The Big and the Small

In reflecting on what I have learned and the way I have learned it, I recently arrived at the realization of how I see the differences in training as a White belt and Blue belt. As we move forwards with our understanding of the art, training becomes reduction theory more than anything else. The way forwards is through constant refinement and increasing subtlety.

The motions that define how I am understanding the game, and how I am thinking of the positions, are increasingly smaller and smaller. When I once understood large body movements, and my break through in understanding came from a realization of a new position, or how to use a certain pressure, it now comes from smaller and smaller details. I'm finding that the leaps in understanding are coming from adjustments to grip, or a slight shift of weight. From a familiar movement, or position looked at from a new angle.

This change has represented a unique turning point in my methods and how I am now evaluating my own understanding of what I am doing in the moment while rolling. Its funny how a simple change of view point has increased my challenges in training exponentially. Where I once only had the major positions and techniques to consider working on, I now have triple the opportunities within each motion to train a small little variance, my little secret battles. These victories help keep me motivated, as even if I am beat in the grand scheme of things- I often have one a few smaller battles myself in the exchange. Once I get to the point of winning most or all of these little battles, that is when I am in full control of my opponent and things are progressing how I foresee them to. In the past when things were going well, I couldn't define why things were working today, and they didn't yesterday. Now as I play through, I can identify where I am making gains and where I am not, and more to the point- how those gains and losses are contributing to what I am trying to do at the time. On the flip side of this equation is when I am playing with people who are not as experienced in the game, by focusing on these small little battles it allows me to be competitive and challenged without simply smashing my opponent or playing at a level that they could not keep up with. By focusing on one area, it allows them to recognize the possible escape routes and make a plan.

If they are not winning the small exchange, it still gives them opportunities to find a new battle in another part of the game. Which is learning for us both.

I enjoy what I am doing more. And it does not come at the cost of training partners, or ego elevation.

I think that one of the things that makes the difference while training in this manner, is the relationship to what we  call a Pocket Drill. Basically, a pocket drill is where we isolate a position or range or moment in rolling, and while having a set of criteria to accomplish or objective to be observed, we remain in that range to allow ourselves to experience the difficulty of achieving the set tasks. So, for example to play in the pocket of the closed guard, the bottom person plays their guard game, while the top person plays for a particular list of objectives. Things such as keeping your base, not allowing your posture to be broken, particular grips, whatever the personal or positional list is for you. What you are not doing is trying to open the closed guard, pass the guard, or otherwise change the position or range. The idea here is to stay within the pocket. This way you are challenging yourself to get better at these small details during the encounter. I find that this is a great way to make progress, and when that happens it makes me happy. I enjoy what I'm doing, and I enjoy the exchange and game play.

So how does this relate to the Big and the Small? Well, it pretty much turns your entire rolling experience in to a series of pocket drills- except your opponent gets to pick the pocket. So as the game changes, stick within the range, or within the position and play. Play your secret list of game objectives in your position, and win or loose- it really doesn't matter because you're fast tracking your game by focusing on the details.

Learning will change your level of performance, regardless of understanding. Let your body do it, your mind will catch up later. However, if you can increase your understanding effectively- through really digging deep and asking yourself the tough questions of why you do things the way you do, and how that relates to what you can do in the moment- then you can direct and speed up the learning process in and of itself. Every seed planted can become something great...all it takes is season after season of the proper conditions and growth.