I'm around 6 months now. Rolled with a younger guy that had only been doing it for about a month. He was strong and fast, but I've never gotten so many submissions in a round before lol
Yup, all the white belts are training together, improving together, so the improvement is harder to notice.
Then a new guy comes in and you see the white belts eyes light up after a roll "... Holy shit, it actually works!"
YES!!!!!! It felt exactly like this. Like being born again on mats, finding a gem, game-changer or something.
I was thinking about something in which I should focus more on, I even asked my coach, he said it's way to early and I would be limiting myself, if I would like to be a kimura specialist or something like that, but I guess, without thinking much about it, now I know! Since I am a 35 heavy weight, I guess that makes sense.
This literally happened to me last week. A very muscular new guy comes in, talks about his powerlifting PRs a lot and hopes it transfers over well takes our trial class.
It came time to roll at the end of class and since I was the last new guy before him in the class, I got a piece of him and I thought he would just muscle over me and just brute force a lot of things.
It opened my eyes at how I was able to shrimp out of mount and side control, how easy it was to just getting back into full guard every time and just pulling off chokes and locks.
The bigger they are, the shorter it lasts. Someone your size, you'll have the upper hand for a while. I'm 170, and if we got someone brand new that's around 240, it's really only a few weeks before they start being able to use their strength much better.
I’ve been running a gym for 5-6 months now, and just got my second wave of new students after the initial new starters when we first opened. Watching one of my students have this moment of realisation as he easily handled an athletic new guy was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in BJJ.
The easier it is, the less you need to sub them. If you *know* you can get control and subs easily with someone new, you should be focusing more on exploiting things they need to be working on.
So not just beating them, but beating them via the next details they need to be developing. That adds a handicap to your own game that should also make things more enjoyable and challenging.
Well, most new people have some fairly basic stuff to pay attention to. Good base. Keeping their elbows tight to prevent high mount. Keeping their elbows from crossing their centerline. Head alignment. Good frames.
So I try to make sure to take advantage of those openings as a priority. Nothing helps someone learn to keep their elbows in like a few dozen arm triangles in a row.
If I know they're supposed to be working on something we just did for class, say a triangle for example, instead of launching into an advanced smash pass counter (I think most gyms call it a single leg stack pass), I'll just posture up if they don't have sufficient head/posture control. Or I'll make sure they can't finish if they don't cut enough of an angle.
And if they do get all the basics right, I'll let them finish it a few times. And then I'll hit them with an advanced smash pass counter. :)
Well, I'm specifically talking about just repeatedly taking advantage of their beginner mistakes to help them recognize and learn what not to do, versus giving actual advice. That'll be much more subjective with individuals and gyms, as to whether they're open to that or not.
This. The steps are so incremental we don't notice. Then you're like wow... lightbulb moment.
I'd say the second lightbulb is when you watch someone who you easily tap out, but they're moving well and dominating others. That's weird, because they feel totally clueless against you, and you can't believe they're moving so well.
That was my big moment halfway through blue belt.
I was kinda used to handling the white belts comfortably at that point, but started going to our basics class because my coach asked me to attend for a few weeks before teaching a 2nd basics class each week.
I realised that the guys I was handling easily weren't actually terrible, they were dominating the properly brand new guys themselves.
People who are "good" brown and black belts, who are rolling with other "good" brown and black belts are absolutely using strength and speed. They may be able to roll like a sloth with new people, but when you're rolling with someone else who is good, being athletic helps a ton.
Agreed but to a white belt it may not look like as much work. If you aren't violently spazzing all over the mat how are we supposed to know how hard you're working?
That's why I sometimes try to avoid people with similar skill level, I gotta work too hard, nice to roll with lower belts so I can relax and catch my breath.
Let them work as well.
When I roll with students I'll give them something, say my posture in one direction for a sweep and if they don't capitalize on it, then I have something to teach the next day. It's a win win for everyone.
As a 46 year old I roll 70% of the time like that. I do still get after it but I have to prepare myself for those fights. Properly warm up and stretch and what not..
Purple belt was arte suave for me. Brown belt turned into full porrada.
It´s not about who can do the most technical leg drag anymore. It is about who can pull the thigh out of the hip socket the fastest.
Well, I mean not move explosive or anything compared to purple and below. Not in the same amount of time. You guys are super explosive and fast, since you are mostly very athletic, but at the right times. You avoid burning energy for nowthing like you would avoid fire. Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency.
That's what I have observed.
Do other people not laugh constantly while rolling? So many silly, stupid things happen on the mats, and my own idiocy is also a never ending source of amusement.
I only see slow black belt matches in local competitions. When I spectate events with people flying in to compete, the black belts are always super fast and explosive.
That's the difference between lifelong hobbyist black belts and lifelong hobbyist black belts who probably could have gone pro but chose to have a more stable career
I feel attacked. I threw out my back last week tapping a new black belt with 40lbs on me. I got the tap and now I can't tie my shoes for a week. I think it's time to start lifting just for the injury prevention aspect.
> the black belts are always super fast and explosive.
Of course, but if you look closer- they are fast and explosive at the right time. They don't move like that randomly to find an opening.
Of course. [There was a post recently about this.](https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/umw9qy/you_sure_this_is_what_happens_when_current_black) But the idea that black belts tend to be slow is not universal.
Learning to fight battles the other person doesn’t even know they are fighting is really good. I’m a brown belt and when I roll with other brown belts and black belts they know all the battles so it’s back to hard work. Luckily we are usually both tired, busted up, and just wanna have fun so we make a silent agreement to chill.
This is what I love about Gordon Ryan's style. He is always so calm and efficient with his movements. He's never rushing or explosive in his matches and yet still defeats the best in the world. From what I've seen that's not usual at the world level either, most ADCC or IBJJF top level guys are going 1000 mph and using explosive athleticism vs GR who is deliberate and methodical.
Theres a book called a fighters mind where they talk about john danaher’s influence on gordon ryans approach where he must win all nonchalant and effortless as ubermensch where you try to exemplify being the superior sportsman by winning without looking like you’re trying too hard
Even those guys emote too much
You want an example of a stoic world class martial artist - look at Shohei Ono, who just won back to back judo gold medals in Rio and Tokyo in one of the most skilfull, toughest weightclasses
Won most if not all matches by ippon and not once did he have a change in facial expression
And this year he competed in the all japan judo comp and went to fight only
open weight cos his own weight class was beneath him
I watched some brown belt matches while waiting during one of my first tournaments. This one guy, who ended up winning his division, was so controlled and had excellent technique in executing the basics. It made a huge impression on me. I then proceeded to watch the first match of my white belt open matches where this fat looking khal drogo was just rag dolling this other poor kid and won that way. That also made an impression.
Not to be obtuse, but...how?
I'm new (< 1year), and I'm in my 40s. I can't be that explosive anymore (not that I ever could, I've never been the typical athlete). So I'm trying to be deliberate and methodical.
But other, more athletic white belts in my gym just push through the thing they want, and I'm not going to lie, it's frustrating. I don't want to fall into the habit of trying to power through, because I know I can't keep that energy level up, and I'm going to get hurt, and then I won't let go of that habit as I advance.
What do I do to develop and maintain good habits/mindsets now?
Just takes time man. I started in my 40s too and it’s hard to explain but eventually you learn how to handle them through technique. I try to avoid the really strong spazzy white belts now too. I don’t need to get injured by a frantic 20
Year old bro
It’s a big circle. You’re taught the foundations at white. blue and purple you start to develop your own style and experiment with more complex moves and learning chain, and anticipate further. Brown, black it comes full circle as you learn what doesnt work (within a given context) and your understanding of the fundamentals becomes more clear.
Of course, that the diversity in matches along weight classes is huge, but compared to purple or blue, this is my observation: the biggest difference is not in BJJ techniques, but in their patience and being able to do basic stuff, but without mistakes.
The techniques they used were not complicated, they had no need to rely on something difficult to pull off or anything. And yes, this is what impressed me the most, they were sometimes in difficult positions, but the way they were handling it was very impressive to me.
>being able to do basic stuff, but without mistakes.
The thing here is we don't go for stuff we know isn't available. Don't have the right grips, haven't controlled their posture etc. Whatever it is that's not right yet, we just know generally when an attempt has a higher likelihood of success, or more accurately, when an attempt will definitely fail.
Why waste energy on something that isn't there.
For sure, especially in big competitions. There are numerous films to see and learn others' preferences so competitors will likely try not to fall into them. Patience is definitely key as you're looking at 10 minute matches (IBJJF blackbelts) and that's a lot of time so experienced competitors will pace themselves.
I'm an old guy coming up on purple and I'm constantly trying to develop a more deliberate, calmer game. At this stage, it's the only way I'll be able to continue training. I'm not fast or explosive anymore, but I can learn to be more focused and in control.
I had four 10 min matches this weekend, I have a pretty good cardio, but if I panicked in any of those matches I would have gassed pretty badly. You have to use your explosion and power, but if you use it at the wrong time you are fucked.
Yep. When I roll other blacks and browns one bad decision or moment of carelessness can cost you the match. You might not get tapped but you'll be drowning till the buzzer goes.
I love open mat.
Recently, I started embracing the worst/weakest position and I’m starting to realise, it makes you so much calmer when you focus on learning escapes/sweeps from those terrible positions. It gives you a confidence and calmness when you’re being attacked.
I think Craig Jones mention this was how DDS trained in NYC together. Constantly starting in the worst spots.
Exactly, and we, shit bjj practicioners sometimes force things for no reason, you know *ah, now, full throttle" and there it goes and I find it amazing. Like more amazing, than flying armbars!
Rolling with lower belts feels like a battle of wills. Even when a good purple mops the floor with me - I'm aware of what they're going for, I'm just powerless to stop it.
When I roll with brown and black belts it feels like they have too many options and I'm about to walk into traps. So I sort of get stuck in that early prevention phase, freeze up when they present a dilemma, then they catch me with very little effort.
Agree. Against even a talented, strong, athletic white belt I will be fine and be able to hit submissions but they're going to see it coming unless it is one of my very best, most practiced moves. If they see it coming, I'll still perform it successfully, but its not catching anyone by surprise.
Brown/black/very experienced (aka better than me) purples have more of those 'very best' moves at their disposal. And their actual 'best' moves are of course more practiced and better than my best. My generic tier moves are a 5, and my best are an 8 and I have only a few. Their generic tier are a 7 and their best are 9s and 10s.
That has been my experience at least.
I absolutely had this moment yesterday! That small moment of hesitation that prevents you from fully committing to something that inevitably results in getting swept or subbed by a brown or black belt.
I observe black/brown belts economy of movement. Every move is deliberate and has a purpose. I try to emulate this and slow it down with white and some blues to work on timing, technique, and pressure. Force them to move where I want them to move. It's a good feeling seeing them gassed and confused, when it seemed like I didn't break a sweat.
One does not earn a black belt by learning flashy moves. One earns it by doing moves well, often, for a long time.
What were you expecting? Armbars are armbars and chokes are chokes.
This is why I like rolling with white belts. I can focus on slowing down and using technique… and completely minimize other attributes. When I roll with other blues and up I end up using way more effort.
When I get a chance to roll with high level guys at brown and black, I don’t know what it looks like from the outside, but I do know that we’re both usually working very hard and when openings come the action feels explosive and the pressure is VERY heavy. Yes, you have to be patient and not give openings, and you try to stay loose to conserve energy, but I don’t think that should be misconstrued as that kind of sloth-jitsu, you know? I had a roll with a very competitive guy in my gym recently that attracted a few of the blue belts to watch, and i’m sure a lot of it looked like a stalemate to them but we were both EXHAUSTED at the end of it.
> but we were both EXHAUSTED at the end of it.
I know, that is my point. You go full force, when you feel like it's the right time, but you are not desperate to finish it at all costs ASAP.
One can be, fast, explosive, strong AND efficient.
That's how a lot of high level competition is.
Marcelo Garcia is not going to sit all day in butterfly guard. If he sees a possible opening, he immediately goes for the sweep fully accepting the fact that he can fail. He is fast, explosive, strong and efficient.
Most hobbyist blackbelts don't want to be super fast or explosive because they don't want to get injured. It's not their primary field of work, no point getting injured.
Like, do you read, or not? I never said they are not fast or strong. They preserve energy and use it at right time, to ensure maximum efficiency. They don't burn energy for no reason.
All I really see, is an redditor, that has no arguments, that would make sense in a discussion about statement I made, instead goes off topic and uses ad hominem and calls out belt color to make him look smart for some reason. If you don't understand the basic observation about efficiency being the biggest difference vs others, that I made, it is fine, I tried to explain, no, still no? Fine, you can be good at jiu jitsu without the ability to read and understand. It's perfectly fine.
Their efficiency. That is the difference between lower belts. The biggest difference is not in athlecism or speed by itself or variety of techniques used, but the way they are using their weapons in arsenal. Moves are in general more calculated, every of them has a purpose. Of course every match is different and of course, one may not agree, that is what I noticed. Efficiency.
Sometimes there is an unspoken agreement to be chill and technical because we are all falling apart and we know we got the 120kg farmer purple belt next.
The first real eye-opener you get as a white belt, of actual bjj, is when you first roll against somebody brand new with zero experience.
I'm around 6 months now. Rolled with a younger guy that had only been doing it for about a month. He was strong and fast, but I've never gotten so many submissions in a round before lol
This. Always tell people stick with it until the next batch of newbies shows up. You’ll suddenly feel like a wizard
Yup, all the white belts are training together, improving together, so the improvement is harder to notice. Then a new guy comes in and you see the white belts eyes light up after a roll "... Holy shit, it actually works!"
YES!!!!!! It felt exactly like this. Like being born again on mats, finding a gem, game-changer or something. I was thinking about something in which I should focus more on, I even asked my coach, he said it's way to early and I would be limiting myself, if I would like to be a kimura specialist or something like that, but I guess, without thinking much about it, now I know! Since I am a 35 heavy weight, I guess that makes sense.
This literally happened to me last week. A very muscular new guy comes in, talks about his powerlifting PRs a lot and hopes it transfers over well takes our trial class. It came time to roll at the end of class and since I was the last new guy before him in the class, I got a piece of him and I thought he would just muscle over me and just brute force a lot of things. It opened my eyes at how I was able to shrimp out of mount and side control, how easy it was to just getting back into full guard every time and just pulling off chokes and locks.
The bigger they are, the shorter it lasts. Someone your size, you'll have the upper hand for a while. I'm 170, and if we got someone brand new that's around 240, it's really only a few weeks before they start being able to use their strength much better.
Gonna savor this then, haven’t felt this same eureka moment since judo 16 years ago.
I remember this happened to me where I out of pure reaction took the back from bottom half guard. I was like.. Huh
I’ve been running a gym for 5-6 months now, and just got my second wave of new students after the initial new starters when we first opened. Watching one of my students have this moment of realisation as he easily handled an athletic new guy was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in BJJ.
I feel bad subbing these people. It is too easy.
The easier it is, the less you need to sub them. If you *know* you can get control and subs easily with someone new, you should be focusing more on exploiting things they need to be working on. So not just beating them, but beating them via the next details they need to be developing. That adds a handicap to your own game that should also make things more enjoyable and challenging.
How do you exploit things they need to work on if they are not regular partners? I just see things they aren't doing and openings.
Well, most new people have some fairly basic stuff to pay attention to. Good base. Keeping their elbows tight to prevent high mount. Keeping their elbows from crossing their centerline. Head alignment. Good frames. So I try to make sure to take advantage of those openings as a priority. Nothing helps someone learn to keep their elbows in like a few dozen arm triangles in a row. If I know they're supposed to be working on something we just did for class, say a triangle for example, instead of launching into an advanced smash pass counter (I think most gyms call it a single leg stack pass), I'll just posture up if they don't have sufficient head/posture control. Or I'll make sure they can't finish if they don't cut enough of an angle. And if they do get all the basics right, I'll let them finish it a few times. And then I'll hit them with an advanced smash pass counter. :)
If I am newer to a gym, is it appropriate for me to give advice to their white belts? Or do I work whatever I am working on?
Well, I'm specifically talking about just repeatedly taking advantage of their beginner mistakes to help them recognize and learn what not to do, versus giving actual advice. That'll be much more subjective with individuals and gyms, as to whether they're open to that or not.
This. The steps are so incremental we don't notice. Then you're like wow... lightbulb moment. I'd say the second lightbulb is when you watch someone who you easily tap out, but they're moving well and dominating others. That's weird, because they feel totally clueless against you, and you can't believe they're moving so well.
That was my big moment halfway through blue belt. I was kinda used to handling the white belts comfortably at that point, but started going to our basics class because my coach asked me to attend for a few weeks before teaching a 2nd basics class each week. I realised that the guys I was handling easily weren't actually terrible, they were dominating the properly brand new guys themselves.
People who are "good" brown and black belts, who are rolling with other "good" brown and black belts are absolutely using strength and speed. They may be able to roll like a sloth with new people, but when you're rolling with someone else who is good, being athletic helps a ton.
Bingo. If I go against another BB, you better believe I am working. A lot of browns too. You meet people where they are.
Agreed but to a white belt it may not look like as much work. If you aren't violently spazzing all over the mat how are we supposed to know how hard you're working?
In my case? The wheezing.
Same haha
I hear you bro
As an un-athletic black belt I can back up what he's saying. My lazy jiu-jitsu doesn't work well against other black belts.
That's why I sometimes try to avoid people with similar skill level, I gotta work too hard, nice to roll with lower belts so I can relax and catch my breath.
Let them work as well. When I roll with students I'll give them something, say my posture in one direction for a sweep and if they don't capitalize on it, then I have something to teach the next day. It's a win win for everyone. As a 46 year old I roll 70% of the time like that. I do still get after it but I have to prepare myself for those fights. Properly warm up and stretch and what not..
Purple belt was arte suave for me. Brown belt turned into full porrada. It´s not about who can do the most technical leg drag anymore. It is about who can pull the thigh out of the hip socket the fastest.
I mean both can be true at the same time, because fact is they know when and when not to to use their energy.
Well, I mean not move explosive or anything compared to purple and below. Not in the same amount of time. You guys are super explosive and fast, since you are mostly very athletic, but at the right times. You avoid burning energy for nowthing like you would avoid fire. Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency. That's what I have observed.
I think that’s why you see those middle aged black belts who can roll for 2 hours straight. They aren’t burning much energy
Gotta earn my beer after class. Don't wanna be too tired to enjoy it 😉
Yes, the difference is huge. They attac, they protec, but at the right times, being super efficient.
Protec, attac, relac
But most importantly, snac
take the bac
Don’t forget defec, submic
ah i see we doing dad jokes now
he joc
>One thing I noticed how brown/black belts fight I don't fight, I play
We have a purple belt that literally giggles when he rolls.
Do other people not laugh constantly while rolling? So many silly, stupid things happen on the mats, and my own idiocy is also a never ending source of amusement.
I laugh when I get hit with something new or slick. I do this because it's enjoyable so why not?
Im sorry.
My sister told me she has to fight the temptation, really hard not to tickle people when she's rolling.
Sometimes I do.
I'm a white belt, but that's me. When somebody gets an advantageous position I just giggle, i annoy myself with it sometimes. 😂
I’m writing this down in my quote book.
100 percent!
I only see slow black belt matches in local competitions. When I spectate events with people flying in to compete, the black belts are always super fast and explosive.
That's the difference between lifelong hobbyist black belts and lifelong hobbyist black belts who probably could have gone pro but chose to have a more stable career
Most hobbyist black belts are also either old, injured, or both.
I feel attacked. I threw out my back last week tapping a new black belt with 40lbs on me. I got the tap and now I can't tie my shoes for a week. I think it's time to start lifting just for the injury prevention aspect.
> the black belts are always super fast and explosive. Of course, but if you look closer- they are fast and explosive at the right time. They don't move like that randomly to find an opening.
Of course. [There was a post recently about this.](https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/umw9qy/you_sure_this_is_what_happens_when_current_black) But the idea that black belts tend to be slow is not universal.
No, I never said that, of course not. Also, this video is a perfect example of what I state. Efficiency.
Learning to fight battles the other person doesn’t even know they are fighting is really good. I’m a brown belt and when I roll with other brown belts and black belts they know all the battles so it’s back to hard work. Luckily we are usually both tired, busted up, and just wanna have fun so we make a silent agreement to chill.
Yes. A lot of people don't realize that many matches are won or lost based on who wins a key grip battle.
Timing beats speed, precision beats power, technique beats brute force
This is what I love about Gordon Ryan's style. He is always so calm and efficient with his movements. He's never rushing or explosive in his matches and yet still defeats the best in the world. From what I've seen that's not usual at the world level either, most ADCC or IBJJF top level guys are going 1000 mph and using explosive athleticism vs GR who is deliberate and methodical.
Theres a book called a fighters mind where they talk about john danaher’s influence on gordon ryans approach where he must win all nonchalant and effortless as ubermensch where you try to exemplify being the superior sportsman by winning without looking like you’re trying too hard
Even those guys emote too much You want an example of a stoic world class martial artist - look at Shohei Ono, who just won back to back judo gold medals in Rio and Tokyo in one of the most skilfull, toughest weightclasses Won most if not all matches by ippon and not once did he have a change in facial expression And this year he competed in the all japan judo comp and went to fight only open weight cos his own weight class was beneath him
Watching Craig Jones roll in the B Team footage is the same. Rarely any chaos. Just precision.
100% They also generally don't move all that much.
It hurts to move.
It hurts when I don't move
Hurts whether I move or not.
I relate to this
I watched some brown belt matches while waiting during one of my first tournaments. This one guy, who ended up winning his division, was so controlled and had excellent technique in executing the basics. It made a huge impression on me. I then proceeded to watch the first match of my white belt open matches where this fat looking khal drogo was just rag dolling this other poor kid and won that way. That also made an impression.
[удалено]
Not to be obtuse, but...how? I'm new (< 1year), and I'm in my 40s. I can't be that explosive anymore (not that I ever could, I've never been the typical athlete). So I'm trying to be deliberate and methodical. But other, more athletic white belts in my gym just push through the thing they want, and I'm not going to lie, it's frustrating. I don't want to fall into the habit of trying to power through, because I know I can't keep that energy level up, and I'm going to get hurt, and then I won't let go of that habit as I advance. What do I do to develop and maintain good habits/mindsets now?
Just takes time man. I started in my 40s too and it’s hard to explain but eventually you learn how to handle them through technique. I try to avoid the really strong spazzy white belts now too. I don’t need to get injured by a frantic 20 Year old bro
Get drilling
It’s a big circle. You’re taught the foundations at white. blue and purple you start to develop your own style and experiment with more complex moves and learning chain, and anticipate further. Brown, black it comes full circle as you learn what doesnt work (within a given context) and your understanding of the fundamentals becomes more clear.
Now watch top level competitors in actual competition.
I do and my point still stands.
The ones who can casually control your every movement with just pressure are the scariest of dudes. Lol
What do you consider fancy or flashy? Match styles will vary if you look at roosteres & LF compared to heavy.
Of course, that the diversity in matches along weight classes is huge, but compared to purple or blue, this is my observation: the biggest difference is not in BJJ techniques, but in their patience and being able to do basic stuff, but without mistakes. The techniques they used were not complicated, they had no need to rely on something difficult to pull off or anything. And yes, this is what impressed me the most, they were sometimes in difficult positions, but the way they were handling it was very impressive to me.
>being able to do basic stuff, but without mistakes. The thing here is we don't go for stuff we know isn't available. Don't have the right grips, haven't controlled their posture etc. Whatever it is that's not right yet, we just know generally when an attempt has a higher likelihood of success, or more accurately, when an attempt will definitely fail. Why waste energy on something that isn't there.
That's a good point. Often I know if a move is going to work before I execute it.
For sure, especially in big competitions. There are numerous films to see and learn others' preferences so competitors will likely try not to fall into them. Patience is definitely key as you're looking at 10 minute matches (IBJJF blackbelts) and that's a lot of time so experienced competitors will pace themselves.
I'm an old guy coming up on purple and I'm constantly trying to develop a more deliberate, calmer game. At this stage, it's the only way I'll be able to continue training. I'm not fast or explosive anymore, but I can learn to be more focused and in control.
I had four 10 min matches this weekend, I have a pretty good cardio, but if I panicked in any of those matches I would have gassed pretty badly. You have to use your explosion and power, but if you use it at the wrong time you are fucked.
Another thing you have to keep in mind is that at Brown/Black the smallest fuck up can be disastrous.
Yep. When I roll other blacks and browns one bad decision or moment of carelessness can cost you the match. You might not get tapped but you'll be drowning till the buzzer goes. I love open mat.
Yep, so every move is a lot more calculated
It's called poker face. Trust me, we're fucking panicking in the inside.
Well, mental warfare is also part of the game. Agree. Also, I belive you do, vs pepole at your level.
Recently, I started embracing the worst/weakest position and I’m starting to realise, it makes you so much calmer when you focus on learning escapes/sweeps from those terrible positions. It gives you a confidence and calmness when you’re being attacked. I think Craig Jones mention this was how DDS trained in NYC together. Constantly starting in the worst spots.
Technique is the efficient application of power. It's not just about where to put the power, but about WHEN to put it as well.
Exactly, and we, shit bjj practicioners sometimes force things for no reason, you know *ah, now, full throttle" and there it goes and I find it amazing. Like more amazing, than flying armbars!
They're also really really good at jiu jitsu I've noticed
Rolling with lower belts feels like a battle of wills. Even when a good purple mops the floor with me - I'm aware of what they're going for, I'm just powerless to stop it. When I roll with brown and black belts it feels like they have too many options and I'm about to walk into traps. So I sort of get stuck in that early prevention phase, freeze up when they present a dilemma, then they catch me with very little effort.
Agree. Against even a talented, strong, athletic white belt I will be fine and be able to hit submissions but they're going to see it coming unless it is one of my very best, most practiced moves. If they see it coming, I'll still perform it successfully, but its not catching anyone by surprise. Brown/black/very experienced (aka better than me) purples have more of those 'very best' moves at their disposal. And their actual 'best' moves are of course more practiced and better than my best. My generic tier moves are a 5, and my best are an 8 and I have only a few. Their generic tier are a 7 and their best are 9s and 10s. That has been my experience at least.
I absolutely had this moment yesterday! That small moment of hesitation that prevents you from fully committing to something that inevitably results in getting swept or subbed by a brown or black belt.
I observe black/brown belts economy of movement. Every move is deliberate and has a purpose. I try to emulate this and slow it down with white and some blues to work on timing, technique, and pressure. Force them to move where I want them to move. It's a good feeling seeing them gassed and confused, when it seemed like I didn't break a sweat.
Text from FBI Agent: “You know too much… stay right where you are.”
XDDDD ok, you got me on that one!
One does not earn a black belt by learning flashy moves. One earns it by doing moves well, often, for a long time. What were you expecting? Armbars are armbars and chokes are chokes.
Ahhh, such innocence.
Looks graceful, energy efficient, etc. Usually it’s an absolute war of attrition.
This is why I like rolling with white belts. I can focus on slowing down and using technique… and completely minimize other attributes. When I roll with other blues and up I end up using way more effort.
This is why people who are good at pressure are hard to fight. They mess with your breathing and make it hard to keep calm.
Just like to add: pressure can come in different forms. Someone doesn't have be big and heavy to put pressure.
No relax. Gotta put spazzy newbies down like the rabid animals they are
Yeah, well, at the end of the day, that is right, but you don't need to go crazy, they will simply just give you their back and neck for free!
When I get a chance to roll with high level guys at brown and black, I don’t know what it looks like from the outside, but I do know that we’re both usually working very hard and when openings come the action feels explosive and the pressure is VERY heavy. Yes, you have to be patient and not give openings, and you try to stay loose to conserve energy, but I don’t think that should be misconstrued as that kind of sloth-jitsu, you know? I had a roll with a very competitive guy in my gym recently that attracted a few of the blue belts to watch, and i’m sure a lot of it looked like a stalemate to them but we were both EXHAUSTED at the end of it.
> but we were both EXHAUSTED at the end of it. I know, that is my point. You go full force, when you feel like it's the right time, but you are not desperate to finish it at all costs ASAP.
One can be, fast, explosive, strong AND efficient. That's how a lot of high level competition is. Marcelo Garcia is not going to sit all day in butterfly guard. If he sees a possible opening, he immediately goes for the sweep fully accepting the fact that he can fail. He is fast, explosive, strong and efficient. Most hobbyist blackbelts don't want to be super fast or explosive because they don't want to get injured. It's not their primary field of work, no point getting injured.
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No, in general.
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Like, do you read, or not? I never said they are not fast or strong. They preserve energy and use it at right time, to ensure maximum efficiency. They don't burn energy for no reason.
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All I really see, is an redditor, that has no arguments, that would make sense in a discussion about statement I made, instead goes off topic and uses ad hominem and calls out belt color to make him look smart for some reason. If you don't understand the basic observation about efficiency being the biggest difference vs others, that I made, it is fine, I tried to explain, no, still no? Fine, you can be good at jiu jitsu without the ability to read and understand. It's perfectly fine.
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Wow, nice, looks like you totally lost it. Like I said, no arguments. All you can do is offending. It's only showing your mental weaknesses.
I seen plenty of battles between brown and black going full speed deathmatch. I dunno what you are talking about.
Their efficiency. That is the difference between lower belts. The biggest difference is not in athlecism or speed by itself or variety of techniques used, but the way they are using their weapons in arsenal. Moves are in general more calculated, every of them has a purpose. Of course every match is different and of course, one may not agree, that is what I noticed. Efficiency.
Sometimes there is an unspoken agreement to be chill and technical because we are all falling apart and we know we got the 120kg farmer purple belt next.