I need to work on my groundgame. I did BJJ, but was unimpressed by how all techniques (at least at my school) relied on your opponent somehow taking you down with you landing on your back. I was taught next to nothing as to what to do when you fall with your back up or if you fall on your side. This is seemed highly unrealistic to me. I have heard that Sambo is a good way to learn a realistic ground game. Is this true and should I do it? Thanks.
Ive only crosstrained a few times in it, but loved it. If I had the chance, I would. So to answer your question, yes.
Do you have sufficient experience to ensure that you won't be taken down onto your back e.g. significant time in judo or wrestling? If not, go back to BJJ or do Sambo.
Sambo's great, BJJ is great but some times the clubs that teach them aren't so maybe you should find a new BJJ club, also someone made the good point have you even checked that Sambo is an option, its not that common outside of russia and america.
They both are. edit: how anyone with a functioning internet connection and a username on an ma forum in a world where mma is so pervasive - irrespective of personal experience - can think BJJ only teaches techniques from the back is utterly beyond me. Double edit: It's SAMBO/SOMBO (capitals) you can look that up online too .
Firstly there is plenty of stuff from Turtle and Side Control in BJJ, how long did you train and where? Secondly what would you call realistic ground game? Are you planning to compete in MMA? Thirdly, Sambo looks awesome, so this isn't a dig at it, if you have a good school near you I would definitely check it out.
Kurtka Jerker is the expert, dunno what more insight needs to be given that hasn't already though, the OP is clearly not very experienced or is at a not very good gym.
I am a TKD practitioner (obviously). My instructor also holds a blackbelt in BJJ. Some of our people compete in MMA competitions (I do not intend to do that). I am NOT very experienced with BJJ, so is that the reason I only learn stuff on my back and in guard? I attended like 15 2 and a half hour classes. I realize that there is a learning curve and repitition is key, but this is all I ever saw around me, not just what I was taught. I asked my instructor about this. He told me that most of BJJ depends on you somehow landing on your back. I asked him about SAMBO and he said that there was a training seminar nearby I could go to along with him and a few others. I just wanted the opinion of other people on MAP.
We often stick with one position for up to three months, just working variations/subs/sweeps on that position. So yeah, you should've attended more.
you do learn loads of stuff from your stomach. its definitely in judo so its in bjj. train more and you'll find it.
Go check out Sambo... they do quite a few takedowns from the standing position. You may find that it sits better with you than BJJ does. Different instructors for BJJ teach different ways. There can be totally different vibes or methodologies used when teaching. I've trained with two different instructors, both Brazilians, both blackbelts, and they both have polar opposite styles of teaching. Get to the SAMBO if you have a chance.
The guard and being in guard is a big element in bjj. but its no where near everything. whats your instructors name? A quick youtube look will show you his comp style!
BJJ involves techniques from many positions but can be very light on competent takedowns, leglocks, neck cranks, painful "guiding" techniques, "the scramble" and nogi depending on how orthodox the school is. You may also see some of the instructor's personality showing in what's taught as well. Judging from what I've read so far, I'd say it's one of the more orthodox BJJ schools, so I'd guess what I have said is true. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkzRw_ShOWU"]Igor Kurinnoy Sambo Highlights - YouTube[/ame] SAMBO is an amalgam of former soviet wrestling styles and judo from the early kodokan and has grown alongside international judo competition so while there is a great deal of judo influence with an emphasis on the throw, there are very few sambists who aren't also competent folk or freestyle wrestlers. The real mark of a sambist when it comes to standup grappling is the meshing of throws, flying or rolling submissions and wrestling techniques. You see lots of rolling kneebars, flying scissors, flying armbars, unorthodox-grip throws, suplexes, variations on the shot and ankle pick, and leg-entangling throws or sweeps. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyjgN3gULbo&feature=related"]Sambo - Самбо - YouTube[/ame] The groundwork is fast and dynamic. Pins and positional hierarchy aren't really regarded as all that important. Instead sambists tend to seek the top position and whip into and armlock or leglock. The scramble is everything. As a result the gi doesn't really dominate the gripping or passing game and most sambists, even those who compete solely in sport sambo, are competent no-gi grapplers as well. When it comes to groundwork, sambists are known for leglocks, dynamic spinning and rolling armlocks, and aggressive wrestling-style passes and transitions. Despite chokes being banned in sport sambo, their prevalence in MMA, Judo, Combat SAMBO and American Freestyle SAMBO means most sambists will be competent if not talented chokers. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJkaTEmIP3E"]Leg Locks for Sambo and No-Gi Grappling (2nd edition) - YouTube[/ame] One thing that sets SAMBO apart from other jacketed grappling arts and submission wrestling in general is the presence of a mixfighting ruleset which (to varying degrees depending on the sanctioning body) permits punches, kicks, knees and elbows. The main mark of a sambist with regards to striking is head movement and a long, loose sort of boxing. This method of boxing lends itself to striking to grips so as to throw or jointlock the opponent. Generally striking seems to be the weakest link for most amateur sambists, but when it comes to pro and international competition you do see some very talented strikers. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLbBpUtXnPs&feature=related"]Боевое Ñамбо - YouTube[/ame] I'd say give it a shot if you can. EDIT: As for the capitalization, it's really more of an abbreviation than an acronym. It stands for SAMozaschita Bez Oruzhya, self defense sans weapons. (more or less) So while it looks good to capitalize it, I don't believe it's anything mandatory and honestly I usually dont bother.
Speaking of, Nojon, if you're ever interested in getting in some more SAMBO action, I train and assistant coach at a school in the northeast tip of Tennessee, so if you're in the western end of Carolina it might not be too bad a trip. I'm sure you'd be welcome to drop by a class anytime. We love new faces, especially experienced ones.
