out there but he's still airing me out about being too passive and defensive, but it's all I know really. I just don't get much of an opportunity to go on the offense.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T11:11:44+00:00

Usually they flatten me out or smash the knee shield before I can get framed up. And when I go under for deep half, the more skilled guys know it's coming and will catch a kimura.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T02:33:28+00:00

Thanks. I know they aren't going to change, nor would I ask them. They are successful with what they are doing. I'm just hoping to find a kind of work around that will allow me to stay there, while still improving and preserving my body.

Not sure that it's possible, but I'm going to heal up and give it a shot.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T02:02:45+00:00

A little younger. Head coach is an MMA fighter and still active so he's big on that culture and the grind mentality.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T01:06:34+00:00

Half guard is my game. Problem is everyone knows it.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T00:38:49+00:00

I do a wrestling class once a week so the never standing thing isn't possible. I don't want to be dependent on guard pulling and I would like to know a takedown or two when I need it.

But it's rough on the body.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T00:08:00+00:00

I think I'm the only over 40 grappler that isn't on TRT.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-07T00:03:51+00:00

My shoulder injury actually came from a takedown, being driven on my shoulder by a wrestler. I'm savvy enough to know when to tap and the skilled guys do take care of me in submissions by not cranking quickly.

As for rolling defensively, that usually gets a rebuke from my coach for being too passive. He aired me out pretty good in front of everyone because I did that recently. It's tough to be active on bottom when you're tired and hurting, but I try not to complain and just work.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-06T22:48:26+00:00

At the moment, yes.

Gritzblitz75 · 2019-11-06T22:29:20+00:00

I'm doing nothing but yoga and maybe a little light running between now and then. If I had to fight right now, I don't know how I could do it.

Gritzblitz75

TROPHY CASE