To CRUSH or not to CRUSH

When we all start out on the mat, we are way to loose, we allow too much space (when on top on our opponent) and we find it difficult to prevent our opponent from moving. So slowly, over time, we learn to apply our weight more effectively, and we learn to eliminate both ‘space’ and our opponent’s ability to move freely. In short – and to put it crudely – we learn to CRUSH!
Once we learn to CRUSH, we feel a lot better (certainly better than our partner) as the struggle/fight becomes much more predictable. It becomes more predictable, because our opponent CANNOT move. This gives us a sense of control; and as long as we are in danger of losing the control we have over our opponent, the tendency is to remain in CRUSH-mode; but where to from here?
NOW this next part, takes a certain amount of courage – and what I mean by this, is that we need to care a little less about the consequences of our strategy … you may try this, and it you may lose control of your opponent, and be ‘tapped’ as a result … but this is a small price to pay for the benefits you will eventually gain, which are many …
Once you are able to establish CONTROL over your opponent, back off with the pressure a little and (as Jean Jacques Machado used to tell me) ‘let the mouse run’! If we just continue to CRUSH our opponent, we get to KEEP our position but we do not develop great FINISHING abilities. We need our opponent to expose their arms, and necks to our attacks (if we want to ‘finish) and to do that, we need them to MOVE. BUT NOT TOO MUCH …
As we become more and more able to exert a good measure of control over our opponent (WHILST HE/SHE IS IN MOTION) then we greatly increase our number of attack/finishing opportunities … we also develop our cognitive and decision-making capabilities; we learn to spot and capitalize on opportunities in MID-FLIGHT; this takes training, and a WILLINGNESS TO MOVE and ALLOW our opponent some degree of freedom. Our goal is to eventually be able to exert the same measure of control over our opponent whether he or she is moving or being pinned thoroughly.
This training strategy is very powerful – while being totally counter-intuitive. Please try it … be happy with failing – and try some more.
Train smart,
JBW