I am thinking of returning to the mat after 5 years off.I
would very much like to compete.My dilemma is that I have
a few injuries, wich is why I qit training in the first
place. I used to do mainly MMA and Sub. Grappling. I am
thinking I would like to try GI grappling. It seems to
be a slower and more methodical pace.It also seems to
be a more technical game.Are these things true? And do
you think this would be a good avenue of competition for
a guy in his thirties with a few old injuries? The GI
grappling seems like it would be a little safer. Thanks
for any opinions.
I took aprox 8 yrs off, actually at the time i quit never to return to the mats because of several injuries, most caused by me being stupid.
I returned to training Nov of 04 only to have my shoulder seperated about 3 weeks into it, i once again said my body can't handle it. However by Jan of 05 i decided to try one more time, i found a different place to train and its been GREAT. I am over 50 yrs, so if i can do it, you certainly can.
The key imo is finding the right training partners, it's up to YOU to control the training so its best for you. Do not hesitate to tell your partner how you feel its best for you to train to be as safe for you.
I got lucky enough to find a place that isnt real competitive, has older guys, and everyone is extremely friendly. I tap anytime am in a bad stiuation, meaning a sub,or my body is so out of line it will injure me. So tap early and often and start rolling again! I have learned ego aint worth it.
I have some bad problems with my back. The biggest advantage in gi JJ is that you can adapt your game to your injuries. Look at De La Riva, Gordo, me :)
One ex.: I don't bridge that much. Very, very rare. This made my elbow-knee escape almost perfect...
"actually at the time i quit never to return to the mats because of several injuries, most caused by me being stupid".- That's me.
"The biggest advantage in gi JJ is that you can adapt your game to your injuries".--That is what I am hoping to
be able to do.
Thanks, anyone else please?
gi training is good for injured players, I started off with nhb until i got hurt, did it for about 3 years then started to compete in no gi and got hurt doing that too but i havent gotten hurt in gi training nor in competition so i suggest keep on training in gi at your own pace.
get back in there and have fun! I am 34 and have a few nagging things from time to time, and I definitely prefer the gi for all the reasons stated above. Hopefully next year I can start competing in the Masters division at the Pan-ams. Although I will probably get in there and mix it up with the youngsters too just to have fun!