Help getting back to the mat

[kneeblock]

So I'm 3 years removed from the last time I hit a mat to grapple following an unrelated accident where I tore my ACL. I'd like to go back as I feel like a major part of my life is missing, but I'm older and am worried that I'll get injured worse or have forgotten everything.

I know these are silly worries in a way, but I have two kids and don't want to be hobbling after them when I'm older because of some flight of fancy. So I could use some encouragement, personal stories etc. BJJers are always good for them.

 

[SC MMA MD]

How old are you?

 

[member 603]

So I'm 3 years removed from the last time I hit a mat to grapple following an unrelated accident where I tore my ACL. I'd like to go back as I feel like a major part of my life is missing, but I'm older and am worried that I'll get injured worse or have forgotten everything.

I know these are silly worries in a way, but I have two kids and don't want to be hobbling after them when I'm older because of some flight of fancy. So I could use some encouragement, personal stories etc. BJJers are always good for them.

My advice is that you just half to do it... Go out there and start training again, you can talk yourself out of doing it a million ways, make a million excuses why you can't, but you won't get any better without walking in that door and signing up for classes. This year in my gym, I've had one gentleman who is 62 years old come sign up, another who is former military who lost both legs in Afghanistan sign up, and a lady with a reconstructed left knee sign up... Just do it.

That being said, when you do go back to training, don't go crazy, no one is expecting you to be a world champion grappler. Go out there and flow (don't tense up), know that you'll get tapped a million times (it's part of the learning/improving curve), ask questions, and most of all have fun.

Where are you based? If you're in the Orlando Florida area, come to my gym, I'll teach you a thing or two.

 

[CavemanBJJ]

I was really worried after back surgery, but I just went back, was smart, listened to my body. Now I'm back teaching and rolling again.

As long as youre smart and don't push hard too soon you'll be fine. The mental therapy alone was worth it to me.

What level were you at when you stopped?

 

[kneeblock]

I was really worried after back surgery, but I just went back, was smart, listened to my body. Now I'm back teaching and rolling again.

As long as youre smart and don't push hard too soon you'll be fine. The mental therapy alone was worth it to me.

What level were you at when you stopped?

I feel like the mental therapy is really what I need right now. It's so weird to not be rolling at all with anyone. Next year will be 20 years since I first started training BJJ. My level when I stopped was slightly less crappy than when I started. Now I feel like a newborn, which is kind of an exciting feeling in a way.

 

[CavemanBJJ]

That's awesome I had to change my game when I went back, it made it even more fun because I got to learn and develop a whole new style. Made me better overall, but lots of survival those first couple months and I had pick my partners carefully

 

[1031]

So I'm 3 years removed from the last time I hit a mat to grapple following an unrelated accident where I tore my ACL. I'd like to go back as I feel like a major part of my life is missing, but I'm older and am worried that I'll get injured worse or have forgotten everything.

I know these are silly worries in a way, but I have two kids and don't want to be hobbling after them when I'm older because of some flight of fancy. So I could use some encouragement, personal stories etc. BJJers are always good for them.

I was in this boat and to a large degree, still am. What I did was what not to do because I got reinjured and had to take another 18 months off. Recently, I have been able to get a few different training partners to work with me individually. If you know a lot of "tricks" and techniques then you could exchange those with someone and in return they could agree to "work" with you. Generally lower belts will be keen to do this but I've managed to get a blue, purple, black progression over three days (separate of training).
Best of luck and remember to make your well-being your priority during whatever classes you attend.

 

[Pitbull9]

Make sure you have done the proper physical therapy and strength training so you body is ready for bjj.

 

[kneeblock]

Make sure you have done the proper physical therapy and strength training so you body is ready for bjj.

This is something I've been considering to help out. I just have always hated supplemental training though I acknowledge its value. Anyone have any good post-layoff workouts? I feel like neck, back and legs is where you usually feel it most after being away for a little bit, so maybe some stuff around that.

 

[member 603]

This is something I've been considering to help out. I just have always hated supplemental training though I acknowledge its value. Anyone have any good post-layoff workouts? I feel like neck, back and legs is where you usually feel it most after being away for a little bit, so maybe some stuff around that.

I'll be hitting the big 4-0 next year, aand year 16 of BJJ training (18.5 total grappling training).... I have to do a warm up regiment every day before I teach/train and a post training stretch session after. My warmups included either a 5 minute Aerodyne ride or jump rope, followed by 100 pushups, 40 squats, leg circles and hip openers, neck circles, knee drags, backward roll into rockers, bridges, shots and sprawls, and some core exercise. I usually do it all in 15 minutes (10 if I'm feeling young, 20 when reality kicks in and I realize I'm too old for this shit LOL). At first it seems like much, but once you include it in your routine, you won't stop doing it, and you'll see how much it helps.

 

[Darqnezz]

So now that you've realized your error,

Yeah, Go train.

And just in case you need a little extra motivation,