Being the class dunce

[gzk]

Sometimes I feel like I'd be wearing a dunce cap on the mat if it couldn't potentially put an eye out...

In grappling I find it very difficult to get to a decent position, let alone think about submitting my partner. I posture up in the guard, but the second I try to do anything I just get swept into mount and any escape I know rarely works and is often countered. Ditto for guys passing my guard. I know a couple of side control escapes but I can't make them work on anyone unless they take pity on me, tell me what I'm doing wrong and lower the resistance. I have trouble thinking of anything quickly enough and spend most of my time trying (and failing) to avoid losing position or getting submitted.

In standup I find it agonising to try and keep my hands up for as long as is required and I have to disengage to drop my hands for a second to try and recover. It's the same for repetitive fitness stuff; I hate slacking off but sometimes I simply can't make my body comply. I know I need to drop 30kg (about 65 lbs) and develop better sleeping habits, but I don't intend to stop training until then.

Now, I know I should be leaving my ego at the door, not expecting to progress on anyone else's scale. I got utterly slaughtered by a guy who only just graded up into our BJJ class but I know that's because he's been going to open mat sessions that I can't make it to and is a freak athlete. I don't care about that. What I don't want to do is become a burden to my instructors and training partners. The guy who you avoid partnering with because you won't learn anything, or who keeps getting drills wrong.

Have you ever been in a similar situation? How were you able to deal with it? Am I making too big a deal of this?

[The BB of C]

Grappling and ground combat styles are like arm wrestling.

Yesterday, my father (a bodybuilder) was telling me a story of him getting beaten in arm wrestling competition by a guy who was half his size and never lifted weights in his life. I am very strong for my age and size especially for someone who never lifts weights and I am not good at arm wrestling or any kind of wrestling for that matter.

The thing about grappling and ground combat is that some people are simply good at it, some people are simply not. Brazillian Jiu Jitsu might not be your style. But if you wish to stay with it, keep working at it. It's not that you're incapable, it's that you're inferior and you need to train harder at it.

You may want to consider adopting better sleep habbits and diets immidiately and combine it with fitness outside of the class. I suggest moving your schedule around to fit all of this in.

[bushido_man96]

I have issues like this all the time in my training. Recognizing these things is the first step in improving. Now, you have some obvious goals that you can set and work towards.

Don't let the frustration get to you too much. Just continue to work at it as hard as you can. One day, it will just happen, and then you will notice that the hard work is paying off.

By the way, I don't think instructors ever get tired of teaching someone that is willing to learn, and works as hard as they can at it. I would just put that out of your mind completely. Keep at it, and you will get there.

P.S.: Reread your signature! It has some great advise in it!

[Kante]

It seems that you're sort of out of motivation. Think about why you're into this art and then change your routine to become strong and conditioned enough for grappling.

The fact that you eventually lower your hands shows that at some point you just think and say "What the hell" or something like "It's not worth it". Don't take this literally.

Your lack of motivation is causing you to have all sorts of negative thoughts. Get yourself some weights and routinely practice with them.

If you need to lose weight it's pretty simple to go to a gym and use the treadmill or get one for yourself but it's the motivation that eventually stops you.

One thing that I want to point out is, when you're grappling with someone, don't waste your time reviewing the escape moves you've learned and know. Just act, apply. This isn't some kind of a math problem. This is you wanting to escape a grapple or submit someone, do what is needed. Focus and don't act as if there's some kind of an equation in need of an answer.

[Kajukenbopr]

Sometimes I feel like I'd be wearing a dunce cap on the mat if it couldn't potentially put an eye out...

In grappling I find it very difficult to get to a decent position, let alone think about submitting my partner. I posture up in the guard, but the second I try to do anything I just get swept into mount and any escape I know rarely works and is often countered. Ditto for guys passing my guard. I know a couple of side control escapes but I can't make them work on anyone unless they take pity on me, tell me what I'm doing wrong and lower the resistance. I have trouble thinking of anything quickly enough and spend most of my time trying (and failing) to avoid losing position or getting submitted.

In standup I find it agonising to try and keep my hands up for as long as is required and I have to disengage to drop my hands for a second to try and recover. It's the same for repetitive fitness stuff; I hate slacking off but sometimes I simply can't make my body comply. I know I need to drop 30kg (about 65 lbs) and develop better sleeping habits, but I don't intend to stop training until then.

Now, I know I should be leaving my ego at the door, not expecting to progress on anyone else's scale. I got utterly slaughtered by a guy who only just graded up into our BJJ class but I know that's because he's been going to open mat sessions that I can't make it to and is a freak athlete. I don't care about that. What I don't want to do is become a burden to my instructors and training partners. The guy who you avoid partnering with because you won't learn anything, or who keeps getting drills wrong.

Have you ever been in a similar situation? How were you able to deal with it? Am I making too big a deal of this?

you are not the class dunce, but you should up your training until you get in shape and develop more coordination and technique.

you should definitely train to lose weight and build endurance for those hands to stay up, and your muscles avoid fatigue when on the ground where you need to stay fresh the most.

talk to ur teacher, and check what drills and exercises he recommends for you

[DisgruntledGirl]

The thing about grappling and ground combat is that some people are simply good at it, some people are simply not. Brazillian Jiu Jitsu might not be your style. But if you wish to stay with it, keep working at it. It's not that you're incapable, ....you need to train harder at it.

Agree with this completely. Some styles are better suited to some people than other styles. Doesnt mean that "anyone" cant learn almost any art they truley try to learn and put in the effort for, but more effort might just be required of you than possibly from others. As much as I've heard that "grappling/ground work can be soooooo much better for self defence etc" I for one would not choose a grappling art over a striking art just because grappling doesnt suit me. I'd rather knock the person down and run away (not that that is always a choice)

Now to the whole "dunce" thing. Ive felt that way quite often since first starting and wondered if this was really "for me". But I have found that I go through phases of being corrected for *every single move* and then once I get past some obsticle, I get corrected less and less and my confidence steps in for a bit.... then of course I will innevitable be shot down again by another obsticle of some sort like a tecnique that I just "cant get!" at first but slowly I find that it will fall into place... admittadly a lot slower than I'd like cus I'm not overly athletic either... but it comes.

I'm sure if you look back to your first week (not sure how long you have been trying yet) you will notice mounds of little tiny improvements as you went along... even if only in realisation that what you are doing is wrong from time to time (cus that helps too!).

Good luck though and keep at it.

[KarateEd]

The BB of C really hit the nail on the head. Some people are naturally better at something than others. The "others," therefore, need to train harder. Also, as bushido_man said, recognizing you need to improve is the beginning of that improvement, just don't let the realization cause disillusionment.

Ed

[P.A.L]

Good posts,so I only give you a practical advice, make your hands stronger, from where i come from ,free style wrestling is part of the culture, our coaches allways say " you lose when your hands stop working", We do push up and more push up.

[Sensei Rick]

Go rent the last samuri with tom cruise and see how he learns to sword fight. You will get there Danielsan..... and make sure to pay your dues on time, ur making sensei earn his bucks.

[Kajukenbopr]

Go rent the last samuri with tom cruise and see how he learns to sword fight. You will get there Danielsan..... and make sure to pay your dues on time, ur making sensei earn his bucks.

what does paying his dues have to do with the topic?

if he's falling behind, his teacher is not doing his job well.