Summary of my first six months in BJJ

**RhinoUP** · Posted On: 1/25/2013 8:24am

double post

**RhinoUP** · Posted On: 1/25/2013 8:24am

Month 7 - I know this is normal but I feel like I'm going backwards. I find that when I attempt a technique...even on the less experienced guys... I lose my position..especially from closed guard. I also have a hard time finishing from mount and side control and while I'm succeeding moor than I used to, I'm also making more attempts and getting reversed/passed a lot more. The good part about this is that I'm getting used to dealing with heavy shoulder pressure and mount/side mount escapes. My half guard is getting stronger and I'm able to pull off a sweep from time to time. I haven't actually throw up in this month but I've been really close. Tonight I was rewarded by Sinistro giving me my second stripe, so I guess all the ups and downs are part of the process.

I'm training for Long Island Pride on February 24th and also the NY Open on April 20th. Anyone else gonna be there?

**Wolfskin** · Posted On: 1/25/2013 10:36am

Originally Posted by RhinoUP

Month 7 - I know this is normal but I feel like I'm going backwards. I find that when I attempt a technique...even on the less experienced guys... I lose my position..especially from closed guard. I also have a hard time finishing from mount and side control and while I'm succeeding moor than I used to, I'm also making more attempts and getting reversed/passed a lot more. The good part about this is that I'm getting used to dealing with heavy shoulder pressure and mount/side mount escapes. My half guard is getting stronger and I'm able to pull off a sweep from time to time. I haven't actually throw up in this month but I've been really close. Tonight I was rewarded by Sinistro giving me my second stripe, so I guess all the ups and downs are part of the process.

Feeling like going backwards at a technical level its also how I would describe my present state in judo (more or less 6 months). But I guess that's a normal part of the process and since I have improvements in other areas to be glad of (like a much better physical performance and a completely different mindset), I suppose I should not get too much worried about it (thought I'll keep searching ways to improve).

**AKRhino** · Posted On: 1/25/2013 1:53pm

The guard can be a cruel mistress :P It's my happy place, my go to position, but, I don't usually throw subs from there. In guard, a failed sub is an invitation to pass. Should you stop throwing subs from guard? NO! Keep at it, your hip mobility, submission, and guard defense skills will all improve (as will your guard replacement ability hopefully)! I find when I catch people from the bottom, it's something I grabbed during a scramble. Odds of setting up and finishing an arm bar from guard against someone who has a clue are low. That said, keep at it, because that practice all adds up. Maybe you feel like you never get that arm bar from guard, you keep getting passed, but then you start catching arm bars during scrambles, and that's a result of learning and practicing the move from guard, the basic position, hip movement, the way you secure the arm, the way you finish, all that is often essentially the same no matter what position you got the arm from.

TL;DR keep trying! It'll pay off :)

Disclaimer: Remember I'm just a crappy blue belt, lol

**RhinoUP** · Posted On: 1/30/2013 9:56am

I hear ya Rhino. Im finding that I'm very often getting into a bad position when I go for something. It's all good though. I'm starting to get closer when making a submission attempt and when I do miss, recovering guard is becoming more second nature. 2 steps forward 1 step back. Just gonna keep training and flow with the go.

**Mr.Miyagi** · Posted On: 1/31/2013 10:28pm

Originally Posted by RhinoUP

I hear ya Rhino. Im finding that I'm very often getting into a bad position when I go for something. It's all good though. I'm starting to get closer when making a submission attempt and when I do miss, recovering guard is becoming more second nature. 2 steps forward 1 step back. Just gonna keep training and flow with the go.

Basically it seems like you're experimenting more, and in the BJJ world that's sexy...I mean good, I mean...it's showing you're trying to grow outside the box you know.

As you try different things, be more aggressive, try more subs etc you'll start to find a whole heap of NEW weaknesses you didn't know before because you didn't try certain things that show up the hole in your game. It's natural, but really difficult to deal with when you feel you should be 'getting better' and find you are 'losing out' more in your rolls. It's typical of being more adventurous in grappling and in BJJ.

As you do more things or different things than you're used to people will take advantage, consciously or not, of your inexperience and holes in those new things.

Basically keep sticking with it, when you try new things, try and do them correctly and RIGHT (e.g. how it was taught) than just TRYING to get the sweep, or TRYING to get the submission: TRY and get everything UP TO the point of execution correct, and it makes FINISHING that much easier as you get better.

Basically, the steps to the <goal> are better to drill as much as you can NOW (every failed finish, if you've done the setup steps right, means you are drilling the proper steps MORE than the finish, which is awesome); it's more important than having a good finish, and a terrible setup, which means in a year you'll probably have to re-learn all the basic stuff for most of your 'go to finishes' (read - subs/sweeps).

Do the hard work now, so you can sip tea while you roll later. ;p

**RhinoUP** · Posted On: 2/01/2013 8:57am

Thanks for the advice Mr. Miyagi. Last night I got creamed by everyone in my gym, but pulled off an armbar from guard at the very end. So I went home bruised and happy:)

**Escrimator** · Posted On: 2/01/2013 11:52am

Thats the thing,isnt it? You train to get better,but everyone else in your class is doing the same thing.Everyone´s curve is different so you will feel the fruits of their evolution while you are still processing yours.

We had a student come back after a couple of months in the mainland,I remember rolling with him in the first classes where i couldnt get past his guard,to now getting side control and mounts pretty much constantly,and sinking an armbar or an ezekiel.

Im sure in a couple of months of regular training,he cast off his "rust" and be back to giving me a very hard time. way of the world.