My first choke out

Tonight during class I was able to successfully apply the choke I learned yesterday during a sparring match. I applied it so well, in fact, that the guy was choked out almost immediately. Luckily no serious damage was done and he recovered shortly after, but I remain conflicted over the event. On one hand, this is largely what I have been training to do over the past 5 months: use chokes and holds to submit my opponents by either their own tap out or by their involuntary unconsciousness , whichever comes first. In this regard, it is exciting to know that I have developed this skill well enough to execute it in a full speed setting. But, on the other hand and much more importantly, one should always put the safety of training partners as the top priority. This is especially true in an art like BJJ where we are so up close, but the standard applies to all combat sports. So although I am excited that the choke worked as expected, this excitement is tempered by the fact that I wish it had happened in a way that allowed him the proper time to tap out.

This event prompted me to really think generally about the role training partners play in one's overall development and the need to really pay attention to the safety aspect of the whole thing. Unlike CrossFit, which is largely individual and thus intensity is modulated by only that individual's ability to perform, intensity during a roll is dictated largely by the most able person. One can have (and often does have) two people with vastly different abilities, endurance, and so on paired with each other in practice, which can be a potentially dangerous situation depending on the match up (ie. 50lb weight difference, etc.). In these circumstances, it becomes vital to pay attention to not only the character of your partner's strengths and weaknesses, but also the role these play in the safety of the match. In a tournament, feel free to take advantage of a guy who is winded or has holes in his game, as losing is his payment for a lack of preparation. However, in practice we are all trying to get better so there are many considerations that must be made aside from "I need to beat this guy." A total disregard for the safety of training partners can also become systemic, increasing one's own chance of being injured by that same process. I am lucky to be taught by a professor who preaches the value of safe training. But I know ultimately the responsibility lies with each of us so it must be made a priority on an individual basis. Overall, this is simply an important lesson to internalize and take home for whatever sport one plays: the safety of teammates during practice is as vital to one's development as anything else.