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Some BJJ perspective/ insight from Roy Harris

pheonix5

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#1 - Jiu Jitsu is a sport and a hobby. It is supposed to be fun - even when things don't go your way. Unfortunately, too many students lose sight of this fact. What's even worse is that too many instructors lose sight of this fact.

Yes, it is important to learn, grow and progress. However, once the tap becomes the most important thing on your mind, Jiu Jitsu is no longer a hobby and can quickly turn into a self-centered pursuit - where the practitioner no longer cares about the community that surrounds them or the instructors that helped them obtain the skill sets they currently own. So, keep it real but keep it fun!

#2 - Focus on your basics! Try not to become enamored with the Rubber guard or the Tornado guard or the Godzilla guard or the Watermelon guard or flying omo plata as a white belt. These methods - while good in certain instances - are not designed for longevity. Whereas your basics are! Besides, everybody returns to their basics - EVERYBODY!

#3 - While you develop your skill sets in Jiu Jitsu, develop your friendships as well. Why? Because some of these friendships will outlast your skill sets in Jiu Jitsu. Yes, yes. I know some of you THINK you will be doing Jiu Jitsu for the rest of your days, but trust me when I say this:

Life has many changes in store for you. AND, your current feelings are no indicator of how things are going to turn out in your life!

So, work on those friendships - because some of them will take you farther than your Jiu Jitsu!

#4 - Learn to set limits, as well as say "No" at times. Here are a few examples:

A. When that new wrestler asks to spar with you - the one who hurts everyone because he doesn't have as much control over his body as he thinks he does - politely tell him, "No thanks."

B. When you have an important presentation at work tomorrow, don't try out the new MMA class and take the chance on getting hurt - or worse, getting a black eye. Wait awhile before trying out the new class. Put what pays the bills ahead of what sounds fun!

C. It's Thursdsay evening. Tomorrow night, you and your girl are going out on a special date. Don't take a chance with sparring. Learn the techniques your instructor taught and then politely remove yourself from class. Don't take the chance of getting hurt - or getting one of those VISUAL injuries (one that she will have to look at all night. or worse, one that she might have to explain to friends or family members).

I hope these four insights will help many of you enjoy more of your time with Jiu Jitsu!

Sincerely,

Roy Harris
 
C. It's Thursdsay evening. Tomorrow night, you and your girl are going out on a special date. Don't take a chance with sparring. Learn the techniques your instructor taught and then politely remove yourself from class. Don't take the chance of getting hurt - or getting one of those VISUAL injuries (one that she will have to look at all night. or worse, one that she might have to explain to friends or family members).

Anyone who puts pussy over training is a bitchazz.
 
Your comment is completely inappropriate sir. I ask that you stay on topic.


He did stay on topic. I also disagree, if she has a problem on the first date with a black-eye, then why would you want to wait 2, 3, 4 in before she finds out about the consequences from a hobby. And to be honest, I've never met a woman who hasn't thought MMA in general was bad-ass. They may not realize all the nuances or even why they like it, but once you have someone in front of you, who you personally know, that tells you they hit people in the face for fun, there is always the 'Wow, that's wild.' type of mentality.
 
Hahaha I spend more time explaining to people why MMA isn't barbaric and as brutal as they think.

And then I spend the other half of my time explaining why it's fun to wrestle men in PJs.
 
I agree on everything except A, B & C.
 
Hahaha I spend more time explaining to people why MMA isn't barbaric and as brutal as they think.

And then I spend the other half of my time explaining why it's fun to wrestle men in PJs.

I dont even tell most people i train anymore just to avoid this.
 
I dont even tell most people i train anymore just to avoid this.

I'm of the mindset, if they ask, I tell them. Other than that... who cares?

If I have a black eye from training, or a few extra bruises, no one really asks as everyone seems to know I'm athletic and always seem to be out doing something.

I've gotten worse looking injuries from hiking and rock climbing than I have from bjj/MMA
 
You must be very young then.

My thoughts exactly. It's all great advice for adults training BJJ in a non-professional way (99.99% of us). I would add:

  • If your significant other or kid really, really wants to do something that requires you to skip BJJ to do it with them, do it gracefully and without a fuss

Relationships are ultimately more important than BJJ, and for me at least my wife knows how important it is for me so she doesn't ask me to skip often.
 
My thoughts exactly. It's all great advice for adults training BJJ in a non-professional way (99.99% of us). I would add:

  • If your significant other or kid really, really wants to do something that requires you to skip BJJ to do it with them, do it gracefully and without a fuss

Relationships are ultimately more important than BJJ, and for me at least my wife knows how important it is for me so she doesn't ask me to skip often.

I agree with this as well.
 
A. How is that new wrestler going to get better if no one will roll with him? Take some initiative, talk to him about his issues and then get your roll on.

B. If your girl/job is unable to tolerate (or is surprised by) a black eye, then you probably haven't been forthright about your inclination to hug sweaty men...

Shake hands and hug all of your training partners and mean it. Ask what they did with their kids when they skipped that class.
 
What's wrong with bringing a black guy to your presentation or on a date? What is this the inside bjj podcast?
 
I've had 3 presentations this week at work with a black eye to clients from a Fortune 50 company. Mostly people ignored it, the ones who did ask I just made jokes about my boss hitting me if they pressed I said boxing which they thought was cool.
 
My thoughts exactly. It's all great advice for adults training BJJ in a non-professional way (99.99% of us). I would add:

  • If your significant other or kid really, really wants to do something that requires you to skip BJJ to do it with them, do it gracefully and without a fuss

Relationships are ultimately more important than BJJ, and for me at least my wife knows how important it is for me so she doesn't ask me to skip often.

Amen to balance!
 
My thoughts exactly. It's all great advice for adults training BJJ in a non-professional way (99.99% of us). I would add:

  • If your significant other or kid really, really wants to do something that requires you to skip BJJ to do it with them, do it gracefully and without a fuss

Relationships are ultimately more important than BJJ, and for me at least my wife knows how important it is for me so she doesn't ask me to skip often.

Our school operates a little differently than others. We have technique nights and sparring nights. After I was in the open class for a couple months I started going to the sparring class. I told my wife "I'm going to start going to the sparring class on Tuesday & Thursday, but if anything comes up with the kids or that I should be at, I'll skip it and go to that.
 
which is a good thing

I didn't say it was bad, just an attitude of a young guy. I'm an old guy so I need to take care of myself. I think Roy was talking to older guys and guys that want longevity in the sport.
 

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