This evening I was watching the film Blindness. There is a scene early on when two blind people get in a sort of tussle, a small fight. I thought immediately of Jiu Jitsu.

When I first started Jiu Jitsu there where some moments when I thought how successful one could be when rolling with their eyes closed. In fact, when I roll know, I often think about how much Jiu Jitsu relies on feeling. I contrasted this with my previous martial arts experience where “forms” (like Karate’s “katas”) were a primary form a learning. Obviously, these exercises, like other drills in most other martial arts, rely heavily on vision as you see what you do, and do it, in three dimensional space.

Jiu Jitsu – especially on the ground – is tremendously different. Feeling – more than any other martial art I can think of – has a tremendous role in what happens.

If you have rolled even once you probably understand this. You feel the person trying to manipulate your body and vice versa. Of course, vision has its importance in Jiu Jitsu, too.

Blind Rolling

The natural corollary of this is the idea of having drills or rolling sessions where both participants are blindfolded. It could be a fun experiment. Both participants would have an equal handicap – and both would have the opportunity to improve the “feeling” part of the game. Obviously, safety would need to be considered; having “ground rules” could make the experience safer.

Update (5/31/9): As this video from Jiu-jitsu 365 proves, perhaps “blind rolling” really does have its importance.

pic credit(s): http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewmcvickar/8021849/

I’m at a point in my training when I would like to get more taps. At tap-out here, a tap-out here – nothing revolutionary or dominant – but I’m consistently doing the vast majority of tapping whenever I roll. Still, I believe I’m progressing in-tune with the average student. I have learned so much in my training. It has been amazing.

I’m an analytical, thoughtful person. Because of this I have stepped back and taken high-level look at some ways I may be more successful when I roll.

When I talk with and learn from classmates and teachers, and take a high level look at everything that is said, there almost seems to be a “Jiu Jitsu Chi” – that if followed – leads to tap-outs. This “chi” seems to the combination of technique, timing (which may be part of technique), position (which also seems to be part of technique), patience… okay, so I guess it really does seem to boil down to technique.

This notion of of “Jiu Jitsu Chi” is only tongue-in-cheek. I don’t really think “Jiu Jitsu Chi” exists, but it does seem at this point in my training that technique is just about everything. Maybe we can call “Jiu Jitsu Chi” the successful application of technique.

I can analyze all I want, however, but it seems the key to winning is time on on the mats – after which winning will come more naturally. Via Aesopian:

How to get good isn’t a big secret. Get on the mats, get good instruction and do conditioning, drilling or sparring. Gameplans, flow charts, notebooks, journals and instructionals are gravy. Training is the meat and potatoes.

pic credit(s): http://www.flickr.com/photos/parrhesiastes/816843976/

I had the opportunity Today to help paint the new space for my dojo where I train – Boulder Grappling Academy. It was also my first look at the new space.

The new space is great – it is roomy and the location is excellent. I certainly expect the location to help the school grow. Here is picture I took of the space as we worked on it.

One of the cool things about the space and the school having its own location – is that it will be the only Brazilian-centered martial arts school in Colorado due to its relationship with Grupo Cafu Capoeira Colorado, which is led by Leomar Mendez, who is also a student of Boulder Grappling Academy.

These are exciting times for the Dojo and I’m grateful to be student there during a time of such change and growth.

When rolling, don’t forget to tap. Always err on the side of tapping out. It is not worth the injury.

Tonight I began rolling with brown belt – and about  9 seconds later – I was in a leg lock. For a split second I believed I could escape the hold – so I twisted to my left, naively thinking my leg would be freed and the situation would evolve to something different, but It didn’t. I should I have began tapping the moment my leg was captured. For my mistake I have sore left calf. I’m lucky it wasn’t worse.

It always important to tap when in peril. I’m lucky I didn’t injured. When in doubt, tap.

In class tonight we learned some side control (also called “kesa gatame”) escapes. Side control is a dominant position in grappling. I like Wikipedia’s definition – here is an abbriged version:

Side control … is a dominant ground grappling position where the top combatant is lying perpendicularly over the face-up bottom combatant in such a way that the legs are free and he or she exerts considerable control over the combatant on the bottom … from there the top combatant can proceed with elbows, knees, various armlocks, or transition into a mounted position.

Escaping side control is tough. The person defending side control (the person on bottom) has a lot work for him or her.

The techniques we learned where considerably awesome, however. This was surprised – but I guess I shouldn’t have been – that bucking the opponent is can be key to escaping form the position.

Anyhow, when I returned home, I was motivated to explore some other techniques online. I impressed by the number of creative ways to escape this position. For example, I especially like the first technique in the video below because of the ability to leverage your back strength as you capture your oponent’s head with your leg.

Here is another technique that looks extremely effective. I can’t wait to give a try next time I’m rolling and find myself the victim of a side control position.

Jiu Jitsu is both a martial art and a sport. It’s also just plain awesome. I’ve never felt the enthusiasm and interest for any sport for what I do for Jiu Jitsu. Enough to even start this blog.

This blog will document my Jiu Jitsu journey and covers related topics, including gear and reviews, tournaments, MMA, and the like.

Welcome, and I hope you enjoy the stay.

Also…

Special thanks to Tara from Lijit for the blog advice and encouragement.