Starting BJJ and Judo soon...

**CarlosJesena** · Posted On: 4/24/2010 8:45am

I agree on the working on Ukemi (breakfalls & rolling). I didn't take it seriously when I just started. Then I found out the entry into and escape from quite a few submissions is to roll. (Most obvious example, how to get out of a kimura or omoplata. Not so obvious example: some armbar escapes) Don't get me started about sweeps.

**Gidi** · Posted On: 4/24/2010 8:50am

Originally Posted by babo78

Reasons for me doing it were.
1. Help reduce any risk for skin transferable stuff
2. Don't have to touch other guy's sweating chest with my sweating chest and feel all nasty
3. Have the shirt soak up some sweat so my Gi doesn't stink as bad between washes.

This is why I do it. And most of the people at my gym do as well.

**Hesperus** · Posted On: 4/24/2010 10:54am

You guys don't wash your gis every time?

I can smell the ammonia from here, ugh.

**omoplatypus** · Posted On: 4/24/2010 11:19am

as a new yellow belt in judo and a 4 stripe white in bjj, this is what i can offer you, noob to noob.

you never get enough ukemi. show up early and take some throws.

do things right the first time. i'm still trying to correct awful habits with ippon seoi nage from back in the day.

when being thrown, you look at the knot of your belt (or belly button if your belt is fubar)

i can get on a cardio machine and burn 1000 kcals in an hour and walk away just fine. but judo destroys my ability to breathe, and i have serious problems making it through class without having to sit out a few rounds. i have the same problems in BJJ. never hold your breath for any reason.

you will get so frustrated with yourself, you will be on the verge of tears at times. it's ok. in 3 months when another newb walks through the door, you'll see just how much you've actually learned.

have fun. you aren't gonna be a black belt anytime soon. make sure you;re enjoying every single class you go to, or you're missing the whole damn point.

**DKJr** · Posted On: 4/24/2010 12:24pm

BJJ advice
1. Shut up and use your eyes/ears
2. Drill the technique until the instructor tells you to move on
3. Not getting tapped doesn't mean your doing well, it's about doing the techniques right.
4. Like Shakira it's all in the hip movement.

**babo78** · Posted On: 4/24/2010 9:31pm

Originally Posted by Hesperus

You guys don't wash your gis every time?

I can smell the ammonia from here, ugh.

When I was teenager in HS, mom washed it after every class. When I was living on my own, not after every class. Probably after couple classes or so? Going to laundry to wash Gi every class is sort of out of question.

Wearing t-shirt does wonders. Especially if it is cotton! muhahaha.

**RealManOfSteel** · Posted On: 4/24/2010 10:56pm

Personally I think wearing a T-shirt underneath is the decent thing to do.

I don't feel like rubbing up against some randoms chest. Sweat stinks.

And WK, you think I should show up early to get decked a bit by an instructor? Sounds painful. I like it.

**omoplatypus** · Posted On: 4/25/2010 1:24am

yep, show up a little bit early and take some extra throws. you have to learn to be a good uke, and if you want to keep doing judo for more than 6 months, your ability to take a throw is key.

some throws are really tough to take, even if you know what you're doing. it's easy to get hurt in this sport. PLUS, it will be your chance to see different throws more often. seeing proper throws many times over will really help you when they teach you those throws later.

**Petter** · Posted On: 4/25/2010 1:35am

Originally Posted by babo78

When I was teenager in HS, mom washed it after every class. When I was living on my own, not after every class. Probably after couple classes or so? Going to laundry to wash Gi every class is sort of out of question.

Real grown-ups can handle proper hygiene even without the aid of their mommies. Buy an extra gi or two. Find a way. It’s not that fucking hard. Keep in mind that your gi festers not just with your own sweat soaking through the t-shirt and from areas it does not cover, but with an unholy blend of your sweat, the sweat of everyone you roll with, and whatever is rubbed into it whenever you’re on the ground. Washing your gi every time not only makes you smell less heinous; it’s basic courtesy to your training partners—and good hygiene is a good way to avoid staph and other infections in your gym.