“Just tap out.”
It’s what one of my brothers on the mat told me after we finished a rolling session.
“If you’re in a position where you know you can’t get out from, just tap. Don’t try and fight it. You’ll hurt yourself in the long run.”
He’s right. I went into my first few classes without expectations, sponge-minded ready to take information.
But it wasn’t before long that I began coming to class feeling that I had something to prove.
The “chip on your shoulder” aggressive mentality may work in some situations but not when you need to learn technique. It’s actually holding you back.
You see, I didn’t grow up the best fighter but I fought a lot as a youth. I never had any skillset but could hit hard.
A few years back, about 2015, I started taking boxing classes through a friend who’d been competing in the Golden Gloves.
From there I began training Muay Thai for a bit, but wasn’t able to keep up my training once other obligations became imminent.
Once it was official that I’d be relocating to live in Madrid, I made a self challenge to begin training seriously. Instead of returning to striking which I’d become comfortable with I decided to take it up a notch and so began my path in BJJ.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and self-defense system developed in Brazil as an extension of Japanese Judo, and popularized in its modern form by the Gracie Family. It’s founded in the principle that a person of smaller size can hold their own, even defeat, larger opponents through technique.
It’s how the smaller Royce Gracie was able to control a legendary match with the hulking Ken Shamrock at UFC 5.
BJJ levels the playing field between a smaller individual, like myself, and a heavyweight who striking maybe ineffective against.
You can see some of the coolest holds and submissions in a BJJ class, but you won’t be near ready to do any of them from the gate. Like any martial art, it takes time, effort, patience, and practice to get better.
Here are a few essential lessons that I’ve learned so far in 30 days of BJJ:
1. Mind Over Might ~ All the strength in the world can’t help you escape an armbar or the triangle locked in. In fact if you go into a match using all your strength, a smarter opponent will brace, wait for you to burn your energy out, then assume control.
In a striking match you can play who’s stronger, technique isn’t always essential. Technique is everything in Jiu-Jitsu, without it you won’t get submissions. At a certain point, too much muscle becomes a disadvantage. Which brings me to lesson 2…
2. Keep It Tight ~ Don’t be stiff, a natural effect of lifting weights all the time, but keep your arms hugged in to your body. Move free like water, but be mindful of your position. When rolling with someone who has mat savvy, any open limb is ripe to pick. If you remain too loose, you’ll find yourself locked in real fast.
3. Breath Control ~ This one is important, especially since you’re bound to be in uncomfortable positions all the time while rolling. When you’ve got a person larger than you mounted on top, or you find yourself clinched in a headlock, knowing how to remain calm and aware of your breath is super important.
In fact, it’s probably one of the most essential lessons, without any practical technique. If you can’t keep your composure in uncomfortable positions, you’ll always tap instead of looking for the counter. There is a certain cobra effect to this that plays out in real life.
The Cobra Effect is what happens when an attempted solution to a problem actually makes the problem worse.
For lack of a game plan we are faced with obstacles in life, clinches. Those that exasperate energy flailing around, losing their composure only make situations worse for themselves. When the fight is going against you, breathe and plan your next move accordingly.
4. Hip Game ~ Being flexible with the hips is crucial to escaping many situations, and also having a strong defensive guard. When you’ve got someone mounted on top and you’re looking to sweep, the hips don’t lie. Keep ’em strong with bridges.
5. Patience is Key ~ You won’t get a submission in your first class. Maybe not your second or third either. That doesn’t mean to get discouraged. Nothing in life worthwhile comes fast, BJJ is no different. It took me several classes to get my first submission from an Americana (wrist lock). Stay patient with the process, commit to your game.
6. Banded Together ~ The camaraderie you feel rolling on the mat with other guys who are trying to get stronger themselves can’t be put into words. You feel like you’re creating a new family who is watching you evolve right before their eyes. There is only one sensei, but everyone is there to help you learn and grow. It’s something that we don’t have much access to in our current society for adults, a luxury we should all have especially in these uncertain times.
I love every moment that I’ve stepped on the mat, every slam that I’ve taken. Every choke I’ve submitted to. Every sore body part that I’ve gone home with. It’s all made (making) me stronger. 🤙🏾
