This week I'll discuss a very difficult topic for some people to grasp, that topic is sensitivity.
Because it is impossible to watch someone demonstrate sensitivity and "feel", it is very difficult to teach.
The only way to truly "learn" it, is through practice and awareness.
Let me begin by first describing what sensitivity is. Quite simply it is the ability to feel what your opponent is doing by physically reading the pressure they are applying through either pushing and pulling motions. On a more complex level it is not only physically reading your opponent but "sensing" what options they might be attempting and reacting to that through previous experience brought on by years of rolling.
If you find this more complex definition confusing, that's ok, it is a more advanced aspect of sensitivity that can only be learned through the experience of sparring against opponents repeatedly.
There are several ways to help develop this skill.
The simplest is to pay close attention to how things feel while doing repetitions of the techniques. Don't just try to memorize the technique, try to feel it.
Another is staying focused while sparring.
Early on in your training, you might find it frustrating while sparring with more advanced practitionners, but try to stay focused on what's happening. It will help you develop sensitivity if you focus on specific cues while your opponents apply techniques on you or while they transition from position to position. Basically you should be aware of what it feels like to have your opponents attempt these techniques, that way you learn to recognize what they are attempting and can possibly prevent it next time by learning the proper counter.
Another tip you can use early on in your training is to close your eyes while doing reps of techniques and while others are repetitioning techniques on you.
While doing this pay close attention to the feel of the technique, again this will help you become familiar with what moves feel like.
This is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of training, especially by beginners. So if you are fairly new to grappling and BJJ pay very special attention to this in your training and it will make a noticeable difference in your game.
I just started weekly classes of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu about five weeks ago and what you said about being frustrated really hit home. It kind of got to the point where my mind was questioning if I was really learning anything at all. I just keeping asking myself after every time I get submitted, how did he do that, what did I do wrong, etc. As the weeks have progressed I have started to learn how to relax more, and conserve my energy, and even though I'm getting beat it's allowing me to focus more on what's happening instead of how bad my cardio is, or how bad my thighs hurt. Great post and I will continue to read and gather tips and advice along the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, just a quick tip, make sure all the questions you ask lead you to positive action, it's ok to ask, "what did I do wrong?" but you should always follow that with, "what should I do next time?" and persevere to do it.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely on the right path though!