[Forkfoot]

You're going to get tapped by the blue belt, consistently, for a long time yet. There are no secret weapons that can save you from this. I'd advise you to learn as much from him as you can in the process and to return the favor by giving him your best on the mat.

[Ghostdogg]

Yeah I know im not any time soon but im trying to build a good base so im saying what sound i focus on first.

[Ghostdogg]

Thanx also i have gotten alot of positive advice.

[Calibur]

You really dont want to use your time with weaker people to beat them. Especially when you know you can. Instead, use it to work on your weaknesses against the blue. When sparring with white belts subtly let them get you in a bad position and practice escaping it.

That requires a lot of discipline and humility because you won't be able to smoothly escape the first time, and everyone is tempted to use power, or go back to what they know when they are losing against someone they think they should beat. Once you get better at escaping bad spots on white belts, try using those escapes against the blue. Don't feel bad if you never get to the point of dominating the blue belt. He started before you and if he is training well he could be one notch above you for a while. Winning has nothing to do with whether your jiu jitsu is getting better or not.

Here are some vids that you can practice with. Slow with a partner is best, and than later during sparring.


YouTube - Gracie Insider April Technique of the Month


YouTube - BJJ: Mount Escapes

BTW, if you get caught in the same submission twice in a row, ask the person who tapped you what it was and why he got it.

Hope that helps.

NOTE: I have only seen white belts put gogoplatas on sloppily while fighting other sloppy white belts. Learn to use your hips before you start contorting your legs.

[jclorley]

If your "destroying" the other white belts, instead of doing whatever your usually doing just try and practice your technique and fundamentals. I'm relatively new to BJJ (9 months) but when I know I'm better than other people I will just work on my positioning, sweeps, transitions and step by step technique rather than subbing them and getting it over with. This has helped me substantially in getting my technique better so that I can somewhat compete with the blue and purple belts. I'm not saying I beat them, but they will have trouble finishing me compared to other white belts. I rolled with someone the other day who has been training for a few months and is not too bad...I caught them in an americana, two triangles, an armbar and an omoplata but let them escape relatively easily so that I could practice my transitions after the escape and rolling off my back a little bit.

Don't listen to the rubber guard/turtle up guy. That stuff may work for him or he may be full of shit, but it won't necessarily work for you. Keep practicing and find what works for YOU the best. For now, as pretty much a new guy, I've found I like to work off my back to start a roll and also really like half guard and side control.

I have a few Rigan Machado books that helped me with some basics in the guard, spider guard and sweeps from all positions. I'd recommend them if your still listening.

[CerebralPrimate]

I am much bigger and stronger than most people (and obviously, most of the guys I roll with). But after 2 months of constantly using strength to my advantage, I realized I was missing the friggin point. I was spending all of my time in top position, working on passing guard, keeping a good base, and occasionally finding a way to submit people (not bad things to work on really, but I was missing out on at least 1/2 the game).

These days, I focus much more on trying to work a decent open guard and look for sweeps or (gasp!) subs off of my back. Like someone else said, instead of doing the ego driven thing of "destroying" others, why not purposely work on other aspects of your game when you roll with them?

Even saying you're "destroying" others in your dojo sounds a little egocentric and slightly disrespectful. Exercise a little humility, bro. If you can get them to tap frequently, then I'm glad for you, really. But c'mon, let it go... look at it as a student, not as someone that "needs to win".


-CP

[damit2hell]

seriously that rubber guard and turtle up advice was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!! use the time with the lower belts to work subs, let them escape and then transition into another sub or a dominant position off their escape... with the blue belt work your defense

[cmburns]

man the blue belts at my gym totally own me i dont even start to think i can sub these guys. i basically just try to get mount or sidemount and they tell me what im doing wrong or what to do to get that position.

im also very new to bjj (3 weeks) and i basically just work on basic moves that they teach us in class and look up some basic sweeps/escapes we havnt learned yet.

i dont know how you're totally owning all the other white belts either as you cant really know much at all with only one month of training.

[Eric Renzo NH]

Originally Posted by Trickster

I dont agree with your advice at all! Its painfully obvious you have NO idea wtf you are talking about!

1. Rubber guard and gogoplatas (unless u train at 10th planet) are moves you should learn AFTER you have a stable regular guard

2. You catch people in the gogoplata all the time? Who are you rolling with? Gogoplatas are very low % unless your opponents are leaving their arm trapped and just popping their heads up

3. Rather than telling him how to escape the mount you are telling him to give up his back???

4. I also dont agree with telling someone to keep their closed guard tight! That limits their submissions oppurtunities 100% - you can not submit with your legs closed! Be agreesive from from guard, dont sit and hold your opponent! Its better to open it up and learn to work for their (even if it takes longer) as opposed to learning to only hold him in closed guard.

Lastly....your a white belt with NO stripes and you are "dominating people and catching people in gogos all the time?" SHUT UP HERB!!!!

I agree. I'm not knocking rubber guard but it's definately not the way to go for a beginner in my opinion. Establishing a good open guard and mastering more basic techniques will probably doa lot more for a beginner. Not to mention who knows how flexible he is. Get used to opening your guard for sweeps and submissions and maintaining the position.

And most importantly, train slow, train technique, i know it feels like it won't work but the faster you realize that the better you are, it took me too long.

Also, ask the blue belt, say "what am i doing wrong?" If he's a cool guy i'm sure he'll tell you

[Eric Renzo NH]

Originally Posted by damit2hell

seriously that rubber guard and turtle up advice was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!! use the time with the lower belts to work subs, let them escape and then transition into another sub or a dominant position off their escape... with the blue belt work your defense

Very true, good call.