I want to learn BJJ

raty tat tat

raty tat tat

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But first I`d like ask some questions there`s a school not to far from
me that teaches it but most of the guys are bigger then me so it`s almost
discouraging and for those who deal with claustrophobia how did you over-
come it or deal with it? I have it myself and I HATE it and it`s also stop me
from taking wrestling in school which is one of my biggest regreats in my life.

Any advice on these who be helpful.
 
Honestly, the only way to know is to try it yourself.

When I first started jiu jitsu, certain positions (like under mount) would really freak me out, and I'm not normally a claustrophobic person.

For me, it was about putting myself in that position, keep breathing, and reminding myself I wasn't going to die.

It got better fairly quickly.

Try it out - but just give it a fair chance. It's GOING to feel claustrophobic at first. Keep trying it - if it doesn't get better then maybe it's not for you. But try it.
 
like any phobia, if you go in and face it directly, eventually you will overcome it.

As far as the size issue, BJJ was developed so that the smaller man could beat the bigger man. The best guy at my gym, who kills everyone, of every shape and size, is 150 lbs.
 
I hated getting crushed at first, I'd tap a lot to crossfaces, breathing through someone's gi, crushing weight on your rib cage, etc... I'm one of the most coolheaded and patient cats on the mat now and can sit in "uncomfortable" positions indefinitely.

You get used to it.
 
if the best way to overcome a fear is to face it directly, bjj will definitely help you control your claustrophobia. i've had moments where lightweight blackbelts have applied so much pressure from top position that it's burned in my memory. you're body definitely learns quick that way - i've rarely found myself in the same position again..
 
My instructor told me once, "At some point you'll realize you are not gonna die from it." That struck a cord with me. Still sometimes I find myself about to tap because I think I can't breath, but I stop myself and just focus on breathing and relaxing. Sometimes not tapping to the top side pressure of a 200 lb brown belt is a moral victory.
 
I had a purple belt beat it out of me by not allowing me to tap from just pressure and we went like 5 rounds in a row without stopping. It was hell but towards the end, I started to control my breathing and relaxed...haven't tapped to pressure/smothering since.
 
i was always so eager to learn and test myself that getting my ass beat never stopped me from coming in the next day,but everyone has bad days once in a while where you wish youd done better. STICK WITH IT

life with bjj > life without
 
RhinoUP said:
I had a purple belt beat it out of me by not allowing me to tap from just pressure and we went like 5 rounds in a row without stopping. It was hell but towards the end, I started to control my breathing and relaxed...haven't tapped to pressure/smothering since.
Click to expand...

he did you a good favor !
 
Im 65kg and pretty much everyone where i train is also a lot bigger than me. I guess what you have to do is try out and see how it feels. Whenever i got to roll with bigger guys, they realize the weight difference and try not to rely on power and pressure, just technique and moves. well a lil pressure wont kill you either and if you want to train jiu jitsu, you will get used to it. also if you realize the bigger guys is putting enormous pressure and using more force than he should, just tap.. if he is using that extra power and not letting you train, just tap to whatever bothers you, you dont train, he doesnt train, nobody gets hurt and next time you just dont roll with him
 
Show up. Shut up. Learn.

Look at the size disadvantage as a positive. When I started it was in a MMA gym w/ mostly amateur and pro fighters. Most with wrestling backgrounds. I was the lightest guy by a good 20-30 pounds most nights. However, the weight difference, the inexperience, and the general "shark tank" attitude of the gym was super beneficial. Now when I roll with people my size it feels like a vacation. When I to roll with bigger guys it is not a big deal.

Don't let size be a determining factor. Let it help your game and toughen you up.
 
Thanks for your advice everyone I truly appreciate it. There`s a Garcie Barra
school not to far from me I`am going to check them out.
 
I don't know what it's like to be the small guy, because I'm a big fat guy trying to lose weight with BJJ but you have an interesting opportunity. I mean, if you're a small guy you have a chance to work hard and end up being that guy where people go "Yeah man, he's tiny but he rolls like an animal anyway." I've trained with THAT guy. THAT guy is always one of my favorite people. Go kick ass.
 
Be up front with the instructor before joining about your apprehensions. If he is worth his salt at all he will accommodate your concerns. Put you with the smaller guys, and make sure they don't just smother you.

You'll have to learn to deal with it eventually of course, but just going and experiencing it will be the majority of getting over it.
 
Used to have this problem because literally all of my sparring partners weighed literally twice as much as me (120kg > 60kg). I got over it within a few classes.
 
raty tat tat said:
But first I`d like ask some questions there`s a school not to far from
me that teaches it but most of the guys are bigger then me so it`s almost
discouraging and for those who deal with claustrophobia how did you over-
come it or deal with it? I have it myself and I HATE it and it`s also stop me
from taking wrestling in school which is one of my biggest regreats in my life.

Any advice on these who be helpful.
Click to expand...

If you want to train. Simply train. The discrepancy between speed, size and skill will work itself out over time.
 
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