Friday, May 13, 2011

Jiu jitsu math...

Cleaning out the inbox still.. came across this reassuring and insightful advice from one of my instructors, Donald. Hope it helps you.. I'm sure it will help me if I remember to put it into action more often!

"On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 3:48 PM, Georgette Oden wrote:

today's jiu jitsu math:

georgette + donald's armbar = little phil passes
georgette + donald's ricksonesque halfguard pass = john reverses her
georgette + donald's happy place from knees= jhgsfhexuynerucl2498kjhkzmx!!!
georgette + rickson's mount escape = john doesn't move, georgette doesn't move
georgette + rickson's mount escape = christy cross collar chokes her"

Donald responded:

"re: your math, you're dividing by big numbers there. Hardly ever comes out to something elegant, when you do that.

Most of what I see are equations with Georgette + bigger person who is of a higher rank. In most people's books, anything + bigger person of higher rank = FAIL.

As you well know, techniques like what I showed you take a LONG time to work out. If you expect to do them on ANYONE of skill within the first week, month, 6 months, you've got another thing coming. My recommendation is to stop trying them when you roll, you're just going to muddy the waters and screw up your instincts re: timing, distance and application in a live environment. This is exactly what causes people to jury-rig techniques and make up new set-ups to compensate for poor execution.

While it may be counterintuitive to not try new moves when rolling, you should think about it like this: How are you supposed to know what to adjust / fix in a new technique when you aren't yet 100% doing the technique in a vacuum? Sure way to lose the original technique in the process, IMO.

I'd really really really recommend that you drill it A LOT with a non-resisting opponent. Then, take a LIGHT white or blue belt and do technical training (e.g., have them try to pass your guard at 50% from a specific position. . . . one where you have your foot on their hip, have an angle and have the elbow grip already perchance?) Then, you can start adjusting the right pressure and angle. only after doing this, will you be able to do the move live against a white & blue belt."

He wrote more stuff that was specific to the moves.. but this general advice is pure gold no matter what the technique, the belt level, etc. Thanks Donald.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great insite! I have similar math problems. Jodi + blue/purple belt twice her size = squish when I try new things. I have to remember to drill them and keep trying them. Thanks for the post.

SkinnyD said...

I think that is great advice, G. I've had some interesting conversations about how to train with one of my coaches who is very competitive in at the world level. He takes a specific subset of techniques and works on those exclusively for months, with people of all different skill levels. It does seem counter-intuitive; like you're limiting your game, but according to him it has the net opposite affect. Good to hear similar advice from another high-level source.

Great stuff.

Liam H Wandi said...

IT's great that you have such positive influence on your BJJ journey. Count yourself lucky :)