OK, so you’ve examined your performance on the mat and realized that you are probably too tense and have too much adrenaline in your system for optimal performance... To use the terminology we’ve been developing over the past few weeks, your arousal level is exceeding your optimal state of arousal … [Read more...]
What is Your Personal ‘Optimal State of Arousal’?
Last week we introduced the concept of there being an ‘optimal state of arousal’ (or OSA) for martial athletes in general, and grapplers in particular. The point was made that OSA varies from sport to sport, situation to situation, and also from athlete to athlete. … [Read more...]
The Optimal State of Arousal, an Introduction
When I talk about “optimal states of arousal” I usually get one of 2 reactions: disinterest because it sounds too academic, theoretical and boring; or snickering because it sounds like a vaguely dirty-minded topic … [Read more...]
How to Beat Any Opponent (Honest)!
The question I get asked most often goes something like this: “There is a guy at my club (let’s call him ‘Bill’) who bench presses 400 pounds, used to wrestle in college, and has an 18 inch neck. Bill has been doing jiu-jitsu for only a couple of years, but he has already learned how to counter all my attacks. … [Read more...]
The Tangled Web of Gi-Grappling
Jiu-jitsu and grappling are like an arms race: new techniques and variations are constantly being developed.One year is the year of the half guard; another is the year of the ankle lock.Competition on the training mat and in tournaments is driving the evolution of the game. … [Read more...]
The Leglock Debate
Many Jiu-jitsu schools discourage, and even disallow, the use of leglocks while sparring. They argue that leglocks are a ‘cheap’ technique, and/or are unsafe, and/or prevent you from developing a good guard passing game. I respectfully disagree. The ‘cheap’ label gets used for new and unfamiliar techniques. There was a time when kicking someone was considered cheap and dirty - now with a … [Read more...]