Hitting the Wall

Hitting the Wall

by Meaty

There were days when I felt like I absorbed techniques like a sponge, now it seems like I’m a bucket with holes and I’m losing it left and right.  I’ve hit a mental wall and it feels like everybody around me is getting better while my Jiu-Jitsu becomes stagnant.  I am frustrated by my lack of progress and unfortunately that frustration leads to a decrease in motivation and a lack of focus.  It’s a downward spiral that’s hard to pull out of.  

But I’ve been here before.  It usually happens after an extended period of time without training, usually anything beyond two weeks.  Jiu-Jitsu is a skill that needs to be practiced in order to maintain and progress one’s proficiency in it (like playing the guitar or piano). Your technique is a finely honed sword that dulls and deteriorates without the proper maintenance and attention.

There is no “easy way” to get myself back to where I want to be.  I just need to suck it up, get my butt off the couch and train. There has been some training days lately when I felt like I was completely beaten down and I have those moments on the mat where I know exactly what I want to do but my body just won’t let me do it. Brain says to Body: “FORWARD ROLL!”  Body says to Brain: “Screw you Brain, I’m tired. I’m going to stay turtled up and think about how Hawaii is nice this time of year.”

Nothing feels better than a hot shower and a hot meal after a hard training session, the day after might not be too much fun but I know that it’ll get better the more I train.  At least that’s what I say to myself whenever I hit the wall. The only way to get better is to train hard and to train often.  So don’t let the “bad days” get you down because if you really think hard about it… any day on the mat is a good day.

See you on the mat.

Comments

[Dan The Dad]

Amen my brother....

[f00k]

good write Meaty... like my post before, if you need a push for this year, Martin Rooney has a good interview about 'doing' and not 'saying'. Like Tank says, "nothin to it, but to do it."

And I'm not a pro or nothing, but a good tip of advice to keep exceling would be to open up your game more and try new things... even if you get caught a few times. That will help you fine tune it until you perfect it.

[Mikee]

I've hit that wall in k-boxing, 8 months off after a motorcycle accident. Hit it in BJJ after months off at a time from three knee injuries. I still hit it at different times even when healthy! Point being, adjustment is the key. Whether lack of time or injuries contribute to " Hit'n the wall " we have to adapt and overcome! Martial Arts is a way of life, so as we hit obstacles off the Mat, naturally we hit them on it. It's nice to have a good group of folks to train with who help you get through it!

[Marco]

Once again Meaty, great entry! Nothing but the truth.

On another note, can someone tell me what is up with this???
(Skip to just before the 7 minute mark so you see what I am talking about)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKkJGwLBtp8&feature=player_embedded#

[Tom Gaughan]

Actually Marco, I think that is kinda cool. Pancrase strikes with a multiple attacker twist.

Notes on Hitting the Wall:
Actually that is part of the reason I like Judo so much. Its a whole new line of thinking, range of motion and I dont have a 'fall back' comfort zone to go into. This is in line with what Fookie is sayin. Open the game up some. If you are comfortable with your game...get uncomfortable. Try some passes you dont have down yet and just keep movin...
Just my $.02 from someone who spends much of his time at that same wall. I just realized that I've been taking judo at One World for a year now. I know its not full time Judo but still a pretty nice chunk of training...I feel very fortunate to have those guys and gals there with us.

[f00k]

Also I've said it on here before, model someone of talent with your same body structure and strengths (flexibility/speed). Ex; recently for me, I've been watching guys like Zak Maxwell and JT Torres. Tourneys > Techniques for vids.

[Mo]

Personally, when a bad day turns into 'a series of bad days' that creates a major hurdle.

Couple in real life pressures both personally and professionally and on more than one occasion have had the deep rooted thought of 'why are you even bothering with this?'

. . . thoughts like 'your return on investment is (X), and man I am so sore and tired when I have to get up for work in the morning. Are you sure this is worth it?"

Especially in the last few months . . . am finding it harder and harder to answer these questions. Am being honest here.

The only observation have made. When I am just going in to train and have fun to get away from the stress of life, feels like those are the days am actually advancing. When I worry about 'progress', etc . . . and martial arts starts to become a 'job' and you put 'expectations' on yourself . . . those days just suck.

Seeing some of the advice and comments here is reassuring.

[Isaac B.]

I like your conclusions regarding expectations Mo. My attendance as of late hasn't been what it normally is due to illness, professional and personal changes so I've been less focused on advancing the game and utilizing the mat more as therapy when I have the opportunity. I've found not being so serious and removing the "expectations" has allowed a greater degree of creative freedom - hopefully it will pay dividends in the long run - ?

An hour and a half until my appt. with Dr. Prudencio...better than Prozac and no co-pay!

[MikePru]

Mo and Isaac are beginning to find the right path. You have to confront walls all through out life. When you hit a wall you HAVE to find a way through, around, or under it. If you let the wall win you gain nothing. I'm a black belt because I didn't let walls stop me.

[Meaty]

I'm glad to see we are all on the same page. It's truly a pleasure to train with you all.