Dojo Discernments
Hi all, welcome to this week's Dojo Discernments! Where I share nuggets of thoughts earned on the mats!
Breaking People Down
This week, let’s zero in on something that often gets missed in guard play: the importance of truly breaking your partner down. We all focus a lot on off-balancing, but remember, a sweep isn’t really complete until you’ve put their knees, hips, shoulders, or even elbows to the mat.
So here’s a simple algorithm for your guard game: frame, connect, off-balance, break down, attack. Each step sets up the next, and making sure you truly break them down getting those key joints to the floor is what turns a good guard technique into a dominant one. Keep that sequence in mind as you train!
Small Steps
This week’s reflection is about embracing the fact that the path to bringing out someone’s potential is often just a few simple steps forward repeated steadily over time. As a coach, I see it all the time: we’re not chasing some magic shortcut. Instead, we’re giving the right pieces of info at the right pace, day by day, and trusting that this consistent rhythm builds real, lasting progress.
Sometimes the big transformations are all about those simple, steady steps that we just keep stacking up.
Studying is Medicine
Here’s a simple idea: study is like good nutrition. Just like eating well today helps you feel great tomorrow, feeding your mind and spirit with consistent study sets you up for future growth. Whether it’s jiu-jitsu understanding that sparks new insights or reading that keeps you grounded, that steady input is how you positively shape your future.
It’s all about making sure you never get stale and you’re always setting yourself up for what’s next.
Quote I'm Enjoying
Use information not to follow your opponents. Use information to predict and anticipate your opponents.”- Danaher
It’s all about a mindset shift: moving from just studying to learn from your opponents to studying to actually beat them. We’re not just absorbing information for the sake of it; we’re using it to stay one step ahead and shape the outcomes we want. It’s a mindset that can really change the game.
Intentional Inspiration
One of the things I intentionally practice is setting the example myself and then calling out the best in the people around me. When I do that, it inspires and motivates others to bring their best and step forward with confidence. Often, we end up sharing the same goals and working together in the same direction.
It feels a lot like one candle lighting another, spreading the flame of inspiration from one person to the next.
If you haven't had the chance, drop in and check out the North/South Instructional
God Bless!
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