Over the weekend, I watch a video where a BJJ practitioner stated that we cannot control our opponent. Don’t try to force a submission and await for the opportunity. Tonight, I tried to focus on that. Prior to hearing this advice, I felt I wasn’t drowning anymore. I still get my ass handed to me, but it was a different feeling tonight. During rolling, I tried to feel what my partner was trying to do. Well, at least what direction they where going. I tried to use that and simply react to any opportunity. Problem is, my techniques aren’t sharp and my reaction is slow. It wasn’t until after I was swept or passed that I realized the missed opportunity. It was tough tonight and I felt I was drowning again. It’s like I learned to tread water, but now the waves are crashing in too fast. But you know what? I feel great about it. I see potential. With more drilling and practice, I’ll certainly be sharper and react faster. I would prefer to know my flaws then receive a compliment.

Compliments are nice. One of the black belts complimented me on my performance tonight. It’s always nice to hear, but I valued his advice even more. I’m a whitebelt. And I was under the impression that I must limit my techniques for that level. I thought attempting inverted techniques were frowned upon so I never did tried them in class. My son and I play around with it at home and it’s so much fun. He told me this:

“Do what feels right to you, and use what makes sense to you…”

Many times I compare Jiu Jitsu to skateboarding and snowboarding. Why attempt a kickflip when a person struggles with an ollie. But it dawned on me. My ollies got better when I attempted kickflips. Advance techniques can help sharpen fundamentals.

I love being a whitebelt because there is no expectation. Like a skateboarder, I just want to rock the park and nail the moves. As a professional, you’re scrutinized if you bail or fail a maneuver. I would hate to have that pressure of performing weighing me. My only desire to get promoted is so I can do leg locks. In my past academy, we grappled with a mix of Judo and Sambo and I was allowed to do leg locks. I see those opportunities when I roll but I must refrain…because I’m a whitebelt. I understand as a whitebelt I should focus on the fundamentals, but dammit I want to attack some legs!!

I’ll be patient, and I’ll eventually get the opportunity.