It's a known fact in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) community that if you're going to roll with a white belt, you're going to get sweatier than you should.
Noobs (like myself) take a few months to realize that the translation of jiu jitsu (the gentle art) is genuine. Despite the intensity of getting choked or breaking a locked joint, you're not expected to expend THAT much energy. In fact, I haven't seen our instructor, a purple belt, break a sweat even when rolling with dudes twice HER size. Meanwhile, I've drenched my and half the class's gis because I'm spazzing out on the mat.
This happens because the new guy is compensating for lack of knowledge with strength and speed. Like any skill, it takes a while to learn what's important and what's not. What limbs and grips are important to hold and which aren't.
Check out a couple of videos. The first is a white belt and blue belt (FF to :40) . Notice all the pulling, pushing, lifting and squeezing. The second is a match between two black belts (check out the calmest take-down attempt at ~:15, what was that? attempted ankle lock?). Notice it's more about rolling, twisting, and holding.
The use of athletic compensation comes across as too aggressive. While different gyms have different cultures, everyone at my gym is just there to chill and learn some new moves. Struggling as if it's a life or death situation just makes you look like an a-hole, like Mr. Rooney when he messed with Mr. Peterson. You don't make friends by being a spaz.
So that's my first goal on my way to becoming a blue belt. Just chillin'.
Keep training,
LSF
PS: To whom it may concern, does the word "gis" look like a dirty word? If it does, refer to a past article where this blog cleared up the pronunciation and get your head out of the gutter. Or don't. Funny mental images.
 |
| Me in an "achieve the mount" drill |
This happens because the new guy is compensating for lack of knowledge with strength and speed. Like any skill, it takes a while to learn what's important and what's not. What limbs and grips are important to hold and which aren't.
 |
| Me in an "escape side mount" drill. |
The use of athletic compensation comes across as too aggressive. While different gyms have different cultures, everyone at my gym is just there to chill and learn some new moves. Struggling as if it's a life or death situation just makes you look like an a-hole, like Mr. Rooney when he messed with Mr. Peterson. You don't make friends by being a spaz.
 |
| Mo' chilla than a gorilla. |
Keep training,
LSF
PS: To whom it may concern, does the word "gis" look like a dirty word? If it does, refer to a past article where this blog cleared up the pronunciation and get your head out of the gutter. Or don't. Funny mental images.
No comments:
Post a Comment