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- TFS#12: Focus On Your Strengths
The first step in growing your strengths is to recognize them.
Weaknesses are obvious.
It's a better use of your time to develop your strengths than to constantly try to patch up your weaknesses.
There are two reasons for this.
The first is that doing what you're good at will create a positive feedback loop.
This will provide motivation and a goal to work towards.
For example, everyone loves to land a submission on their opponent.
Even if you don't get to finish your favorite submission, you'll be able to lock on something and think "oh I almost had them."
You'll feel close to victory and be motivated to figure out ways to set up your favorite submission moving forward.
The second reason to build off strengths is that not all weaknesses need to be addressed right away.
Strong fighters often get to "hide" their weaknesses by continuing to smother their opponent with their strengths.
This forces the opponent to now react and defend while trying to play out of their comfort zone.
What you can do:
Pursue what you're good at. You'll probably like what you're good at so continue to develop a system that gets you to your favorite positions.
Don't stress too much about a weakness. You'll know your weaknesses. You'll find yourself in a certain position often where you have little or no answers.
Over time, you'll develop your unique "rolling style."
Now, let's start rolling...
Techniques For The Week
1. What to do once the hard part is done.
The instructional does an excellent job at emphasizing hiding your moves.
2. How to make it more uncomfortable when you've got Knee On Belly.
This series of attacks is great because it builds off similar initial grips.
3. Here's an excellent way to get out of the frustrating Side Control.
Start the video at 1:00. This is a nice move that takes a few small steps to recover your position.
If you like huddles…
If you like huddles...
My friend Nick and his wife, Brittany, host A BJJ Marriage. It's a podcast about their training, competitions, seminars, and BJJ lifestyles. They’ve been training BJJ for years and have created a podcast to channel their energy with you. It’s a video podcast that’s recorded on the mats which gives you the same immersive experience as you get from the end of a class.
They provide a mixture of concepts, tips & tricks, new ideas, and motivation, with a bit of reality and humor, sprinkled into each episode. So join them on the mats for some BJJ tips and entertainment! Find them on all podcast platforms or YouTube.
Two Tweets Everyone Liked
Food For Thought
Getting your black belt doesn't make you a good person.
There are plenty of black belts that are assholes.
Have the knowledge of a black belt but keep a humble heart of a white belt.
Closing Thoughts
Jiu-Jitsu is honest.
The mats won't lie.
If you continue to find success a particular way, keep at it.
If you run into some trouble, you'll have to improve your methods.
Similar to this newsletter, if nobody read it, I'd have to change my message.
But because you continue to read (and provide feedback), I continue to write.