I have always had a thing for martial arts. I have taken up Karate a couple of times, and watched Bloodsport, and Above the Law numerous times, which I am sure makes me some sort of black belt in martial arts viewing.
I started taking Brazillian Jiu Jitsu here in Oz after some encouragement from an old BBC acquaintance to seek out a Will/Machado school… which I did. I am currently working on my 3rd stripe for my white belt. I love it.
Not every week, but some weeks, like this one past, I come home limping a bit, or am a bit stiff. It’s pretty physically demanding and a few times the older guys and I look at each and wonder why we do it to ourselves. To put it into perspective, hockey is on the same nights as BJJ, and I am choosing BJJ. I haven’t skated in a year.
The Sheer Primal-ness To It
There is something about testing yourself against other men in combat that makes you feel awesome. Even in losing. Which I am somewhat of an expert at. Guys who are bigger, guys who are smaller, guys who are more fit, less fit, guys who have way more experience, guys who are noobs. Every week my opponent is different. The combat is controlled. However, just because it is controlled doesn’t mean it isn’t intense and competitive. Our school has a rep for training hard, and my face usually comes home with the proof on it.
The Academia Of It
Responding to your opponents attack while you’re deprived of oxygen and they’ve wrapped your leg around your neck takes a bit of getting used to. Eventually, you begin to respond more and more effectively (preferably before you get into a position where escape is unlikely). Attacking and counter-attacking. Baiting, faking, anticipating, set-ups. Making your opponent over commit, or think you are doing something else and grabbing an arm or a choke by surprise. The strategy, combined with your knowledge of what you can and can’t do, combined with what your opponent can or can’t stop is something I find myself thinking about a lot. “I wonder if I should try and use my legs more.” “If I had’ve rolled this way” etc, etc.
Earning it
One thing I appreciate about our club is that a grading means something. To get promoted to blue belt, you must show proficiency in your techniques and your level of fitness. During the last couple of grading I watched for 3 hrs (since my grading only took the first 30 mins) while those going for their belt drilled their techniques over and over for 3 hrs before that part of the grading was complete. THEN, came the wrestling. Those going for blue belt wrestled for 30mins straight. 10 opponents. A new opponent every 3 mins unless you submit them, in which case you get to rest for the rest of that 3mins. About half way through you start to get the blue and purple belts and instructors. It’s killer. I have watched guys go through the hell and be rewarded on the other side. I have also watched guys go through the hell only to have to repeat it somewhere down the line. It is pretty cool to watch.
The knowledge of techniques and my ability to perform those techniques against better and better opponents is slowly improving. Which is cool. Now to get a few friends to roll with who don’t life so far away. Any takers?
