When your BJJ match is over

When your BJJ match is over

When your BJJ match is over, there is always a lesson to be learn, whether you won or lost. Hence, Grandmaster Carlos Gracie’s mantra “There is no losing in Jiu-Jitsu. You either win or you learn.”  When the action’s over in the time immediately after a tough match, whether on stage or in the gym, is always instructive and important. When you are finished, sometimes we expressed disappointment in the match. And like all true submission grapplers, we greatly value action leading to a decisive finish.  It’s important in these after match situations to assess what was good and bad. First, if it’s competition, you may have video to break down and the lesson are easier because you trained for this specific night. The training room, however, is just that, a TRAINING room. You are supposed to make mistakes there. And leave them there. Remember that not every match will be highlight reel of action. The important thing is that every match represents some kind of growth and improvement in the athlete. Understand that improvement comes in many different forms. Sometimes, it is about mental aspects of the game. Maybe we are taking on one of the world’s most dangerous and strongest grapplers, giving up a huge size and strength advantage, with total confusion and disarray in the week leading up to the match as to what will happen and  and yet we went out and attacked as best he could to battle to a tight tactical win. This was a win for athletic maturity. In this photo, my now blackbelt Brian Procel competed for the first time at the World Championships in CA under the bright light against a very experienced competitor from the Carlson Gracie team. Under tough and intimidating circumstances, he showed the improvements in his quiet, understated but impressive mental toughness. That is one of the best kinds of growth an athlete can experience and which will benefit him or her the rest of their career. Now as a white or bluebelt, sometimes, you will learn more from a loss than from a win. Wins can make you overconfident and make you blind to your weaknesses. Everyone is different in that aspect.  When you come to judge yourself after your matches,  don’t be too kind, but don’t to be too harsh either. Remember that not every match will be fireworks but that every match has some elements of positive growth for you that will help you in the future. Focus on those, incorporate them into your training and step forward to your next challenge knowing you are a better athlete