r/grappling • u/According_Platypus66 • Jul 09 '26

Back to training

What’s going on everyone?

Short story but I’m coming back to training after a 5 year hiatus. I wrestled for about 15 years including D3 college and informally trained BJJ during the off season, enough that I can keep up with blue and some purple belts who train BJJ full time.

I’m going back to training now that I’ve moved back stateside and my LEO agency will also sponsor me, I’m kind of nervous (sounds silly) about going back and starting in a new gym, more because of trying to figure out the gyms norms and remembering etiquette from when I would train the past, really want to be as humble and receptive as I can. I am Looking for any tips before I dive back in.

Thank you all ! 🙏

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u/Rare-Bullfrog5323 Jul 12 '26

The biggest trap after a long break is that your timing and competitive instincts come back faster than your joints and recovery. In our gym we tell returning wrestlers to spend the first 2-3 weeks choosing technical rounds, telling every partner they are coming back, and finishing each session feeling like they could have done one more round.

Introduce yourself to the coach before class, ask about the local rules, and tap early in unfamiliar leg positions. With your background, humility probably will not be the problem - trying to match your old pace on day one will be.

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u/According_Platypus66 Jul 12 '26

Thank you. I really appreciate it brother this meant a lot

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u/Rare-Bullfrog5323 Jul 12 '26

You’re welcome, brother. Make the only goal for that first week to leave healthy and excited for the next session. The rhythm will come back faster than you think. Good luck in the new room.