Tips and advice?

[Dan Cancino]

You guys are are insanely helpful. Everything I've heard about this forum is the real deal. I appreciate it all. One other question that just came to me. Since I'm new, I should just shut my face and pay attention to the lessons, I get that. But should I try to seek out a more experienced guy and hope I get some pointers or is that a protocol thing? Is there a code in the gym, or do you have to prove yourself before you're accepted completely into the fold?

[Ross Davidson]

I know I'm gonna keep getting my ass handed to me for quite a long time.

Embrace this fact and cherish your lessons.

[ml82]

You guys are are insanely helpful. Everything I've heard about this forum is the real deal. I appreciate it all. One other question that just came to me. Since I'm new, I should just shut my face and pay attention to the lessons, I get that. But should I try to seek out a more experienced guy and hope I get some pointers or is that a protocol thing? Is there a code in the gym, or do you have to prove yourself before you're accepted completely into the fold?

I don't know if it's gym code or not, but i learned a lot from the higher belts, probably more so than from my instructors. Mostly because they are able to give you one on one time whereas the instructor is too spread thin. I wouldn't be shy to ask, you'll find that 99% of people that train bjj are very friendly and willing to help.

[ohio2berlin]

"I don't know if it's gym code or not, but i learned a lot from the higher belts, probably more so than from my instructors. Mostly because they are able to give you one on one time whereas the instructor is too spread thin. I wouldn't be shy to ask, you'll find that 99% of people that train bjj are very friendly and willing to help."

^^^ This. I found that I would stay with the other white belts. In this type of fish school of white belt comfort. Lately, I decided to roll with some of the higher belts and my game jumped. When you make a mistake they tell you why, when you do something good they tell you why. If you keep getting stuck in the same spot they tell you and help you work ways out of it. Many people will think a higher belt will just tap me over and over (and they do, but with it comes knowledge) and laugh, but most, I've found, treat you with respect and understand that you are learning because they were too.

Also, don't forget to roll with heavier guys if possible. Last night I rolled with a beast of a man...got smashed, but learned to concentrate on technique and not rely on strength as he out muscled me and treated me like Frodo without a ring to help me.

[jaywatkins67]

I'm (holy shit) almost 47 so I know where you are coming from, however, a lot of it is in your mind. If you think you are too old to do something you have already lost the battle. Next, is discipline, which also falls under mental. There will be days where you don't feel like working out or going to practice and could easily stay at home OR you can show your intestinal fortitude and drive on and go to practice. As far as physically, start off slow and build up to a good work out in the morning before work that includes core work and cardio. I do a hybrid of P90X and insanity and a lot of running. That includes a healthy diet. Next, never miss practice. Even if you are injured still go and watch. You can still learn just by observing. Your game will improve drastically compared to your one-a- weekers. Roll as much as you can and with everyone and don't worry about getting tapped out. Everyone taps. That's how you learn. Take some video/pics of yourself right now rolling etc... and then do the same in 90 days and you'll be surprised at the improvements both physically and your abilities in that short amount of time.

[Spencer Brown]

Shrimping, framing, posture.