Just thought I'd share. I have a great teacher here in Nashville. (BB under Lloyd Irvin) I took a private lesson recently and he showed me some helpful techniques. One thing he mentioned was that upper belts can beat whites (2 stripe here!) to every transition and that more inexperienced fighters/players often telegraph their moves. I'm fairly new to live sparring/full rolling and I asked him to show me what he meant. I thought that was interesting and to demonstrate we rolled and he kept his eyes closed the whole time. Of course his technique is fluid, crisp and so relaxed. He tapped me a million times and did so with his eyes closed. Now...I've always had major respect for him. I've seen him compete and he's fantastic as a teacher. But this really impressed me the most because his muscles were just flowing with my every move. He could just instantly tell if I was going to do something. Have you ever grappled with your eyes closed or seen someone do it? I'm not ready for it but thought it was just fascinating. Clearly the more experienced you are the more you understand "flow with the go". A very cool thing! Dan
Why aren't you ready for it? I think you are incorrect if you are assuming you have to achieve a certain level before you do this. I have my students (all belt levels) do this sometimes when we spar. It really drives home the point of how much jiu-jitsu is dependent on feel and sense of balance as opposed to sight.
Yep was forced to do this the day before last in a match. The guy shot and I sprawled, his shoulder went into my eye. My eye was watering profusely and I couldn't keep it open, so instead of bitching I just closed my eyes and continued. I kept real tight with him and it went surprisingly better than I could have predicted.
Just last week during live rolls, I hear guys talking about me saying ' That guy fights with his eyes closed'. I notice when I have my eyes closed when in a defensive position that I am able to slow down, control my breathing and defend myself and 'feel' out my opponents attacks and conter them. So, for me I usually have my eyes closed when on defense, but offense I don't think i'd be able to have my eyes closed. Going for collar-chokes blind would be a tough endevor
heck I get sweat in my eyes all the time and can't see through most a role..especially in no-gi with nothing to wipe out my eyes with... it happens be prepared for it. I also sometimes just close my eyes b/c I think it helps me focus a bit and feel where the pressure is and isn't.
To quote Zatoichi, one of my all time favourite films: "Even with my eyes wide open, I can't see a damn thing."
I do it alot myself and encourage students to do it also.Sometimes seeing restricts your game, eyes closed helps to stay in the flow.
i love rollin with my eyes closed, unless i am with someone very explosive...but even still it seems to make me think more about where iam and how to get out of it...it helps me "see" better ways to sweep my opponent... *not reccommended when stirking is allowed though* hhahah
i've done it once but the person i was going against was in Middle school. when i fight against him i let him punch and kick me but i dont' hit back i just submit. it only takes like 20 seconds 4 me 2 beat him when we do that but a lot of time i let him out of things so i can work on doing stuff i usually wouldn't do
i feel like if i closed my eyes i might accidentally jam a finger in her eye or up her nose or in her ear or maybe some other not so nice places. o wait we're talking abut grappling...
WAR Blind Swordsman!! I close my eyes a lot- I'm about a year into my blue belt but I still find myself getting frantic at times, especially when someones on top of me. When I start to feel myself wig out, closing my eyes always helps me focus. Haha and everytime I stand up to break guard. Helps me feel the flow
