This past Saturday was Jits Family Fun Day. A short road trip up to another school for a couple hours of open mat time. There were a half dozen or so of us. The school is actually where our Coach goes to train. It was the first time I had ever gone, and I’ll admit, I was a little nervous. And it’s not that anybody ever said this to be true, but I just always got the impression this place was a little intense. A sea of colored belts waiting for unsuspecting white belts to smash. Not to mention that I haven’t been wearing my Gi a lot, and this open mat was Gi only. Actually, I have been wearing it more often lately, only because I know it is the only way to get better in it. Though I’m not sure I prescribe to the necessity of it. Next time I get into a tussle in the Harvard boat house where everyone is wearing a jacket with lapels, I will be all set for sure. I do get that it is tradition, and I respect that aspect of it. I also know that I may be giving myself excuses, because my Gi game sucks harder than a cordless Dyson vacuum. I don’t suck quite as bad as the plug-in pet hair model. I do have some game.
Before this thought escapes me. Fucking brilliant. The two AK brothers were there. Insanely talented. It is one thing to watch matches on YouTube, but to watch the effortless way these dudes just shut shit down. Amazing. What I found most intriguing was their use of the Gi. Untuck this. Twist up that. Around the waist. Grab the belt. All this is happening virtually unbeknownst to the other person. It was pretty cool to watch. I should apologize to the guy I rolled with after I saw all this. I was untucking his Gi like he was my prom date. And just like prom, it didn’t work out for me this time either.
Indeed, there were a sea of colored belts on Saturday. I put my trepidation aside, and rolled with another white belt, a couple blue belts, and a purple belt. Truth be told, I did as well as I expected I would against each. Meaning the taps came quicker and with more frequency as I worked my way up the ranks. Which I suppose is what you would expect. After about the 5th tap in just as many minutes with the purple belt, I stopped and asked him to tell me what you see. You can’t learn if you don’t ask, right? His response was simple. You’re trying too hard to be strong, and that is leaving you in vulnerable positions. This is the same thought that I have when I roll with newer, bigger, stronger guys. I can survive not because of my strength but in spite of theirs. And this gives me hope, because the knowledge and skill will come. I know this to be true.
All in all, it was a fun time and great learning experience. I left with a handful of new bruises, face a little smashed, and ego put into check. Success.
Finally, buy your gear from the AK dudes. You’re not going to beat the quality, and you’ll be supporting the efforts of real BJJ practitioners.
Keep on truckin’.