By Head Coach Travis Davison
I had a student come up to me after Wimp 2 Warrior practice the other day, and she said she was getting frustrated because she couldn’t remember the moves that she’d been practicing.
This is a common BJJ white belt frustration. It’s a totally normal thing to experience when you’re a beginner BJJ student, and everyone experiences throughout their jiu jitsu training.
Analysis Paralysis
Everything feels smooth and easy when you’re drilling. You’re following your instructor’s step-by-step directions and doing what they tell you. You’re drilling with a partner, who is also learning the move, and they want you to practice on them.
That all changes when you start to spar. Your instructor isn’t there to coach you and tell you what to do. You’re on your own and you have to remember everything that you learned. And you’re doing all that while reacting to an opponent, who is working against you and doesn’t want you to gain an advantage.
Take A Breath
As a BJJ white belt when you feel that frustration, sometimes you get so overwhelmed and frustrated that everything starts to close in. You get so focused on doing the move just right and exactly how your coach taught it that you get analysis paralysis. Just take it in small chunks.
When you get analysis paralysis, the best thing you can do is relax, breath, and give yourself space. Remind yourself, “Hey, I’m new at this. I don’t have to be perfect yet.”
The good news is that these moments are fantastic opportunities for your jiu jitsu training. Working on your ability to relax and remain calm while training helps any BJJ white belt frustration. Breath control will allow you to remain calm and get you through tough positions when the stakes are higher.
You will get better, and you will get stronger. This is SBG. You will be okay.
For more information about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Yoga, Fitness, and Kids Programs, call 406-752-7244, email at info@sbgmontana.com, or visit the website at www.sbgmontana.com.