Last night I got beat down on the mats, again. I am a purple belt and couldn't sweep 2 white belts, passing the guard of a blue belt, and surviving with two brown belts. It isn't the first night that I have had a hard time lately either. What in the world is wrong with me lately.
I went home with my head low, thinking into the night and mentally reviewing each more, drill and roll with each partner. I didn't have any excuses. I mean, I should have made a bunch of them. The white belts and blue belt all outweighed me by at least 30-50 pounds or more. The two brown belts are the top non-black belts at the Academy. On and on. But there are always excuses and they all stink. I have always been this size since starting jiujitsu and I am not getting any bigger, so nothing is new. I just have to tighten things up and move on. I remembered at some point during my sulking though that this isn't the first time this has happened and it surely won't be the last.
Every belt I have had ups and downs. I could have a few nights or even a streak for a few weeks where I feel like I am getting things and I can make just about any move work for me. I also have long streaks where I feel like I can't get anything done at all. I feel like I should just take off my belt and walk home, head low, and never return. Just about everyone goes through this. When I have those times I try to remember, "A black belt is just a white belt that never quit."
When I am going through a down time when it seems like everyone is beating up on me, I go back to the basics. I start reviewing the white and blue belt basics, all the way back to shrimping. I remind myself that I am not at my current rank due to good looks, but due to hard work over years of dedication. I got to where I am doing basics. The historical jiujitsu players that are iconic to me win with the basics. Rickson Gracie either takes the back to a rear naked choke or finishes guys with a basic armbar. Royce Gracie was known for armbars and triangles from the guard against the bigger opponents. So, back to the basics I go.
I got home, had a protein shake and took a shower. Then down to the basement to pop in a blue belt DVD and rehearse a few basics. This one, maintaining the mount and a few escapes from the bottom position. Nothing fancy. Just basic movements. I then did some light calisthenics, including some neck strengthening exercises before doing some mental rehearsal and closing it out for the night. For today, more video review of basics, more rehearsal of basics, and back to the Academy to drill.
Basics. Once I have someone in my guard, break down their posture, change my angle. Pressure. Create opportunities. If I am in their guard, gain my posture, protect myself, pressure, escape, pass.
Forget the fancy stuff and focus on the basics. next thing I know I will be back to doing whatever I want and then I can start integrating combos and more advanced trickery again.
I will be back.
I went home with my head low, thinking into the night and mentally reviewing each more, drill and roll with each partner. I didn't have any excuses. I mean, I should have made a bunch of them. The white belts and blue belt all outweighed me by at least 30-50 pounds or more. The two brown belts are the top non-black belts at the Academy. On and on. But there are always excuses and they all stink. I have always been this size since starting jiujitsu and I am not getting any bigger, so nothing is new. I just have to tighten things up and move on. I remembered at some point during my sulking though that this isn't the first time this has happened and it surely won't be the last.
Every belt I have had ups and downs. I could have a few nights or even a streak for a few weeks where I feel like I am getting things and I can make just about any move work for me. I also have long streaks where I feel like I can't get anything done at all. I feel like I should just take off my belt and walk home, head low, and never return. Just about everyone goes through this. When I have those times I try to remember, "A black belt is just a white belt that never quit."
When I am going through a down time when it seems like everyone is beating up on me, I go back to the basics. I start reviewing the white and blue belt basics, all the way back to shrimping. I remind myself that I am not at my current rank due to good looks, but due to hard work over years of dedication. I got to where I am doing basics. The historical jiujitsu players that are iconic to me win with the basics. Rickson Gracie either takes the back to a rear naked choke or finishes guys with a basic armbar. Royce Gracie was known for armbars and triangles from the guard against the bigger opponents. So, back to the basics I go.
I got home, had a protein shake and took a shower. Then down to the basement to pop in a blue belt DVD and rehearse a few basics. This one, maintaining the mount and a few escapes from the bottom position. Nothing fancy. Just basic movements. I then did some light calisthenics, including some neck strengthening exercises before doing some mental rehearsal and closing it out for the night. For today, more video review of basics, more rehearsal of basics, and back to the Academy to drill.
Basics. Once I have someone in my guard, break down their posture, change my angle. Pressure. Create opportunities. If I am in their guard, gain my posture, protect myself, pressure, escape, pass.
Forget the fancy stuff and focus on the basics. next thing I know I will be back to doing whatever I want and then I can start integrating combos and more advanced trickery again.
I will be back.
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