Ok, I know you're probably wondering what a Lady Gaga song title has to do with your Jiu-jitsu....hear me out.
I was having a discussion with a student the other day about this issue, so I thought it would be a good topic for a blog post. In Jiu-jitsu, we need to develop a "poker face". What I mean by that is, your facial expression and your demeanor should be pretty much the same whether you're attacking or defending, whether you are in the best position or the worst position, and even when you're about to tap! This is very important, as I'll discuss later. But, like everything else in Jiu-jitsu, it doesn't come naturally. It is a skill that must be practiced.
Oftentimes, I see students who are stuck in a tough position or attempting to defend a submission attempt making all kind of pained faces, grunting, hyperventilating, etc. None of this accomplishes anything, and can actually be detrimental. Jiu-jitsu is about efficiency. That means not using anymore strength or force than actually needed to get the job done. Even though it doesn't seem like much, constantly contracting all of those small facial muscles over & over again actually burns a lot of unnecessary energy. And it doesn't really do anything other than give your opponent more confidence in their own position. So, defend if you need to defend, tap if you need to tap. But up until that point, your general demeanor & facial expression should be one of calm focus. Sometimes, while defending a choke for example, you may need to tighten the muscles in the neck to reduce the effect of the choke & buy yourself some more time to defend. That is perfectly ok & not what I'm talking about. But in general, holding extra tension anywhere in your body that is not necessary, and especially in your face, is just burning your gas tank.
From another point of view, if your opponent sees you with a pained expression on your face or hears you audibly struggling, it is only going to serve to invigorate their efforts. If they feel that you are about to tap, they will hold on a little longer, knowing that the submission is right around the corner. But if you are calm & composed, they may feel like the submission is not having its intended effect (even if, in reality, it is very close), and they may lose confidence in their position, causing them to adjust or even let go of a potentially fight ending submission hold. I can think of several instances where my opponent had me caught dead to rights in a tight submission and I knew in my head that I was caught & my chances to escape were not looking good. But rather than panic & strain, I just maintained my composure & looked right at my opponent with an almost "bored" look on my face....and they just let go! They didn't have confidence in their position & my appearance of confidence in my defense was enough to change their strategy. On the other hand, if you are the one applying a submission & your opponent sees you visibly straining, they may continue to defend even when they are caught, because they believe that you have almost expended all your energy and your grips are beginning to fail.
All of this goes along with the concept from our Jiu-jitsu philosophy of Fudoshin, or emotional balance. While there is certainly more to it than this, having the ability to stay calm under pressure, not get too excited when you feel you are close to finishing your opponent, and not panicking when you are caught, goes a long way. Everyone has heard about learning to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. It's amazing how much having a good poker face and maintaining your composure can not only change your opponent's thinking, but also change your own state of mind & help you to better manage a tough situation, whether on or off the mat.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Take your foot off the pedal!
I was having a discussion with a student today that prompted me to write this article. I feel that it is an important concept to remember, both in training, and in life, that sometimes we need to just slow down!
I have always found it interesting that generally, the students who are the newest to Jiu-jitsu & the least familiar with the techniques tend to go the fastest. It doesn't make sense. This would be like taking a 15 year old who just got their learners permit & taking them out to do time trials on a race track. How do you think that would end up? The new driver only has a rudimentary understanding of the basic control mechanisms of the vehicle, and certainly hasn't had the experience to develop a feel for driving smoothly & keeping the car under control at normal speeds. Why should they immediately push beyond their limits & see how fast they can go? Instead, they should go out to an empty parking lot where they have plenty of room for error, and slowly practice maneuvering the car & learning to avoid obstacles & drive smoothly. There is plenty of time to learn to drive fast later.
This same concept holds true for Jiu-jitsu. If you go too fast, especially in the beginning, you can't read the signs that might be warning of danger ahead and you are likely to run yourself right into a wall! Slow down. Take the time to understand & analyze the position & think your way through it. It is human nature, in the beginning, to move too quickly & too forcefully. This is often because of a feeling of wanting to test out the technique to see if it really works. Don't worry, all of the techniques have been tested....and they work. If they didn't, they wouldn't be around anymore. If you go too fast, you may miss details, or worse, injure yourself or your training partner. Of course one of the things that makes Jiu-jitsu such an effective fighting art is the fact that we do train live with a resisting opponent. But you have to first learn the techniques in a slow manner with a cooperative partner. Don't jump into the deep end before you know how to swim!
I was sparring with a fairly new white belt recently. As soon as we shook hands, they took off at a feverish pace not unlike a Tazmanian devil with a caffeine overdose! Within a couple minutes, they were barely able to breathe & wondering why they got so tired so quickly. The answer is obvious. They were going too hard. I was going at their pace, just flowing with them. But their own mental anticipation & lack of confidence caused them to tense every muscle in their body, hold their breath, and move way too much & too quickly. And they didn't even realize it. They weren't exhausted because of anything I did. They were their own worst enemy. Even when you are participating in live sparring, pay attention to your pace. Back to the car analogy, it is a good idea to always leave something in the tank. If you've ever been completely gassed out in a fight, it is a terrible feeling. So don't set a pace that you can't maintain. Sometimes, the other person starts to get a little ahead & you have to step up your pace for a short time to keep up. But, be able to control the throttle. Remember, Jiu-jitsu is about efficiency, not speed or power. Don't use any more energy than you need to get the job done.
Slowing down doesn't just apply to how you apply techniques or controlling your pace in sparring. It also applies to your overall Jiu-jitsu journey. There is no finish line....so don't be in a hurry to get there. Too often, there is a tendency to focus on the next technique, the next belt, etc. Make the most of where you are at & enjoy the process. I can't tell you how often I have heard people, upon getting promoted, comment that they wish they had more time at their previous belt. Take your time. We are all always looking to improve. Don't be content, always seek to be better; but be patient. Getting to a high level of skill in Jiu-jitsu takes time and there is no way to cheat that. The only way is to get on the mat consistently over a period of many years. The process is what's important. Because once you reach your next goal, you will realize that that "destination" was just another step.
I have always found it interesting that generally, the students who are the newest to Jiu-jitsu & the least familiar with the techniques tend to go the fastest. It doesn't make sense. This would be like taking a 15 year old who just got their learners permit & taking them out to do time trials on a race track. How do you think that would end up? The new driver only has a rudimentary understanding of the basic control mechanisms of the vehicle, and certainly hasn't had the experience to develop a feel for driving smoothly & keeping the car under control at normal speeds. Why should they immediately push beyond their limits & see how fast they can go? Instead, they should go out to an empty parking lot where they have plenty of room for error, and slowly practice maneuvering the car & learning to avoid obstacles & drive smoothly. There is plenty of time to learn to drive fast later.
This same concept holds true for Jiu-jitsu. If you go too fast, especially in the beginning, you can't read the signs that might be warning of danger ahead and you are likely to run yourself right into a wall! Slow down. Take the time to understand & analyze the position & think your way through it. It is human nature, in the beginning, to move too quickly & too forcefully. This is often because of a feeling of wanting to test out the technique to see if it really works. Don't worry, all of the techniques have been tested....and they work. If they didn't, they wouldn't be around anymore. If you go too fast, you may miss details, or worse, injure yourself or your training partner. Of course one of the things that makes Jiu-jitsu such an effective fighting art is the fact that we do train live with a resisting opponent. But you have to first learn the techniques in a slow manner with a cooperative partner. Don't jump into the deep end before you know how to swim!
I was sparring with a fairly new white belt recently. As soon as we shook hands, they took off at a feverish pace not unlike a Tazmanian devil with a caffeine overdose! Within a couple minutes, they were barely able to breathe & wondering why they got so tired so quickly. The answer is obvious. They were going too hard. I was going at their pace, just flowing with them. But their own mental anticipation & lack of confidence caused them to tense every muscle in their body, hold their breath, and move way too much & too quickly. And they didn't even realize it. They weren't exhausted because of anything I did. They were their own worst enemy. Even when you are participating in live sparring, pay attention to your pace. Back to the car analogy, it is a good idea to always leave something in the tank. If you've ever been completely gassed out in a fight, it is a terrible feeling. So don't set a pace that you can't maintain. Sometimes, the other person starts to get a little ahead & you have to step up your pace for a short time to keep up. But, be able to control the throttle. Remember, Jiu-jitsu is about efficiency, not speed or power. Don't use any more energy than you need to get the job done.
Slowing down doesn't just apply to how you apply techniques or controlling your pace in sparring. It also applies to your overall Jiu-jitsu journey. There is no finish line....so don't be in a hurry to get there. Too often, there is a tendency to focus on the next technique, the next belt, etc. Make the most of where you are at & enjoy the process. I can't tell you how often I have heard people, upon getting promoted, comment that they wish they had more time at their previous belt. Take your time. We are all always looking to improve. Don't be content, always seek to be better; but be patient. Getting to a high level of skill in Jiu-jitsu takes time and there is no way to cheat that. The only way is to get on the mat consistently over a period of many years. The process is what's important. Because once you reach your next goal, you will realize that that "destination" was just another step.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
The Most Important Person
Who is the most important person on the mat? To the outside observer, the answer might seem obvious. Many might think it's the instructor or the person with the highest belt rank. Obviously, they have put in a great deal of time & effort to achieve that rank & status, and they have a higher technical level & knowledge base. They are the subject matter expert. Everyone else hold them in a position of prestige. However, I would argue that they are not the most important person. They are, of course, integral to the academy & the training process. The way that I look at it, the most important person on the mat is your training partner. Of course, everyone in the academy has multiple training partners, sometimes even in the same class session. And, they are all the most important person. This is my personal attitude, and one that I hope that you will consider as well, as this attitude is mutually beneficial for everyone, as well as for the general well-being of the academy as a whole.
Training in Jiu-jitsu is unique among martial arts, in that it generally requires a good training partner. Unlike other martial arts, there are no katas, or solo practice forms. In fact, it is this "liveness" and the immediate feedback provided by a good training partner is one of the things that makes Jiu-jitsu so effective as a fighting art. And while there are certainly solo movement drills that you can practice alone, in general, you need someone to practice with. So, it logically follows that you should take good care of your training partners, otherwise, they will not be around to train with you. If you are the guy or girl who is always going a little too hard, hyperextending your partners joints, applying submissions too quickly, throwing inadvertent elbows, knees, & headbutts, grabbing skin when making grips, etc. you will soon find yourself sitting by yourself on the wall when everyone pairs up because people don't want to work with you. If you already are that guy or girl, don't worry...it's not too late to change your ways. Being aware of the problem is the first step towards fixing it. It doesn't mean that you're a bad person. Obviously, you're probably not doing these things intentionally. Your intent is just to get better & sometimes when you get in a tough spot you go too hard. It's just typically a lack of awareness (Zanshin). The reality is, slowing down a little bit will help both you & your training partners.
There is more to this than just not injuring or roughing up your training partners. That's only the first step. You need to be legitimately invested in your training partners development. Sometimes, we become so focused on "winning" when we spar with our partners that that becomes our primary focus-just tap the other person. I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to tap your partners out when you spar. However, you should pay attention to what they are doing also, and when you catch your partner, maybe give some feedback on how that position happened and what they can do to help prevent making the same mistake in the future. This goes both ways of course. Don't get tapped out without understanding why it happened, so when you are sparring with someone more experienced, it is your obligation to ask questions at appropriate times. Of course, the more experienced students will have more to offer to their training partners, but in a sense, we are all teachers & should all be striving to help each other on the mat in whatever way & to whatever capacity we can.
If you are a blue belt or purple belt, you may barely notice the new white belt who comes in the door. They are so far below your skill level that you feel they don't really have anything to offer you in terms of your own development. If that is the case, you need to adjust your attitude. Everyone who steps on the mat can teach you something! The beginner can be a very valuable tool in your development, especially from a self-defense perspective. It is exactly because they don't know the right things to do, the right way to move, use too much strength, etc. that can give you a much more realistic perspective on how an untrained person will respond in a self-defense situation. There lack of knowledge can be very valuable. If you aren't getting something useful out of training with lower belts, that is your fault.
That new white belt may be the next blue or purple belt. It is your job to help them get there & to share your valuable experience with them. You can mold them into a good training partner for you, which obviously will benefit both of you! Be willing to share what Jiu-jitsu has given you. It's not only a good idea, I believe it is your obligation. You wouldn't be where you are without others sharing their knowledge & experience with you. Everyone had a first day on the mat. Remember what it was like when you were a new white belt & the people that helped you along the way. Do that for others coming up behind you. Your goal should be to make each & every one of your training partners better. The better they get, the more they will be able to challenge you & in turn, the better you will get. I believe that you will find that helping others is not only beneficial to your Jiu-jitsu, but also very rewarding personally. I know personally, as an instructor, I love watching the growth in my students & take great pride in it. My personal goal is to help each student achieve their maximum personal potential for as long as they are on my mat, and I hope that each of them will become better than I am. One of my white belt students recently remarked to me that one of the things they liked most about training at our academy is that everyone is so helpful & provides them with useful guidance & insight each training session. While this was awesome to hear, it wasn't surprising. We have a great group of people in our academy. Let's keep building on this attitude. It's easy to get too caught up in winning all the time. Next time you step on the mat, pause & take a minute to remember who the most important person is.
Training in Jiu-jitsu is unique among martial arts, in that it generally requires a good training partner. Unlike other martial arts, there are no katas, or solo practice forms. In fact, it is this "liveness" and the immediate feedback provided by a good training partner is one of the things that makes Jiu-jitsu so effective as a fighting art. And while there are certainly solo movement drills that you can practice alone, in general, you need someone to practice with. So, it logically follows that you should take good care of your training partners, otherwise, they will not be around to train with you. If you are the guy or girl who is always going a little too hard, hyperextending your partners joints, applying submissions too quickly, throwing inadvertent elbows, knees, & headbutts, grabbing skin when making grips, etc. you will soon find yourself sitting by yourself on the wall when everyone pairs up because people don't want to work with you. If you already are that guy or girl, don't worry...it's not too late to change your ways. Being aware of the problem is the first step towards fixing it. It doesn't mean that you're a bad person. Obviously, you're probably not doing these things intentionally. Your intent is just to get better & sometimes when you get in a tough spot you go too hard. It's just typically a lack of awareness (Zanshin). The reality is, slowing down a little bit will help both you & your training partners.
There is more to this than just not injuring or roughing up your training partners. That's only the first step. You need to be legitimately invested in your training partners development. Sometimes, we become so focused on "winning" when we spar with our partners that that becomes our primary focus-just tap the other person. I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to tap your partners out when you spar. However, you should pay attention to what they are doing also, and when you catch your partner, maybe give some feedback on how that position happened and what they can do to help prevent making the same mistake in the future. This goes both ways of course. Don't get tapped out without understanding why it happened, so when you are sparring with someone more experienced, it is your obligation to ask questions at appropriate times. Of course, the more experienced students will have more to offer to their training partners, but in a sense, we are all teachers & should all be striving to help each other on the mat in whatever way & to whatever capacity we can.
If you are a blue belt or purple belt, you may barely notice the new white belt who comes in the door. They are so far below your skill level that you feel they don't really have anything to offer you in terms of your own development. If that is the case, you need to adjust your attitude. Everyone who steps on the mat can teach you something! The beginner can be a very valuable tool in your development, especially from a self-defense perspective. It is exactly because they don't know the right things to do, the right way to move, use too much strength, etc. that can give you a much more realistic perspective on how an untrained person will respond in a self-defense situation. There lack of knowledge can be very valuable. If you aren't getting something useful out of training with lower belts, that is your fault.
That new white belt may be the next blue or purple belt. It is your job to help them get there & to share your valuable experience with them. You can mold them into a good training partner for you, which obviously will benefit both of you! Be willing to share what Jiu-jitsu has given you. It's not only a good idea, I believe it is your obligation. You wouldn't be where you are without others sharing their knowledge & experience with you. Everyone had a first day on the mat. Remember what it was like when you were a new white belt & the people that helped you along the way. Do that for others coming up behind you. Your goal should be to make each & every one of your training partners better. The better they get, the more they will be able to challenge you & in turn, the better you will get. I believe that you will find that helping others is not only beneficial to your Jiu-jitsu, but also very rewarding personally. I know personally, as an instructor, I love watching the growth in my students & take great pride in it. My personal goal is to help each student achieve their maximum personal potential for as long as they are on my mat, and I hope that each of them will become better than I am. One of my white belt students recently remarked to me that one of the things they liked most about training at our academy is that everyone is so helpful & provides them with useful guidance & insight each training session. While this was awesome to hear, it wasn't surprising. We have a great group of people in our academy. Let's keep building on this attitude. It's easy to get too caught up in winning all the time. Next time you step on the mat, pause & take a minute to remember who the most important person is.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
The Blue Bar
A couple weeks ago, I attended the annual Royce Gracie Network meeting at Valente Brothers Jiu-jitsu in Miami, Florida. This is an annual gathering of Royce Gracie black belts & academy owners from all over the world. It is a very intense, busy weekend of training and networking with other academy owners. Also, it is during this weekend that Royce conducts black belt testing for potential candidates. This has become a regular trip for me each year and I always come back with a lot of new ideas & information, and with a sense of rejuvenation & excitement. This year was particularly special for me, as I was honored to receive the blue bar on my black belt from Royce Gracie. This belt (the blue bar with the two white stripes on each end) is the "professors" belt, and it is a big deal for me personally and for my academy as a whole. So, I thought I would take the opportunity to briefly discuss the origin & meaning of this belt.
Many people are familiar with the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt with the red bar, either with, or without the white stripes on the ends. Some are also familiar with the black belt with the white bar. However, the blue bar is relatively new to the Jiu-jitsu community and is specific only to the Royce Gracie/Valente Brothers network. This change was officially implemented by Royce Gracie in 2015. Prior to that Royce Gracie black belts wore the red bar like most other Jiu-jitsu black belts. This change was made as a tribute to Helio Gracie and signifies the commitment to preserve his original ideal of Jiu-jitsu as a self-defense art.
There is history behind the adoption of the blue bar. Originally, there were only three belts in Jiu-jitsu. White belt, light blue belt, and navy blue belt. Unlike today, students, regardless of skill level or training time, wore the white belt. The navy blue belt was worn by the instructors/professors, and the light colored blue belt was worn by students who were in the process of completing the professors course. The concept of the black belt as a measure of expertise as we know it today did not exist. At the time, students strove to receive the Professor's Diploma. Helio Gracie had a very specific set of 20 characteristics that potential instructors were graded on, in order to receive the Professor's Diploma, things such as courage, benevolence, impartiality, honesty, etc. It wasn't until the creation of the original Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 1967 that the black belt started to be utilized. The black belt, and the other colored belts, were adopted from the Judo ranking structure. Judo, a Japanese martial art developed by Jigaro Kano, used colored belts to distinguish students by varying levels of skill & experience in an effort to create more fairness in sport competitions. While adopting a similar system, Jiu-jitsu differentiated itself by the use of the colored bar on one end of the belt, along with up to 4 white stripes to signify varying "degrees" within that belt color. Colored belts utilized the black bar, while black belts utilized the white or red bar. Later, the coral belt (red & black alternating bars) was adopted for the ranks of 7th & 8th degree black belt, and the solid red belt belt was used for 9th & 10th degree (with the rank of 10th degree being reserved only for the original 5 Gracie brothers). After becoming dissatisfied with the direction that the Federation was going and feeling that the emphasis on sport Jiu-jitsu competition was changing the original intention of Jiu-jitsu as a self-defense art, Helio Gracie renounced the Federation, took off his red belt, and reverted back to wearing the original navy blue belt. It is because of this that the use of the blue bar was created to honor the legacy of Helio Gracie & his intent of a focus on Jiu-jitsu as a fighting art used primarily for self-defense.
As with most things in Jiu-jitsu, there is very little standardization from one academy or organization to another. The same is true with the black belt. For many academies, students begin wearing the black belt with the red bar & sometimes with the white "instructor" stripes from the day they are first promoted to black belt. In our network however, new black belts wear the white bar for their first several years. Next is the professor's belt, with the navy blue bar & white stripes. Once a student earns the professors belt, they may then be awarded with varying "degrees" on the belt, indicated by white stripes.
For me personally, it is a great honor to have received the professor's belt directly from Royce Gracie. I consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to continue to carry on the legacy represented by him as well as his father, Helio Gracie.
Many people are familiar with the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt with the red bar, either with, or without the white stripes on the ends. Some are also familiar with the black belt with the white bar. However, the blue bar is relatively new to the Jiu-jitsu community and is specific only to the Royce Gracie/Valente Brothers network. This change was officially implemented by Royce Gracie in 2015. Prior to that Royce Gracie black belts wore the red bar like most other Jiu-jitsu black belts. This change was made as a tribute to Helio Gracie and signifies the commitment to preserve his original ideal of Jiu-jitsu as a self-defense art.
There is history behind the adoption of the blue bar. Originally, there were only three belts in Jiu-jitsu. White belt, light blue belt, and navy blue belt. Unlike today, students, regardless of skill level or training time, wore the white belt. The navy blue belt was worn by the instructors/professors, and the light colored blue belt was worn by students who were in the process of completing the professors course. The concept of the black belt as a measure of expertise as we know it today did not exist. At the time, students strove to receive the Professor's Diploma. Helio Gracie had a very specific set of 20 characteristics that potential instructors were graded on, in order to receive the Professor's Diploma, things such as courage, benevolence, impartiality, honesty, etc. It wasn't until the creation of the original Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 1967 that the black belt started to be utilized. The black belt, and the other colored belts, were adopted from the Judo ranking structure. Judo, a Japanese martial art developed by Jigaro Kano, used colored belts to distinguish students by varying levels of skill & experience in an effort to create more fairness in sport competitions. While adopting a similar system, Jiu-jitsu differentiated itself by the use of the colored bar on one end of the belt, along with up to 4 white stripes to signify varying "degrees" within that belt color. Colored belts utilized the black bar, while black belts utilized the white or red bar. Later, the coral belt (red & black alternating bars) was adopted for the ranks of 7th & 8th degree black belt, and the solid red belt belt was used for 9th & 10th degree (with the rank of 10th degree being reserved only for the original 5 Gracie brothers). After becoming dissatisfied with the direction that the Federation was going and feeling that the emphasis on sport Jiu-jitsu competition was changing the original intention of Jiu-jitsu as a self-defense art, Helio Gracie renounced the Federation, took off his red belt, and reverted back to wearing the original navy blue belt. It is because of this that the use of the blue bar was created to honor the legacy of Helio Gracie & his intent of a focus on Jiu-jitsu as a fighting art used primarily for self-defense.
As with most things in Jiu-jitsu, there is very little standardization from one academy or organization to another. The same is true with the black belt. For many academies, students begin wearing the black belt with the red bar & sometimes with the white "instructor" stripes from the day they are first promoted to black belt. In our network however, new black belts wear the white bar for their first several years. Next is the professor's belt, with the navy blue bar & white stripes. Once a student earns the professors belt, they may then be awarded with varying "degrees" on the belt, indicated by white stripes.
For me personally, it is a great honor to have received the professor's belt directly from Royce Gracie. I consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to continue to carry on the legacy represented by him as well as his father, Helio Gracie.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Jiu-jitsu Vacation
I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel all around the world, because of Jiu-jitsu. I love to travel & experience new places, and of course I love being on the mat. So, of course, the first thing to go into my suitcase is usually my gi. I always encourage my friends & students to do the same. I have developed friends all over the world through this amazing art who I still keep up with! As I am getting ready for my next Jiu-jitsu trip overseas, I thought it would be a good time to discuss training while away from home.
While it is definitely growing, the Jiu-jitsu community is still fairly small, so when you meet a fellow Jiu-jitsu practitioner, there is an almost immediate connection. Even though we may live in different states, different countries, belong to different teams, have different lifestyles, we still have the commonality of Jiu-jitsu that links us together. By taking advantage of the opportunity to train when you're traveling, you will expand your horizons, pick up new ideas & perspectives, and almost certainly meet some amazing people! Whether you're traveling for work, a weekend getaway, vacation, or maybe visiting family over the holidays, there's almost always an opportunity to fit in a couple hours on the mat. Even though you're away from your home academy, you can still keep your skills sharp & maybe even pick up a few new ideas. Here are a few tips that can ensure that you make the most of your visit.
1. Plan Ahead. If you know when/where you will be traveling, a quick Google search will usually yield some results on potential training locations. However, check with your instructor first. Chances are, they may have some local connections or recommendations for good places that you can go train. It's always best when you have someone that can point you in the right direction, and possibly even make an introduction for you so that you have a known point of contact in the host academy.
2. Call or Email. It's always a good idea to let the host academy know that you're coming. Usually a quick phone call is sufficient. Make sure to let them know that you are a Jiu-jitsu student visiting from out of town & ask if it's ok for you to attend training & what would be the best class for you to attend. You may be asked to pay a small mat fee, so make sure that you inquire about that also so that you're prepared.
3. Training Attire. Depending upon the length or your stay & how many times you plan to train, you may need to pack more than one gi. You want to make sure that you have a clean gi to train in. It is highly recommended that you avoid colored gis. Some academies have restrictions on certain gi colors, but you can never go wrong with white. Also, be aware that some academies may have restrictions on wearing patches from other teams/academies. Some may even require you to rent their particular academy gi to get on the mat, so again a little pre-planning goes a long way. Check the schedule to see whether the class you are planning to attend is gi or no-gi & plan accordingly.
4. Be Punctual. Make sure that you show up on time, or preferably a little early for the published class start time. You may have to take care of some logistical things, such as signing a waiver, etc. and give yourself time to get changed out & ready for class.
5. Introduce Yourself. You are the outsider, but there's no need to be stand-off-ish. An extended hand & a smile will usually do the trick to break the ice. It's been my experience that most Jiu-jitsu people are very friendly & helpful, as long as you come in with the right attitude. Let them know you're in town visiting. Often they can recommend good local spots to check out also!
6. Follow Protocol. Remember, you are a guest, so please learn & abide by the host academies rules & protocol. Some academies operate very informally. Others are very regimented. If it's not what you are used to, do your best to follow along or ask if there's something you're unfamiliar with. Many academies will have their rules/guidelines posted in a conspicuous location or even on their website.
7. Keep an Open Mind. Chances are, you will find more similarities than differences from your home mat. However, each academy will do things slightly differently. Some place more emphasis on self-defense. Others are more sport oriented. Some spend more time on technical drilling, others focus more time on sparring. You may see techniques demonstrated in a slightly different manner than you are used to. Remember, sometimes there is more than one right way. Just try to keep an open mind & do it their way while you're in their house. With the right attitude, you're almost guaranteed to walk away with a few new details.
8. Train Smart. No matter how cordial the environment may seem, you are still the outsider, and when it comes to roll time, there are sure to be a few students who will want to test you, especially if you are an upper belt. Expect to have some higher intensity rolls. It's a great chance to get in some good competitive training, but just make sure that you maintain a good attitude. You're not there to prove anything to anyone. Along those lines, make sure that you don't go too hard, or be too stubborn to tap when you need to and risk injuring yourself or someone else. If you are the upper belt, its usually a good idea to let your training partner set the pace for the roll. Be aware that some academies have different restrictions for what techniques are allowed during rolling. If you have any questions, ask.
9. Hygiene. Practice good personal hygiene before & after training. Not all academies have the same cleanliness standards. Make sure that you take the opportunity to shower as soon as possible after training & be sure to thoroughly wash & decontaminate your gi & equipment. You don't want to bring ringworm or staph back with you from your trip.
10. Have Fun. Training at another academy while traveling can be a very rewarding experience, as long as you are prepared & have the right approach. You will likely come back with some great memories & maybe a few new friends, so make the most of the experience & enjoy your time on the mat!
While it is definitely growing, the Jiu-jitsu community is still fairly small, so when you meet a fellow Jiu-jitsu practitioner, there is an almost immediate connection. Even though we may live in different states, different countries, belong to different teams, have different lifestyles, we still have the commonality of Jiu-jitsu that links us together. By taking advantage of the opportunity to train when you're traveling, you will expand your horizons, pick up new ideas & perspectives, and almost certainly meet some amazing people! Whether you're traveling for work, a weekend getaway, vacation, or maybe visiting family over the holidays, there's almost always an opportunity to fit in a couple hours on the mat. Even though you're away from your home academy, you can still keep your skills sharp & maybe even pick up a few new ideas. Here are a few tips that can ensure that you make the most of your visit.
1. Plan Ahead. If you know when/where you will be traveling, a quick Google search will usually yield some results on potential training locations. However, check with your instructor first. Chances are, they may have some local connections or recommendations for good places that you can go train. It's always best when you have someone that can point you in the right direction, and possibly even make an introduction for you so that you have a known point of contact in the host academy.
2. Call or Email. It's always a good idea to let the host academy know that you're coming. Usually a quick phone call is sufficient. Make sure to let them know that you are a Jiu-jitsu student visiting from out of town & ask if it's ok for you to attend training & what would be the best class for you to attend. You may be asked to pay a small mat fee, so make sure that you inquire about that also so that you're prepared.
3. Training Attire. Depending upon the length or your stay & how many times you plan to train, you may need to pack more than one gi. You want to make sure that you have a clean gi to train in. It is highly recommended that you avoid colored gis. Some academies have restrictions on certain gi colors, but you can never go wrong with white. Also, be aware that some academies may have restrictions on wearing patches from other teams/academies. Some may even require you to rent their particular academy gi to get on the mat, so again a little pre-planning goes a long way. Check the schedule to see whether the class you are planning to attend is gi or no-gi & plan accordingly.
4. Be Punctual. Make sure that you show up on time, or preferably a little early for the published class start time. You may have to take care of some logistical things, such as signing a waiver, etc. and give yourself time to get changed out & ready for class.
5. Introduce Yourself. You are the outsider, but there's no need to be stand-off-ish. An extended hand & a smile will usually do the trick to break the ice. It's been my experience that most Jiu-jitsu people are very friendly & helpful, as long as you come in with the right attitude. Let them know you're in town visiting. Often they can recommend good local spots to check out also!
6. Follow Protocol. Remember, you are a guest, so please learn & abide by the host academies rules & protocol. Some academies operate very informally. Others are very regimented. If it's not what you are used to, do your best to follow along or ask if there's something you're unfamiliar with. Many academies will have their rules/guidelines posted in a conspicuous location or even on their website.
7. Keep an Open Mind. Chances are, you will find more similarities than differences from your home mat. However, each academy will do things slightly differently. Some place more emphasis on self-defense. Others are more sport oriented. Some spend more time on technical drilling, others focus more time on sparring. You may see techniques demonstrated in a slightly different manner than you are used to. Remember, sometimes there is more than one right way. Just try to keep an open mind & do it their way while you're in their house. With the right attitude, you're almost guaranteed to walk away with a few new details.
8. Train Smart. No matter how cordial the environment may seem, you are still the outsider, and when it comes to roll time, there are sure to be a few students who will want to test you, especially if you are an upper belt. Expect to have some higher intensity rolls. It's a great chance to get in some good competitive training, but just make sure that you maintain a good attitude. You're not there to prove anything to anyone. Along those lines, make sure that you don't go too hard, or be too stubborn to tap when you need to and risk injuring yourself or someone else. If you are the upper belt, its usually a good idea to let your training partner set the pace for the roll. Be aware that some academies have different restrictions for what techniques are allowed during rolling. If you have any questions, ask.
9. Hygiene. Practice good personal hygiene before & after training. Not all academies have the same cleanliness standards. Make sure that you take the opportunity to shower as soon as possible after training & be sure to thoroughly wash & decontaminate your gi & equipment. You don't want to bring ringworm or staph back with you from your trip.
10. Have Fun. Training at another academy while traveling can be a very rewarding experience, as long as you are prepared & have the right approach. You will likely come back with some great memories & maybe a few new friends, so make the most of the experience & enjoy your time on the mat!
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Total Committment
As I said in my very first post, this space is a forum for me to use to keep everyone updated on everything that is going on with the academy as well as an exploration of my own personal journey in Jiu-jitsu. This entry will serve as both.
It has been almost four years ago that this little Jiu-jitsu academy in Denver, NC got its start. If I’m being honest, I was a little reluctant in the beginning to even pursue the idea. I was a fairly new brown belt at the time, and was very focused on my own training. When I was first approached about starting a Jiu-jitsu program at what was at the time a Tae Kwon Do academy, I rejected the idea. I didn’t want to take time away from my own training to teach, and I had so many other things going on that I couldn’t commit much time to the program. However, upon the request of Luis Togno (my instructor at the time), I reluctantly agreed to start an affiliate club on a part time basis. I was teaching classes one night per week, which was all the time that I could commit to at the time. After a chance meeting in a Wal-Mart parking lot, I became friends with Luke Amos, who was a Jiu-jitsu purple belt new to the area. We began training together some, & eventually, he began to help teach at the academy & we began running Jiu-jitsu classes for adults twice a week.
A lot has changed since then. My instructor tragically & unexpectedly passed away. As painful as it was, it led me to begin training regularly with my new instructor Steve Hall & the Fight to Win team. Changing teams wasn’t easy, but it has definitely led to major growth in my Jiu-jitsu. The academy became a Fight to Win affiliate & slowly continued to grow. I saw the opportunity to expand the program and did so. We added a kids program, and started to slowly add more classes. I started to realize the vision of turning this small part time operation into a full time Jiu-jitsu academy. In August, of 2013, I officially took over all of the business operations & became the sole owner. Then, on December 9, 2013, I finally achieved the goal of obtaining my black belt in Jiu-jitsu under Royce Gracie & Steve Hall. This was a major accomplishment for me personally and for the academy, as we became the first Jiu-jitsu academy in the Denver area with a black belt instructor at the helm. My vision for the academy was always to start small & grow slowly. As the team has grown, my passion for running the academy has grown along with it. I have been very excited to see where it has come in just a few short years.
Now, we have reached another major milestone. As I announced at our Spring Seminar this past weekend, we are moving to a new, bigger, & better location. Work is being done now to get the new spot ready, & I am hoping that we will be moved in & running classes there by the beginning of June. We will have more mat space so that we have room to grow as the team continues to expand. There will also be some schedule changes coming up as well so stay tuned for that. I am very excited about the new place & all the possibilities that it holds for the future of the academy.
And now, for some more big news that will have a major impact on me personally as well as on the team. One of the things that I have learned in my years of training is that you can't do a technique halfway & expect it to work. In order to properly execute a takedown, sweep, or submission, you have to go after it with 100% full commitment, and you must have confidence that it is going to succeed. If you hesitate because you don't believe in the move or are too worried about the consequences if it fails, you are almost guaranteed that it will. I feel that the same is true with running the academy. In order to make it succeed, I have to commit to it 100% & believe in its success. It is with this in mind that my family and I have made the decision that I will soon be stepping away from my full-time job as a law enforcement officer in order to teach Jiu-jitsu full-time. This is obviously a huge move for me personally, and while it is a little bit nerve-racking to make such a major change, it is more of a feeling of excitement than one of apprehension. I believe in myself & my team, and I truly see a huge potential for the future of the academy.
My plan is to be running the Jiu-jitsu school on a full-time basis by the time we move into the new facility. This will mean big things for the school, including more opportunities to train as we will now be adding daytime classes to the schedule.
I'm sure that there will be some growing pains along the way, but I am very excited for the future. I am completely committed to making this successful. I hope that all of my students & training partners are just as committed to continuing their growth and development in Jiu-jitsu. Together, we will all help to keep the team moving forward.
It has been almost four years ago that this little Jiu-jitsu academy in Denver, NC got its start. If I’m being honest, I was a little reluctant in the beginning to even pursue the idea. I was a fairly new brown belt at the time, and was very focused on my own training. When I was first approached about starting a Jiu-jitsu program at what was at the time a Tae Kwon Do academy, I rejected the idea. I didn’t want to take time away from my own training to teach, and I had so many other things going on that I couldn’t commit much time to the program. However, upon the request of Luis Togno (my instructor at the time), I reluctantly agreed to start an affiliate club on a part time basis. I was teaching classes one night per week, which was all the time that I could commit to at the time. After a chance meeting in a Wal-Mart parking lot, I became friends with Luke Amos, who was a Jiu-jitsu purple belt new to the area. We began training together some, & eventually, he began to help teach at the academy & we began running Jiu-jitsu classes for adults twice a week.
A lot has changed since then. My instructor tragically & unexpectedly passed away. As painful as it was, it led me to begin training regularly with my new instructor Steve Hall & the Fight to Win team. Changing teams wasn’t easy, but it has definitely led to major growth in my Jiu-jitsu. The academy became a Fight to Win affiliate & slowly continued to grow. I saw the opportunity to expand the program and did so. We added a kids program, and started to slowly add more classes. I started to realize the vision of turning this small part time operation into a full time Jiu-jitsu academy. In August, of 2013, I officially took over all of the business operations & became the sole owner. Then, on December 9, 2013, I finally achieved the goal of obtaining my black belt in Jiu-jitsu under Royce Gracie & Steve Hall. This was a major accomplishment for me personally and for the academy, as we became the first Jiu-jitsu academy in the Denver area with a black belt instructor at the helm. My vision for the academy was always to start small & grow slowly. As the team has grown, my passion for running the academy has grown along with it. I have been very excited to see where it has come in just a few short years.
Now, we have reached another major milestone. As I announced at our Spring Seminar this past weekend, we are moving to a new, bigger, & better location. Work is being done now to get the new spot ready, & I am hoping that we will be moved in & running classes there by the beginning of June. We will have more mat space so that we have room to grow as the team continues to expand. There will also be some schedule changes coming up as well so stay tuned for that. I am very excited about the new place & all the possibilities that it holds for the future of the academy.
And now, for some more big news that will have a major impact on me personally as well as on the team. One of the things that I have learned in my years of training is that you can't do a technique halfway & expect it to work. In order to properly execute a takedown, sweep, or submission, you have to go after it with 100% full commitment, and you must have confidence that it is going to succeed. If you hesitate because you don't believe in the move or are too worried about the consequences if it fails, you are almost guaranteed that it will. I feel that the same is true with running the academy. In order to make it succeed, I have to commit to it 100% & believe in its success. It is with this in mind that my family and I have made the decision that I will soon be stepping away from my full-time job as a law enforcement officer in order to teach Jiu-jitsu full-time. This is obviously a huge move for me personally, and while it is a little bit nerve-racking to make such a major change, it is more of a feeling of excitement than one of apprehension. I believe in myself & my team, and I truly see a huge potential for the future of the academy.
My plan is to be running the Jiu-jitsu school on a full-time basis by the time we move into the new facility. This will mean big things for the school, including more opportunities to train as we will now be adding daytime classes to the schedule.
I'm sure that there will be some growing pains along the way, but I am very excited for the future. I am completely committed to making this successful. I hope that all of my students & training partners are just as committed to continuing their growth and development in Jiu-jitsu. Together, we will all help to keep the team moving forward.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
There is an "I" in Team....and it's You!
One thing that's certain about practicing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is that we're all in it together. One of the very unique aspects about our art that differentiates it from other sports & even many other martial arts is that you can't do it by yourself. Sure, there are certain drills that you can practice on your own, but most of what we do requires a partner. The beauty of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training, and what separates it from many other martial arts, is the "aliveness" of the training-the fluid interaction between training partners during live sparring or "rolling". This is what helps us to develop the timing, sensitivity, and reaction that are essential for mastering the art. Therefore, it goes without saying that if you want to excel at Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, you must have good training partners.
There are basically three types of training partners that everyone needs in order to maximize their success. First & foremost, you need those who have more time on the mat, more experience, and more technical expertise than yourself. These are your resources for developing your Jiu-jitsu to a higher level. They push you in live sparring, showing you the weaknesses & holes in your game. They are the people that you look up to & try to mirror your game around. You feed on their experience to help your development. In sparring, these people can be a nightmare for you, especially when you're already tired. You know that you will likely spend most of your time sharpening your defenses as they are the proverbial hammer to your nail. You will probably tap a lot. But each time you tap, you will be learning. This person may be your instructor, or simply one of the upper belts in the class. In either case, don't avoid training with them. Seek them out & take advantage of them. They are an invaluable resource! This is even more important if you are one of the upper belts in the class. As you grow & get better, it becomes harder & harder to find those who really push you. Seek out those who are technically superior to you & grow from their experience!
Secondly, you need those training partners who are at your level. These are the people that you match up well with in sparring for good, back & forth matches. Sometimes you catch them, sometimes, they catch you. You both push each other forward. With this person, you have the freedom to open up your game a little more, always being aware however, that if you make a mistake or leave a big opening, you will probably pay for it! These are the training partners that help you to clean up your fundamental techniques & develop your "go-to" game.
Finally, you need those who are below your technical level. Often, these are the ones that are overlooked by the upper belts. Sometimes, the more experienced students will avoid the newer students or view training with them as a waste of their time. They may even develop the attitude that they are doing the person a favor by training with them. I believe that this is the wrong attitude. Even very experienced students can gain from training with those below their level. With this person, you have the freedom to experiment & "play" Jiu-jitsu. You don't worry too much about getting yourself into a bad spot, because your experience will help you to defend & get out of trouble if you make a mistake. So this is your chance to fine-tune newer techniques & practice those positions where you aren't as comfortable. Whenever I'm trying to learn a new technique, I always try to apply it in live situations on the lower belts first, then work my way up to sharpen the technique & timing.
The advantage of training in the academy is that typically, all of these types of training partners are readily available to you. In addition, at each level, there are people of various sizes and varying levels of physical attributes (strength, flexibility, endurance, etc.). Each of these adds a unique element to your training. So, the bottom line is this:
EVERYONE IN THE ACADEMY IS ESSENTIAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENTIRE TEAM!
The academy isn't defined simply by who the instructor is, or the physical structure of the building. More importantly, it is the interaction among the people who share the mat together on a regular basis & strive to learn from each other. It is the collective experiences of those who are training together & the shared relationships developed that is what makes the academy so special. So, whether you are the newest white belt, or the most experienced black belt, you are essential to the team. It is the newer students responsibility to take advantage of the upper belts experience. It is the upper belts responsibility to help develop these newer students into training partners that will push them in the future. So, the most important thing that you can do is to show up to train. Develop yourself & in turn help the entire team grow. See you on the mat!
There are basically three types of training partners that everyone needs in order to maximize their success. First & foremost, you need those who have more time on the mat, more experience, and more technical expertise than yourself. These are your resources for developing your Jiu-jitsu to a higher level. They push you in live sparring, showing you the weaknesses & holes in your game. They are the people that you look up to & try to mirror your game around. You feed on their experience to help your development. In sparring, these people can be a nightmare for you, especially when you're already tired. You know that you will likely spend most of your time sharpening your defenses as they are the proverbial hammer to your nail. You will probably tap a lot. But each time you tap, you will be learning. This person may be your instructor, or simply one of the upper belts in the class. In either case, don't avoid training with them. Seek them out & take advantage of them. They are an invaluable resource! This is even more important if you are one of the upper belts in the class. As you grow & get better, it becomes harder & harder to find those who really push you. Seek out those who are technically superior to you & grow from their experience!
Secondly, you need those training partners who are at your level. These are the people that you match up well with in sparring for good, back & forth matches. Sometimes you catch them, sometimes, they catch you. You both push each other forward. With this person, you have the freedom to open up your game a little more, always being aware however, that if you make a mistake or leave a big opening, you will probably pay for it! These are the training partners that help you to clean up your fundamental techniques & develop your "go-to" game.
Finally, you need those who are below your technical level. Often, these are the ones that are overlooked by the upper belts. Sometimes, the more experienced students will avoid the newer students or view training with them as a waste of their time. They may even develop the attitude that they are doing the person a favor by training with them. I believe that this is the wrong attitude. Even very experienced students can gain from training with those below their level. With this person, you have the freedom to experiment & "play" Jiu-jitsu. You don't worry too much about getting yourself into a bad spot, because your experience will help you to defend & get out of trouble if you make a mistake. So this is your chance to fine-tune newer techniques & practice those positions where you aren't as comfortable. Whenever I'm trying to learn a new technique, I always try to apply it in live situations on the lower belts first, then work my way up to sharpen the technique & timing.
The advantage of training in the academy is that typically, all of these types of training partners are readily available to you. In addition, at each level, there are people of various sizes and varying levels of physical attributes (strength, flexibility, endurance, etc.). Each of these adds a unique element to your training. So, the bottom line is this:
EVERYONE IN THE ACADEMY IS ESSENTIAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENTIRE TEAM!
The academy isn't defined simply by who the instructor is, or the physical structure of the building. More importantly, it is the interaction among the people who share the mat together on a regular basis & strive to learn from each other. It is the collective experiences of those who are training together & the shared relationships developed that is what makes the academy so special. So, whether you are the newest white belt, or the most experienced black belt, you are essential to the team. It is the newer students responsibility to take advantage of the upper belts experience. It is the upper belts responsibility to help develop these newer students into training partners that will push them in the future. So, the most important thing that you can do is to show up to train. Develop yourself & in turn help the entire team grow. See you on the mat!
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