A Grappler in a Quandary

[ZKLH]

Hello Mr. Harris.

I have a question that I was wondering if you could help me with if you have time. Although there are many aspects of my BJJ game I want to focus on, there is one in particular that has come to light that is really starting to bother me.

I am finding myself in situations lately while rolling where I feel as if I am almost forced to go for a tap. I would love if after many years of instruction with you that my game would be really tight and my control strong. Perhaps it is just more time that will help me.

Anyway, the reason I think I go for the tap so often is because I feel that I am losing control of a position. For example, if someone is passing my guard, I look for limbs instead of going to my knees or replacing my guard. I have been trying to concentrate on the four aspects you teach us, but it seems that almost instinctively I find that instead of moving from position to position, I am constantly moving from position to submission.

Having said this, do you have any recommendations to help me work on this aspect of my game? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time.
-Larry

[twinkletoes]

Larry,

I'm no Mr. Harris (by a long shot), but it sounds like there is one obvious way to help you work on the aspect of your game you feel is missing:

Roll without submissions.

In the beginning, it will feel really weird. You can still enter into them and use the control positions, but if that becomes "too tempting" then disallow that. Find a partner who wants to do the same thing, and go strictly position--no subs allowed. This will force you to acquire new tactics to deal with those situations.

Good luck!

~TT

[Adam LaClair]

Yup, what Twinkletoes said.



Adam

[Al Lowrimore]

Larry:

i'm your perfect dummy. Honestly it would help me w/ positional escapes, and you could work on control. Plus i won't have to go to the hospital from one of your subs.

Al

[twinkletoes]

Adam,

Your quarterly "agreeing with me on all the forums" check is in the mail!

I mean, who would've figured that you and I think similarly about this stuff?

~TT