Let's not Overcomplicate This

I wanted to follow up on something we’ve been talking about over the past couple weeks… and break it in half (I’m kidding - sort of).

You might be too intentional in your training. (Don't blame me for the mixed messages, I'm just the messenger.)

It’s easy to get so focused on one thing that you start ignoring everything else.

By now you’ve probably developed some laser focus on the technique you want to make yours - but now you might be wearing blinders and missing the other jiu jitsu happening around you.

It happens all the time.

Part of this is just the reality of sparring. Your partner isn’t just standing there letting you work - they’re trying to do their jiu jitsu too.

So things don’t always show up the way you planned. And because of that, opportunities show up that you didn’t plan for.

This is where it’s important to take the low hanging fruit.

A sweep. A pass. A submission.

Ripe for the taking.

You might be so laser focused that you didn’t realize your partner changed the situation, and you can’t get to your move from the position you’re in anymore.

You can still have direction in your training. You can still work toward a position or a technique, but you don’t need to force it at the expense of just doing jiu jitsu.

Funny enough, taking that low hanging fruit might just lead you to what you were hunting for anyway.

It might also be why it seems like upper belts can see the future and predict the move you’re about to make. It’s not that they’re predicting anything - although they might be clairvoyant. They just adjust to the current situation faster and recognize what’s right in front of them.

A lot of progress in jiu jitsu comes from recognizing what’s in front of you - and being willing to take it when it’s there.

See you all on the mats.