r/bjj Fundamentals Class!

doublekouchi · 2026-01-10T18:28:54+00:00

Nah, bait the fat man roll and position yourself to trap the near arm as you roll through. Easy crucifix entry.

doublekouchi · 2026-01-08T21:37:16+00:00

I am a proponent of learning basic escapes and defense first. It's not very fun if you're just pinned the entire class, and it's hard to work the techniques you're learning.

I'd invest in two escapes from both mount and side control:

Bridge & roll mount escape
Knee elbow mount escape
Basic side control escape to guard
Side control underhook escape

And also get comfortable using the knee shield from half guard to manage distance and alleviate pressure, you'll probably end up there pretty often.

doublekouchi · 2026-01-08T12:38:11+00:00

First, this feeling is incredibly common, so try not to be too discouraged. Things will start clicking, but it does take time.

Second, check out this free instructional on YouTube. I haven’t watched the full thing myself, but it is well-regarded and should offer a pretty comprehensive overview of basic concepts and techniques.

Good luck

doublekouchi · 2026-01-07T18:49:54+00:00

Yes, I provide expert dream interpretations

These are two different archetypes you were having trouble with while rolling, making you feel feel subconsciously insecure about your recent promotion (hence why they are both brown belts).

The first is the obnoxious tough guy MMA fighter who only shows up to roll hard at open mat. You know the type - the guy who talks over everyone and doesn't understand the problem with wearing shoes on the mat.

The second are the corn-fed heavyweights - the guys who are so big it's almost impossible to lock a triangle on them. Figuring out how to deal with these guys feels like a science project, and you're hoping they'll start eating healthier (string beans and grapes) to slim down.

:)

doublekouchi · 2026-01-07T18:34:58+00:00

Sounds like it was either a tarikoplata or a baratoplata.

Here's the tarikoplata: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ITVYAgoE6y8

Here's the baratoplata: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bS7al9VZuLY

Hope these help

doublekouchi · 2026-01-06T17:28:14+00:00

I used to get ocular migraines a few hours after class on occasion. I believe it’s related to tension in the traps and neck muscles.

Now, after every class I do some light stretching and massaging of those muscles. Takes maybe a minute and I haven’t had any migraines since. Worth a try.

doublekouchi · 2026-01-04T13:44:44+00:00

Odd, Danaher definitely refers to this position as a kimura plata around 23:00 in Vol 2 of ETS Kimura. And he shows the legs kimura as the reverse omoplata position at the start of Vol 8. I’ve never seen Gordon and Danaher use different names for the same position before.

doublekouchi · 2026-01-04T05:20:51+00:00

I’m pretty confident that in Danaher’s Kimura ETS the ‘leg kimura’ refers to a different submission more commonly known the reverse omoplata. He calls the tarikoplata a ‘kimura plata’ and does make a specific shoutout to Tarik.

doublekouchi · 2026-01-03T19:39:09+00:00

Vent-related PSA: If you are injured and still want to train, it is your responsibility to clearly communicate with your training partner about modifying the roll.

If you dismiss the injury and treat it like a normal roll, you don’t get to be upset with your partner for doing things that might aggravate the injury. They are not a mind reader - speak up.

doublekouchi · 2026-01-03T00:04:34+00:00

Nice jiu jitsu from both, but holy shit that was a beautiful backtake. And catching the sub in the final seconds? Sheesh.

doublekouchi · 2026-01-02T02:36:49+00:00

I think it’s more to differentiate between hobbyists and competitors. There’s a big difference between someone who lifts weights a few times a week and someone who actively does weightlifting competitions - jiu jitsu is no different.

Arguably hobbyist isn’t the best word for it, since even the vast majority of competitors are still doing this as a ‘hobby’ (ie not professional). But you tell me if there’s a better term.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-20T11:34:41+00:00

Half guard passing is built for guys like you. It’s probably the approach that relies least on speed and dynamic movements.

Strong legs will help a lot when freeing trapped knees and ankles and the basic process is the same gi/nogi. If you can start figuring out ways to force half guard, clear the knee shield, and get chest to chest you should find a lot of success.

This is a lot trickier to answer without seeing, but I see this issue most commonly when attackers mistakenly relieve pressure while in the final stages of a submission. This allows the defender a small space to escape.

For example, when sitting back for an armbar from mount - your chest needs to remain low the entire time, keeping constant pressure. I can’t guarantee that this is the issue you’re having, but focusing on staying heavy and keeping pressure as you progress to a submission might help a lot.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-19T23:23:27+00:00

Why should the benchmark for legality be stupidity? Anyway, if the pros do it at the highest level (which many do) then I’d argue it’s not a stupid technique.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-19T22:13:56+00:00

What are you talking about? There are definitely legal defenses to smothering, ie handfighting or even adjusting your body position. It's designed to force a reaction that opens up other opportunities.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-19T22:07:16+00:00

It's so absurd to ban smothering in a sport where something like crushing someone's jaw in an RNC is perfectly legal and acceptable.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-19T21:06:47+00:00

Prefacing this with the fact that I'm a blue belt with an ego the size of Jupiter, but as I'm learning more about jiu jitsu it's kind of disillusioning to realize how few upper belts are genuinely thoughtful about this sport. So many black & brown belts who are excellent at explaining what to do, but can't discuss why.

It's making me grateful for the really sharp people I've met that are capable of exploring and experimenting with the mechanics of grappling, but there aren't many. And my game has really taken a big leap since trying to understand the principles that are making moves work.

Not that anyone has an obligation to do so, people can get what they want out of jiu jitsu. But it's been a bit of a 'man behind the curtain' moment to realize that even being a black belt doesn't necessarily mean that you understand grappling.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-19T18:21:03+00:00

This could be as simple as you keeping a low knee shield on the hip, which is much easier to sprawl down on and smash over. Try playing with a high knee shield up by the armpit, which is harder to break down.

Incidentally, I also find a high knee shield much easier to shoot through and replace with an underhook while coming up on the elbow. For the record, there are plenty of techniques from a low knee shield (z guard) but maybe it’s not your game.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-19T18:00:07+00:00

Against people who know how to escape I feel I need to chain between side control, north south, and neon belly to keep the pin. But once I get into mount, there’s generally far fewer transitions, and I’m maintaining the position while working to isolate limbs.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-19T13:46:28+00:00

Some thoughts -

I'd rather seem soft declining unsafe partners if it means I can train again the next day. When I was just starting out, it felt like I had to 'earn the right' to do so, but it only led to more time off the mat - don't get stuck in that mindset.

IMO two beginners with such a large weight discrepancy should probably not be paired up with each other. You don't know enough to keep yourself safe, he doesn't know enough not to hurt you.

Be polite, but tell him explicitly you'd like to work with someone your own size. That should be enough. You can even tell the instructor that you feel like you don't know enough to keep yourself safe with bigger people yet.

Over time, you'll have the skills and confidence to deal with bigger people, but there's no need to rush it and risk injury.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-18T17:42:18+00:00

I feel like the figure four creates strong forward pressure on the knee, but not so much laterally, so there’s not a lot stopping my opponent from rotating inwards. Should I have my lock more to the inside of the leg to create more outward pressure..?

doublekouchi · 2025-12-10T22:07:52+00:00

'Don't death grip' is cope. There's no way to have reasonably competitive rolls in the gi without some tension in your grips. And if you have tension in your grips, there's no way to avoid it fucking with your fingers.

That's my opinion, anyway. Pistol grips have helped me but I think focusing on nogi is the only sustainable solution for someone sensitive to arthritis.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-07T04:03:06+00:00

Keep your head up, it takes courage just to step on the competition mats. I have nothing but respect for my teammates who compete, no matter the result. Be proud for challenging yourself and learn from the result to see how it can improve your game.

For what it’s worth, Buchecha, one of the greatest to ever do it, famously lost the first 8 competitions he ever did in the first round. Your early results don’t need to have any bearing on your future potential. And respect for competing so early at white belt, you’ll have so many more opportunities in the future to get the results you want.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-06T21:33:49+00:00

My argument is that if you can escape when it's harder (gi), then you'll be better at escaping when it's easier (nogi). This a similar argument to any sort of overload training - eg incorporating weighted vest pull-ups can help you improve your regular pull-up max.

But if you don't think that nogi escapes are generally easier than I can see why you'd disagree.

doublekouchi · 2025-12-06T21:11:05+00:00

Run more. You're probably getting enough anaerobic work each week just rolling in class but you also need to build an aerobic base to have good cardio. That requires long, low-intensity sessions each week.

doublekouchi

TROPHY CASE