“Don’t Stop”

As I wrote in my previous post, I trained at PSLPB in São Paulo between Feb and early July in 2016, and my biggest lesson comes down to one phrase:
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Don’t stop.
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This email is about why implementing this piece of advice can improve your game… as it helped with my game.
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I’m all for being precise when it comes to BJJ, and generally, I aim to make my moves more precise. This process is fun for me. That’s why I keep training.
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I don’t want to make messy moves. I don’t want to move when I don’t need to.
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So I wait for the right moment.
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I do think this is perfectly OK in a match.
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But when it comes to sparring, this attitude can get in the way of my progress.
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You need to create opportunities by taking initiatives. And you do that by moving, not by stopping your moves & being still.
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This “don’t stop” attitude can also help you grab attacking opportunities when they are right there and before they quickly disappear.
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If you try to make a super clean move, you might miss that sweeping opportunity.
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Your best option might be to grab your opponent’s pants and stand up to score a sweep.
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Sure, you will probably make more mistakes this way, but you will learn more if you can turn these mistakes into lessons.
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And that’s exactly what you need.
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p.s. “Don’t stop” may not apply to you. A better piece of advice for you may be “slow down”.
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Check whether your ideal (e.g., “Be precise”, “Only go for submissions”, etc.) isn’t sabotaging your progress. Doing the opposite may help you reach your next level after all.