Comments on: Fight Club, Honesty, and Ego

By: thekillerj

thekillerj — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:51:01 +0000

I gave a tap to somebody once. It was a kid 1/4 my size. He legitimately got me in an arm lock and nearly extended it. JiuJitsu gives enormous leverage benefit to smaller people, but I truly could have “curled” my way out of his arm lock.
I tapped instead. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but had his body weight been more than my arm which he was trying to lock he would have had me.

By: miles vigil

miles vigil — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:22:45 +0000

I think if you give them a victory you are giving them false hope, which in turn might bight them in the butt when it comes down to the real deal. Submitting someone is a process, if rushed could lead to bigger problems than just ego.

By: john cox

john cox — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:16:21 +0000

I think that it is ok to let someone get position and give them advice to allow them to learn and feel good about their progress. BUT I HAAAATEE it when someone allows me to tap them. The thrill of the competition is the pure competition ( I have mentioned this several times). It is a cheap (and I don’t even consider it a victory) victory. Just my two cents

By: Glenn Davis

Glenn Davis — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:54:37 +0000

As an instructor i think its important to use it for the correct purpose.

The correct purpose is to prevent injury, to reinforce a students proper technique in stages as a resistant training partner.

I think too often people see tapping as succumbing to another persons will over us. In the Dojo its a place of growing on the street its a place of recognition in most peoples minds. Its best not to confuse the two and to let insecurities take over.

As an instructor its important that you as well receive the proper resistant training partner. Sometimes in your own Dojo its not the best place, Do to business, Loyalties, and submissive personalities when dealing with a teacher -student relationship. but to attend a friends Dojo and receive a credible workout and resistance -jiu-jitsu chess routine.

I often when traveling drop into friends dojo’s around the world and get a good workout or “Tuneup” so to speak. When it comes to your Purple belts, then its time to extend the Boundaries and allow more competitive pressure. Provided both partners are keeping safety and insecurities in check.

I prefer a friendly 20 minute roll with 10 taps over a 10 minute roll with one tap and an injury and bad blood. No reason to kick each others ass.