Great support

You'll never know how good you can be if you don't have the support of your team and your instructors. I am very fortunate to have many people that want to see me succeed. I got thinking this week after an email I received from Kimo that I am really doing things the wrong way. I am obviously picking up techniques and rolling and learning, but I am NEVER drilling or setting weekly goals for myself. I have every opportunity after class to grab someone and drill, but I just go ahead and roll. It never really dawned on me how counter intuitive that was. I am going out of town for a week and a half next week, but when I return I am going to be laser focused on publishing my weekly goals and asking for help in achieving them.
As I was driving home from class on Thursday I really reflected on what I want from Jiu-jitsu and what brings me joy about it. In all honesty, it is not belts or awards or medals. I am small and Jiu-jitsu for me is exactly what it was intended for, a smaller, weaker opponent to use technique to defeat a bigger, stronger opponent. Most everyone I roll with qualifies as the latter on me, so I've got that going for me. But, where I get the most joy is when I roll with a less experienced guy that is 50 lbs heavier than me and I get the better of them. Seeing their face and hearing the reaction to "how the hell did that little guy just do that to me" gives me pleasure that you can't imagine. Now that I've met Casey I might have to reconsider that which brings me joy, but for now I'm sticking to it.

So I read the Wise Grappler's emails all the time and this week I received one which showed itself in training and at even came up at the birthday BBQ. It was called "Are You Doing That Young Man's Stuff". It was so brilliant. Basically, it talked about Bernard Hopkins' last fight and how he was standing toe to toe with a much younger and probably stronger opponent. His corner man, after Bernard got pummeled one round, said exactly that "Don't do that young man's stuff". It rang so true this week as I rolled with Jesse. He is huge, much bigger and stronger than me and I "let" him get to side control. I was playing a big man's game, not a little man's game and Seth brought that up to me. So, my next question is how do I play the little man's game (the answer is don't let the big guy get side control! ha, ha still figuring it out) Anyway, that will stick in my brain and form my game in a significant fashion. I absolutely need to learn the little man's game, I just never realized it before.

So now I need to figure out what I want as far as setting my goals. I absolutely need to add more and more drills to my training - arm bar, triangle, omo plata for one, back take from half guard, arm bar from mount, I'll add others. I also need to focus on doing one thing well each week. From a suggestion, because of my knack for turtling, I will set a goal to get back to guard from as many positions as possible. I also want to do more flow drills. Like I said, I'm going out of town Wednesday for a week and a half and will only train once with my old pals outside of Philly, but when I get back it is game on. You will all see a new and improved "little guy" come August and September. Be prepared to drill with me too.

Last note - I am giving myself some props because I showed up Saturday to roll open mat. Friday night I must have drunk 2 bottles of wine and getting there Saturday was a real challenge. But, you all are keeping me motivated and even though I only sweated it out for 30 minutes, it was well worth my time and effort. I couldn't have said the same a few months ago, so thank you goes out to all of you guys who are supporting my journey.