I've come to the conclusion...

[TonyU]

I've come to the conclusion that the more flexible you are the easier for the guys to tie you up in a pretzel . Wow. I've seen parts of my body I'd thought I'd never see without the help of a mirror. I didn't think certain joints were supposed bend certain ways. I was sadly mistaken.
All well, I learn something new everyday I always say.

[Jeff C.]

Tony,

I remember the first time I got stacked. I screamed and shrieked like a little girl having her pigtails pulled. I thought for sure my neck would break! But then I started stacking guys with very strong and flexible necks, who could maintain a split while upside down. That kind of guard is almost impossible to pass. So I've gained a whole new appreciation for the value of flexibility in the martial arts.

I got a good look at my own butt crack one night while being stacked. That was pretty scary.....

Jeff Cook
Wabujitsu

[Luebbers]

Although it doesn't seem to be emphasized as much, flexibility is just as important in BJJ as it is in other arts. It's a commonly touted fact that Royce Gracie can full split in both directions. And, if you've ever seen his fight against Sakuraba, he really displays his incredible flexibility. Like Jeff said, those flexible guys are tough to pass.

[Antares33]

You've got to love the guys who will sit there stacked with their knees resting on the ground six inches behind their head and just kinda look at you like, is this supposed to hurt?

[Erik]

First time I discovered I could do the splits I cried out "I can't bend that way!"

Someone else on the mat said, "You do now!"

[Spartan]

Bending your joints beyond their normal range of motion, actually weaken them. Contrary to conventional MA wisdom, too much flexibility is not a good thing.

[rubberband]

I will have to second Kenneth's point of view here... I was incredably flexable when I started ground fighting... I had to learn to be less flexable...

the vulnerability for me was that I was willing to go to positions that I didn't have the strength to reverse... so I got stuck and beaten on... or I would be comfortable with a submission going to the point of injury without noticing any discomfort until it was too late... the trick was to learn to use my flexability as an advantage and not a detriment...

take care, steve

[Luebbers]

I understand what you say aboout being so flexible that you allow yourself to reach positions you are unable to escape from, but I fail to see how that makes flexibility a detriment. It seems that the problem is in allowing yourself to be taken that position, not having the physical ability to reach that position.

Also, I don't buy that flexibility and stretching makes you weaker. Stretching along with strength training will make you stronger and more flexible. Ask any Olymic gymnast. For that matter, ask Cro Cop.

[rubberband]

Hey Micheal,

I am saying that in my case flexability was a concern early on in my training... by being comfortable in bad positions and getting hurt for it... I did not say that flexability or stretching makes you weaker... I am still very flexable only smarter about my rolling... My point is that when you are flexable to begin with you have to realize the fact that flexability can be used against you... my intention is to give input that might help someone who is flexable and starting out in grappling... It should also be noted that extreme flexability can lead to abnormal joint stress which over time can cause lasting injury... also, I would caution not to rely on flexability all the time because sometimes your muscles will be tense or inflamed from being cold or getting kicked alot etc... and you can pull other muscles doing a move that worked great in practice...

take care, steve

[ArtOfAccuracy]

Bending your joints beyond their normal range of motion, actually weaken them. Contrary to conventional MA wisdom, too much flexibility is not a good thing.

your joints are in your fingers, elbows, wrists, and so on. when you do splits your bending muscles not joints, also when u get stacked its ur back and neck thats being flexible ... not any joints. obviously if ur elbow can go both ways then you have a problem.

[De_Franza]

Bending your joints beyond their normal range of motion, actually weaken them.

That's true, but I feel that if you increase flexibility correctly, the normal range of motion increases, and then you're safe in your new limits. SO being flexible isn't necessarily dangerous, but pushing it too far before you're ready is.