Merryprankster
02-23-2002, 04:56 AM
Here are some probably useless reflections. Some are mildly serious, others are lighthearted.
Ya know how many people seem to think that boxing relies on physical strength for power? Wow. After getting repeatedly whacked on the head by my trainer because I wasn't fast enough, I was told to relax and get looser. I was "sticking" too long because I was tensing up in the upper body. Dave proceeded to tell me that power comes from speed and proper body alignment on impact and that speed comes from being relaxed until the moment of impact. My alignment was good, but I'm not loose enough. Hmm. Sounds like a lot of what I read on here.
Headgear does nothing to alleviate the always vaguely surprising shock of getting hit in the face.
Cardio doesn't transfer- I can grapple for an hour straight with no real problems, but it's a "fits and spurts," kind of game. Stand-up striking I can last about oh, 3 3 minute rounds staying reasonably busy and using a level of footwork and movement that my trainer finds acceptable (read, a LOT).
Boxing gloves, used repeatedly, smell far worse than my kneepads, and I can't wash the gloves.
If 90% of the training halls out there don't offer the "real deal," how is it that everybody seems to have found the other 10%?
Hard work isn't fun. It really isn't. Anybody who says they enjoy grueling physical punishment is lying to you or needs their head examined. On the other hand, we like the results :)
I rolled for about 2 minutes, playing around, with our newly promoted BJJ Blackbelt, Fabone. There is a certain beauty in feeling so helpless that all you can do is laugh as you're being creamed.
Judo hurts. Even with a crash pad.
I watched a 48 yr old man, blind in one eye, with 1.5 years of experience who weighs 148 lbs, calmly and effortlessly handle a person 25 years his junior and 60 lbs heavier. This distinguished gent had absolutely zero talent when he came in and since then, managed to win his age and weight category in the blue belt division in the Worlds... while he was a white belt. For dessert, he placed 2nd in the open weight class in his age category, losing to a man who outweighed him by 100 lbs, and who also held a black belt in Judo. He also wiped out a couple or three young whippersnappers on the way to winning a local tournament. The obvious, sappy remark is that dedication will take you far.... but in a competitive environment like BJJ, relentlessness is closer to it.
Corrolary to above statement--beware old-man strength. It's ruthless and it will roll right over you if you get in the way of the goal.
When ego checks in, the person checks out... and they never come back. Screw 'em. Don't need those types at the gym anyway.
Despite what anyone here might claim, we're all competitive ass-holes or we wouldn't do what we do.
Lastly, Ryu makes baby Jesus cry. :D
Ya know how many people seem to think that boxing relies on physical strength for power? Wow. After getting repeatedly whacked on the head by my trainer because I wasn't fast enough, I was told to relax and get looser. I was "sticking" too long because I was tensing up in the upper body. Dave proceeded to tell me that power comes from speed and proper body alignment on impact and that speed comes from being relaxed until the moment of impact. My alignment was good, but I'm not loose enough. Hmm. Sounds like a lot of what I read on here.
Headgear does nothing to alleviate the always vaguely surprising shock of getting hit in the face.
Cardio doesn't transfer- I can grapple for an hour straight with no real problems, but it's a "fits and spurts," kind of game. Stand-up striking I can last about oh, 3 3 minute rounds staying reasonably busy and using a level of footwork and movement that my trainer finds acceptable (read, a LOT).
Boxing gloves, used repeatedly, smell far worse than my kneepads, and I can't wash the gloves.
If 90% of the training halls out there don't offer the "real deal," how is it that everybody seems to have found the other 10%?
Hard work isn't fun. It really isn't. Anybody who says they enjoy grueling physical punishment is lying to you or needs their head examined. On the other hand, we like the results :)
I rolled for about 2 minutes, playing around, with our newly promoted BJJ Blackbelt, Fabone. There is a certain beauty in feeling so helpless that all you can do is laugh as you're being creamed.
Judo hurts. Even with a crash pad.
I watched a 48 yr old man, blind in one eye, with 1.5 years of experience who weighs 148 lbs, calmly and effortlessly handle a person 25 years his junior and 60 lbs heavier. This distinguished gent had absolutely zero talent when he came in and since then, managed to win his age and weight category in the blue belt division in the Worlds... while he was a white belt. For dessert, he placed 2nd in the open weight class in his age category, losing to a man who outweighed him by 100 lbs, and who also held a black belt in Judo. He also wiped out a couple or three young whippersnappers on the way to winning a local tournament. The obvious, sappy remark is that dedication will take you far.... but in a competitive environment like BJJ, relentlessness is closer to it.
Corrolary to above statement--beware old-man strength. It's ruthless and it will roll right over you if you get in the way of the goal.
When ego checks in, the person checks out... and they never come back. Screw 'em. Don't need those types at the gym anyway.
Despite what anyone here might claim, we're all competitive ass-holes or we wouldn't do what we do.
Lastly, Ryu makes baby Jesus cry. :D