Jiu-Jitsu is art. A beautiful art. So beautiful I weep every time I see a highlight clip. I also weep when I see this beautiful art damaged by people who can't let go. These are the people in the gym who stall in half guard or closed guard in fear of being submitted or humiliated...in the gym. You have to let go guys. The guys that sit down when someone gets them in spider guard and allow the sweep, rather than get swept. You have to let go. The guys that always have to warn you about their neck or pinky toe or finger nail before every roll. Let go. Even the big or strong guys who feel that they have to smash everyone they come in contact with...let it go.
My observations alone have seen that this type of behavior impedes growth. If you are afraid of being submitted, toppled, mounted, or controlled by someone you are in the wrong sport my friend. How will you ever learn if you never taste brutal defeat? How will you ever learn to defend anything if you are never in trouble? If this is you, you have a long road ahead of you or had a long road.
The number one thing people were telling me months ago is that I cannot only rely on a particular move, and that I had to open my game up if I wanted to get better. This was some of the best advice I have gotten because it made me seek out what I needed to improve on and add to my game. If you don't get anything out of this post...get this. Do not rely on anything except technique, and even then have a variety of things you can do. Let go of your inhibitions and fears, and let your game flow my friend.
