Aging in Jiu Jitsu and BJJ that is Applicable for a Broader Range of Body Types, Levels of Mobility, and Athletic Abilities - Part 2
.,.continued from part 1, available here….
Adopting a more isometrically-based arsenal of techniques may not only be the route to take for aging athletes. Jiu jitsu practitioners who are less athletic may benefit from adopting these techniques. In another example, a younger athlete who has a vertical jump of 28 inches (a marker of excellent athletic potential) may have far more success replicating the intricate and dynamic passing style of Rafael Mendes than a younger athlete with a less impressive vertical jump of 16 inches, who may benefit from practicing the passing style of an athlete like Bernardo Faria.
In practice, one of the more difficult aspects of adopting a slower, more isometrically-based jiu jitsu game is dealing with positions and situations that are inherently more dynamic, such as jockying for takedowns from the feet and open guard situations where an opponent is standing and opting to implement, fast, agility-intensive outside passing styles such as athletes like the Ruotolo brothers and Leandro Lo. Possible solutions to these specific challenges are becoming skilled in and employing effective and controlling handfighting and takedown defense from the standing position, and becoming very skilled from the turtle position to bypass having to deal with dynamic outside passing by traditional guard retention means.
Two of the best modern (and young) grapplers to study for examples of more isometrically-based jiu jitsu techniques are Brianna Ste-Marie and Gordon Ryan.
-Eddie
If you are a grappler of any age looking for a gym that values intelligent training, places a strong emphasis on technical development, and offers one-on-one attention from the coaching staff in group classes, look no further than Oregon Grappling Arts in Portland, OR led by Hannah Sharp and Eddie Jamrog.
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