Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Beginning Jiu Jitsu: How to Avoid Mental Errors

By John Knievel


Jiu Jitsu is both a physical and mental game. In fact, many refer to jiu jitsu as physical chess! The beauty of this sport is that you can have the most talented physical traits, but it is quite possible to be beat by someone who understands the mental game.

If you go back to the early 90s you can see a great example of this in the UFC fights of Royce Gracie. He was always the smaller and less athletic guy, but he ended up winning UFC 1, 3, and 4. It was amazing and clear that he had skills that other fighters didn't know what to do with.

But what does this mean for you?

Preparing for a fight mentally is as essential as preparing for it physically. Understand what you are good at and what you need to work on. Understand what the other guy is good at and bad at, too. Lay out your jiu jitsu plan that is going to benefit what you are good at and prey on what your opponent is bad at. Then, all you have to do is make it happen.

If you are a small and fast guy, don't play bottom against someone much stronger. If you are heavy, be sure to utilize your weight when playing top. If your best submissions are arm bars, stick to them and make them even better!

Now don't mistake this tip for making your game one dimensional focusing only on what you are good at. Your jiu jitsu training needs to encompass every component and aspect of the sport that is available in order to completely comprehend your craft. You should be taking these suggestions as a way to pump yourself up regarding your approach to competition and training. If you use your brain you'll be ahead of half of the other guys out there!

I suggest you write the following down on paper: your strengths, your weaknesses, your top two specific techniques you want to work on. Now practice the two you want to work on. And after every roll, see what falls under your strengths and weaknesses. Once these are written down you are committed, so hold yourself responsible for working on them.




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