Having a one-track mind sucks!!!

[Heidi McCreery]

One of my biggest problems, aside from my struggles to relax, is that I have a very one-track mind and it makes it very hard for me to use techniques effectively when rolling. I can't seem to get my brain to switch gears quickly when something I try gets reversed and I have to start working from a different position. It makes me feel like I get stuck, but I know in Jiu-Jitsu there is no such thing. Any suggestions or input?

Thanks!

[Jon Helton]

Reps Reps Reps...it will start to flow it just takes time. Stick with it and put the time in on all positions.

[Heidi McCreery]

Thanks. I guess it also doesn't help that I get impatient with myself a lot. I'm trying to be more positive about everything.

[Aab]

I'm the same way. I want to play the way I want to play. And I can most of the time if the guy is my skill and and size. I get more frustrated with not being as good as Brandon Mc and some of my blue belt friends here. But those guys have years on me. So I keep training and hopefully in years to come someone will hopefully want to be as good as me. But the whole one-track mind thing does aggravate me. Here I am trying to do Lockdown and Rubber Guard and these BJJ guys tell me not to use that but to do something else and then I wonder if Eddie's stuff isn't for me which is non sense because I bleed 10th planet and It doesn't matter if I get my Lockdown passed 100 times in a row thats a 100 more times It will get practice. I think trying to get good at one thing is the most important for a white belt. Alot of people do alot of things and not one of them is right. I want to be the person that at least has a good Lockdown and Rubber Guard. Cheers.

[Heidi McCreery]

I think trying to get good at one thing is the most important for a white belt. Alot of people do alot of things and not one of them is right. I want to be the person that at least has a good Lockdown and Rubber Guard. Cheers.

Thanks. That makes sense. My rubber guard isn't too bad, but only in drills. I went through a rubber guard path once when rolling, but he was quite a bit smaller than me and had only been training for a couple months. I'll get there. I just have to have a good attitude about it. I will admit I fall short on that a lot.

[Coringao]

I agree with Reps reps reps....In my experience, women tend to be alot more detailed in technical sides. The ladies that have come into the gym here, have really made HUGE accomplishments....just take your time Heidi, it will come. And Id almost bet, that your just being hard on yourself....Hope all is well!
Heiwa
Coringao

[Brandon Mccaghren]

time and experience on the mats. learn to embrace the struggle of your opponent rather than fight against it.

DRILL A LOT. that can't be overstated.

thanks for the propers, singlet. :)

[Jon Watkins]

I would start learning lockflows like this one if you want to get away from having a one track mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_B7Wd4LF28

[Eddie Bravo]

Reps reps reps, spar spar spar Reps reps reps, spar spar spar Reps reps reps, spar spar spar Reps reps reps, spar spar spar Reps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar spar :)

[Renato Laranja]

Try some reps with the Gi. Try some reps with the Gi. Spar with the Gi. Spar with the Gi. Try Some reps with the Gi. Try some reps with the Gi. Spar with the Gi. Spar with the Gi. Reps. Spar. Gi. Reps. Gi. Gi. Gi.

[Heidi McCreery]

Thank you guys!!! Eddie you definitely made your point clear. Thanks. :) I just need to be more patient with myself and not so hard on myself.

Renato, I have actually started training some in the gi to help improve my fundamentals. However I grew up wrestling so nogi is what I'm most comfortable with. Though for Jiu Jitsu, I am seeing how the gi will help with basics. I just love any form of grappling as a sport. :)

[RW Pegau]

So what i think Eddie is trying to say is........ Reps and Spar? :)

RW

[Lucas Walker]

Something that I heard recently that has made a difference to me was "separate thinking from doing." Meaning if you are just sitting in your chair it is ok to be thinking about moves and flows. But when you are actually in the moment, go for whatever your body tells you to WITHOUT thinking. And the INSTANT you don't let your body do what it wants ("oh there is the electric chair..but I might get d'arced") then it won't feed you instincts anymore. If your instinct is wrong and you go for it, the speed with which you reacted may make it ok...and if it was the wrong instinct the consequence will teach your body. It's like Eddie says about reps. Do it until you can do it without thinking...the same way you tie your shoes...You can talk and pay no attention and your fingers tie your shoes for you....Eventually your gogoplata should be the same way. Gosh...now if only I could make it work that easily...

[Chris Urbanski]

Reps reps reps, spar spar spar Reps reps reps, spar spar spar Reps reps reps, spar spar spar Reps reps reps, spar spar spar Reps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar sparReps reps reps, spar spar spar :)

Eddie forgot... smoke weed! It truly helps.

[Bill Keeling]

I was expecting the IDL (indian death lock) on the Paulson vid, nice series tho.

[Heidi McCreery]

Something that I heard recently that has made a difference to me was "separate thinking from doing." Meaning if you are just sitting in your chair it is ok to be thinking about moves and flows. But when you are actually in the moment, go for whatever your body tells you to WITHOUT thinking. And the INSTANT you don't let your body do what it wants ("oh there is the electric chair..but I might get d'arced") then it won't feed you instincts anymore. If your instinct is wrong and you go for it, the speed with which you reacted may make it ok...and if it was the wrong instinct the consequence will teach your body. It's like Eddie says about reps. Do it until you can do it without thinking...the same way you tie your shoes...You can talk and pay no attention and your fingers tie your shoes for you....Eventually your gogoplata should be the same way. Gosh...now if only I could make it work that easily...

That makes sense. I like that. I'm trying to get better at just going for things that feel right. I have a bad tendency to hesitate because I'm afraid of getting submitted....which I need to quit doing because I won't learn otherwise right? Thanks, RW

[Jonathan Wylie]

Something that I heard recently that has made a difference to me was "separate thinking from doing." Meaning if you are just sitting in your chair it is ok to be thinking about moves and flows. But when you are actually in the moment, go for whatever your body tells you to WITHOUT thinking. And the INSTANT you don't let your body do what it wants ("oh there is the electric chair..but I might get d'arced") then it won't feed you instincts anymore. If your instinct is wrong and you go for it, the speed with which you reacted may make it ok...and if it was the wrong instinct the consequence will teach your body. It's like Eddie says about reps. Do it until you can do it without thinking...the same way you tie your shoes...You can talk and pay no attention and your fingers tie your shoes for you....Eventually your gogoplata should be the same way. Gosh...now if only I could make it work that easily...
I agree with you but it only works if you have put in the, reps reps reps

[Matt Wallace]

Try drilling flows. If u go for 1 thing & they shut u down, then you switch to what they give u. Armbar to Triangle back to Armbar is a good example. Also, I think one thing Eddie states that is often overlooked is that you have to have good basic Jiu Jitsu to complete your game. I'm finding that the better my BJJ is, the better I can implement my 10th Planet. YMMV, but play with it some.

[Brandon Woolsey]

Why would training with a gi help? I have watched a 10th planet person go to gi and now everything is very loose. I dont understand how doing something with a gi that you can grab onto is going to help when you have to clinch without it. Maybe Im missing the point. Can somebody help me understand that?

[Jon Helton]

Why would training with a gi help? I have watched a 10th planet person go to gi and now everything is very loose. I dont understand how doing something with a gi that you can grab onto is going to help when you have to clinch without it. Maybe Im missing the point. Can somebody help me understand that?

I think he is referring to just having BJJ basics down. Not necessarily training with the gi. Could be wrong though.

[Brandon Woolsey]

Yeah, that could make sense.

[hamzatu]

Problems with relaxing usually come from breathing. Don't hold your breath. And get in a lot of sparring sessions. Don't think about winning or losing. Put together 3 or 4 moves that you really like and make them your moves. Trained them until no one can stop them even if they know they are coming. The best fighters know many moves but they have three or four that are bread and butter which no one can stop.

[Jesse Bell]

^^^ Laranja for President.

[Matt Wallace]

Why would training with a gi help? I have watched a 10th planet person go to gi and now everything is very loose. I dont understand how doing something with a gi that you can grab onto is going to help when you have to clinch without it. Maybe Im missing the point. Can somebody help me understand that?

The friction, as well as the extra handles, make you learn escapes and counters in a very technical manner as u can't just power out or slip through. You have to use leverage and technique. There are many people who could benefit from that and some who may ONLY get it that way. I tell my guys all the time that it takes discipline to learn & apply no gi technically because there are some lazyman's shortcuts. Not everybody takes those, so for many/most the gi may not be necessary.

[Chris Patton]

I agree with Matt on the gi issue. The gi has made me a lot more technical in my setups, escapes, counters, and especially in submission defense. As for Hedi, I've always heard that on the path to blackbelt you have to tap 1 million times. Getting submitted is a learning experience when you quit getting so frustrated with yourself. When your in the gym your not competing, your learning, so relax and go for it and if you get tapped learn from it.

[Brian Beaumont AKA Thor]

Once or twice a week try jiu-jitsu chess. I think Ari has an older post on it on his site. Break your roll down to 1 second moves with your partner. Take as much time as you need between moves to examine your position and options. Then your partner does the same. Move counter, move counter now you can create the future in advance before attepting new options in a live roll. I takes some disipline because it seems so slow but you'll be amazed at the difference in a reltively sort period of time. Not to mention it lets you trouble shoot problem positions without getting your arm torn off. B

[Aab]

Once or twice a week try jiu-jitsu chess. I think Ari has an older post on it on his site. Break your roll down to 1 second moves with your partner. Take as much time as you need between moves to examine your position and options. Then your partner does the same. Move counter, move counter now you can create the future in advance before attepting new options in a live roll. I takes some disipline because it seems so slow but you'll be amazed at the difference in a reltively sort period of time. Not to mention it lets you trouble shoot problem positions without getting your arm torn off. B

That could be a whole new sport Brian lol

[Heidi McCreery]

Once or twice a week try jiu-jitsu chess. I think Ari has an older post on it on his site. Break your roll down to 1 second moves with your partner. Take as much time as you need between moves to examine your position and options. Then your partner does the same. Move counter, move counter now you can create the future in advance before attepting new options in a live roll. I takes some disipline because it seems so slow but you'll be amazed at the difference in a reltively sort period of time. Not to mention it lets you trouble shoot problem positions without getting your arm torn off. B

I really like that idea. Thanks! And thank you again everyone for the encouragment. :)

[Ryan Cook]

I like the drill/spar advice. My first year, I just wanted someone to tell me what to focus on because there were so many things that seemed important to learn right away. What works is drilling and sparring. A way you can make this work better is to find the position you are in most while sparring and ask for a few techniques from there. Then drill them immediately. Next time you spar, go to them and see where you fail (you will probably fail the first time, obviously) and then drill again. Keep drilling/sparring the same few techniques until you feel like you "get it" mentally and then move on. Try and come back to it again later in drills and definitely use it if it works while sparring.

Another good thing to do is to focus on how to transition from your most common position to another position. Moving where you want to go and having options of different places to go is really helpful.

Also, on the gi note... I've trained in it a little and I can tell you that it won't kill you. So I do recommend trying it and seeing if you like it. Most of you probably won't because it's hot, but it's kind of fun sometimes because there are more things to attack/defend. Collar chokes for example.

[Will Thaxton]

I've drilled/seen most of Eddie's stuff but right now rolling I'm just trying to go chill dog to jiu claw, old school/electric chair. Just basic stuff. It works.

[Josh Smith]

She's not as helpless as she's trying to sound!!! She holds her own against all the guys in class... She's just as good as anyone who has only trained 7 months.. The biggest whole in your game sweetie is that you still have the wrestlers mentality... But that too is slowly going away so stick with it and keep your head up... I love you!!!

[Heidi McCreery]

Thank you!!! That really means a lot to me. I am going to stick with it. And I am going to start learning from my mistakes instead of focusing on them being mistakes. :D I love you too!!!