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Do you compete?

Recently at the gym while talking about BJJ philosophy, as is bound to happen, we ended up on the topic of the importance competition.  I come from a school and a team that has produced multiple world champions, multiple time world champions, and more times than not in the last ten years, has won the overall team championship at worlds.  It would almost be redundant to say we value competition, but we do.  And that’s not to say everyone in the gym competes on a regular basis.  I only compete a few times a year, and our gym is full of great people and great training partners who rarely if even complete.  

Anyway, the conversation turned to another gym in the area that doesn't compete, and in some peoples opinion, almost steers their students away from competition.  The point of this post isn't to criticize other gyms or their training philosophies, but rather to share my thoughts on where competing fits in a training regimen. 

As I mentioned earlier I only compete a few times every year, but I can‘t imagine training at an academy that doesn't have competitors and here is why.  Bare with me as a ramble on a bit, chances are this won’t be read by many people so who cares.  I am always skeptical of my own abilities and skill level.  I wonder if I am just drinking the martial arts Kool-Aid, and if I actually know anything.  Even After winning a few local tournaments my first thought isn't that I am good.  My first thoughts are the talent pool must have been small, or lacking, or maybe people were fight up in the weight class.  I don't say this to disparage my opponents or local tournaments, but to prove the point that even after having small success I still questions my skills and abilities.  I don't know how anyone could have any confidence in their BJJ skills, and what they are being taught if they have never tested themselves. 

I don't understand how you could trust that you will be able to defend yourself in a real situation with actual dire consequences when you haven't tried to defend yourself in a consequence free environment like a tournament.  Even if you personally don't like competing, at least train with people who do compete.  If you are training and learning with people who win tournaments at least you know what you are being taught has been tested.

I think I’ve run out of steam, so ill just end this here, that's the beauty of blog no one reads 

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That victory face, though.

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Always time for a mid match smile for the camera.

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Photos of photographers

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My friend and teammate Connor got caught.  I’ve been thinking a lot lately about posting photos of teammates getting tapped or losing.  On one hand I almost feel like they will feel mocked or discouraged by seeing their momentary failure.  On the other hand a good photo is a good photo, and as a photographer I feel an obligation to try and convey the reality of what’s happening with my work.  I don't look to deceive or mislead.  

My concern came to a screeching halt when another teammate asked if I had any photos of him being chocked out.  He wanted to use it as motivation and thought it would be funny to see himself redfaced with a choke sunk in.

I’ve always known BJJ is humbling, and I’ve always known my teammates to be great sports.  No one can realistically think they will never lose, I lose all the time and I am not embarrassed about it.

This moment really made something click for me.  I lose and I don't get into a tiz about it, and my teammates have their heads on straight, why would they care if there is a photo of them getting chocked.  That’s part of our sport, that's what happens.  So in honor of this little moment (which happened a while ago but I’ve been bad at staying on top of posting.)  Here is my teammate getting choked.

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Big takedown

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Bow and arrow choke!

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Sweep!

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More Armbar action!

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Cross body work!

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Whitebelts squaring off!

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More great action from Fuji Open Madison, WI

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Triangle finish at Fuji Open in Madison, WI.  One of my favorite captures from the weekend!

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Fuji Open Madison, WI.

Fuji was kind enough to set me free in the gym and go where I wanted to get the shots!

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Blue belt blues is bullshit

If you’re someone who reads articles, blogs, or forums about BJJ you’ve probably read something about the blue belt blues.  For those unfamiliar with the blue belt blues here is a brief summary:

Once receiving a blue belt some BJJ practitioners get frustrated and either reduce their training or quit completely.  The reasons people have cited for the “blues” include feeling directionless after achieving the goal of blue belt, feeling pressure to all of a sudden start submitting everyone and never get tapped, or frustration towards a perceived stagnation in growth.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been a blue belt less than a year, but I think the blue belt blues are bullshit, and I’ll tell you why.

If you feel a lack of direction after getting your blue belt your priorities are not correctly aligned.  blue belt is a big mile stone, but it’s just that, a mile stone, a small achievement on the long road to black belt and beyond.

Other blue belts have said they get frustrated that they don’t magically become world beaters overnight, or because their progress isn't as rapid as it was when they were white belts.  And maybe your progression will slow down a bit, but as a blue belt there is still so much to learn.  Of course progress when you start a new sport will always be rapid at first and slow down, but this is the case for practically every single activity, sport, or endeavor.

The third excuse for the blue belt blues that I’ve heard is the perceived pressure to start winning every roll/not getting tapped (especially to white belts)  This has to be the most ridiculous reason of all.  A blue belt is the second lowest belt in bjj.  There is no reason to believe that just because your belt color changed you'll start taking down people who have been blue belts or purple belts longer than you've been training.  On a related note, I’m willing to bet this false need to start winning rolls in the gym is directly related to a slowdown in progression, because when you start rolling to win in the gym you’re not rolling to learn.

So cheer up, go train, enjoy being a blue belt.

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That’s a lot of medal.

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BJJ in the USA