Re: Mixed martial arts
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fairdebtlawyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I went over to TeamROC in Fayetteville NC yesterday for the first time. They teach Muay Thai and Gracie BJJ, and yesterday was a BJJ day. A couple hours on the mats learning a few moves and getting beat pretty good left me breathing hard, let's say. I'm a little sore today but ready to go back next week.
Who else is into this? Any pointers, especially on not getting badly injured? although I don't foresee too much of that. TeamROC seems to be a solid outfit. </div></div>
I went to Team Quest for about 2 years, and another smaller place before that called the Fight Factory for about 6 months. TQFC is pretty much the most professional martial arts gym I've ever seen or been to. I experienced quite a few injuries myself while there, and witnessed quite a few others which really are no fault of the establishment but mostly due to the stubborness of the fighters, or just accidents.
One thing to be wary of, there aren't a lot of pain receptors in your knees, so if you're in a knee bar and the guy sinks it just tap. You won't gradually feel more pain in your knee like your arms. Your knee will simply break once it goes past a certain point, and then you'll get to feel all the pain at once. Usually permanent damage in the knees as well.
Also, while it's beneficial practice to learn to escape from heel hooks, go easy. It takes very little pressure to completely unbuild your leg from a heel hook. Some schools don't even teach them.
On double leg takedowns, if you have your shoulders to high and ride them to the ground it's really easy to break their ribs. I learned that one the hard way. My ribs..
Practice as realistically as possible, but be humble and respectful injuries in the gym suck for everyone. I learned alot more being humble than I did thinking about beating the other guy.
Nowadays I only train with friends. We just bought all the pads and stuff and do our own thing. Definitely doesn't compare to the structured environment, but I spend all my money on bullets now.
Enjoy yourself and be safe. If you drill hard enough what you learn now will probably stick with you the rest of your life!
It's worth mentioning, 2 years is about enough to but you at the Green belt MCMAP level. My stubborn jarhead friend and I learned eachother's strengths the hardway a few times.