You Have A Bad Mindset In BJJ
Old Grappler Summit San Diego is happening!
April 5, 6, 7 - 2024
Old Grappler Summit is an exclusive three day gathering for dedicated over-40 Jiu Jitsu practitioners of all levels that want to increase their effectiveness and longevity on the mat.
For more information, visit:
oldgrapplersummit.com
------
BUY MY COURSES!
10% OFF: Coupon Code: GIMME10
www.rickellis.com
I also have great swag (t-shirts, hoodies, caps, water bottles) available at
artofskillgear.com
------
If you’re an athlete, you need ELECTROLYTES. Seriously, it's a game changer. Use the link below to get a FREE SAMPLE PACK.
drinklmnt.com/TheArtofSkill
------
FOLLOW THE ART OF SKILL
Website: rickellis.com
Instagram: instagram.com/RickEllisOfficial
Facebook: facebook.com/TheRealRickEllis
------
VIDEO DESCRIPTION
In this video, Rick Ellis talks about mindset for BJJ.
The book I recommended is called Mindset of a Champion by David Cook on Amazon. Audible has the audio book for free at the moment.
In the beginning, I used to meditate to get over the anxiety of going to class. And a huge part of it was being so out of shape and clueless. It's been 2 years and now I'm a 54 year-old blue-belt. My attitude now is this; Show up, relax, learn what you can and teach what you can. Tap before it turns into a death match and above all have fun!
Wow exactly what I had to do during last year when I trained till September. I was anxious before class, didn't know if it was because of fear of body or ego injuries, probably both. I'm 42 and a dad now, I'm doubtful about coming back, I also think my gym didn't help with me not being anxious. If I start again I'll try a different gym. Your strategy sounds great.
at 57, 95-100% of my gym is younger than myself. I learned very early on that they tend to come at me hard at first, and if I only use the amount effort necessary to control -or keep them from controlling- the situation, and only "red line" when absolutely necessary. In a very short time, I have gone from gassing in the middle of roll to being able to do three or four heavy rolls without being exhausted. Guys, keep at it. Work on your fitness. You don't have to be a world class athlete to roll, just able to keep at it. You WILL get better.
I think you SHOULD be able to say to your partner "I'm tired today so I'm only looking for a flow roll". Even at my fittest I would show up having already done one or two workouts on the same day and ask for light, flowy technical rolls, maybe working some specific situations. That's not an excuse it's a strategy.
Flow rolling is a specific way of training that offers lots of benefits. I wasn't suggesting that you shouldn't do that. I love to flow roll, especially as a warm up.
32 blue belt, I often tell my self right before I roll " it doesn't matter, nothing else matters right now. " started this habit right around 3rd stripe white. Doesn't matter if the roll is sparring or flow, nothing else matters in the moment of what your doing.
This hit very close to home.
Thanks for the insight and tip. Great video
Good stuff! I'm always trying to better my mindset and have a positive mental direction when on the mats.
Adding clubs and mace to my training last year has been a big help,I have already been using Kettle bells and sandbags for 22 years..Using Adex club and mace systems made in America.
As a brand new 40+ BJJ white belt with under 2 months of training, I definitely feel very anxious when it comes to rolling - even during training classes, not just on open mat. Haven't really tried that properly, because of that. Two things that fuel that anxiety are: 1. being scared of getting injured - not even because the partner can go 100% and do something stupid, I'm more worried *I* will do something stupid because of my lack of experience and knowledge (like not react properly to something obvious they do and end up with a twisted elbow or something); 2. being somewhat embarassed to "waste people's time" - particularly with higher belts... and it's not that because they will easily defeat me, because of course they will... it's more that I can't even offer them a challenge at this point, because while I know the basic positions and such, I can't say I know how to get to them and I quickly end up doing random stuff that doesn't work (of course!), and I can't even make a proper attempt to pass their guard and such. I'm trying to work on both of those issues - had some good conversations with higher belts over the last few days which sort of convinced me that rolling is important, now just need to actually start rolling ;-) As for the mindset itself... It's hard not to have a defeatist mindset at this stage, where I don't really know what I'm doing. At the moment it feels like anybody who walked in front of the gym more than once can easily defeat me, and I'm okay with that. For now, at least 🙂 And I'm generally not a very competitive person, plus I fully realise that at my age BJJ will not be a career, so I don't really care about winning at this point. I just want to enjoy the exercise, learn more until it all starts making sense - and stay safe and uninjured. This mindset should evolve with more practice and confidence - I hope 🙂
I was mostly talking to people that have more experience. For someone at your level, the proper mindset is to be a student with a super positive attitude and a willingness to learn and be a sponge--the kind of person that everyone enjoys training with, even though you lack experience. Good luck on your journey!
Same here. 43 and a few weeks in. Had a few good rolls last week, still tapped out but lasted longer. Today, I felt like I didn't even belong. It was kinda embarrassing and I'm not even competitive like that. I just couldn't do anything although i tried fighting everything. That said, I'll try again in a few days.
Another great video, your videos are what actually got me interested in BJJ, I've moved and had to restart at different BJJ schools at times I feel like a permanent white belt 4 years in, still WB LOL, but at 50 I see age relieving a lot of pressure, I'm not in a rush, this is fun for me, so I don't have the self imposed weight some young tiger has trying to jump belts quickly, it's about enjoying and learning.
These are always on time
Great discussion of timing and attacking that window of opportunity in the beginning…
Civilize The Mind, But Make Savage The Body.
Mind set of a champion by Rich Thomas
David Cook is the author of the book I referenced.
Thanks for this. I’ve been internally using my age (47) as an excuse lately, and I need to just get in better shape!
Love the content ; I’m 53 years old purple belt battling young wrestlers, and jujitsu practitioners. I have added kettle bell works , weight training and extra rolls and the mind set always comes up and it tells me me will it be enough? I always respond with let’s find out
I am a 52 year old blue belt and have been struggling with this a lot lately after coming back to training after a shoulder injury.
That’s my story! I added weight training and it’s strengthened my shoulders and virtually eliminated all pain, the opposite of what I anticipated.
Great content, how do you balance being a good training partner and allowing your teammates to work vs "giving your best" at all times? As Ive gotten older, definitely feel that rolls are more a give and a take, especially with lower belts or weaker opponents.
I let them start in their best position, so that I have to work from a disadvantage position. They get to practice their offense, and if I reverse the position it exposes things they have to get better at. Another strategy I like against less skilled opponents is to practice things I’m not as competent at.
I usually see “I’m really tired/injured. Can we flow roll” and then a minute later they are going 1000%
I just had a run-in with a facet, some symptoms if you will, of this idea. achievement unlocked, I guess. I've officially started my list of "people who won't roll with me because I caught them in a submission". jiujitsu is supposed to help overcome your ego, not fall victim to it. I said "hi man, long time no see, how's it going" to him at open mat, and he legit goes "well I avoid you now since you crushed my head. I said I was done and I meant it" like, what?? so now he refuses to interact at all b/c I caught him in a mothers milk one time. I roll with respect for all my partners - rising tide lifts all boats - and I'm never cruel or rip submissions, etc. so this one kinda caught me off guard. but stoicism tells us that the only thing I can control there is how I feel about it, which at the moment is "oh well, your loss, I will continue to improve."
Be honest with yourself. If someone has years of experience, then you should be working defense. If it’s your belt level, the work offense, and try techniques or positions you’re not proficient at. If you’re tired; even better! That’s when you really have to focus.
Hi whos the author of mindset of a champion ?
David Cook
Mindset of a champion? Who's tge author? There are several books with similar titles.
Mindset of a champion by David Cook. There’s a free audiobook.
I always fist bump and mention I’m on my period… they’ll usually take it easy on me then. I guess…
Fix your thumbnail.
Whoops! Thanks!
Your V didn't want to go to class today. 👊
Love the channel. I am a blue belt at 10th Planet Nashville. I may be heading to San Diego for work for a few days in the near future. Where is your gym? What’s the name of the gym? Thanks!
White Belt @ 10p Fredericksburg 👍
You'll find me at the Clark Gracie academy. Send me a message if you plan to drop in and I'll try to be there that day. I do teach class sometimes, but I'm not on a fixed schedule.