I trained a striking art all my life. Recently got into bjj rolling submission grappling. I tap early I tap often. When in trouble. But. When I have someone in a lock I know they will not get out of I hold it. I tap from offensive standpoint. My opponents hate it but all I’m doing is keeping them safe and resetting. Often the opponent doesn’t even improve upon the position or what they’re caught in by the next sequence anyway so it’s absurd to think they would escape from a deep sunk in position. All I know, is I do that to keep training partners safe. I would want the same. I’m not letting them crank on me. Ever. None have control enough for me to trust that. I honestly think that some people don’t know how much trouble they are actually in with joints in certain positions. They don’t understand I don’t have to put strength them I can just fulcrum their joint. It’s a quick thing. You need to pre empt your own safety.
This is similar to what i tell my students. I say after they tap then keep that deep submission and let them work out efficiently so they safely get to navigate those deep waters.
I trained under John at RGA for a decent amount of time, and you basically nailed it. John basically doesn’t teach any white belt fundamentals, it’s all advanced concepts, and there’s a pseudo-unspoken expectation that the higher belts show newer students the ropes and keep them in line. There are a ton of spazzy white belts who come through the doors thinking they’re gonna be the next world champion, so it leads to very unpredictable rolling experiences!
