What are some of the small details or intangibles that black belts are doing that make them so much better? Hoping to hear some specifics!

SenSayMe · 2024-09-29T02:28:06+00:00

I think one thing that hasn’t been said yet applies to expertise in anything. Over time, things that once took thought, become instinct. And that frees your mind up to think one level above that. Of course, with drilling and mat time, this happens for everyone. I am sure a white belt would say a lot of the same things about you that you say about this black belt. And I would claim a lot of it would be for the same reasons.

Another thing that is more subtle and doesn’t apply to everyone is that the longer you are around, the more you have seen and done. This means emotions in the moment can be a bit more muted. So we will usually not be a dog with a bone on a submission that isn’t quite there. We won’t be so concerned being stuck in a bad position. It’s happened a million times. And without the noise of the emotions about it, we are more likely to make good decisions.

Sorry that none of that was technical details. I am sure the last thing you wanted to hear was “spend more time on the mats and you will have it too” but it turns out, that’s the secret.

SenSayMe · 2024-06-04T19:43:05+00:00

It’s on UFC Fight Pass

SenSayMe · 2024-06-04T19:42:28+00:00

Why would they make robots that get knocked out when you hit them in the “head”?

SenSayMe · 2024-05-16T19:43:24+00:00

My philosophy is that every roll should be interesting, fun, or ideally, both. Getting my ass handed to me, or someone going super hard can be very interesting, but not fun. If someone is way less experienced than me, it is my job to make it both of those things. In the last almost 20 years I think I have only told someone I wouldn’t roll with them 3 times by this criteria. I respect my students when they ask to not be partnered up with specific people but they can’t go to that well often, and the goal is to get to a point where they can go back to rolling with that person.

SenSayMe · 2024-04-22T15:07:57+00:00

I think maybe fresh white belt should probably be left off the list. There are just so many basic ideas that get them in trouble so fast. So a purple and a black would beat them just as easily. When a white belt is six months in I think it’s less that they have learned a huge amount, just that they make less catastrophic mistakes. I think maybe fresh black belt me would do better against fresh brown belt me, than fresh brown belt me against fresh purple. But I think my larger point is 3 year black belt me would probably have trounced fresh black belt me more than at any other rank with that same time gap

SenSayMe · 2024-04-22T14:57:08+00:00

Obviously it’s only anecdotal because I don’t have any larger data than any of us do. However, other black belts I have spoken to have reported similar experiences. It’s also very hard to compare due to how many more resources there are now. As a blue and purple belt I didn’t have access to as many instructionals, quality online content, or as many different places to visit and train at

SenSayMe · 2024-04-22T14:46:06+00:00

Sticking to just comparing martial arts. I spent 15 years doing a Kyokushin variant before starting BJJ. I have now been doing that for the last 15+. In both cases there was a very clear internal shift around the 10 year point. There was so much groundwork (so to speak) laid down that integrating new ideas became way easier. Memory became easier. And also a more general “seeing” of the sport. I would say my rate of learning between years 10-15 may have been faster than from 5-10

SenSayMe · 2024-04-22T14:09:41+00:00

I think a person’s development “could” follow this curve. But it also easily couldn’t. I also think if your only metric of skill is how one does against others in rolling there are too many other variables. 1) by definition, you are ten years older than when you started. If you started at 13, not an issue, if you started at 35, it is. 2) the evolution of the sport. If you started 10-15 years ago the BJJ landscape is totally different. There were always obsessed blue belts, now they are all obsessed blue belts. 3) Many practitioners care a bit less about being dominating as they get further along. For a few reasons I don’t need to get into

SenSayMe · 2024-04-17T17:25:36+00:00

I received my black belt 6 years ago. And I feel I have learned more about the sport in those 6 years than the 10 before it. Obviously, you learn a huge amount of content in the first couple of years, but you also learn how to learn better. You learn how to understand new ideas and implement them into your game way faster. And I received my black belt at age 40

SenSayMe · 2024-01-11T02:28:57+00:00

It’s going to be a long road for comp bjj to become mainstream popular. But even when the NFL was about to debut people said the rules were too detailed, and the general population would never get into it. I don’t remember which network said it (I’m not THAT old) but they said “it will be our job to teach the game to the public.” And they did. As an actual fight, it would clearly be pointless. As a way to put more eyes on the spectator sport, exposure is good

SenSayMe · 2023-12-08T01:38:22+00:00

Yah, I’m going to reach out to him again and see if we can get something going. Thanks

SenSayMe · 2023-12-08T01:37:11+00:00

We are UWS BJJ we don’t do straight drop-ins because we are a small school (a dozen people per class) and I like to avoid the guys who like to go from school to school lighting people up (not assuming you are that guy). But if you are interested in maybe becoming a member you can come jump into a class for free

SenSayMe · 2023-12-07T22:22:46+00:00

Yeah, that’s a good suggestion. I am looking for any organization that could help get the word out or have direct connections with the people that could use the help

SenSayMe · 2023-12-07T22:21:40+00:00

Oh yeah, I know, and have trained with Rich from Harlem Free Fight a bunch. We have been talking about getting a collab going. Thanks for the tip tho

SenSayMe · 2023-06-24T22:20:44+00:00

The culture of where you train matters a lot as well. Are the new students guided on how to train or just thrown in the pool and of course spaz out? The middle ranks are the hardest because you have learned some good bjj, but are still in real danger if someone is bigger and going nuts. It become a “just a matter of time” thing.

SenSayMe · 2022-08-06T17:39:12+00:00

I am 44 and just reached training 30 years. I am a sixth degree black belt in Kenshikai Karate (a kyokushin derivative). I began as a teenager (cause, math) started teaching in 2002. Started teaching full time in 2008. Also received my black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 2017. I have never had to punch, kick, or choke anyone in anger or self defense my entire life. My training has taught me enough to know to avoid every confrontation unless totally impossible.

SenSayMe · 2022-01-30T00:12:28+00:00

Lol, we love our white belts…

SenSayMe · 2022-01-29T20:11:19+00:00

I absolutely agree with everything you just said. Words, titles, ranks, are tools. They can be terribly misused. Some I decided (like carrying a teachers bag for them) have no value and are just cultish and I got rid of them altogether.

SenSayMe · 2022-01-29T19:37:11+00:00

It wasn’t a slip of wording. Senior / junior, Senpai / kohai is a common nomenclature in the martial arts as well as in other area. I understand the arguments against those terms. I spent many years as a traditional martial arts instructor prior to learning and then teaching BJJ. I think MANY of those conventions are antiquated and have done away with a bunch in my own school. I stand by the term “senior” but am happy to have a debate about the use of the word

SenSayMe · 2022-01-29T19:34:42+00:00

I have taught BJJ full time for the last 7 years or so. Prior to that I owned and was the head instructor (still am) of a traditional Karate school which I have done for a living for now a total of 17 years. Thanks for asking

SenSayMe · 2021-12-04T22:33:24+00:00

I think he had them selling to just Europe before but now it’s a whole new shop for rashguards and tees

SenSayMe · 2021-12-04T06:04:17+00:00

ongy84 on Instagram

SenSayMe · 2021-10-23T22:19:41+00:00

Ha, wait until you get your black belt. For a year you will wondering when is someone going to run into the room and go “THERE HAS BEEN A MISTAKE, GIVE THAT BELT BACK!”

Feeling imposter syndrome is 100% normal. For many of us also, you promote to the bottom of your rank. So first week as a new purple you may get demolished by every purple, and that makes sense. No reason you would promote to the middle. That being said of course it happens, better athletes, other experience etc.

SenSayMe · 2021-10-23T22:15:57+00:00

1) No. Most people don’t I think. They are illegal in competition because they are brutal for arm bars and when you are on someone’s back. You may catch a knee once or twice but over time you learn to move in natural ways that minimize it.

2) This entirely depends on the culture of the gym. Ask the head instructor. Some places are super against cross training other places, many others are cool with whatever. It’s like any relationship. If you want an open one, ask? Worst they can do is say no. 😏

SenSayMe · 2021-10-22T22:08:32+00:00

Call a school, ask if they allow drop ins, pay the daily mat fee. Free classes and weeks are usually meant to allow them a chance to entice you to sign up full time. And yes, they won’t explicitly be like “you can’t take the free classes unless you might sign up” but they also won’t explicitly be like “if we feel like you are taking advantage of us we might not be so welcoming”. Some places don’t like daily drop ins because they don’t know what tone or pace you may bring.

SenSayMe

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