Do you larp?

*Disclaimer* This blog post is meant to be a joke. It does not represent my true beliefs about anyone in this post, or any other persons true beliefs. It is merely for fun and nobody should take it seriously.*

The following video will probably explain what larping is...



Make more sense now?

Well for those that enjoy a definition:

A live action role-playing game (LARP) is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may be mediated by game rules, or determined by consensus among players. Event arrangers called gamemasters decide the setting and rules to be used and facilitate play.

The first LARPs were run in the late 1970s, inspired by tabletop role-playing games and genre fiction. The activity spread internationally during the 1980s, and has diversified into a wide variety of styles. Play may be very game-like, or may be more concerned with dramatic or artistic expression. Events can also be designed to achieve educational or political goals. The fictional genres used vary greatly, from realistic modern or historical settings to fantastic or futuristic eras. Production values are sometimes minimal, but can involve elaborate venues and costumes. LARPs range in size from small private events lasting a few hours to large public events with thousands of players lasting for days.

This description was provided to you by the all knowing Wikipedia

So I'm pretty sure that most of you are still a little confused about why I'm talking about larping in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blog. Don't you see it? You're telling me you don't? Really? It's right in front of your eyes, just put two and two together!

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is another form of larping!

Most people are just oblivious to this mind boggling possibility.

For years Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has claimed to be the best self defense and martial art, but what they have left out is it was all organized; it was fictional and everyone knew it (at least the people at the top)

The art of larping in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has continued into the 21st century with most of the top "athletes" being well experienced larpers. Take a look at Cobrinha and Mendes. Sure to the common eye, or even someone who doesn't know about larping Mendes and Cobrinha look like they are well experienced at at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but in actuality, they are just amazing larpers. For example, they have faced each other several times before and most of their matches end up in the 50/50 guard. One might think that Mendes invented this guard and put Cobrinha in this guard because it was effective and he didn't want to face Cobrinha's speed and passing game, but in reality, Mendes created the guard because he doesn't know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The 50/50 guard as shown below:

You notice how the peoples legs are entangled and they can't move? That is done on purpose. That way they won't have to actually compete, they just stay like that and look like they are doing something.

Pay attention to the video below

A heelhook is devastating foot attack that can destroy peoples knees when done effectively. Cobrinha and mendes have never tapped to any type of toehold. One might say that they have flexible feet, knees or any other tall tale, when in reality they're both just larping.

The picture below is a bad example of what I am talking about

The person on the right is larping like a true pro, his face shows exertion, he's flexing and he's tense, but the person on the left doesn't even seem to be affected by the technique. With larping, nothing is actually applied, it just looks as if it is, but he makes no effort or facial expressions as if he is in pain, which he should be doing.

You might be asking the question "if both people are larping, how do they determine who wins?"

This is an excellent question. They play rock, paper, scissors before the match to determine who the winner is. The high level larpers are also masters at rock, paper, scissors and that is why they are able to win every match. The loser can to concede to the winner and let them do whatever they want. They can still larp and look as if they are using Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but they have to let the person who won the rock,paper, scissors match to win the actual match at the end. So if you think about it, the rock, paper, scissors match is the most important match.

But sometimes people don't stick to the agreement...

Augusto Tanquinho Mendes is notorious for breaking the agreements with other larpers. He also broke a larping agreement against Cobrinha, Guilhereme Mendes, Ary Farias, and Bruno Frazzato. While everyone he faces larps, Augusto Tanqhinho actually uses Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a rare person in the sport who uses it today.

The keys to larping:

• practice your facial expressions in the mirror for three hours a day.
• become amazing at rock, paper, scissors.
• look like you know what you're doing when you really have no idea.
• have nice looking hair. why? because you need to look good while doing it.
• learn portugese, that way you don't have to explain yourself to people who speak english.
• dedicate yourself to the art of larping.
  

So larp with pride and remember...

if you're trying, you're not larping!!!

Injuries

If you have ever trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you know what what I'm talking about. Sometimes it's a little injury that you can deal with and doesn't really bother you, sometimes it's a little more serious and you have to take a few days, or maybe even a week off, but sometimes it's that type of injury where you have to take an extended period of time off from training. Let me tell you, it sucks. If you do train, you know exactly what I'm talking about. You've probably even tried to continue to train with any of these injuries, but take it from me, it's not a good idea.

My first injury wasn't anything to be worried about, I sprained a finger, so I continued to train. My next injury was getting slammed on my head during an in-house competition (supposed to be friendly...hahaha) as a result I blacked out for a few seconds. At this point I was unable to continue to compete, so I called it quits for the day. My next injury was a little more serious.

At a competition in February of 2011 I decided to enter the absolute division after placing second in my own weight division (154 lbs). You typically face people in your own weight class, but in the absolute you can face any size opponent. I was "lucky" enough to face a 200+ pound behemoth in the first round. After frustrating him and almost winning (lost on a judges decision) I realized that I really busted up my rib during the competition. Ribs are a very touchy area on your body and this type of injury is a lot harder to train through than a sprained finger. As a result, I was unable to train for about a month...it was almost the death of me. I was unable to compete in the two biggest tournaments of the year. Needless to say I was very depressed. My next major injury came only a few months after healing up from my rib.

I was training in the academy, not hard or anything and doing something very simple I ended up fracturing my fourth metacarpal on my left hand (my ring finger). I had to get x-rays, multiple casts in which I was in for about two months and recovery for another three weeks afterwards. With this type of injury I was unable to really train at all. I would still go out and do what I could, but it was very minimal. This was a horrible time for me since the summer months were the prime time for me to train and here I was, injured and feeling useless.

Fast forward a month after my cast comes off and I hurt my knee in a competition when my opponent used an illegal technique (a heel hook) and almost ripped off my knee. Because of adrenaline I did not feel the full effects of this and continued to compete. The next day and almost two months later I'm just getting back into the swing of things.

So after my laundry list of annoying injuries, here are some tips on how to deal with the injuries.

First:
Determine what type of injury it is. Is it something that you can easily train through, or do you need to get it looked at?

Second:
If the pain lasts longer than a couple days, go to the doctor.

Third:
This ties in with the second one, don't be arrogant, or feel like a "pansy". Taking some time off to rest and heal is a crucial component of training BJJ. The ultimate goal is to become a black belt. If you can't train then you'll never be able to get to that point.

Fourth:
Know your limits and respect them. This kind of ties everything together. If you know that something is just a bothersome pain that you can deal with, continue to train. If you know something might be wrong and you're in constant pain, evaluate if training for a couple hours is worth it if you have to stop for a week, or won't be able to train when you're 40 because of the injuries you sustained when you were 21?

Like I said, the ultimate goal is to be able to train 20 years down the road, not just the next day. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an art, a sport and a self defense tool all at the same time. So instead of just thinking about the sport side where you are able to compete for a short period of time, think about the art side that you will be able to train and teach until the day you die.

So happy training and stay healthy folks :)