Grappler's Toolbox

The subject of grappling conditioning drills came up yesterday and something in my head promptly reminded me of a cool grappling conditioning tape that was produced and released by Scott Sonnen in the late 1990's entitled the Grappler's Toolbox. This is a brilliant tape (now on DVD) that provides excellent resources and training drills to help increase strength and flexibility as it relates to wrestling performance. Far too often, people tie their training down to learning new techniques at the exclusion of all else. This, of course, is not a wise training method because it excludes other important aspects of training. Conditioning is often the MOST neglected aspect of training and that is why examining Sonnen's Grappler's Toolbox is highly suggested. Please note: some of these drills (derived from old Russian Sambo training) are very difficult to perform, but that is ok. There is no competition involved. All that is required is a desire to improve and the drive to dedicate the necessary time commitement. So, check out the tape and have fun!

Cool Drill

Here is a cool partner drill that might aid you in your ability to develop stamina and conditioning when grappling.

The first is you and your partner pulling guard on one another for a minute straight and the second is performing double leg takedowns on one another for a minute straight. (In both instances, the individuals alternate initiating the move)

The second drill is to start the a sparring session by allowing the partner to pull guard and shoot a double leg. Again, the sparring is to continue for a minute. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it helps build cardio.

Also, here are some notes on a standing guard pull variant:

1.) foot to hip
2.) hop up on support leg
3.) descend in a one legged squat on the support leg
4.) wrap your legs and close your guard

Passing on Knowledge.

If there ever was one thing that an individual who has been around the game should do, it should be to tutor and pass on knowledge to those others who are just starting out in the game. It is a selfish pursuit to only worry about one's own progess. A person who is a true champion and a true representative of the sport will know better than to pursue exclusively selfish gains. He will understand that helping a beginner develop the necessary skills to become and advanced practioner makes the sport healthier.

Muscular endurance

If there was ever an area in the world of supplemental grappling training, it would be the need to enhance muscular endurance. On a basic level, muscular endurance refers to the ability of the muscles (isolated and compound) to be able to perform for extended periods of time without suffering from fatigue. Of course, when fatigue finally sets in, the athlete can not continue and his body will literally quit on him.

This, of course, brings about the obvious question: how does one improve muscular endurance? There are a number of ways this may be achieved.

Vibe

There is a certain vibe that you get from a grappling class that you don't get from a striking class. Call it what you will, but the fact that grappling students spar for hours on end makes for a totally different feel within the classroom, odd as it may be. Part of the reason for this is the fact that those in a grappling/wrestling/jiu jitsu/judo class have a love an affinity for sparring. In striking arts, however, most students do not want to get anywhere near someone throwing punches at their head. This, of course, greatly hampers their ability to improve.

Conservation

If anything, success for a hobbyist lies in the ability to conserve energy. If an individual is not training hours and hours a week, then the ability to conserve energy becomes difficult. If you run out of endurance, then your are pretty much finishes and completing a workout or sparring session becomes incredibly difficult.

Of course, the opposite of conservation is expenditure. So, if you are not properly conserving your energy it is probably because you are trying to do too much, too fast and with far too much strength. As such, it becomes a wise idea to drasticallly reduce such excessive movements so as not to kill off endurance reserves

Comeback II

Well, I had my big comeback today and it was a lot of fun to take part in. It was pretty tough considering the lengthy layoff that I have had, but I think that if I stick with it a short time longer and all my cardio will be back in full force.

While it may not seem all that 'super' that a hobbyist would get up off the couch and take part in a wrestling class once again is not all that big a deal. True, in comparison wot professionals who make headlines in their tourney wins, my own personal 'comeback' is pretty much below the radar of what most people care about. However, what I am not doing is trying to pat myself on the back. What I am doing is trying to convey to those people who have been inconsistent with their training to not feel so bad about getting back on the mat. Many people feel nervous because their performance will be 'below par' do to their layoff. My response to this is SO WHAT? What is the alternative? Doing nothing? What value is there in that?

Comeback

Looks like I am a gonna' make a comeback. After far too long of a layoff, I am headed back into a training schedule that will get me ready for active tournament competition. Yeah, I am a little older and slower and fairly beat up, but you know what, I just flat out want to do it again!

Sometimes, it has been said, "Life gets in the way" of hobbyist pursuits. When our time is constrained, we generally will cut off our fun and leisure hobbies that involve physical activity. This 'physical activity' aspect is one that needs to be noted because people will never cut off their DVD watching or radio listening. If something involves physical activity, however, they will cross it off their list as being something that detracts from 'important' things. If anything, this attitude needs to be removed from one's outlook. This is why it is important (for me anyway) to make a comeback and get active again.