Competition advice needed

I intend to start competing this year. I started training jiu jitsu around a year ago and it's the only discipline I have any experience in. I'm 41 now and train twice a week and go to the open mat sessions on a Saturday morning. This involves 1 hour of sparring ten mins rounds starting from stand up and then an hour of ten min rounds from knees. This has given me a good opportunity to spar from standing, most of the time I pull guard. I also go to the gym outside of classes when I can and drill. This feels like a good balance for me at the moment. It's worth mentioning I broke my leg three years ago and have a metal plate, screws and dodgy knee and really didn't think I would be able to take the training this far. We have wrestling classes after jiu jitsu I have considered doing these but have decided for the moment to stay with my regular routine ,train smart, allow good recovery and limit the chances of sustaining an injury. So I want to focus on a couple of takedowns and drill them whenever I get the opportunity to prepare me for competition. Considering the points I made what two takedowns do you think I should concentrate on. I have the support and advice of both instructors but thought I would ask you killers for an opinion.

Double leg and single leg :-)

This ones good =D. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW8Mf3IL4zA

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eddie Bravo

Double leg and single leg :-)

---

Yeah, the basic proven stuff is usually a good choice to start if your not sure. I'd also say though, if your competition game plan involves takedowns and you have a class of such available, I'd consider that. I'd also try and work them into your current stand up BJJ training before competing. In the end, you should be trying to do in comp the stuff you are doing best in the gym. I don't understand why when people have a comp coming up they want to suddenly change what is currently working for them right before the comp... If your always pulling guard in class, that should be what you do in comp until that changes IN CLASS first.

I would recommend takedowns that are similar to techniques you use during rolling, so standing armdrags could be a good option. But definitely get good at single and double legs.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4HeI3O-sVzI

Last time I trained with Einstein we worked variations of ankle picks. It's my go to nowadays.

That Flying squirrel looks dang similar to Nathan Orchard's double leg defense in which he drops into the truck after.

+1 on double and single legs. I've had pretty decent success with low singles in submission grappling. Doubles can be a little intimidating at first if you're worried about having a guillotine snatched up on your neck

Really can't go wrong with the double and single leg there. I personally like the fireman carry cuz I can grab their head and it's there if they hand fight w/ me.

It might be a good idea to clarify whether the screws plate and dodgy knee prevent certain movements or are to be avoided. A double leg may be a great technique but not if banging your knee on the floor is going to cause you problems.

If the leg you broke doesn't allow you to shoot doubles and singles quickly...
I recommend the russian 2 on 1(russian tie up)
From there singles, doubles and trips become much easier.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eddie Bravo

Double leg and single leg :-)

---

Thank you Eddie hope everything is going well, looking forward to Saturday
It's a Big moment for London

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Enrique "Kiko"

This ones good =D. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW8Mf3IL4zA

---

Haha cheers Enrique
I'll give it a go

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brian Debes

Yeah, the basic proven stuff is usually a good choice to start if your not sure. I'd also say though, if your competition game plan involves takedowns and you have a class of such available, I'd consider that. I'd also try and work them into your current stand up BJJ training before competing. In the end, you should be trying to do in comp the stuff you are doing best in the gym. I don't understand why when people have a comp coming up they want to suddenly change what is currently working for them right before the comp... If your always pulling guard in class, that should be what you do in comp until that changes IN CLASS first.

---

Cheers Brian,
It's a good point. And one that Eddie reinforced with his strategy against Royler. I can see I have some good feedback already will start getting a feel for what works and applying it in class.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rhys

I would recommend takedowns that are similar to techniques you use during rolling, so standing armdrags could be a good option. But definitely get good at single and double legs.

---

Cheers Rhys
See you Saturday Brv

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tim Mohatt

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4HeI3O-sVzI

Last time I trained with Einstein we worked variations of ankle picks. It's my go to nowadays.

---

Thanks for posting the video Tim
When sparring from stand up I have been crouching low to almost sitting back on one heel and playing with ankle picks and even the imanari roll. So it's definitely on the radar.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hespectnogi

+1 on double and single legs. I've had pretty decent success with low singles in submission grappling. Doubles can be a little intimidating at first if you're worried about having a guillotine snatched up on your neck

---

Cheers mate , must admit do feel vulnerable going for the double legs, because there is weakness in the knee when shooting in making the transition seem a second off.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arman Fathi

Really can't go wrong with the double and single leg there. I personally like the fireman carry cuz I can grab their head and it's there if they hand fight w/ me.

---

Nice one Arman,
I have had a quick look at this and i like the look of it. I will drill first to see how it feels.
The knee has slowed me down but I can still push and carry a lot of weight on it. It's repeatedly going from a bent to straight leg in quick succession that causes a problem.

Yo Bro!

Do you have a strength program or PT? I could take a look at your training program/diary on Saturday and go through a quick movement and flexibility screen if you like? If you're knee is any way weak/susceptible to injury there are lots of things that you could be doing to keep it strong if you're not already? Plus maybe some supplement ideas for you. Other than that, I'll probably be going to battle with you my friend, thinking of heading over to MASSIF and/or NAGA. Cant get a nogi comp on the emerald isle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Peterm

It might be a good idea to clarify whether the screws plate and dodgy knee prevent certain movements or are to be avoided. A double leg may be a great technique but not if banging your knee on the floor is going to cause you problems.

---

Should have mentioned in my first post. I sustained a 4 inch tibial plateau fracture. The screws are awkward but don't really give me a problem. The main issue is the knee , slows me down when shooting in and repeatedly driving up.

Stance homie. All of the above scenarios derive from a proper stance and the knowledge behind the 'why'it's proper.

If you don't have balance, the first thing you do will always be to find balance(Zog).

Also be able to recognize the flaws in and openings to attack in his stance.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Drew Ash

If the leg you broke doesn't allow you to shoot doubles and singles quickly...
I recommend the russian 2 on 1(russian tie up)
From there singles, doubles and trips become much easier.

---

Thanks Drew,

Look like a good alternative. Will have a go at drilling this and see how it goes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eamonn Boylan

Yo Bro!

Do you have a strength program or PT? I could take a look at your training program/diary on Saturday and go through a quick movement and flexibility screen if you like? If you're knee is any way weak/susceptible to injury there are lots of things that you could be doing to keep it strong if you're not already? Plus maybe some supplement ideas for you. Other than that, I'll probably be going to battle with you my friend, thinking of heading over to MASSIF and/or NAGA. Cant get a nogi comp on the emerald isle.

---

Oi Oi Brv
if you could spare me a little time that sounds great. Did all my physio after the injury but feel like with some little improvements I can still improve it by 5-10%. The Nogi comps are coming thick and fast down here. Come and join the party mate. We are taking a proper little firm with us not to mention all the other 10p schools you meet at the event. Can't wait till Saturday.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bobby rivers

Stance homie. All of the above scenarios derive from a proper stance and the knowledge behind the 'why'it's proper.

If you don't have balance, the first thing you do will always be to find balance(Zog).

Also be able to recognize the flaws in and openings to attack in his stance.

---

Thanks for the comments Bobby

It's a really good point. I think there is maybe a little bit of a confidence issue there as well. I want to engage and learn to be comfortable from stand up but don't want to chance injuring the leg again. Probably if I would have had some experience with this before the injury it would be different rather than learning the Fundermentals after. But I'm eager to learn and I take the comments on board Brv.
Shit ..this is better than therapy

We had Samuel Braga (multiple time world champ) do a seminar at our school and during the Q/A, I asked him how he mentally prepares for competition. Paraphrased, here's what he said, more or less.

"I try to make sure that my mind and body are operating with maximum energy on the day of. What ever energy I have, Nervous energy especially, I try to convert it to energy on the mat and trust my technique. I bounce around before the match and just clear my mind, trying to come out focused only on maximum performance."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DaveScott

Nice one Arman,
I have had a quick look at this and i like the look of it. I will drill first to see how it feels.
The knee has slowed me down but I can still push and carry a lot of weight on it. It's repeatedly going from a bent to straight leg in quick succession that causes a problem.

---

The more you can simplify the movement, the better. It's getting to the point for me that once my hand is in the right place, all I'd pretty much have to do is turtle up and take him for a flip super fast. Doesn't require so much athleticism as it does timing and precision with hand placement. Definitely worth investing in, imho:) If you can get slick at it, I've personally witnessed it work at the highest level of competition ( working as a scorekeeper at some local tournaments, all belt levels)