prime age for grappler

[Hendersonfan119]

Hello everyone,


I am new to bjj and I was just wondering what is the prime age for a grappler. Is it late 20s like most sports or can it be later because bjj is more of a chess match then athletic ability.

 

[lechien]

It can be anything you want to be. But it is very physical and you can't keep up with the younger guys eventually.

 

[Ice 9 Cobra]

Its hard to say because a lot of the old guard got passed because of their technical ability and training style rather than athleticism.

 

[McBain]

Many superstars of the sport are in their really early twenties. They can continue to be highly successful into their thirties, see Xande for example. Cobrinha is also in his thirties and continues to be an elite competitor.

So although some guys can't wait to turn thirty so that they can compete in the Masters division, athletic performance doesn't necessarily go downhill once you pass your late twenties.

 

[Spazzmaster]

if you're talking prime for sport competition, 20 to 30

the great thing about BJJ is that it is not just about sport competition

i remember an interview with Saulo Ribeiro where he was saying his best competition days are behind him (he turns 39 this year), but he feels he is a better grappler now than when he was winning all those medals.

 

[DPS831]

Prime age for a sport like BJJ is tough to say because it relies on more than just physical prowess. It's not like football, where an NFL running back falls off a cliff at 30. You've got your physical peak from maybe 18-25, but this definitely varies from person to person.

Technical skill & understanding of the concepts of grappling is obviously very important as well.

So for overall peak, I'd say the point where your technical skill is at a very high level, while your physical prowess has not diminished to the point where you are having problems pulling off your game against world class guys. Again, this depends on a number of factors: a person's genetics/natural athleticism, ability to improve one's technical game at a fast pace, wear & tear on the body, lifestyle (diet, stress, etc).

If I had to guess an average with all these factors in mind I'd say late 20s

 

[Wylian]

For me personally it was at 19. I could roll at a high intensity and recover quickly, I was quick and strong.
Today I'm definitely more technical, but I am def not as explosive, at all. (i'm 28 now)

 

[snoop dogg***]

id say early 20s. teenagers do really well in the grappling circuit for some reason:
16-23

 

[Town Biz]

id say early 20s. teenagers do really well in the grappling circuit for some reason:
16-23

I think alot of this has to do with less responsibilities so they can be 100% focused on BJJ. Once someone passes their early 20's they are expected to be at a certain point in their lives.Socially its acceptable to live in your parents house and just train BJJ until you start getting into your mid 20's.Personally I'd say mid to late 20's as far as prime physically and mentally.

 

[lechien]

I think alot of this has to do with less responsibilities so they can be 100% focused on BJJ. Once someone passes their early 20's they are expected to be at a certain point in their lives.Socially its acceptable to live in your parents house and just train BJJ until you start getting into your mid 20's.Personally I'd say mid to late 20's as far as prime physically and mentally.

Yep. But by then they actually have a job, kids, mortgage etc.,

 

[Stun Gun]

for me its all about hard work,dedication,effort,desire and faith

 

[TriangleMan]

It's all relative. Until you're over the age of 40, then you're probably on the end of the scale.

 

[Normot]

What weight class? Lightweights usually ruin their bodies about a decade to a decade and a half earlier than heavyweights.

 

[bigkick]

Not 40! But I'm still having fun, thanks for asking. Days after class aren't so nice, though. Heh.

 

[Cash Bill 52]

I just turned 46. I hope to reach my prime before 50.

 

[jr jr]

I just turned 46. I hope to reach my prime before 50.

I like your style.

Prime= the best I can be. No crying over spilled milk (or lost time).

 

[DiscipleOfPog]

It seems the top competition guys are early 20's. I'd be curious to see who prevailed if they consistently held no time limit tournaments (I'd bet mid 30's would be the majority there.)

As far as grappling tournaments, it seems to me that endurance and speed are the most important, and the guys in their early 20's seem to have the best cardio and speed.

For MMA, we see the top guys around 30. I believe for MMA, strength and toughness play a much larger role, and 30 year old guys are generally stronger and have that man toughness that a 20 year old does not yet have.

 

[BJJArsenal]

It is dependant on person, as it although I'd say it's around early twenties, it also depends on when they develop their 'man strength'. At 17, there's no way I have a fully adult muscular system yet, but I have met 17 years old who do. Generally I'd say 22 to whatever your cut-off point is.

 

[Nicholonious]

I think alot of this has to do with less responsibilities so they can be 100% focused on BJJ. Once someone passes their early 20's they are expected to be at a certain point in their lives.Socially its acceptable to live in your parents house and just train BJJ until you start getting into your mid 20's.Personally I'd say mid to late 20's as far as prime physically and mentally.

I'm 31. So far I feel great. I think I train 2-3x a week on average and have a 55-60 hr work week with part-time b-school 6-10pm twice a week. It is possible to do well without a 100% focus on the sport...

 

[HumanCheatcode]

I'd been wondering this myself. I'm currently 28, been involved with judo and BJJ about two years and hope I've got at least another 10 years competition and maximum intensity training ahead of me.