photos by Max Kotchouro
The following dust-covered article I originally wrote for another blog back in 2012-13 as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) blue belt, and mantis boxing black belt (a style of Chinese boxing). My hopes/intent for this article are still the same and that’s why I’m bringing it back to life here. To help others like you, whether you are a beginner, or a veteran martial artist understand BJJ, by sharing a bit of my reluctance to dive into it, and my experience traversing the art.
I later revised and reposted this as a purple belt in November 2015, 4 years into BJJ training. I still believe in the message and its benefit to you, so I’m once again knocking the dust and rust off and re-posting this here on this blog with a fresh edit and additional content to help anyone who is unsure if BJJ is right for them.
Randy - 2020. Thank you.
Let me get this out of the way from the start - I emphatically hate people touching me. I have issues with physical contact, space invaders, and touchy-feely nonsense. After many failed attempts at coping, I simply avoid large crowds, parties, grandmas, and priests. Chalk it up to a plethora of personal experiences early in life, or just laugh and call me strange. Getting my finger lobbed off in a table saw was a more valuable experience when juxtaposed with some weird inebriated schmuck trying to grope me at a party. (FYI - a good use for martial arts training)
So…now that I hopefully made clear how much I dislike physical contact, perhaps we can relate to one another and proceed on this journey you may be considering. I imagine if you are still reading this for any other reason than to make fun of me, then you have the same issue with physical contact, and it perhaps has prevented you from trying Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the first place. Or you just really hate Brazilian jiu-jitsu and can’t wait to see what bad things I say about it.
False Fears
As I’m sure some of you can understand, the idea of having to work closely with someone else, especially on the ground, used to 'skeeve me out'. There is a stark differential between what I was accustomed to - striking, kicking, and takedowns, in contrast to rolling around on the ground with another human being while wearing pajamas, or skin tight clothing. In the world of hindsight is 20/20, and knowing what I know now, I probably would have loved wrestling in high school, but that was never going to happen. Many foes would have fallen in the aftermath of trying to force my fat, chubby, adolescent self into one of those singlets.
Fast forward to later in life, having trained mantis boxing for ten plus years, and running a school for five of those. During this time I became distinctly aware of the giant deficiency in mantis boxing - no ground game. I discussed this reality with my mantis boxing coach at the time and, being practical and grounded in real-world experience, he agreed with the problem and suggested that I take up BJJ to at least a blue belt level. Blue belt being a significant achievement in the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu; showing an individual has gone through the grist mill and survived. Reaching a level of proficiency in defense and becoming acclimated to the shark tank known as ‘the ground’.
Textless cover of Cable #1 (March 2008).
Art by Ariel Olivetti.
The goal of reaching this belt, in his assessment, being that I would then have the experience and know-how to deal with an altercation on the ground; if a fight ever ended up there. Which they usually do. I was reluctant at first (see aforementioned comments on personal space), but eventually I capitulated and tried it out. To say my first attempts did not go well is a mild understatement [insert sarcasm].
Unfortunately, my first couple of experiences went horribly awry. It’s my fault. I chose the wrong coaches/schools to train with, and this set off nasty results. To include, but not limited to, a ripped ear, tweaked elbow; broken toe, and a severe shoulder injury that costs thousands of dollars in rehab, and will someday ultimately require a full replacement. I’m holding out for stem cells or cybernetic arms (like Cable) to become a mainstay. By the time that happens I should have the salty hair to go with the arm (see photo).
On the third attempt to learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I found a great instructor and the perfect atmosphere to train and learn the art. He was friendly, welcoming, and understanding of the fact that I was starting over in a new art. Patient as well, and willing to help me enter this martial art without getting trashed before knowing which end is up. Also known as - not having me roll the first class, or even the first weeks/months of training. His words - “I need to teach you how to roll before we start rolling.” - Dedeco. Wise words. Everywhere else, it was sparring from day one, and people just trying to mop the floor with you.
Ignorance is Bliss
Holly smashing it at Boston Summer Open 2013
‘Traditional’ martial arts styles are mostly comprised of arts originating from east asia, but for our purposes we’ll include western boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, shuai jiao, and more. A vast majority of these styles strictly cover stand-up fighting - striking, kicking, throwing, and maybe joint locks. With the exception of wrestling, how do any of these styles account for a larger, stronger, opponent that wants nothing more than to put us on the ground and pummel us?
A sound and well rounded martial artist, in my opinion, wants solutions for these problems. Problems such as being stuck underneath someone that has 100lbs of body weight on us, or is choking us, or pummelling with fists while sitting on our torso. We want not only to survive, but thrive in these situations. I have to be frank here - I have seen a variety of nonsensical comments from traditional martial artists when it comes to this threat. A belief that the threat of someone controlling us is not real, or that arts such as BJJ are useless. Statements such as -
"I will use my eye gouges, groin strikes, and secret pressure point attacks." - anonymous
No. No you most likely won't. You will be too busy trying to figure out which way is up; trying to breath as you gas yourself out (the ground is stressful), and performing silent math calculations on how much your opponent really weighs, while they crush the soul out of your body.
Another comment I see -
"I won't let them get me on the ground." - anonymous
Yes. Yes, you will. If the inherent nature of their style, the sole purpose of that modality of fighting, is designed to get you on the ground, then you will be on the ground. Especially if they have been training for years to accomplish said goals.
“But I train takedown defense.”
We live in the northeast, where snow and ice are prevalent for a large portion of the year. Ending up on the ground is a common mishap for us, without someone violently assisting us through the process. Bottom line - as a traditional martial artist, or someone with no experience in fighting, we benefit by recognizing the holes in our systems, and learning to close these voids. We gain nothing, but darkness…and oxygen deprivation, by hiding our head in the sand.
“Adapt and Overcome”
“Adapt and overcome.” A common phrase we heard consistently in boot camp. If we are experienced martial artists, adding Brazilian jiu-jitsu to our game only improves, not detracts, from our primary art. Depending on the style we practice, we may come from arts afflicted by transmission loss. Meaning some, or all, of the techniques have been lost through the annals of time. We’re left only with forms/kata, and best guesses as to the original method(s) of execution. Putting the pieces back together can be difficult to downright impossible. Finding crossover principles and techniques in other arts such as BJJ can help link things together in our brain, and improve our primary style of choice.
BJJ has decidedly helped me learn more about my own style of mantis boxing. From takedowns, to defense, to even just kinesthetically putting pieces together to flow. It has taken my knowledge, my game to a whole new level. This is especially relevant to an art such as mantis boxing, one of many Chinese boxing styles that is rooted in stand-up grappling, and riddled with principles that crossover to BJJ.
Perhaps you are fortunate and train with a school/coach team that has all the applications of your style already intact. Handed down to you in clear drills, and efficient training that turns you into a competent fighter. However, if that art still lacks a ground solution, as my art did, then this is the perfect reason to undertake BJJ, wrestling, or catch wrestling to shore up those weaknesses.
Donut, or Do Not?
Donut eating me - 2006
Here are a few more benefits of learning BJJ. Traditional martial arts teachers across America are known for being out of shape. I have seen it at countless tournaments since the early days of competing. A few years later, I myself was overweight while owning and running my school. I ballooned out, and knew deep down that I was setting a bad example to my students on how I personally believe a martial artist should live.
Another saying from the military - “fit to fight”. The truth to this is so base and fundamental. I’ve fought, sparred, won, and lost to some very good fighters over the years. Some of those individuals were grossly out of shape. After 30 to 90 seconds of maneuvering, or light tangling, they were huffing and puffing, buckled over and gassed beyond function. The amazing skills and techniques they had, were rendered useless by lack of stamina to stay operational long enough to use them.
Imagine for a moment, Special Forces operators dropped miles from their target behind enemy lines. They have to march to their battle positions before engaging the enemy. If they are unfit for duty, or out of shape, then any gear hauling, or arduous obstacles in their path, would render them inoperable by the time they reach their mission objective. What’s the point? Hand-to-hand combat is no different. If we’re out of shape, we’re ineffective, or less effective.
How can we stand with our heads high, selling, or marketing fitness, exercise, discipline, along with our self-defense, when we are stuffing donuts down our throat, or puffing cigarettes out behind our dojo? If we are out of shape ourselves, then we are nothing more than an exemplary display of hypocricy. “Do as I say, not as I do.”
How can BJJ change this? Brazilian jiu-jitsu is an incredible workout. It engages the full body. Exercising almost every muscle in our physical anatomy, including our brain. It takes serious conditioning to roll with another person for an entire class, or for a 5 minute bout at a competition. Just try and eat a jelly donut before walking out on the mats. Actually…don’t. Please don’t. Your partner doesn’t want to wear a Boston creme on their gi, and will likely give you a “vanilla nut tap” if you adorn them with an ‘already been chewed’ ball of dough and jam.
Before I ever reached my first BJJ tournament match, I had many stand-up sparring sessions and amateur bouts. I was no stranger to the exhaustion and fatigue that takes place shortly after an altercation ensues. Much of our training, and sparring in a dojo, is basic inoculation to the stress of what we are going to face for real. Even so, I had absolutely no idea what I was going to encounter in my first BJJ match.
An IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) tournament has more 6 packs than you'll find at a redneck BBQ.
When grappling is involved, it is a completely different world, and the intensity is magnified ten-fold. The proximity stress; gripping, tugging, and pushing; all when we’re still on our feet at the beginning of a match, drains our reserves. By the time we land on the ground, we’re seconds away from being face to face with the ‘adrenaline dump’ (all energy fades from our body). When this hits, there is nothing left in the tank; we’re completely gassed. Left only with our willingness to give up; or survive. This…is why an IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) tournament has more 6 packs than you'll find at a redneck BBQ. It’s an incredible workout.
What better way to exercise than to have fun, and learn while ‘getting into’, or ‘staying in’ shape? Enjoyment and mental engagement are a necessary function to stay committed to any type of physical activity we choose. BJJ will help us shred fat, build cardio, strength, and keep or return that weaponized body we once aspired to through joining martial arts in the first place. Of course, the nutrition aspect has to go along with it, but the mat time we put in, will incentivize us to eat better so we don’t gas out.
The ‘BEST’ Pie is ‘Humble’ Pie
Chin Na training - circa 2000
The saying is - "the mats don't lie." This means simply, that when we walk out on the mats, we can't say we are something we are not and get away with it for long. When we roll with another grappler, the truth becomes abundantly clear who is the higher hand.
"The mats don't lie."
Being a part of the ‘traditional martial arts world’ through the rise of the internet, from BBS's, to forums, to facebook, etc., I have seen more petty arguments and nonsensical statements about -
"My style is the greatest".
"I'm better than you."
"I know more forms than you."
“I’ve trained longer than you.”
"My lineage is pure, look who you studied with."
“I trained in {insert country of origin].”
"My teacher is better than your teacher.”
“My grandmother was better than your teacher"
It’s ‘ok’ to get a little mud on our face. Just smile and move on.
...and on, and on it goes. It is downright embarrassing and pathetic to see this behavior from (grown adults, usually males) martial artists. So-called warriors, or those aspiring to be. People who train their whole lives to be more than the average person, yet demean themselves beneath others on the internet for the world to see. The individual makes the art. No one else.
In contrast, I have met some of the nicest people in BJJ since I have been a part of this art. Sure, there are jerks (I met a few in the first couple attempts at starting out), but the majority of people, by and large, are polite, grounded, and pretty darn cool.
Why the difference? Simple really. We have to put our money where our mouth is. We can make claims to ourselves, or others about our prowess, and skill, but the truth comes out on the mats. Each roll, we’re face to face with our own strengths, and weaknesses; whether we’re ready to receive them or not. This is a humbling experience and not for the faint of heart. It requires complete honesty with the most important person listening to us - ourselves.
"In my experience, the more dangerous two people are, the more respectful they are to one another." - Dedeco
BJJ, along with any other contact based martial arts, keeps us humble and aware that we are all just students of the martial arts, even when coaching and helping others. We know in our hearts, and minds, that there are always bigger fish in the ocean. We all have progress to make in bettering ourselves inside and out. Even if we are king, or queen of our own little sandbox, getting tapped out by a smaller opponent or a BJJ white belt, gives us firsthand knowledge and experience in one of the most important martial arts principles to aspire to - humility.
Enjoyment of Challenge
Finally, what makes all the physical contact worth it? Honestly, the contact/space, is not that big of a deal a week or so after training. It is a far different experience rolling and grappling with someone, working with them to better ourselves, or having them try to choke us rather than grope us. Anyway, it's just downright fun, super challenging, mentally engaging, and packed with years of intrigue. There are not many sports that can produce that.
A plethora of the techniques (sweeps, submissions, escapes, takedowns) are extremely awesome and a thrill to learn. We mistake them for magic when we first see them, but the best part is when we succeed at working the magic ourselves after much trial and tribulation.
I know first hand as a student, and coach, that we have to keep the training fun in order to stay energized about teaching. So if you are already a teacher of another discipline, training BJJ gives us a newfound sense of excitement. The same we had when we were a novice student in our original martial art style, when everything was new and enchanting. Personally, I found it helped to keep the fires burning in myself, reigniting a dwindling flame in the art I had already dedicated years of practice and teaching to prior to entering BJJ.
Teaching others is rewarding and fun, but if we are not continuing to learn and grow we can become stagnant, bored, disenchanted, and even bitter. These are a few reasons I highly recommend trying out BJJ for martial artists from other modalities. Try adding it to your game and see for yourself.
Put on that ‘white belt’, box up the ego, and take the plunge into a fascinating world of new friends, sweet techniques, and years of humble learning. You won't regret it.
