The Ick factor
- Thread starter RTKDCMB
- Start date
I suppose you can add the guard and north/south positions to that list as well.
To answer your question though...it's just part of the game. It's really no different than a male and a female grappling. Given the fact that you're going to be very close, you have a choice...accept it/learn to desensitize yourself or just find a different art to train in.
There's no real "ick"factor as far as I'm concerned. When I'm grappling, I'm too concerned with improving my position to worry about whether I'm violating the normal socially-mandated groin buffer zone.
What is unpleasant is being in the bottom of north-south position when the top guy is using his cup as a weapon to crush my face. That can be uncomfortable.
What is unpleasant is being in the bottom of north-south position when the top guy is using his cup as a weapon to crush my face. That can be uncomfortable.
Probably not as unpleasant as if he let one rip at the wrong time.
How did you get past it?
Train and do not worry about it. Concentrate on what you are doing and your technique, position, etc....
I had to get over it quickly as I could. Focusing on my phobia would have prevented me from learning anything. I honestly got over it quickly, and part of the reason is I felt reasonably safe in the fact that no one was going to try and get fresh with me. They all had assured me that It was normal for a guy to feel awkward the first few times.
Like others have said, you just got to deal with it and train, and eventually you wont think about it. That time comes fast in grappling arts because if you don't pay attention, it tends to be a painful mistake..
Like others have said, you just got to deal with it and train, and eventually you wont think about it. That time comes fast in grappling arts because if you don't pay attention, it tends to be a painful mistake..
frank raud
Master of Arts
Grappling involves being in bad breath range and dealing with another sweaty and possibly odiferous individual. But if you have time to consider the view, then either you are not training hard enough, or as Steve says, you need to get better at grappling.
zDom
Senior Master
Only slightly less unpleasant than same scenario minus the cup.
I should imagine that seeing it and having it on your face are two entirely different things.
wingchun100
Senior Master
I think I'd be too worried about them getting in an arm bar or twisting my limbs in a way they weren't designed to go. LOL
drop bear
Sr. Grandmaster
I was talking to a very competitive mma fighter and we were joking about this. People watch never back down and think mma is cool. Mma is not cool. There are no hot girls and parties there is just a sweaty guy sitting in mount punching you in the face.
Look you get over it and train professionally.
You want ick? at the last fight I was helping out at a boxer who had his gloves signed.(which means he cannot take them off) had forgotten to put his groin guard in.
Guess who had to do that?
drop bear
Sr. Grandmaster
TheArtofDave
Blue Belt
Before my training came to an abrupt end in bjj because of a tough personal decision they told me to keep moving when rolling. When another person is trying to submit you a butt being in your face is the least of your concerns.
AlphaBJJ
White Belt
This can be more of an issue for some people than others. There's no real quick fix if it is. However, if you continue to train, it will start to diminish and eventually go away altogether. For me, its about focusing on fixing the problem. That's all a negative position is- a problem to solve. Each problem will be different based on your attributes, your partner, the energy he or she is giving you, etc. So by focusing on those factors, you minimize focusing on the proximity.
After awhile, you're simply identifying problems and finding solutions without concern for things like this. Good luck and keep us posted on your advancement.
After awhile, you're simply identifying problems and finding solutions without concern for things like this. Good luck and keep us posted on your advancement.
