Comments on: Wow! It’s been a while…and I still suck!

By: Joseki101

Joseki101 — Sat, 30 May 2009 19:18:06 +0000

All of the above advice is excellent–and I thought this quote on Yahoo Answers was quite sophisticated:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090223225525AA3xwrK

Jû-jutsu *does* develop our confidence, and part of this experience is building our composure in the face of fear and struggle, often through uncomfortable sparring situations. One needs to push oneself.

*However*, I can think of a few people in my academy–a great place, I would hasten to add–whom I avoid sparring with as much as possible. It’s not that they are ‘bad’ guys, or such . . . it’s just I find their attitude to the activity is incompatible with my own. I think I was so afraid of being the dojo sissy, previously, but now I recognise it’s acceptable to just avoid such situations.

By: Noelle

Noelle — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:20:30 +0000

Thanks guys! It’s good to know I am not alone on this one.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:21:12 +0000

Y’know, I am a guy, but I go through some of the same thoughts. I am coming up on a year of BJJ and am just now beginning to feel some gimmers of competence. I am both the oldest (will be 40 in september) and, usually, the smallest person in the class. However, rolling with bigger, stronger opponents has been good for me in that I feel like it has made me more technical. For the most part I am still getting tapped out left and right, but I have pulled off a few submissions here and there. Don’t be afraid of rolling with bigger, stronger people. It will up your game.

By: slideyfoot

slideyfoot — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:31:37 +0000

Yeah, its not fun when you’re forced outside of your regular sparring partner group. I’ve sometimes had the same issue myself, as normally the smallest person in the room (though I’m a guy, which makes things slightly easier).

Best-case scenario is that you have a chance to observe how somebody rolls (i.e., are they controlled, do they offer helpful advice afterwards, do they adjust to their partner’s level) before you spar with them.

If you don’t have that luxury, then pick whoever is closest to your size, then focus on staying as relaxed as possible, tapping early.

That way, you’ll be able to work out whether or not they’re controlled/helpful, and hopefully you’ll gain yourself another person to add to the ‘regular training partner’ group. Alternately, you’ll know to try and avoid them.

By: bjgirl

bjgirl — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:03:51 +0000

Tell a joke