So I realize that in a lot of my logs, I have been a little bit vague as far as how my BJJ curriculum is set up. I also realize that probably 95% of people don't know what I am talking about when it comes to jiujitsu lingo. But I'll try to explain it a little bit more.
Right now my coach has me focusing specifically on guard passing - which is to say, getting through somebody's defense. It really isn't my goal at this point to focus on submitting people. In fact, we hardly drill submissions aside from a few key finishes, in the event that I do get people into that spot while rolling. It is good to practice these things, but definitely not my focal point.
Our training is based very much off of fundamental movement. Learning how to have good posture, keeping good grips, and basically being able to weasel out of tight situations. When people think of BJJ they typically think of things like armbars and rear naked chokes. All are good and fine (and very basic submissions), but we are working on getting me very good at not just getting away, but breaking down defensive walls.
Because if you can't get somebody's defense down and get yourself into a dominant position, how will you ever get that submission in the first place? Fancy moves only work providing you can actually get into that position to begin with...which is a lot harder than you would think, actually.
It's just lots and lots of drilling. Time spent on the mat and constant repetition until I get things down to a second nature. It is thankfully coming more and more naturally to me as time goes on, and it is really teaching me a lot of patience. Sometimes I get frustrated when I can't get a move down right away, but then I remember that it is not necessarily about perfection, but about precision. Every master was once a beginner.
So that's the basic gist of what I will be working on for the next several months! My weight training has gone to about 3x per week for now, since it is easier to manage everything that way and recover properly as opposed to adding in more volume and/or days.
I am seeing may ways in which both sports and methods of training have been complimenting each other. I for sure would recommend that if anyone is interested in taking up BJJ or any other martial art in addition to powerlifting, that you limit your training to 3 high intensity sessions per week.
I truly owe quite a lot to my jiujitsu coach. He is not only my coach - he is my mentor, and truly one of my best friends. I have been learning a lot about myself ever since I started, and he (and of course the training as well) has really been my rock during the last couple of months while I have been going through stuff. Even though I technically have been training since the end of March, I don't think my training really took off until we started working together one-on-one. I feel that with his guidance I will eventually be fashioned into something that he is proud of...and of course, that I am proud of too. This has been quite an amazing journey so far and I am really looking forward to what the future brings for me in this sport!