If I Were A BJJ Whitebelt again

[@Mongomingus]

45 years old. 5 month white belt. My biggest beast to tame was my anxiousness. Ive slowed down and can go a whole 1.5 hour class or session. At this point I don't think about the belts, really, I'm having fun and it's changed my life. Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone who is seeking inner peace.

[@EliteForceLHP]

I couldn't agree more! 💯 Jiu-Jitsu kills anxiety and helps you find inner peace. It's hard to be anxious when someone is choking you! 😆

[@pastureexpectationsfarm6412]

​@@EliteForceLHPI'm always anxious when my life is threatened!

[@rice8468]

You’re too old

[@GRTakerTh]

@@rice8468felt smart typing that ?

[@bszeets]

Even as a 25-year old blue belt watching this, I've taken away so many lessons on longevity. Thank you Rick! I definitely am guilty of wasting my gym and yoga membership

[@mouthguardcomic]

I would look for: 1. A great environment 2. Find out the promotion criteria (must have stripes/must be merit based) 3. Train no-gi to avoid hand injuries and grip problems ( or use universal grips) 4. Stay with gym until Black Belt (cross train if needed) 5. Work through and talk through problems... 6. Train at least three times a week/5 times if low on obligations 7. Never stop training (keep going even if injured/watch or teach if that's all you can do)... No gaps 8. Teach/When you have to know it, you learn much more... 9. Learn how to roll responsibly (so you can prolong your grappling career) 10. Learning is your responsibility... You must train like other sports train...

[@eddiewright5921]

Well said! Thank you!

[@mouthguardcomic]

@@eddiewright5921 No problem...I appreciate it!

[@PinkPantherBJJ]

Great list! Thanks!

[@KingJeraldL46]

46 year old white belt with a few stripes. I realized that slowing down younger more athletic folks required me to get more technical rather than faster. I am the oldest white belt there and started a year and a half ago. I am competing in my first comp this Saturday and calmness is a super power. I train with the heavys due to my size (6'2" 265) but they are all upper belts. Been a humbling and ego crushing experience but gaining small victories. I appreciate your channel. Inflammation from YEARS of basketball has taken its toll. I am now focusing on mobility and flexibility. Oss

[@GenXLastStand]

47 year old white belt, congrats on doing your first comp this weekend!

[@KingJeraldL46]

Update on first competition - there is NO WAY that training can prepare you for the adrenaline dump you have. Mine was so bad I could hardly stand. Guy was NOT better but I was struck with that dump that lead to weak muscles, dizziness, nausea etc. I keep hearing the hard part is just getting out there and it IS my first time competing. I took second. Not my last but definitely embarrassing to not be able to move and do what you have trained to do. Sharing this and being vulnerable in hopes that whoever reads is not deterred by competing just prepared for what may happen. First day back in a few hours. Oss

[@raytom1795]

I'm a 50 year old 3 year white belt and a third degree black belt in karate. My training partner is a 3 stripe blue belt a 6th degree black and 12 years younger than me at the same weight. We trained together for almost 2 years and I never tapped him. All that to say I watched your video on OLD man jiu jitsu. I slowed down, lasted longer, and it was the first time I was able to tap him.

[@JB-he6ek]

Thank you Professor. I just turned 48. Body isn't healing anymore from not only jiu-jitsu but all the yrs of hard labor. I feel good after training but prior just inflammatory full body arthritis pain. I was white belt little over 2yrs. I noticed later years in jiu-jitsu epiphany so to speak I was given blue by my Professor when I was no longer getting tapped. I was blue for roughly 6yrs. Just like you I wasn't good at just one thing. I had an "grammatical sentence" by then I was good at defending, then passing guard to side control then north south bc it became natural. Now I've been purple for little over 2yrs. I'm definitely not as in shape as I was when I started, but as good of shape as I was in, I got tapped in 30 seconds couldn't even finish full round. Now I'm less in shape but can do several rounds even 10 minute rounds with bigger stronger opponents. They dominate me but can't tap me and it takes me 8 minutes to catch their mistake and begin to work my offense and I usually get the tap around 9 minutes. But my arthritis has me not even working out off the mats anymore. I am thankful you came out with this video as I'm now 48 internally stressing how it's impossible for me to fulfill all three that you pointed out beginning of video. I am learning thru experience that I was having to have to pick two, although I couldn't put it into words as clearly as this video. I was actually doing the opposite attending class less but more competitive so I could try and heal as much as possible. So I'm going to show up more and sit out a roll in between. But going straight to defense while immediately setting up offense and catching them is where I'm most comfortable today not only bc I've gotten comfortable on my defense but to avoid injury, and soreness. Sorry long read but this video is exactly where I'm at in my jiu-jitsu journey. So thanks again, Professor, for the content!

[@eddie919]

I went through your journey in the opposite order. I trained weights, mobility, and recovery and only got into BJJ at 40. I am now 42 and have noticed that unlike other students my age, I don't get injured and can definitely roll for a lot longer. Thank you for the video.

[@colmobrien9558]

That was very interesting what he said around 3:25, I agree. I live in a cold, wet country and once that weather comes in, which is most of the year, I feel like my body wants to shut down, coddle, pack on weight. Hibernate really. I'm glad somebody else feels the same, because I felt a bit bad about myself. I still work out, but it's a massive under taking to just start.

[@CocktailsByJay]

Great video and in formation Rick I’m a 57 year old white belt and I train 4 to 5 days a week. I’m passionate about BJJ and I agree with your ideas, frequency, mobility, intensity, weight and cardio training outside of BJJ and also recovery. Im in Whittier and may drive down to attend your SD Summit in April. Jay😊

[@gregoryleepadilla]

Im I'm also thinking of heading down to SD from Whittier. Helpful vid RE.

[@joncooke9515]

As a 54 year-old blue belt, your advice always resonates with me. Thank you.

[@buzzardcry]

@Mongomingus I just started BJJ at 60... I survived my first full class and paid for it the next morning! 🤪 I can see the infectious nature of the sport and this is mainly due to the great people at the gym and culture they maintain within the group! Looking forward to the journey ahead!

[@pwprochazka]

I'm 59. my first session is next week. this will be interesting.

[@RicoMnc]

I started when I was 58, now 62 year old 130lb blue belt. The winter blues is real, feels like it has been with me all my life. Sometimes I struggle to get to class 2 times a week Nov - Feb. When I first started I tried to do weight training and BJJ, but after 3 months I realized I just couldn't sustain that. I did gain about 4 good lbs, which was good for me. What I have developed instead are consistent, disciplined home flex, mobility, and body weight exercises, including a pull-up/dip bar, and some small dumb bells. Before even watching your video I have established goals for training more often and more efficiently. More lighter, "flowy" sessions, less tense, competitive rolls or drills. Sometimes it is a bit out of my control, but that's what I strive for. It's the only way I'm going to survive and be able to train for the foreseeable future. One thing that is helping me so far is my new school has more newer (white belts) closer to my size. I have more opportunities to control the intensity and speed of a roll, although sometimes it is still a challenge to get the younger, quick, "scrambly" guys to slow down. In either case, I prioritize being a good training partner, trying to make the roll or drill beneficial for both of us. That's a whole subject in itself. With larger or more experienced partners, the fundamentals, especially defense, are my focus. Learning to avoid or escape bad positions quicker can mean the difference between me having opportunities for offense or just surviving smashed under mount/side-control or defending my back from RNC. It's now a constant struggle to balance between trying to get more mat time vs. enough recovery. These last couple of weeks I've been dealing with a re-aggravated injury, and seasonal illness/allergies.

[@daddyrooster88motivate]

I workout 4-5 days a week and train jujitsu mon wed fri . My strength training and cardio is non negotiable no matter how cold it is. I also use my Ice pod for cold water therapy 2 times a week. This helps with my inflammation and soreness. I am a 50 year old whitebelt.

[@andrewkarl5174]

Started Judo at 59 BJJ at 60, could not have hung in there without a solid yoga, Pilates, and lifting background. What I would do different, start much younger.

[@Slamminbassplayer]

I’m originally from MN and now live in Los Angeles. We are in dark mode right now (approaching Halloween) where it’s dark in the mornings and gets dark early. I totally agree with your assessment - we go into “winter resourcing mode.” I’ve always thought about this - that said, there is NOTHING like the energy one experiences when the first cute girl comes jogging by when Spring finally hits!

[@vinniegranger430]

Hi Rick, Really like the channel. I started Bjj about a year and 5 months ago at age 61. I brought with me the physical baggage of 10 yrs of football, 5 yrs of motocross, 39 yrs of rugby, 42 yrs of track and field, 5 yrs of powerlifting, and a lifetime of idiocy. All competitively. All told 11 surgeries (7 knees alone). I'm just starting to see some things click on the mat, but I still struggle with slowing down and controlling my younger less broken partners. I am still a lot stronger than many, but my grappling cardio is not up there with the 20 and 30 yr olds I train with. I try my best to use technique and not strength when training, but when a younger, more explosive partner is attacking with seemingly endless energy and equal or better technique, I can't avoid getting gassed to the point of exhaustion. I try to just accept that until I get better at chaining things together it's going to be tough, but at this point, I can't help but fall back on using strength and explosion to at least avoid getting mangled which exhausts me. I am a strength and conditioning professional so I've been doing everything you mentioned regarding recovery and mobility but I'm finding I can't train Bjj and still keep my lifting where I'd like it to be. After a few 5 minute rounds on the mat I feel like I've been run over by a truck (a feeling I love but is tough to recover from) to the point that I feel like more than 2 rolls a week might kill me. I never had the tumbling/gymnastics practice you mentioned and at this point, my joints are so impaired starting now would just make me more tired, creaky, and cranky. Any advice would be appreciated . Thanks

[@chuckduncan9098]

You always add to our level of wisdom.

[@samandangieyingst478]

51 yr old blue belt here, strength training and flexibility are a must. Train smart, choose your partners wisely, tap early. Mantra: don't get hurt. Thanks for the video.

[@FR-ty5vn]

You always have great advice - this video is no exception!! When I restarted almost 8 years ago, I would almost catch various submissions but not quite. Then I decided to focus on the Ezequiel Choke mainly due to its versatility - you could use it from so many positions, even bottom of mount. After having a lot of success with the Ezekiel, I started to feel like a one trick pony so I branched out and began improving other submissions. Now as a 3-stripe purple I almost never use the Ezequiel and probably am not that good at it anymore, but submissions that I could never get before are some of my most frequent finishers. It’s interesting how one’s game can change over time. 57 year old and been out 6 weeks due to a fractured cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum. Apparently did it to myself with my own pressure against a 25 year old purple. 😂😂😂

[@Simplo-mj3yk]

Super helpful. I'm 44 and just started a few months back. I have been trying to find my balance and strategies for getting better. Lowering my intensity and increasing frequency has been important in my training. Also, compulsive stretching has been helpful. Thanks!

[@MaximShelkov]

I love your content and listen to your videos quite frequently. I am a 37 year old white belt with 2 stripes. I train usually about 3-4 times a week. I really like what you said about intensity however I find that guys at my club go hard, how can I dial down my intensity when someone else is going hard?

[@Elitestudiosdc]

Focus on defense

[@jonathanshafter1800]

Pro tip from an almost 50 guy - Crack a little joke before sparring with a new young heavyweight pumped up on testosterone and glory. Establishing a bit of mutual connection before a roll helps it from turning into a death match. If a guy is still a total brute after you make that effort he’s either damaged or having a terrible day. Use it as a chance to play your defense game and move on.

[@stuartclubb4302]

Really good points. Especially strength and mobility along with progressive resistance training. Finding partners willing to give progressive resistance to failure can be a challenge. Some upper belts will "let you work", others just smash. It feels like trying to learn how to deadlift, when all there is in the gym is a 500lb bar to train with. I hope the summit is a great success.

[@skuirrelTV]

I'm 37 and I can't wait to be 40 to go to your seminar! 😂

[@MonacoRocha]

I'm in Montreal Now .. Winter Time ( Snow Storm) Is When I Train Hard Outside in The Cold...

[@kennethgrey2009]

Awesome video. Appreciate you sharing the knowledge. A suggestion you might think about is having themed classes. My Monday is Basics - No technique (Grips, where to grab, a solid triangle base, etc) Tuesday is Offense. Wednesday is Defense. Thursday is Dominant Position. Saturday is NO GI. Sunday is Refining - Taking the basic technique and modifying it to the student. Mon & Wed are 1 hr sessions. Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun are 2 hours each.

[@Jsb51]

Love this video! Im a 35 Y/O white belt. Would you put sweeps and escapes in the “defensive” category? I was coached by a friend purple belt that I accept bad positions a lot. Like bottom side control.

[@hunterkelley968]

This is all great information. I started training a couple months ago and i get smashed very regularly. It is disheartening being so vulnerable when i roll at this stage in the game. Maybe i need to shift my focus to defense and not worry so much about getting the submission but rather focus on not getting submitted

[@vamposhiz]

thank you so much! as someone just starting this is absolute GOLD

[@ramondejesus4409]

Rick, I enjoy and learn so much from you. You are not only great at what you do but also a fantastic teacher allowing us to absorb things effectively. Ramon DeJesus,MD

[@nickmills8476]

Learning takes days, by which I mean what you put in your head doesn’t really become learned until you sleep on it and process it, and try again. So by nature learning takes days. There’s only so much you can input into your brain in a training session. Hence, the advantage of frequency over volume. Intensity is overrated, this is why the latest trend in most martial arts is lighter sparring over high intensity sparring.

[@TheArtofSkill]

Well said.

[@MacStrengthCo]

Thank you for the tips.

[@OhYaSure]

43 year old 1 stripe white belt, and veteran beer league hockey player. I’m trying to get 3 a week in, plus workout x 2, plus a hockey game. If I can manage my intensity and volume, I’ll up to 4-5 days. I’m able to stay calm, mostly, but I’m a stronger guy in class and people play me hard (except upper belts). So I match what they give, and it usually increases even though we both say let’s keep it chill. Happens almost 95% of the time.

[@NazKuwat]

Can a beginner white belt who has not spent two months in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu train with a black or brown belt?

[@bigsarge1982]

Hey hey. 41 year old back belt here, 22 years of experience. I coach wrestling at the high school level as well. I’m 6’5” 290lbs and have been in the army the last 18+ years. I focus on calisthenics for fitness and positional sparring for newer people. I think positional/situational sparring is the number one way to improve quickly. And calisthenics builds actual body and core strength. My son just turned 15 in Jan and is 6’6” 280 and my daughter at 16 is 5’10” 190 so building their foundation was important to me. Anyways, I think your videos are a good look to the community. Keep killing it!

[@TheDaftySage]

I'm now down to training once a week because my back hurts for a week after one training session.

[@TheArtofSkill]

@@TheDaftySage look into Foundation Training. It has solved years of back issues for me. There are a couple free back routine videos on KZbin that are great. Do them every day.

[@ThatguyFirst]

I always enjoy your videos, Rick. From this one I have a question: Regarding topic number five, I agree in principle, but as a white belt currently I feel that there are so many techniques that I have yet to be exposed to that I think it might be early in the game for that (like picking your college major in eighth grade). Would you recommend this idea for as early as you see a technique that clicks, or wait 'till you have a few stripes, or even until closing in on blue belt?

[@TheArtofSkill]

You'll naturally find things early on that resonate with you. Definitely incorporate those things because they tend to become the core of your game.

[@danilecashin4126]

Swimming and yoga has kept me young at 51. 17 years doing it

[@amancalleddanger]

I live in NM, which is a state in the United States, not Mexico. Also, we have mountains and get all 4 seasons. 😆 With that out of the way, I feel exactly how you did once October hits. It's sweaters, chili, and using the gym less frequently than Spring through Summer. It made me laugh, because we got a cold weather return in April and here I am sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee instead of lifting in the gym.

[@tomtrader6559]

Yes positional sparring usually goes 100%! Awesome video as always! Would love to hear a follow up, how would I train and work on things after getting a blue belt:)

[@chrisharris3371]

I appreciate the insight. I’m starting at 54 so it’s good to hear these lessons

[@lukekalashnikoff3604]

I had no idea howie mandel practiced jiu-jitsu!!! Great video, thanks howie!

[@greengreensio]

This is so true. I rolled alot with black belt in my gym.get Smashed everytime. I develop to stay comfortable from the bottom and know where to put my hands and knees.

[@markoniksic3630]

Just started couple of months ago as a 39yro. I have a long background of sports, mostly gym and weights that have been very consistent. I can see how this would be way harder if i just came in without any fitness level prior to this. People that are younger and more experienced are obviously going to win most of the time, but i am eager to learn and hopefully its a life long commitment. Not gonna lie, my back hurts all the time, not nerves but muscles. If you go hard injuries are bound to happen, but i cant see anyone doing BJJ and not trying their best.

[@rstlr01]

I only get one day a week, rest of the week I am working. I do shadow reps as part of mobility training but I definitely wish I could get more mat time as a 40 yo white belt.

[@normundselksnitis5558]

Great stuff, Professor 🙏 Thank you

[@The_Brew_Dog]

What I would do differently is I would never do free sparring with training partners I don’t know and even the ones I do know, 90% of the sparring would be strictly positional training. I find 2 position positional training is the most effective and safest way to train there is for many reasons. It’s how Rickson and Henry do it and for good reasons. I’ve never been hurt training positionally but have been injured many times going full spare and it’s usually by a younger guys I don’t know. I am a 42 year old blue belt.

[@CaptainCowboy476]

As a new student at 55 yrs old. I want to be good. I am trying to figure out. How many times to go ea week.

[@robphipps9662]

Thanks again for the great content Rick!😎🙏🏼 as a 52yo white belt I'll start implementing these things now, and hopefully avoid some pitfalls! BTW I'm in Maine and was curious if you trained BJJ when you lived here? And if so where/with whom?

[@TheArtofSkill]

I trained with Alexi Cruz for a year, then at the Academy with Jay Jack.

[@robphipps9662]

@@TheArtofSkill cool! Alexey was my first teacher--great teacher and super nice guy!

[@ajochum]

All your videos hit home. Thank you for the great content…

[@interestedpart2650]

Excellent

[@yanguerif7131]

Merci for the video, very similar to my 25 yers journey improving my cuban dancing. I will implement it in my bjj.

[@thirtynine392001]

I like your shirt! Any plans to make a female variant for the "Old Women" who train? 😊

[@amongstthepigeons1020]

I want one

[@TheArtofSkill]

I'll try to get one designed when I have some time!

[@RJAmos]

Is always good to see you here. I feel that 2 days and an open mat is doing wonders for me. I am feeling that i am progressing well and give me time to do 3 days of yoga/workout . All this keeps me strong and gives me time to recover. I'm turning 43 this year. 2 years and 2 months blue belt 🙋‍♂️🤼 You and the Roys are my favorite online coaches , I have learned so much from you guys

[@TheArtofSkill]

Thank you! I appreciate hearing that.

[@Miah_Lake]

Great video! Very insightful

[@MichaelLeopold1]

appreciate it

[@dbmills3084]

I hope you record the summit. It sounds like excellent content.

[@NinaFontana]

I started Jiu-Jitsu at age of 59 and I love this sport.

[@logan5797]

As a 52 year old blue belt my defense is what I am known for at my gym. Now if I can get my offense to that level. Thank you for your wisdom professor.

[@moxsim123]

where did you live in Maine?

[@rymskindeep]

thanks for posting and sharing this. it helps

[@tommoeller7149]

Sage advice. Thank you.

[@mephiles6432]

Great vid, thanks!

[@basslinger]

52 yrs old, been a blue belt since 2017. It hurts.

[@kturcios]

Second time watching this. 4months in makes more sense. TY. Be back in 6mos. 🤣💪🏼

[@rocker8692]

I dont want to do it to beat other jiu-jitsu guys,i just want to do it for everyday self defense, you dont focus much on that i noticed.

[@illektronikz]

Thank you for your insights!

[@BOBBOB-tx7ox]

If people used your approach more people would remain in BJJ instead of quitting from repeated injuries. Most of the real aggressive offense originated students leave with a year because their only interest in winning not learning.

[@CarlosVerdinOfficial]

I’m 37. They say I’m too passive since my wrestling and size seems to help me sweep and wrestle up to top position often. But I feel there is a mental retardation with my offense. I think of going for something, and lose my position and control. I’m 6’3 235 lbs. I’m carnivore and I am a white belt 6 months now. My question is, how do I break past this mental block of falling apart as I go for offense?

[@TheArtofSkill]

Focus on control. Don’t worry about submissions until you feel your control is excellent.

[@Mutalaat]

That's a great video.

[@WConn100]

You can open a school as a brown belt?

[@Fr4gg3r2]

I actually have been doing almost all of these things and still suck balls. It hurts the most when I get my ass kicked by less experienced white belts, like yesterday. Bjj is hard.

[@amongstthepigeons1020]

I would like to see more grapplers who partner dance.

[@Gonosen]

Kids can get those gymnastic skills in a functional way practicing Judo I would say.

[@jamesh6966]

This is gold

[@hamyankee9343]

How do you avoid cauliflower ear?

[@CharlesPoss]

Dude that's like the primary objective

[@tededo]

Ok Ellis, help me out...Please. PLEASE. This one thing most students and instructors fear when they watch me: my defense skills. I swear and they tell. Why? While sparring I will consciously and deliberately even hand you any of my limb, and almost say here, take it, submit me...Good luck. While the student or the instructor will try to tap me, I will literally pummel, juggle and play wing Chung kung fu with my grips and their grips. Nothing satisfies me more than to observe a solid skill level blue belt, stop his armbar attack on me, cause he's simply out of ideas to finish me. I do have a deadly clos guard guillotine, but I'm asked to not use it too often. So my defense becomes what puts lot of em to shame. Tell me if I'm in the wrong. Please. Anyone.

[@tededo]

Dont get me wrong here. Took me about 203 years to work my way to developing a solid comfortable defense/counter/offense. I fell in love with old Dean Lister/Saulo Ribeiro/Ryron Gracie/Jeff Glover/AG Agarazarm defenses.@@Pler1978

[@hilmituran9264]

You are always a white belt to someone. So, it is easy to experience this hahahahahaha

[@TheGoodkilo]

Hmmm seems like you might not be a human but you're actually a bear.

[@lawrence4301]

man you move well ( not for an old guy just in general)

[@KENNETHTXMMA]

Pretty sure gymnastics makes kids shorter I feel like wrestling since a young age would be way better especially if you don't cut weight and overtrain as a kid

[@TheArtofSkill]

No, gymnastics doesn’t make kids shorter. Short people do better in gymnastics at the competitive level because they’re more compact and have higher strength to weight ratio. What I’m talking about is learning proprioception, balance, body awareness, agility, isometric strength and all the other benefits that tumbling around teaches a child. You can put a child in martial arts as well, and that’s great, but that won’t develop the attributes I listed quite as effectively.

[@Noah-jy8wb]

@@TheArtofSkill What about ( indoor) climbing? I think you also get points on balance/agility/isometric strength + some killer grip training haha ( my 9 year old son is doing it for 2+ years now)

[@KENNETHTXMMA]

@@Pler1978 I didn't say basketball makes you tall. I doubt it does it's more a correlation but I did read something about gymnastics stunting growth because of the stress on the bones or some shit

[@k3vinshum]

Unfortunately the intro and build up was long and I found nothing of interest in first 4 mins so I left

[@MonacoRocha]

The Koreans have this Thinking TaeKwonDo I trained in for 10 years..Fall Bring the training UP Winter Train Very Hard & Spring Slow Down Summer Not Too Hard Cause Of The HEAT...

[@MonacoRocha]

I train daily 1 1/2 hrs.at 55 - 60% .. never go in the RED...

[@MonacoRocha]

Better to train DAILY at 55 - 60% than 3 or4 days at +90%.... common sense......