I’ve got some thoughts on BJJ that I’d like to share with some of my newer students as we have a whole bunch of them coming in now.
–For starters you are now involved in a sport that will stretch you physically, mentally and emotionally to grow as a person….on and off the mat.
–Trust the process.
–Try to simply accept the fact that early on there is a lot to learn, and a lot of it is counter-intuitive. (ie: you push when you should pull, etc.)
–It will seem like nothing ‘makes sense’ or ‘ties-together’ for the first few months…like you are driving in a fog. It feels that way because YOU ARE!!!
–The fog will begin to clear in about 3 months, so keep coming and learning.
–When the fog clears, you will never be the same.
–BJJ is a VERY humbling sport. Accept that and grow from it.
–Some days you will feel you can do no wrong.
–Other days you will feel like you can do nothing right!
–Some days you are the hammer.
–Some days you are the nail!
–Your training partners are here to help you, and remember they are learning too.
–Trust your instructors, we have everyone’s best interest at heart, and everybody’s safety is paramount.
–Try to control your pace. If you are going 1000%, your training partner will try to calm you down….it can become unsafe for both…so please calm down and rely on the technique and not brute strength or power. Again, tap when you know you are on the verge of being submitted…do NOT FIGHT IT, that’s where you get hurt.
–Sparring is for learning…not winning or losing. If you are holding on for dear life in fear of getting ‘tapped out’…..you are not learning. Trust the techniques and go for it in a fluid manner. YOU WILL GET CAUGHT! So tap, ask questions at appropriate times and learn from the process.
–Leave your EGO at the door….it will KILL your Jiu-Jitsu game and tear your body down in the process.
–Take notes after every class and review them in your mind between classes.
–Visualize your successes
–Dwell on the positives
–Work on the areas you need to improve on.
I will add to this thought process during the course of the week, in the meantime RELAX and HAVE FUN!
Experienced guys who are reading this PLEASE weigh in on this in your words, as this is a spontaneous post and I know there is a lot more to share.
Jiu-Jitsu UP folks! Ossssss……..