De la Riva and X Guard=knee pain?

[The Cicada]

About two weeks ago I started having both of knees ache like crazy. The only thing different I have done in practice and training is I have started to mess around with the De la Riva guard and X guard a lot. I had to quit running two weeks ago because my knees were aching and felt a little loose. They are feeling much better today but my left one is still aching.

Any of you guys get knee pain when working the De la Riva or X guard?

Maybe my aging rear end is only meant for less stressful sports like Bocce ball....

 

[richmFTW]

might have popped something inside the joint (even slightly). might be fluid building up. I would see a doctor.

 

[DiscipleOfPog]

When you play DLR, don't insert the hook all the way in and attach your hook to his other thigh. This locks your knee in place and sudden movements will put pressure on it. Just put the shin behind the guys knee, but leave it there freely. This allows your knee to move freely if your opponent moves at all. The Mendes bros play this way.

 

[SuperSuperRambo]

I got a partial tear of my LCL doing De La Riva. But it was a sudden thing, when the guy sprawled on that leg, and my knee popped loudly. And I was doing it the way that DiscipleOfPog described not to do it.

Needless to day, DLR is not a big part of my game anymore. Although I do use a lot of X-Guard and it doesn't bother my knee.

 

[The Cicada]

Thanks for the suggestion Pog... I will look up a video so I can relieve some knee pressure.

 

[Einarr]

I don't play X-Guard but I do use De la Riva Guard occasionally. I've never had a problem with my knees doing it but then I stick to the basic sweeps and backtakes rather than inverting and doing Berimbolos and the like as I'm a fairly big guy at 95kg. I've heard of guys hurting themselves with it and it's mainly the smaller, acrobatic guys. I think you're more likely to hurt yourself playing a more acrobatic/new school DLR, so maybe look at the techniques you're trying from there and eliminate the more risky ones from your game.

 

[Leify]

For x-guard, does the pain occur when extending your knees to stretch uke out? If so, your quadriceps tendon may have a bit of tendinitis, for which the solution is usually just to stretch the quads and hamstrings and rest.

But really, go see a doctor.

 

[Guiness]

I've had to pretty much stop playing De La Riva due to knee problems. Never played much x-guard due to have problems getting my long legs into position.

Right now I'm playing with different guards trying to find something that fits my style and frame that is sensitive to my limitations.

 

[Shemhazai]

I thought I had some wear and tear in my right knee from playing funky leg entanglement guards, but it turns out I (probably) just needed to stretch my rectus femoris (hip flexor that runs through your quadriceps and connects to the patella), as I noticed significant, instant relief when I started doing so. Apparently, knee pain due to muscle tightness in this area is very common both in athletes who don't stretch this muscle enough, and also in people who spend a lot of time seated, which shortens the muscle. Incidentally, bringing your knees to your chest - which you're supposed to most of the time in BJJ - accomplishes pretty much the same thing. Those of you complaining about knee problems in BJJ, try the stretch shown in this article and see if it helps:

http://marcoathletics.com/blog-cats/strength-training/this-stretch-will-save-your-life/

 

[NSchoke]

I play x guard and 1 leg x guard a lot. My knees start aching like they've been stretched too much when I first started concentring on the position and drilling a lot. Not so much anymore

 

[The Cicada]

I thought I had some wear and tear in my right knee from playing funky leg entanglement guards, but it turns out I (probably) just needed to stretch my rectus femoris (hip flexor that runs through your quadriceps and connects to the patella), as I noticed significant, instant relief when I started doing so. Apparently, knee pain due to muscle tightness in this area is very common both in athletes who don't stretch this muscle enough, and also in people who spend a lot of time seated, which shortens the muscle. Incidentally, bringing your knees to your chest - which you're supposed to most of the time in BJJ - accomplishes pretty much the same thing. Those of you complaining about knee problems in BJJ, try the stretch shown in this article and see if it helps:

http://marcoathletics.com/blog-cats/strength-training/this-stretch-will-save-your-life/

Excellent info, thank you. I no doubt have some shortening of that that muscle. I spend a good amount of time seated in a car at work. I have been stretching my quadriceps and it seems to have provided some relief, no I know to pick it up.

Read part of the article and not only do I have that tight quas/hip flexorsd, but my lower back has started to arche inwards, which seems to be related to the tight hip flexor/quads. Man this is going to help me...thanks!

 

[porkchopbjj]

i know it sounds silly-but i have noticed that since i am getting older that i need to drink and stay hydrated. if i don't my joints (specifically) my knees start to ache.

 

[Shemhazai]

I have been stretching my quadriceps and it seems to have provided some relief, no I know to pick it up.

Yeah, I was doing the same thing, but the stretch shown in that article seemed to hit the spot a LOT better than the generic quad or hip flexor stretches I was doing.

 

[The Cicada]

i know it sounds silly-but i have noticed that since i am getting older that i need to drink and stay hydrated. if i don't my joints (specifically) my knees start to ache.

Excellent point and I agree. My water intake at work is much to be desired. I might drink 3 to 4 cups of water over 10 hours. I know that sounds bad but in my job I am in a car 8 hours out of that 10 hours and I don't have an option to use the bathroom on some calls I get sent. I need to pick it up for sure on my water intake.