question about knee issues - rubber guard players

[theriot]

Guys, I'll start by saying that I am not an expert in the 10th planet system. However I've always kind of liked the rubber guard since I started training and I'm one of the most flexible guys at the gym (in a gym where flexibility is not very widespread and most of our guys have a strong top/passing game)

Now... without any incident that I can specifically remember, I started feeling lack of stability in my knee joint. In my leg that I usually use to set up the rubber guard. I think I've been trying too hard to get to that lotus position and I probably overextended my ligaments.

When my physio did the mcmurray test on my knee she said my PCL looked fucked and I'd probably need surgery. On our second session she kind of changed her mind and said maybe I just have lax knees because of my BJJ and Yoga training. I have an appt with a knee guy in about a week so we'll see.

I was wondering what kind of experience with knee issues, if any, you rubber guard players would have and if you had any advice. Thanks!

[NameLikeNoOther]

I have found that working on my ability to externally rotate my leg at the hip takes a lot of pressure off the knee when I am pulling my lower leg toward my face. I think someone has written on here before that pulling your foot closer to your face than your knee is can generally be a problem. This is especially true when you have poor mobility in the hips. Hug your knee, love your knee. I subluxed my Proximal Fibular Head. Took 4 months of rest in a brace and 2 months of exercise to get back up to speed again, no surgery necessary luckily.

[Chris Herzog]

If you are hurting your knees playing rubber guard, you aren't doing it correctly. Make sure you are taking angles and don't rely solely on your flexibility. I see s0oo many people yanking on their feet to better their position in RG, thats is no bueno for your knees.

[Nick Paul]

+1 on hip rotation being more important than knee flexibility, you shouldn't be feeling much pressure on your knees. If you do feel pressure on your knee, DON'T FORCE IT.

[mountveggie]

Totally agree with Chris with regards to taking the correct angles. As someone living in a country with no 10p school, most of my 10p education has been via MTS and lots (I mean LOTS) of "testing" (i.e. during live rolls at the gym).

As a result of all this "testing", I've injured/tweaked both my knees before. Every single time, it's been due to me using my flexibility to simply pull my legs into spots, rather than taking the correct angles (which makes a world of difference).

If you're learning primarily from videos, it can be pretty difficult to see the angles unless you're taking specific notice of this (I really only started noticing these after my injuries) - but keep a very sharp eye on those angles in every single position, and remember a golden rule: If you need to use effort to pull something into place, it's probably incorrect.

Stay safe and hope your knee gets better soon!

[Rockanrollin]

I am checking this thread with great interest ! My groin is very flexible right where it needs to be. But my knees don't flex like the groin. Even when I try to do some of the lotus position flexibitly stuff I can't get it to work to the higher level stuff besides just sitting on the floor. When I try the next hurdle it fails because my knees won't flex and my position falls apart.
But I get real concerned about messing with them knees especially at my age now( 57 ) they are healthy and I have no pain or issue with either except I wish the were 10-20 percent more flexible. Which would be Jedi flexible for me.

[Kyle Spalla]

I am checking this thread with great interest ! My groin is very flexible right where it needs to be. But my knees don't flex like the groin. Even when I try to do some of the lotus position flexibitly stuff I can't get it to work to the higher level stuff besides just sitting on the floor. When I try the next hurdle it fails because my knees won't flex and my position falls apart.
But I get real concerned about messing with them knees especially at my age now( 57 ) they are healthy and I have no pain or issue with either except I wish the were 10-20 percent more flexible. Which would be Jedi flexible for me.

You are born with full range of motion in your knee's so it isn't possible to "stretch" your knee's. If you don't have any serious knee injuries from the past keep working your muscle flexibility (stretch your lower back, hamstrings, glutes and hip a lot) and more importantly work on your angles and don't strain your knees to achieve position. I am not flexible at all but because I use correct angles while playing Rubber guard I can often clear the head with no issue

[Ross Davidson]

Knees shouldn't hurt playing rubber guard.

Hit the books, yo.

[David Rosado]

My two pennies worth: Hug your knee tight. I notice that when I hug my knee nice at tight, I feel no wiggle in my knees at all.

[Joseph Hachey]

Knees shouldn't hurt playing rubber guard.

Hit the books, yo.

Worst.