Dutch

Backgrounds huh? Started Judo when I was about 11, kept at it till I was about 28 - had to stop due to physical limitations (I was sick of continually nursing injuries!) Did Capoeria pretty intensly for over a year finally ending up in Brazil for over a months worth of training 6 hours a day, every day. Got exposed to BJJ in Brazil, took it up about two years ago, currently Blue Belt in BJJ. Been competing in grappling since day one and plan to continue till day nought!

Based in Melbourne, but in Canberra on a semi-regular basis.

Bon - where do you train?

BJJ is generally taught as a sport... that isn't to say sports do not have value in self defense situations. Self defense often boils down to instinct - if you train something often enough chances are it will become an instinctive response during times of stress (e.g., self defense situation). The one great advantage martial grappling sports have is you don't learn to pull your punches - i.e., considerable effort and skill must be applied to gain control of the situation, and generally everything you learn you use. The concept of learning the "Death Strike" is generally considered pointless because you never get to practice it! So if you take all that on board, find something you enjoy doing and just do it... if you become proficient in it and want a new challenge try something else. Mix and match the styles available to achieve you goals as no one style nor one instructor has all the answers. Welcome to MMA.

I was beaten - such is life. I was up on points (about 8-3) and controlling half guard when I was wrist locked by my opponent. Funny thing was I thought direct application of wrist locks was illegal in BJJ competitions, so while it was happening I didn't try to defend and just looked at the ref wondering "Why isn't he stopping the match??" Well now I know why - and I won't be making that mistake again.

100% Gi (it sounds a bit like an ad)

I had a play with the technique yesterday and today - not bad. I had seen it before (fortunately) and we drilled it during a class. Nothing really special about it however - most people who have a reasonable understanding of controlling space/volume and arm manipulation would find it pretty easy. I still think that some pictures are necessary... I'll see what I can find around the net.

Wow that is a lot to take in... as they say a picture is worth a thousand words and I'd kill for a series of pictures illustrating the above technique. I'll see if I get the opportunity to read it again thought the day and post you my 'analysis' of the same. Cheers

Did Judo for about 17 years - yes it can hurt! Have been playing BJJ now for about 2.5 - IMHO less pain but more complicated. Any Judo questions feel free to ask and I'll do what I can!

Bad luck Bon - but every fight is a learning experience and if you come out still functioning, you've done well.

Yeah I was thinking of fighting in the State Champs in Sydney until I found out Machado rules allow leg locks at Blue Belt and above. I've already had one knee reconstruction and don't need another! I hope to fight in the Victorians during May. (Un)fortunately(?) I may be overseas on business so even if I do make it to the competition, I won't have rolled for approximately 2 weeks which won't do me any good. Other than that I would have rated my chances at a medal as good (hey you've got to be positive!). Bon, you're about the same weight as me - who knows we might end up on the mat sometime

Who is fighting at the Vic Championships (18th of May)? And more importantly, how do you rate your chances??

I think I understand your question... here is an attempt at an answer. "Sparring" means different things to different people. Some treat it as 'in-house' competition, while at the other end of the spectrum others use it as a drilling exercise. Both have their merits, however you've got to be sure that both partners understand the aim of the specific sparring session. For example, in a controlled sparring session, such as guard passes and sweeps, I wouldn't expect the players to be attempting serious armbars or chokes... however if one player was to do something stupid, then it is appropriate for their partner to make them aware of their mistakes - that doesn't mean they have to break the offending arm! Personal opinion time: BJJ suffers from a lack of formalities. For example, when you join a Judo club, you quickly understand the pecking order (ie there are many belts with very defined grading requirements). BJJ has few belts in comparison and there is little by the way of bowing etc (which provides a real opportunity to introduce yourself etc to your partner, creates some recognition and ultimately serves to enhance respect among players). I have played Judo in various countries and while being often outclassed during sparring, I have rarely felt endangered. The more casual/relaxed BJJ approach has its merits, but as far as managing the risk of injuries etc, many clubs have a long way to go. Remember: Be alert and you won't get hurt. ie. take some responsibility for your own progression and welfare and only play as hard as you are prepared to receive back.

Yeah - what are the chances! BJJ vs Judo - in my head it is all to do with the rules and how 'ard you train. I don't have any problem with BJJBarbies comments - she is entitled to her views. I might suggest she goes along to the Victorian Judo International later this year to see some alternate competition - olympic standard athletes mixing it on the mat.

Thanks for noticing! Yeah, I think that was me at the Pan Pacs in 2000. I grilled the refs prior to my fights re the rules, and they said it was okay to stand up and keep on throwing the opponent as long as i wasn't "stalling". So that is what I did - threw one guy, | dont know... something like 7 times before I was in a position to submit him? Yeah I may have been stronger than the guy, but that probably has a lot to do with training (ie I trained a lot), and technically he couldn't mix it either. The strategy worked a treat, however I was later 'warned' that by standing up during the fight, I was effectively stalling, so would be penalised if I continued. I had a real issue with that: that is, if my opponent cannot control me (ie keep me on the ground etc) why should I have stay kneeling down? Such is life... and that may be why many Judoka don't like competiting in BJJ competitions. Since then I have refined my BJJ, and while I still don't mind throwing, I don't have to rely on it anymore - when I last fought (PanPacs 2001) I won about three fights on submission and two on points (46-0 in one of them!). Now I am a Blue belt, so I expect the quality of competition to be that much higher in the next competition. I watched a Machado competition a weekend or two ago in Melbourne, and was pretty amazed by the number of fights that were decided by one thow (eg two points)... we are going to start training throws exclusively once a week at my club now - there were just too many wasted opportunities all round.