Monday, October 29, 2007
Marcelo Garcia MMA Fight K1 Heroes
Wanna know the difference between MMA and BJJ? Everyone has a plan until they get hit. This is a great example of one the best grapplers of our era controlling a fight until getting smacked in the head. Seems like he was in too much of a hurry to attack his opponents legs with a takedown and got caught with a knee that resulted in the cut and subsequent stoppage.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Pan Pacs 2007
The Pan Pacs are just three weeks away. Entry forms are available for download at the AFBJJ website. Dont leave it till the last second to get your entry and waiver posted. This year there are both gi and no-gi divisions which can mean lots of matches if you choose to enter all of the possible categories. I love the poster for the event showing a guy applying a guillotine which is illegal in AFBJJ tournaments, kind of ironic really! There will be no classes on Saturday 17th November because of the tournament. After this event we will return to no-gi training for the remainder of the summer months. Please bring shorts and a t-shirt to training from Tues 20th November onward.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Melbourne Cup Weekend Class Update
Next weekend after the grading on Friday nite, classes will continue as normal on Saturday 3rd November. I will be heading away with the family for a few nites so Jason will be teaching both BJJ and MMA classes on Saturday. There will also be classes as usual on Cup Day, Tues 6th Nov from 7pm. With the Pan Pacs around the corner we need to get as much mat time as possible.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Gradings @ Extreme HQ
Just a reminder that Gradings will be held next Friday 2nd November at 6pm at Chadstone. Rodney Ellis from Extreme Sydney, current Pan Pacs Black Belt Open Champ, will be in attendance. Please bring sufficient funds on the night to cover the grading fees and AJJGA membership which are payable. The following people are eligible to attempt a grading. Good Luck! Gradings are usually held twice a year around May and September and can be attempted after 6 consistent months of training. Please make yourself aware of the minimum testing requirements prior to attempting the grading.
Paul Smith
Nial McDonagh
Tony Margheriti
Dave Cassar
Tom Green
Chris Gleeson
Klaus Belfort
Paul Smith
Nial McDonagh
Tony Margheriti
Dave Cassar
Tom Green
Chris Gleeson
Klaus Belfort
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Everything you wanted to know about club etiquette, but were afraid to ask.
Since starting a jiu jitsu club over twelve months ago I have been caught between years of traditional martial arts rituals and the more relaxed way BJJ is generally taught. This relaxed approach has worked fine with people who have experienced some degree of structure in their martial arts training previously but now that numbers are increasing on the mat I thought I might put down what my expectations are of all students during training. This way it’s in black and white and there can be no confusion. I have modified the lessons I learnt from 20 plus years of karate training and tried to minimize bowing and scrapping, hero worship, dogma and other assorted BS.
The following then is a compendium of club etiquette. Etiquette is a collection of details, some small, some not so small. Taken together though, they make a big difference in our training. Please remember it is best to aim for a middle ground: don’t be blasé about etiquette, but by the same token, you don’t need to be an etiquette fascist. We all have good and bad days and how we behave follows accordingly. As I often say its all about attitude and intent.
Although at first there may seem to be many forms of etiquette to remember, they will become natural as you continue to train. Please do not be resentful if you are corrected on a point of etiquette from now on. In the good old days, mat etiquette was gained by osmosis. Quite frankly, those that didn’t get it after a while usually didn’t last too long in our dojo. These days, the martial arts have attracted a much more varied group of individuals. Osmosis is just not as good as it used to be. No one is above the common courtesies expressed in this document. Always remember that all students from beginner to advanced train on the same floor. All practice the same techniques and aspire toward the same ideals. Therefore, all are governed by the same requirements of etiquette... If you have questions, concerns, or comments, ask your coach. Good etiquette means good manners. As we practice good etiquette, we work to perfect our humanity.
Beginning Class
Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Upon stepping onto the mat, you should try to leave your problems behind. Training requires a focused mind. Being aware and using common sense is a precursor to following proper etiquette. Always address the instructor as Coach. Never contradict your Coach in front of others. If you are late, you should wait until Coach signals for you to join the class. It is important that you do not disrupt the class in doing so. Respect your training “tools”. Gi’s should be clean and presentable. Protective equipment should be functional and provide the safety you expect from them. The belt should always be treated with respect. While the color of the belt is not so important, the effort to gain the belt should be remembered and cherished! Your belt should be aired dry but never washed, as it symbolically contains the spirit of your hard training. There should be no eating, drinking, or gum chewing on the mat at any time. No jewelry should be worn during class. Fingernails and toenails must be short, so as to avoid injury to others or oneself. Feet must be clean. Shoes or sandals are never allowed on the mat. Long hair should be tied back out of the way. Students from time to time will be asked to help clean the dojo mat as needed. The coach will never ask you to do anything he has not already done many times before you! The facilities at the club (rest rooms, drink machine, locker rooms, etc.) should be left in the same, if not better, condition as they were found upon arriving. Notify your coach if you plan to miss any or all scheduled classes.
During Training
A club where people respect each other is the key to learning. The teaching and learning is bi- directional: even though it may seem that the coach is doing all the teaching, he or she is still learning from their students as well. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, a cold, an injury or whatnot, try to work through it. Part of the challenge of any martial art is working through what you think your limits are. Listen to your body and use common sense in these instances. If you have something contagious, your fellow students will appreciate your absence. If you are injured, or in pain, you need to back off and allow your body to heal. Let your coach know beforehand if you are not up to 100% of your game. If you are injured during class and are unable to continue, try to stay on the mat and watch.
Questions during class should be directed to the coach at an opportune moment. Try not to disrupt class in doing so. On the other hand, you may find very often that other students are keenly interested in the same questions you may have. If class is very busy, senior students can also answer questions or simply defer your question until end of class.
Generally speaking the coach is the only person who should be instructing students unless he or she expressly directs others to do so! Just because you may outrank another student this does not entitle you to instruct others. In general, a senior person should be aware of a junior person’s abilities and modify working with them accordingly to keep things safe. Executing techniques will involve contact and this requires the utmost control. Good communication between you and your partner is vital. Just because you’re junior doesn’t mean that there isn’t half the burden of communicating with your partner on you. Do not leave the mat during class except in the case of injury or illness or, if permitted, to drink water. (Water is important! Do not let yourself get too dehydrated). If you need to leave the mat for a drink or to go to the toilet, do so quickly and return as soon as possible, If you must leave class early, make sure you inform your coach. Do not just disappear. When a coach yells “Time” this means that you and your partner should STOP immediately. It is necessary to respect the way in which the instructor of the class directs the training. Receive instruction and carry out suggestions for training sincerely and to the best of your ability. There is no room for argument on the mat. Never stand or lie about idly on the mat unless you are listening intently to instruction. You should be practicing, or if necessary waiting your turn.
If you have a question for the coach during class ask politely and respectfully and wait for their acknowledgement. When the coach is instructing another student, you may stop your practice to watch. It is important for you not only to learn the technique being taught but also how your coach conducts the instruction. Some day you too will teach others. If you know the technique being studied and you are working with someone who does not, you may lead the person through it, but do not assume the role of the instructor. You are here for practice; do not force your ideas on others. At the same time, respect those who are more experienced. Always train within the ability of your partner. Do not practice so as to injure your partner. You are both responsible for each other. Be aware at all times of those around you. Train to develop awareness in all directions. Always give way to the more senior person on the mat whilst rolling. If you are ever unsure of what to do in a particular situation ask a senior student or simply follow their lead. The strength of training is not just in muscular force. Of equal importance are flexibility, timing, control and modesty. Be aware of your limitations as well as your shortcomings.
Never practice free wrestling unless an instructor is present. When practicing with a senior do you’re very best, but show some respect for the rank. If you think you can go harder then do so, but remember that they often have your lower rank in mind while they are sparring, and so will not be fighting their hardest all the time. The instructor, whoever it may be, should be treated with the respect that you yourself would expect as common courtesy. If you cannot find it in you to show respect to a person who is taking their time to teach you, then you do not belong on a mat. Never question his/her direction; such compliance over time develops a bond of trust between the instructor and student, which improves mutual receptivity, simplifying and speeding the learning process.
Any time your coach or a higher rank offers to help you, always accept and listen closely with great enthusiasm and proper respect. Before beginning a match it is proper to slap hands with your opponent. Don’t ask when you will be promoted to a higher (belt) level. Remember that you are constantly being tested. When you are ready you will receive your reward and be advanced forward only by your individual efforts and merit when your coach sees you are ready. No one takes greater pleasure in presenting you with your deserved promotion to a higher level than that of your Coach. This also assures that you are ready to grow into this rank and obtain additional knowledge that goes with the level of achievement. Remember rank does not confer privilege or power. It imposes responsibility.
Whilst drilling remember the repetition of pre-set movements during a workout are a practical form of meditation, as it forces the mind to focus on the task at hand until the movements become almost unconscious. Never tire of learning, anywhere, any time. Be eager to ask questions and learn. Appreciate the thrill of learning. Be willing to sacrifice for the art and the instructor. Respect the skills you are learning and the efforts it took to bring them to you. Practice what you learn and try to perfect your techniques to the best of your abilities. This includes spare time on the mat, and regularly doing conditioning exercises at home or on off days. Help other students to learn and succeed. Recognize that you are all members of a strong group sharing common goals and interests.
The following then is a compendium of club etiquette. Etiquette is a collection of details, some small, some not so small. Taken together though, they make a big difference in our training. Please remember it is best to aim for a middle ground: don’t be blasé about etiquette, but by the same token, you don’t need to be an etiquette fascist. We all have good and bad days and how we behave follows accordingly. As I often say its all about attitude and intent.
Although at first there may seem to be many forms of etiquette to remember, they will become natural as you continue to train. Please do not be resentful if you are corrected on a point of etiquette from now on. In the good old days, mat etiquette was gained by osmosis. Quite frankly, those that didn’t get it after a while usually didn’t last too long in our dojo. These days, the martial arts have attracted a much more varied group of individuals. Osmosis is just not as good as it used to be. No one is above the common courtesies expressed in this document. Always remember that all students from beginner to advanced train on the same floor. All practice the same techniques and aspire toward the same ideals. Therefore, all are governed by the same requirements of etiquette... If you have questions, concerns, or comments, ask your coach. Good etiquette means good manners. As we practice good etiquette, we work to perfect our humanity.
Beginning Class
Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Upon stepping onto the mat, you should try to leave your problems behind. Training requires a focused mind. Being aware and using common sense is a precursor to following proper etiquette. Always address the instructor as Coach. Never contradict your Coach in front of others. If you are late, you should wait until Coach signals for you to join the class. It is important that you do not disrupt the class in doing so. Respect your training “tools”. Gi’s should be clean and presentable. Protective equipment should be functional and provide the safety you expect from them. The belt should always be treated with respect. While the color of the belt is not so important, the effort to gain the belt should be remembered and cherished! Your belt should be aired dry but never washed, as it symbolically contains the spirit of your hard training. There should be no eating, drinking, or gum chewing on the mat at any time. No jewelry should be worn during class. Fingernails and toenails must be short, so as to avoid injury to others or oneself. Feet must be clean. Shoes or sandals are never allowed on the mat. Long hair should be tied back out of the way. Students from time to time will be asked to help clean the dojo mat as needed. The coach will never ask you to do anything he has not already done many times before you! The facilities at the club (rest rooms, drink machine, locker rooms, etc.) should be left in the same, if not better, condition as they were found upon arriving. Notify your coach if you plan to miss any or all scheduled classes.
During Training
A club where people respect each other is the key to learning. The teaching and learning is bi- directional: even though it may seem that the coach is doing all the teaching, he or she is still learning from their students as well. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, a cold, an injury or whatnot, try to work through it. Part of the challenge of any martial art is working through what you think your limits are. Listen to your body and use common sense in these instances. If you have something contagious, your fellow students will appreciate your absence. If you are injured, or in pain, you need to back off and allow your body to heal. Let your coach know beforehand if you are not up to 100% of your game. If you are injured during class and are unable to continue, try to stay on the mat and watch.
Questions during class should be directed to the coach at an opportune moment. Try not to disrupt class in doing so. On the other hand, you may find very often that other students are keenly interested in the same questions you may have. If class is very busy, senior students can also answer questions or simply defer your question until end of class.
Generally speaking the coach is the only person who should be instructing students unless he or she expressly directs others to do so! Just because you may outrank another student this does not entitle you to instruct others. In general, a senior person should be aware of a junior person’s abilities and modify working with them accordingly to keep things safe. Executing techniques will involve contact and this requires the utmost control. Good communication between you and your partner is vital. Just because you’re junior doesn’t mean that there isn’t half the burden of communicating with your partner on you. Do not leave the mat during class except in the case of injury or illness or, if permitted, to drink water. (Water is important! Do not let yourself get too dehydrated). If you need to leave the mat for a drink or to go to the toilet, do so quickly and return as soon as possible, If you must leave class early, make sure you inform your coach. Do not just disappear. When a coach yells “Time” this means that you and your partner should STOP immediately. It is necessary to respect the way in which the instructor of the class directs the training. Receive instruction and carry out suggestions for training sincerely and to the best of your ability. There is no room for argument on the mat. Never stand or lie about idly on the mat unless you are listening intently to instruction. You should be practicing, or if necessary waiting your turn.
If you have a question for the coach during class ask politely and respectfully and wait for their acknowledgement. When the coach is instructing another student, you may stop your practice to watch. It is important for you not only to learn the technique being taught but also how your coach conducts the instruction. Some day you too will teach others. If you know the technique being studied and you are working with someone who does not, you may lead the person through it, but do not assume the role of the instructor. You are here for practice; do not force your ideas on others. At the same time, respect those who are more experienced. Always train within the ability of your partner. Do not practice so as to injure your partner. You are both responsible for each other. Be aware at all times of those around you. Train to develop awareness in all directions. Always give way to the more senior person on the mat whilst rolling. If you are ever unsure of what to do in a particular situation ask a senior student or simply follow their lead. The strength of training is not just in muscular force. Of equal importance are flexibility, timing, control and modesty. Be aware of your limitations as well as your shortcomings.
Never practice free wrestling unless an instructor is present. When practicing with a senior do you’re very best, but show some respect for the rank. If you think you can go harder then do so, but remember that they often have your lower rank in mind while they are sparring, and so will not be fighting their hardest all the time. The instructor, whoever it may be, should be treated with the respect that you yourself would expect as common courtesy. If you cannot find it in you to show respect to a person who is taking their time to teach you, then you do not belong on a mat. Never question his/her direction; such compliance over time develops a bond of trust between the instructor and student, which improves mutual receptivity, simplifying and speeding the learning process.
Any time your coach or a higher rank offers to help you, always accept and listen closely with great enthusiasm and proper respect. Before beginning a match it is proper to slap hands with your opponent. Don’t ask when you will be promoted to a higher (belt) level. Remember that you are constantly being tested. When you are ready you will receive your reward and be advanced forward only by your individual efforts and merit when your coach sees you are ready. No one takes greater pleasure in presenting you with your deserved promotion to a higher level than that of your Coach. This also assures that you are ready to grow into this rank and obtain additional knowledge that goes with the level of achievement. Remember rank does not confer privilege or power. It imposes responsibility.
Whilst drilling remember the repetition of pre-set movements during a workout are a practical form of meditation, as it forces the mind to focus on the task at hand until the movements become almost unconscious. Never tire of learning, anywhere, any time. Be eager to ask questions and learn. Appreciate the thrill of learning. Be willing to sacrifice for the art and the instructor. Respect the skills you are learning and the efforts it took to bring them to you. Practice what you learn and try to perfect your techniques to the best of your abilities. This includes spare time on the mat, and regularly doing conditioning exercises at home or on off days. Help other students to learn and succeed. Recognize that you are all members of a strong group sharing common goals and interests.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Vince Lombardi Speech
"Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.
"There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my game, and that's first place. I have finished second twice in my time at Green Bay, and I don't ever want to finish second again. There is a second place bowl game, but it is a game for losers played by losers. It is and always has been an American zeal to be first in anything we do, and to win, and to win, and to win.
"Every time a football player goes to play his trade he's got to play from the ground up - from the soles of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play. Some guys play with their heads. That's O.K. You've got to be smart to be number one in any business. But more importantly, you've got to play with your heart, with every fiber of your body. If you're lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head and a lot of heart, he's never going to come off the field second.
"Running a football team is no different than running any other kind of organization - an army, a political party or a business. The principles are the same. The object is to win - to beat the other guy. Maybe that sounds hard or cruel. I don't think it is.
"It is a reality of life that men are competitive and the most competitive games draw the most competitive men. That's why they are there - to compete. To know the rules and objectives when they get in the game. The object is to win fairly, squarely, by the rules - but to win.
"And in truth, I've never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn't appreciate the grind, the discipline. There is something in good men that really yearns for discipline and the harsh reality of head to head combat.
"I don't say these things because I believe in the 'brute' nature of man or that men must be brutalized to be combative. I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any man's finest hour - his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear - is that moment when he has to work his heart out in a good cause and he's exhausted on the field of battle - victorious."
--Vince Lombardi
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Art of the Slam HL Clip
This clip has got all the good power slams. Randleman dumping Fedor, Rampage dropping Arona for trying an arm bar, Matt Hughes doing his signature move carrying his opponent across the octagon, Dan Severn supplexing some unsuspecting kickboxer back in the very early UFC days and Bob Sapp pile driving Noguera. Now dont forget to sprawl next time ok? Wimps need not apply.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
C Class Shooto Event in December
On Saturday the 15th of December there will be a C Class Challenge Cup held at Extreme HQ in Chadstone. These fights are usually held under Shooto rules and are a great introduction to MMA style competition. For further information including rules and weight divisions please visit the ASC website (www.shooto.com.au). I have added the link to the list. Let me know if you are interested in giving it a go and we can start to prepare.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Ze Marcello - Passing the Guard
This is footage of a Brasilian Top Team black belt, Jose "Zè" Marcello, teaching in Honk Kong. Never heard of the guy but there are some neat ideas in this clip on open and half guard passing. There are a heap of passes shown that are not explained in great detail but if you get one or two ideas that get you thinking about ways to improve your passing then its worth watching. His website is zemarcellojiujitsu.com if you want to check out his background and academy in the UK.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Inside MMA Episode 4
Found this the other day. Really cool 30min summary of the MMA scene in da USA with some guest panelists each week. Covers rankings, injuries and some of the smaller shows. Only UFC pictures at this stage, they are very tight with their brand and footage. Worth a watch, my kind of tv show.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Annual Xmas Dinner 2007
Our annual Extreme Xmas Party will be held on Friday 23rd November at the Beach Hotel, 97 Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park.
Dinner will be at 7pm consisting of a 3 course meal for $49.50
All grappling and kickboxing students and partners are welcome. Although you dont have to talk to the kickboxers on the nite if you dont want to! ; )
Please let me know if you wish to attend and show me the money ASAP so I can confirm numbers with HQ.
We will also have a Mornington Club get-together as well at a date to be advised.
Hope to see you there.
Dinner will be at 7pm consisting of a 3 course meal for $49.50
All grappling and kickboxing students and partners are welcome. Although you dont have to talk to the kickboxers on the nite if you dont want to! ; )
Please let me know if you wish to attend and show me the money ASAP so I can confirm numbers with HQ.
We will also have a Mornington Club get-together as well at a date to be advised.
Hope to see you there.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Leozinho v Shaolin HL Clip
Here is a HL clip of 3 awesome matches between Leozinho and Shaolin from the Pan Ams, Mundials and ADCC back in 2000. Some of the transitions are truly amazing and the intensity in the matches is awe inspiring. Cool stuff...
Confidence in Training By Jason Scully
Stole this article from the Underground Forum..........
Confidence in Grappling Author: Jason Scully www.GrapplersGuide.com
"Kill the snake of doubt in your soul, crush the worms of fear in your heart, and mountains will move out of your way" ~ Kate Seredy
Yesterday I was rolling with one of my students in class who has about 3 years experience and when we were rolling I noticed something, and I realized that this is actually an issue with many grapplers out there. As we were rolling I was paying attention to his movements and his facial expressions and it was clear that he was missing something very important. What was he missing? He was missing his confidence. That's right, it was his confidence that he was missing.
There's so many times when I train with someone and they don't seem confident at all in what they're doing. Even if they know a ton of techniques they hold themselves back because they don't trust themselves that they'll execute those techniques properly.
When you're in practice you should never have to worry about if something is going to work, or if your opponent is going to counter your attack. You should just go for it with 100% confidence that you are going to make something happen. That no matter what, even if your opponent counters your movements you should have 100% confidence in yourself that you can counter right back.
You see many times it's not the moves you know that makes the difference it's the trust in yourself that makes a difference. There is so many people who can execute moves perfectly when drilling, but when it comes down to performing them in a live situation they either freeze up, don't remember them, or they don't have confidence in what they know. Have you ever rolled with someone more experienced then you and you were weary of coming forward and you had a technique or plan that you wanted to execute but you weren't sure if it was going to work? You ended up taking a second to think about what might happen and by the time you're done thinking your partner or opponent has already made his move, because they were more confident then you were. That's what can make the difference of being steps ahead of your opponent or not.
The person who is 2, 3, and even 4 steps ahead of their opponent is the same person who is completely confident in their abilities and their techniques. They don't care if they know what's going to happen or not, because regardless their going to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. There is no waiting, pausing, or thinking about what might happen they just go and take that chance knowing that no matter what they trust in themselves that they will be the ones to come out on top every time.
Even if what you tried didn't work you still believed in yourself and you now know what would have happened because you went for it instead of just sitting back and not taking any chances at all and not even knowing.
This is also a very common when you roll with someone who is much more experienced then you or a much higher rank then you. Let's say a blue belt in BJJ pairs up with a brown belt. Many times that blue belt is already thinking of ways that the brown belt can beat him before they even started rolling. They beat themselves before the match even started. They never gave themselves a chance and counted themselves out right from the beginning instead of starting with their head high and their confidence in full affect.
When you are confident in yourself regardless of your technical ability you will:
* Think clearer.
* React faster.
* Feel better about yourself.
* Breath better.
* Be less conscious.
* Make things happen.
* Be steps ahead of those who aren't as confident.
* Attack better.
* Defend better.
* Trust that you can deal with any situation in the moment.
As your techniques and strategies get better and better and you mix that in with being confident in yourself you will be much more successful in your rolling sessions.
Before we finish up, I just want to clarify what being confident is not. Being confident IS NOT:
* Being cocky or over confident - just because your confident doesn't mean you should be cocky. Confidence will help you improve your overall game, but it's not the only thing that will make you the best.
* Being lazy - being confident doesn't mean you are lazy and you shouldn't work hard.
* Being arrogant - A person can be confident in themselves without being arrogant and boastful. Show your confidence with respect and work to help others be confident in their grappling as well. Don't under mind your partners and look down on those less experienced or even less confident then you may be.
* Comparing yourself to others - Don't compare your confidence to others, and your abilities to others. Just be confident in what you know and your potential and you'll be well on your way to a successful and most importantly FUN grappling experience.
* Having an ego - One can be confident and not have an ego. Always trust in what you do and regardless of what happens whether it is a positive or negative, be humble in your experience and see every opportunity as a learning experience.
To sum things up: The point is to trust yourself and what you know. Trust that even if you don't know how to do something that you will one day. If you don't have confidence in yourself, then you don't trust yourself. If you don't trust yourself, then who can you trust?
"Experience tells you what do to do, confidence allows you to do it" ~ Stan Smith
Thanks for reading! Jason
Confidence in Grappling Author: Jason Scully www.GrapplersGuide.com
"Kill the snake of doubt in your soul, crush the worms of fear in your heart, and mountains will move out of your way" ~ Kate Seredy
Yesterday I was rolling with one of my students in class who has about 3 years experience and when we were rolling I noticed something, and I realized that this is actually an issue with many grapplers out there. As we were rolling I was paying attention to his movements and his facial expressions and it was clear that he was missing something very important. What was he missing? He was missing his confidence. That's right, it was his confidence that he was missing.
There's so many times when I train with someone and they don't seem confident at all in what they're doing. Even if they know a ton of techniques they hold themselves back because they don't trust themselves that they'll execute those techniques properly.
When you're in practice you should never have to worry about if something is going to work, or if your opponent is going to counter your attack. You should just go for it with 100% confidence that you are going to make something happen. That no matter what, even if your opponent counters your movements you should have 100% confidence in yourself that you can counter right back.
You see many times it's not the moves you know that makes the difference it's the trust in yourself that makes a difference. There is so many people who can execute moves perfectly when drilling, but when it comes down to performing them in a live situation they either freeze up, don't remember them, or they don't have confidence in what they know. Have you ever rolled with someone more experienced then you and you were weary of coming forward and you had a technique or plan that you wanted to execute but you weren't sure if it was going to work? You ended up taking a second to think about what might happen and by the time you're done thinking your partner or opponent has already made his move, because they were more confident then you were. That's what can make the difference of being steps ahead of your opponent or not.
The person who is 2, 3, and even 4 steps ahead of their opponent is the same person who is completely confident in their abilities and their techniques. They don't care if they know what's going to happen or not, because regardless their going to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. There is no waiting, pausing, or thinking about what might happen they just go and take that chance knowing that no matter what they trust in themselves that they will be the ones to come out on top every time.
Even if what you tried didn't work you still believed in yourself and you now know what would have happened because you went for it instead of just sitting back and not taking any chances at all and not even knowing.
This is also a very common when you roll with someone who is much more experienced then you or a much higher rank then you. Let's say a blue belt in BJJ pairs up with a brown belt. Many times that blue belt is already thinking of ways that the brown belt can beat him before they even started rolling. They beat themselves before the match even started. They never gave themselves a chance and counted themselves out right from the beginning instead of starting with their head high and their confidence in full affect.
When you are confident in yourself regardless of your technical ability you will:
* Think clearer.
* React faster.
* Feel better about yourself.
* Breath better.
* Be less conscious.
* Make things happen.
* Be steps ahead of those who aren't as confident.
* Attack better.
* Defend better.
* Trust that you can deal with any situation in the moment.
As your techniques and strategies get better and better and you mix that in with being confident in yourself you will be much more successful in your rolling sessions.
Before we finish up, I just want to clarify what being confident is not. Being confident IS NOT:
* Being cocky or over confident - just because your confident doesn't mean you should be cocky. Confidence will help you improve your overall game, but it's not the only thing that will make you the best.
* Being lazy - being confident doesn't mean you are lazy and you shouldn't work hard.
* Being arrogant - A person can be confident in themselves without being arrogant and boastful. Show your confidence with respect and work to help others be confident in their grappling as well. Don't under mind your partners and look down on those less experienced or even less confident then you may be.
* Comparing yourself to others - Don't compare your confidence to others, and your abilities to others. Just be confident in what you know and your potential and you'll be well on your way to a successful and most importantly FUN grappling experience.
* Having an ego - One can be confident and not have an ego. Always trust in what you do and regardless of what happens whether it is a positive or negative, be humble in your experience and see every opportunity as a learning experience.
To sum things up: The point is to trust yourself and what you know. Trust that even if you don't know how to do something that you will one day. If you don't have confidence in yourself, then you don't trust yourself. If you don't trust yourself, then who can you trust?
"Experience tells you what do to do, confidence allows you to do it" ~ Stan Smith
Thanks for reading! Jason
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
News Update
Looks like the next few months are going to get busy. November is shaping up as a big one with the Pan Pacs, a grading and the end of year Xmas Bash. Please pop the following dates in your diary...
Friday 2nd November 6pm Grading at Extreme HQ Chadstone
Saturday 17th November from 10am AFBJJ Pan Pacs at MSAC
Friday 23rd November Xmas Bash
However in the meantime there is a good lead up tournament at Dominance MMA in Richmond on Saturday 20th October. This is a good chance to get some match practice before the Pan Pacs and the round robin format ensures you have at least 4 fights. I have attached the poster here and for further info visit their website. We have competed in this tournament before and always had a great time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)