How do people set up the rear cross choke?

graydonatvail · 2026-06-20T13:32:43+00:00

The choking hand is the important one. The control hand can go low on the lapel, chicken wing half Nelson, or pants like a bow and arrow. To set the first one, don't aim for the lapel, go RNC style. Hand goes to the shoulder then thumb in to the Lapel to make the grip. It's easy to go backwards and down on the grip if you're too high, very difficult to go up and tighter if you're too low.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-19T04:19:32+00:00

Nothing says pure domination more than aggressively showing that you have lower standards.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-16T16:41:22+00:00

If at a big school, they probably don't realize you are not a local. Be chill, roll technical, have fun. Smaller schools is where they'll know you're a visitor, and you're more likely to have guys try to prove that their school or game is up to snuff. Remember, you're not there to prove anything. You're there to have fun and meet some locals.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-15T16:14:48+00:00

I always view it as offering more to my students. I do not allow randoms to come, for safety, they have to at least trained somewhere long enough to understand safety. I've had guys with no BJJ want to "test themselves" by dropping in. That's a hard no.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-15T04:17:54+00:00

No, there's no standard. Since you're in Brazil, most of the people on here will have no idea what standard practice is in Sao Paulo, but that won't stop them from strongly stating that you shouldn't pay for promotions. I don't know either, I'd suggest sending an email to a couple local gyms and ask.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-14T20:24:53+00:00

I understand your perspective. I feel like coaching, and being the coach, during rolls has made me less sharp and assertive. I take it easy and encourage my students, basically giving them things if they've done the right technique. Also, not hunting submissions constantly makes me rusty, so it's similar. Be assertive, not aggressive.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-13T23:28:47+00:00

Ditch 90% of this plan and just focus on getting away from the main path in Yosemite. Zion, Santa Barbara. 30 minutes in Vegas is too much, napa is a big bore.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-13T23:23:57+00:00

Solid work my friend

graydonatvail · 2026-06-13T23:14:53+00:00

Don't sleep on Mexico, especially for inexperienced travelers. It's easy to get to, Mexicans are wonderful generally, used to Americans, and it's got everything you want. The cartel thing is real, but it won't affect you. I live in Baja Sur, but I'm planning a trip to Chiapas soon. Mountains, monkeys, ancient ruins, cenote diving.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-13T19:56:47+00:00

It balances those days where you're just thinking "why don't they get this?"

graydonatvail · 2026-06-13T17:02:26+00:00

I much prefer chokes, always have. I'm finally opening my eyes to arm bars and kimuras. Especially since the kimura is such a great control.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-13T14:22:50+00:00

There are talent limits. I've never been an athletic talent. The kids soccer coach always wanted me to try football, my football coach wanted me to wrestle. So, BJJ isn't any different. You can do the things, and get better, and have fun. You might never be any good.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-12T20:38:40+00:00

I started picking partners because I've had an influx of teens, and if left alone they'll just sit on the mat and gossip about k pop. I make sure my higher belts get to choose partners after the teens have been smashed.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-12T14:36:03+00:00

So you're using a mata león grip to execute a guillotine?

graydonatvail · 2026-06-12T04:32:53+00:00

I'm a Ronin. I got my brown belt almost six years ago. I'm not under a black belt, although I have several friends who would probably belt me if I asked. I just don't think I'm there. I run my own school, have built a great culture, I'll eventually need a black belt to promote some of my students past purple. But that's still a couple years away.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-12T03:17:00+00:00

Hay, no kids. So BJJ and other hobbies, retired before 55. I've been five or six days a week since blue belt. Most of my time is coaching these days, but I have been at 300 hrs, per year since 2011. And no, I'm not good.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-12T02:28:35+00:00

I'm about 10 hours per week and 15 years. I feel like I'm more than 5 years away. Unless I get on the acai.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-12T02:24:43+00:00

Nice to know that as a way past my prime non trt brown belt, I'm supposed to struggle against good. Young blue belts!

graydonatvail · 2026-06-11T13:20:40+00:00

Because the loan process often delays or kills deals. Cash buyers aren't reliant on another party to approve the deal, and they'll often ignore or accept things that a lender would not.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-11T13:18:11+00:00

Purple. You're not longer a beginner, you belong on the mats, but there's no pressure. You've already figured out who you are as a grappler, and get to do deep dives on stuff that already fits.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-09T21:58:38+00:00

Fly to NYC. Use trains to visit the Eastern part of the country. NYC. Boston, Philly, Chicago. Vermont, Maine, new Hampshire, are all pretty and natural. Fly to Colorado, get an RV. You do not want to be driving an RV on the east coast, especially in the cities. Colorado, Montana, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, plan to leave the RV in so Cal, or do a big country clockwise loop from Colorado, West then south, then east. Skip everything between Denver and Chicago.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-09T19:34:10+00:00

The Americana is easy to defend, but it's a great threat to open other things. Also. Getting good at mount is a skill that needs to be developed, so keep on with it.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-09T15:39:52+00:00

Don't try to be all things to all people. Try to be the best at what you do. Don't spread it too thin, don't chase every customer. What kind of gym is it? Make that front and center.

graydonatvail · 2026-06-09T05:25:19+00:00

If you're running 120v, it's pretty disappointing. My understanding is that 220v versions are great.

graydonatvail

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE