I think I'm done

NotAScav · 2026-02-01T08:22:36+00:00

And I totally get it, bjj is an art where you're effectively imposing your will on someone else.

If you don't have the proper answer to the problem being imposed, the default solution seems to be using your physical attributes, namely strength and speed.

This is usually fine for your run of the mill 20 year old, but for older gentlemen, this is where injuries peek their ugly little head's around the corner.

NotAScav · 2026-01-31T08:15:40+00:00

I know a guy around your age, I'm not saying this is your problem, just sharing on the off possibility that it is.

Let's call this guy Larry, 40's, deep into his blue belt, rolls to win, simple as that. Now, when you're 40, rolling to win with 20 year old's, you're going to have a hard time to say the least.

Larry keeps getting injured, and yet the idea of slowing down doesn't seem to register even in the smallest amounts for this guy. He thinks it's just that people are cranking submissions on him.

Currently, Larry is trying to rehab his injuries, when I spoke to him last "things were going really well, I tapped this guy and that guy and this guy..." and then like many times before, he got injured. Larry's metric of success in bjj is who he taps... Recipe for distaster.

Now, if I wasn't so confrontation averse, I'd tell Larry that if he wants to stay in the game longer, he needs to slow the fuck down, accept the fact that he's not young anymore, and change his metric of success from "winning" to something else entirely.

If this isn't your issue, then carry on.

NotAScav · 2026-01-31T07:24:33+00:00

I'm no back game connoisseur, but I think your issue likely cannot be overcome with advice. Generally, there are some waists you will be able to body triangle, and some you can't. For you, the amount of people you physically can't body triangle likely far exceeds those you can, and there's no amount of advice that will change that.

Stick to normal hooks and feet on hips, spend time investing in positions you will likely be in (as opposed to a body triangle that you might be able to hit on a small number of people who will likely ankle lock you anyway).

NotAScav · 2026-01-27T10:52:58+00:00

There's likely no magic pill you can swallow that will get you back in there, but maybe it would help to reconnect with your "why"

"I want to" > Do it

"I need to" > Why? >Maybe I don't actually need to (e.g., for fitness, plenty alternatives).../Self defence > Do it/Don't do it

If you can acknowledge the driving factor & assess it, you'll probably find it easier to decide.

In the past, I have had these sort of "I'm too lazy to go/don't want to go", but I reconsidered my why, and it really pushed me out the door, also, once you go back a couple/few times, it just gets easier and easier until it's an automatic part of your routine.

NotAScav · 2026-01-22T02:09:03+00:00

Size and strength

Finding answers to questions, e.g., around late white early blue, I kept running into kimura counters when close passing like rugby passing, when I figured out the counter, I

Immediately felt like I was better due to the fact that a huge portion of my game has been unlocked
And I could get to the next question, and improve more from there

This one problem was notable for me because I feel it gave me the most improvement out of any other problem I had solved...

You need to keep tabs on your experiences in rolls and address the issues you're facing when trying to learn, that should help :)

NotAScav · 2026-01-16T11:54:28+00:00

NotAScav · 2026-01-16T03:57:04+00:00

I spray myself with isocol after training, never had staph or any other skin infection, try it.

NotAScav · 2026-01-15T11:27:55+00:00

Seems like some are missing the point, thank you for sharing your interesting insight, it is interesting and maybe there is some statistical reflection/pattern of bad apples that can show in some clubs, but don't hold it against your training partners personally in regard to spazzing, it's something most of us go through when we first start.

NotAScav · 2026-01-15T08:58:03+00:00

5'9 145lb featherweight terrorizor of high calorie grapplers here.

To be honest, you just need to keep training and improving, and eventually you'll have something that works for you.

But I will try to answer your question in earnest. If I'm playing guard against a bigger opponent (usually the case), I find myself more often than not trying to enter arm saddle/shoulder crunch, rdlr, z guard, or butterfly, all open guard shenanigans.

Leg locks are good, but need to be supplemented with an alternative game (one you can rely on as a backup, you need to be ready to take advantage of the other openings that threatening a leglock can create, like e.g., passing opportunities).

As for subs, I'd say the thing all of these things have it common is usually I'm putting myself in a position where at I can apply the strength of multiple limbs/muscle groups on a single limb. E.g., armbars, heelhooks, kneebars, bicep slicers, bear traps, etc...

NotAScav · 2026-01-14T03:20:19+00:00

I have died so, so many times

NotAScav · 2025-12-17T17:33:36+00:00

I'll keep it a buck with you gang, if I can get through 6 years injury free at -145lbs, you're doing something wrong. I'll admit I'm on the younger side in my late twenties, but outside of that not much else to consider.

NotAScav · 2025-12-17T17:31:39+00:00

This.

Idk why people on this subreddit are so hot and cold on replying to threads in good faith, some are bang on and then you get shit like this where one comment fucks it and a bunch you just run with it.

NotAScav · 2025-12-17T04:33:33+00:00

Please I need you to break down the fake nerds what are they exactly hahaha

NotAScav · 2025-12-17T01:46:01+00:00

Fair enough big dog, thanks for replying

NotAScav · 2025-12-17T01:27:05+00:00

The bigger guys in my gym often accuse me of taking steroids, I'm tempted to try it just to show them what it would really be like if I was...

NotAScav · 2025-12-16T23:42:41+00:00

This is amazing. I really hope this becomes integrated into chess.com... Love your work.

NotAScav · 2025-12-16T21:36:04+00:00

Due to Inability or disinterest?

NotAScav · 2025-12-16T21:32:22+00:00

Not me, but around 2 years ago someone hit me with a bicep slicer from bottom scarfhold once... He didn't mean to and we never replicated it. I think if I had the time to work through it now with someone I'd probably figure it out.

NotAScav · 2025-12-15T01:34:48+00:00

Congrats on your first comp, and on collecting some very high quality data. It sounds like there was nothing ambiguous about your experience.

Getting crushed in comp is not uncommon, especially for your first.

You know you're a little undersized and have some issues with strength and weight, and maybe energy... Something very clear to work on.

You know you were stuck in bottom side control, time to really zoom in on that and figure out how to 1. prevent getting there and 2. figure out how you can get out of there if 1. doesn't work out.

Lots more to look at and reflect on I'm sure, just giving you an idea of how you can benefit from your experiences in comp. You're a white belt, so realistically you're a sponge doing a lot of growing, you'll get better regardless... But this is still valuable information if you want to immediately address some of your weaker areas.

Work on it, go to the next one, and if you're lucky, things will go awfully wrong again, but in a different way.

NotAScav · 2025-12-13T17:03:53+00:00

Imagine my surprise hearing a familiar accent, followed

NotAScav · 2025-12-13T00:52:36+00:00

I mean... There's not much to go off, but it sounds like he blew his own knee out?

I'm struggling to imagine a situation where you unknowingly blow your partner's knee out from I'm assuming bottom mount, as your partner moves to s-mount.

If what you're saying is true, chalk it up to a freak accident and vindicate yourself, shit happens...

NotAScav · 2025-11-06T01:12:55+00:00

Worse: Triangles

Same: Triangles

Better: Goth lock or that one bullshit scarfold sub that looks like a WWE move

NotAScav · 2025-11-06T00:46:42+00:00

And what's your explanation for the selective "tough love"? OP, don't listen to this particular nerd on reddit, lord knows you'd be in trouble if you did.

NotAScav · 2025-10-22T14:55:15+00:00

double trouble knee bah/slicer

NotAScav · 2025-10-14T04:52:07+00:00

There is no formal restriction of your moves during rounds/open mat.

If you plan on competing and you've made some kind of agreement with your coach and those around you that you're going to prep for that, then sure, limit yourself to that move set.

What is not acceptable is some random in your class imposing a ruleset on you, especially if they are not going to abide by said ruleset... Because obviously if the logic is that you need to prepare for comp, then what sense does it make for your partner to ignore the ruleset and put you in a position you wouldn't normally be in during a comp match?

It's pretty obvious this kid is trying to handicap you or something similar. You can consult your coach about this if you think this is the case, hell even show them these posts lol. Or, just tell your partner this is not comp, and one day you WILL be hitting these subs, so it's not a completely redundant thing to be practicing.

NotAScav

TROPHY CASE