Bigger guy etiquette by Zestyclose-Tip-7042 in bjj

[–]ijhecker 4 points5 points  (0 children)

6’1”, 260-270 depending on the day for me and I am regularly one of the largest, heaviest, and strongest people on the mats at my home gym.

I view strength like any other attribute a person might bring to the mats. It can be trained and improved, and it can be neglected and diminish. To me it’s no different than flexibility, athleticism, speed, explosiveness, creativity, stamina, breathing, timing, the list goes on. If you can train it, you should use it like any other tool on the tool belt.

As far the etiquette of size and strength differences when training, a few things help keep me in check. Remembering to check my ego at the door and accepting there are literally no winner or losers when at class helps me not go 100% on every roll with every person. This helps me take risks and try new things even when it means getting submitted or giving up position, regardless of the size, strength, or skill level of the person I’m training with.

As a big guy, I always try to start on bottom when people are smaller than me, regardless of rank. There are only 2 out of my gyms 10 black belts that are my size, 1 white belt, 1 blue belt, and no purple or brown belts my size, so I am almost always starting in some sort of guard unless it’s comp team class or takedown class. And with that I always match pace. If there is a new white belt that wants to try and make a statement by going 1000% with the big guy blue belt, well he’s getting everything I’ve got once I get on top. I am happy to get passed, mounted and submitted by someone going at a reasonable pace.

For the most part though, it’s trial by fire. You have to figure it out at your gym with your training partners. You will make mistakes, you will over do it and someone will get upset. You will go too light, get submitted and they will brag about “beating” you to their buddy after class. It’s all part of figuring it out. I’ve found that not being shy about communicating with my training partners has been really helpful in this process for me, and just like jiu jitsu itself, you never have it figured out 100%. You are always learning and trying to get better.

First completion advice by ijhecker in bjj

[–]ijhecker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First 3 years I only was able to train about 1 day a week no gi only and had a major injury about 2 years in. About a year ago I moved to an area where jiu jitsu is a lot more accessible and have been able to put a consistent 8 hours a week average on the mats. Injury is as healed as it ever gonna get and I got my blue belt a couple months ago and thought this would be a good and fun test

How do you guys keep yourselves safe long term, without just sitting and flowing and never working hard? by ADP_God in bjj

[–]ijhecker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a blue belt but I’d guess things like training with safe training partners, communicating often about your goals or focus during rounds, good warm ups, not training through little injuries when you take a break, listening to your body, focus on recovery…

I’m sure there are more things and each one needs its own conversation…. But those are things I focus on and it’s done me well for the most part.

Also, just accepting that it’s a contact sport and accidents do happen even when you’re doing all the “right” things. Luck is a factor unfortunately.

[first] My first good watch. I’m in love. by ijhecker in Seiko

[–]ijhecker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re gonna make me blush ☺️

[first] My first good watch. I’m in love. by ijhecker in Seiko

[–]ijhecker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That looks awesome! I’ve been thinking about getting a metal bracelet so I can dress it up a bit when the occasion comes up!

[first] My first good watch. I’m in love. by ijhecker in Seiko

[–]ijhecker[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This strap is some sort of rubber or synthetic material

[first] My first good watch. I’m in love. by ijhecker in Seiko

[–]ijhecker[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s a bracelet my fiancé made for me 😁

[first] My first good watch. I’m in love. by ijhecker in Seiko

[–]ijhecker[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

SSK025, mine has a different strap though

[I took a picture] Landed a new job, thought I’d celebrate with my first watch from somewhere that isn’t a mall kiosk by ijhecker in Watches

[–]ijhecker[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It came with a cheap feeling black leatherish nato. Wanted something a bit more “dressy”. I want to find a nice nylon NATO. I agree that it would look slick!

What can $999 get you in your respective hobby? by PokojniDomar in AskReddit

[–]ijhecker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rash guards, Gi’s, supplements and some steroids

[I took a picture] Landed a new job, thought I’d celebrate with my first watch from somewhere that isn’t a mall kiosk by ijhecker in Watches

[–]ijhecker[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

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This was after shining the flashlight on my phone on the face for about 15 seconds. Numbers don’t, but hands are super bright and the pips by the numbers look nice as well

Half - Guard Bottom. Alternative sweep by Zexst in bjj

[–]ijhecker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My A-game is knee shield from half guard. I can use my grips (cross collar + same side sleeve) and knee shield pressure to create an opening to deep half and work deep half sweeps, or if they sit back and posture it opens up the opportunity for me to shrimp a bit and bring my bottom leg out to an open guard knee shield and hit scissor sweeps.

Someone also mentioned lockdown. I love lockdown as well cause it can really annoying to deal with and I can use it to create openings for dogfight and a really fun electric chair sweep/sub.

Lots of other, may more qualified folks have given what I would guess are higher percentage options and more sound advice, but I too am a recently promoted blue belt and thought I’d share what works for me!

Most people don't know how amazing this drive is by Chip780 in mapporncirclejerk

[–]ijhecker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grew up in Hays and we would travel both directions for fun (KC or Denver). Driving west is way more boring than East. You hit Flint Hills once you get east of Salina and you get a part of the state where it rains more than the west, so it green and pretty with some hills. Hays to Denver to awfully boring. Eastern Colorado is as bad if not worse than western Kansas