Blue belt blues

Change of mindset mostly. The reasons that you've given are to do with comparing yourself to others. This is competitive sport, the primary indicator of growth is to test it against others so of course we're going to compare ourselves in rolls but we often forget that those people are not static in their journeys. As you improve, the people around you are also improving, not to mention you get used to the main moves and ways of people rolling so it becomes easier to counter if you are specifically working on yourself.

They say it's purple belt where you really take charge of your own learning but even so, you should be emulating where you want to be....not where you are. Take 10 minutes to list your strengths and weaknesses. Maybe 5 each. The strengths are listed because you need to feel good about yourself to keep the motivation, they're an affirmation that you're better than you give yourself credit for.

The weaknesses are your training goals in that two to three times a week you are able to train. You don't have control of the techniques shown in class but aside from that, you should take one weakness on your list (e.g. I always seem to get arm barred) and hyperfocus on it. Put yourself in that position as often as you can in rolling and begin to work on your defenses systematically. You will get smashed more doing this in the short term....until you don't and you will soar past that plateau and see almost immeasurable improvement. The alternative is to keep working what you always work and never implement anything new...you will get better but infinitely slower than if you focus down and sacrifice your short term success for your long-term conquering. Make your goals as small or as big as you want but focus on them almost exclusively.

When getting tapped in training is a learning tool and not an ego thing you will cease to care and in ceasing to care about the training tap you will relax and automatically begin improving more. Tapping is only a bad thing in competition but even then you just need to take it as a lesson and not an indicator that your BJJ life is over.

Also, try to avoid the blue belt disease of constant and unnecessary inversion where it makes no sense. :D

Pred500, post: 63439, member: 33377

Change of mindset mostly. The reasons that you've given are to do with comparing yourself to others. This is competitive sport, the primary indicator of growth is to test it against others so of course we're going to compare ourselves in rolls but we often forget that those people are not static in their journeys. As you improve, the people around you are also improving, not to mention you get used to the main moves and ways of people rolling so it becomes easier to counter if you are specifically working on yourself.

They say it's purple belt where you really take charge of your own learning but even so, you should be emulating where you want to be....not where you are. Take 10 minutes to list your strengths and weaknesses. Maybe 5 each. The strengths are listed because you need to feel good about yourself to keep the motivation, they're an affirmation that you're better than you give yourself credit for.

The weaknesses are your training goals in that two to three times a week you are able to train. You don't have control of the techniques shown in class but aside from that, you should take one weakness on your list (e.g. I always seem to get arm barred) and hyperfocus on it. Put yourself in that position as often as you can in rolling and begin to work on your defenses systematically. You will get smashed more doing this in the short term....until you don't and you will soar past that plateau and see almost immeasurable improvement. The alternative is to keep working what you always work and never implement anything new...you will get better but infinitely slower than if you focus down and sacrifice your short term success for your long-term conquering. Make your goals as small or as big as you want but focus on them almost exclusively.

When getting tapped in training is a learning tool and not an ego thing you will cease to care and in ceasing to care about the training tap you will relax and automatically begin improving more. Tapping is only a bad thing in competition but even then you just need to take it as a lesson and not an indicator that your BJJ life is over.

Also, try to avoid the blue belt disease of constant and unnecessary inversion where it makes no sense. :D

Bom Abraco, post: 63419, member: 34390

So got my blue belt back in August. Ever since I've felt like I don't really deserve it. I'm getting smashed by every other coloured belt almost. And often the 3 or 4 stripe white belts will be able to ruin me too.

I can only train usually twice to three times a week.

Has anyone got any tips for progressing as a blue belt as I feel I've hit a wall to be honest.

Hey @@Bom Abraco , I agree with what @@Pred500 said for sure.

I get smashed every single class. The only person that I can make tap is a 14yr old and in a year he will be stronger and better than me. However, I do tap less than I use to and I enjoy rolling every single time. Just enjoy the ride

I feel you on this one. I've had the same feeling. Comparison is the thief of joy. I've taken on a similar approach suggested by pred500 (solid advice btw, thanks!). When you focus on a weak area you lose the fear of getting tapped because it's a weak area. Blue belt is still a beginner and allow yourself to be one. Also, ask for more situational. Sometimes I feel like none of us are learning anything if the purples and browns are just easily working their game on me. I ask for specific/sutational sparring and then get tips from them on how to fix things. I highly recommend you listen to Danaher on Lex Fridman's podcast, the first time he was on, as there is some really nice advice along these lines. Something like, "nobody cares if you win or lose at 3pm on a Friday to some nameless person in a gym somewhere, they only care when it's time for it to matter such as in a competition. The gym is for learning, not winning." There is no failure only feedback. One thing I got from this too, is it's not a bad thing to seek to roll with less experienced people because you need to build up your experience with a technique. Think of it as adding weight to the bar. Once you can work it on a 1 stripe white belt, work up the stripes until you get to the colored etc. Robert Drysdale told me that too. He said when you have a new thing you're working on, seek out least experienced person in the gym. Be nice of course but just give yourself a break too.

We have a drilling system. 2-5 min rounds. You tell your partner how much to resist and what you are training. Often a very small detail. You reset often. And after time is out you switch. It’s your turn to help your partner to drill their technique.

This is good because you need to have an idea what you want to get better at!

WillowRN, post: 63533, member: 26366

I feel you on this one. I've had the same feeling. Comparison is the thief of joy. I've taken on a similar approach suggested by pred500 (solid advice btw, thanks!). When you focus on a weak area you lose the fear of getting tapped because it's a weak area. Blue belt is still a beginner and allow yourself to be one. Also, ask for more situational. Sometimes I feel like none of us are learning anything if the purples and browns are just easily working their game on me. I ask for specific/sutational sparring and then get tips from them on how to fix things. I highly recommend you listen to Danaher on Lex Fridman's podcast, the first time he was on, as there is some really nice advice along these lines. Something like, "nobody cares if you win or lose at 3pm on a Friday to some nameless person in a gym somewhere, they only care when it's time for it to matter such as in a competition. The gym is for learning, not winning." There is no failure only feedback. One thing I got from this too, is it's not a bad thing to seek to roll with less experienced people because you need to build up your experience with a technique. Think of it as adding weight to the bar. Once you can work it on a 1 stripe white belt, work up the stripes until you get to the colored etc. Robert Drysdale told me that too. He said when you have a new thing you're working on, seek out least experienced person in the gym. Be nice of course but just give yourself a break too.

crossover, post: 63539, member: 10990

We have a drilling system. 2-5 min rounds. You tell your partner how much to resist and what you are training. Often a very small detail. You reset often. And after time is out you switch. It’s your turn to help your partner to drill their technique.

This is good because you need to have an idea what you want to get better at!

Bom Abraco, post: 63468, member: 34390

Wow thanks for your reply. I think thats what I need to do. Hyoerfocus on my weaknesses and put my self into the positions I know need work more often. Thank you.

pequena, post: 63530, member: 23763

I get smashed every single class. The only person that I can make tap is a 14yr old and in a year he will be stronger and better than me. However, I do tap less than I use to and I enjoy rolling every single time. Just enjoy the ride

sovann, post: 63748, member: 14430

So, what do you think you need to work on this year? :)

This is why i am nervous to get my blue belt if it happens soon. I'm getting more comfortable at knowing and pulling off passes, and a few submissions. But have zero escape ability from any strong positional control. Especially if they are the same size or larger than me. Basically, anyone larger/ stronger than me dominates. I feel like i got a few more years at the rate I'm training to work these basics out :cool:

Bom Abraco, post: 63419, member: 34390

So got my blue belt back in August. Ever since I've felt like I don't really deserve it. I'm getting smashed by every other coloured belt almost. And often the 3 or 4 stripe white belts will be able to ruin me too.

I can only train usually twice to three times a week.

Has anyone got any tips for progressing as a blue belt as I feel I've hit a wall to be honest.

The only advice I can give is to keep showing up and be a good teammate.
Congrats on your belt!

As others have said, change in mindset. Most of my growth has come after I quit trying to win everything in practice, and decided I wanted to learn and improve. That comes from not being afraid to "lose" in rolls, and is accelerated by even putting yourself in bad spots or intentionally trying new things that you aren't good at.

nwa_95, post: 63799, member: 30509

As others have said, change in mindset. Most of my growth has come after I quit trying to win everything in practice, and decided I wanted to learn and improve. That comes from not being afraid to "lose" in rolls, and is accelerated by even putting yourself in bad spots or intentionally trying new things that you aren't good at.