I have to say that I identify so much with this. There are some things that are just set in stone in judo that one would not just mindlessly accept in other grappling sports/situations in general. Grips and otherwise.
I remember way back when I was only a few years in, one coach insisting I accept/go collar and sleeve, elbow down, center hip action for my uchi matas even in randori, when I had never seen him pull it off himself. It wasn’t until I said fuck it and took a high grip when available, raised my elbow and pushed the head down instead of the insane hulkamaniac lifting action taught by everyone and their dog that i started to get proper center uchi matas on decent people. And it wasn’t until i stepped off to the side i started getting uchi matas with the elbow down from the classic grip.