These BJJ players are B*tching Out 

"Have you ever seen someone hold top position for 2-4 minutes and do nothing at all?" Why yes... I have seen any IBJJF match that's ever taken place.

I absolutely understand the raw feelings one gets when they are tapped out or their game is shut down by someone who might be less skilled but are stronger and more athletic. That meathead might even be a white or blue belt and you are a higher rank. I have to say, the day I really stopped caring about who tapped who is when I really started to enjoy training a lot more and look forward to training a lot more. Before that, I used to have anxiety before entering the class and nervously look around to see if tougher dudes were on the mat that day. I realized this is all a bunch of silly head games I am imposing on myself and detracting from the actual enjoyment of training and maturation. I should be grateful for having tough guys around that force me to develop a game that can deal with them as opposed to just want weaker peeps on the mat that I can overcome - and feel good about myself for easy victories.

Every person you spar with is a live test dummy. It’s a blessing to find someone that is extremely good at something. If they can figure out how to get out of that dudes side control then everyone else will be easy.

I agree with what you're saying but I'll add another thing. Ryron Gracie developed the idea of "keep it playful" after realizing that the old way they did things - basically tapping out the new guy, playing tough to beat, etc. - meant that at the end of the day it was just Ryron and Rener sparring each other. They had beaten everybody else. And more than that, they weren't always nice about it and it rubbed people the wrong way. Once they made the move to doing jiu jitsu for a lifetime, there became a shift in focus to sustainability, learning, and enjoyment. Not to say that it's all kumbaya at GU but rather what did it matter if Ryron let somebody tap him? He can use that as a learning opportunity for the person he's sparring with. It wasn't necessary to go so hard all the time. Improvement is the goal, not being a hard video game level boss. So yeah, on the one hand, this is what jiu jitsu is, step up your game. On the other hand, we're going to be here forever so let's work on how to beat that specific approach and then keep going.

I am 53 and a purple belt. I roll with everyone and there are some young, strong, technical, big and strong guys in our gym, who just murder me, but I feel like it makes me better when they do. If people are not taking the time to roll with people like the guy mentioned, then they do not understand what the art is about. Great Q&A and I really enjoy your input and knowledge.

I was about to say pretty much the same thing: "Get everyone at your gym to train side control escapes". I hated getting stuck in side control by these big wrestlers too, so I spent my first 2-3 months with escapes as my main focus. If someone is spamming a certain technique, then you're already at a huge advantage since you know what they're going to do. Once you have a stronger more threatening defense, you'll immediately notice them shy away from their usual attacks.

One of the best comments I’ve heard: people get to a certain level and they loose the stomach with the level of discomfort when they began. Really caused me to reflect and realize that’s me. Thanks Chewie for the impetus for reflection and renewed commitment.

I have seen this issue so much when I myself visit another BJJ gym, or just watching competitions. The minute someone finds out you’re a “Judo Guy” everyone now just starts “butt scooting”. BJJ was birthed from Judo, look at the Machado camp, they focus more on their defense and judo aspects. Which folks also get frustrated with the judo deep pinning as well. I’m older Sometimes I don’t wanna constantly move for 5 minutes straight 😅. For self defense purposes, especially as a first responder pinning honestly can be best practice.

I was that person when I first started BJJ, just getting in position and pinning people ... because I didn't know any better. I'm a judo brown belt, and in judo that's a legitimate way to win a match, so I did it. I think I annoyed my training partners for a while, until it occurred to someone to explain the different rules and objectives in BJJ, and everybody's training was better for it.

Drill the buggy-choke for a week and someone will change how they feel real quick

I was a wrestler in highschool, and despite not doing it for more than just a few years, I tend to use wrestling tactics as my basic approach when I'm just reacting without thinking about my next move. Sometimes, I get some folks who are a little reluctant to roll with me because they just tell me that I'm strong. I've been trying to ease up on how much 'strength' I use, and trying to utilize new techniques (albeit at a risk of losing positions many times, of course). It's a battle. I can just hold down most people I practice with if I really want to. But it doesn't allow me to really gain anything. So, instead, I try to apply our lessons, practice a specific task/goal (like not allowing my back to squarely touch the mat while practicing guard, hitting a specific submission, etc.) and it tends to allow the other person some opportunities during my mistakes. It's more fun than just arm triangling everyone because I'm stronger than them lol. Although, when I'm annoyed, the trusty arm triangle helps to vent. :D

As a 3rd Dan judo guy now taking up BJJ for the last 6 months I'm certainly guilty of this; passing guard, getting to a pin in the form of side, top control or mount and then stabilizing in position for 30 seconds or so before trying for a sub. But that's my grappling language, I'm not going to easily sacrifice a dominant Osae Komi position for a sub. But what I do do if I don't progress said sub after a minute or so is relieve pressure a bit and allow my partner more opportunity to escape. Also here's the thing, in that relief of pressure two things are happening. 1. guy on the bottom is super tired and more susceptible to a sub. 2. In the escaping scramble the guy on the bottom is more susceptible to a sub. Pinning is not smashing - it's just bloody uncomfortable and grinds the other guy down, nothing wrong with that, and it's actually a gift for other people to train with wrestling and judo pinners.

Amberlamps x2… Thanks for the great video Chewy. And for continuing to release more videos. You’ve been unknowingly along for my entire BJJ journey, from day one. And saying I appreciate you very much is true, but I really feel like you’re a 2nd coach to me. (Not a stalker, lol)

Two things stood out to me. First off I think it’s odd the blue belt lacks the skill to finish (being bigger & stronger). Second If I’m paying money to be taught the art and I can’t figure out the escape/counter….. I’d ask the person taking my money for the proper solution to my problem. Seems like a school that’s big on fighting hard and small on learning technique.

I'm a no stripe 250lb white belt, and the first gym I went to had 180lb purple belts that refused to roll with me. Not because they knew they couldn't tap me out, as often times that was simply inevitable; but because I made them look like whitebelts with my top pressure and my natural wrestling prowess in arm/shoulder locks. I was the first person in that gym to successfully execute an omoplata during live rolling, which the black belt gym owner thought was simply unbelievable. I think the problem is these "subscription" belts are typically a full belt category lower than "competition" belts.

Absolutely love your response, I'm the squeezy wrestler guy and people hate rolling with me but I've helped alot of my teammates(well the one who agree to roll with me) get better and in turn their reactions have leveled me up. Jiu-jitsu is hard physically and mentally just like life.

You touched on this subject a few times b4 and months later I got a lot better because of it. Thanks chewie🙏🏾

yo i dont own any chewjitsu merch yet and i really want a gi, but that shirt you are wearing is beyond sick man i need it

This video was soooo timely! Thanks chewy

Absolutely how I am feeling today! Got arm locked the same way 5 times last night by a brown belt. I'm a white belt, super competitive. Trying to figure this out, getting pretty good, but once that "reel" is shattered it is definitely a humbling experience. It is definitely a learning experience and is making me realize I need to do other escapes to arm bars. Thanks for the inspiration!

Man your videos are always so motivational

Super helpful comments section on this one, guys! This is where the jiu jitsu community really shines

When I left a BJJ gym and went to an MMA gym I had that attitude that “hey BJJ isn’t even happening” and I talked to my friend (who was a coach) about it. He said “figure it out man, I’m not teaching guys to risk a position if they’re trying to fight.” I’ve spent 20+ mins having my head turned to the side and my chin grinded. Eventually you’re forced to become creative & everything in your life gets better!

I’m a pretty big person - 6’4” about 250. Been training on and off for 4ish years. I let a new white belt get side control and had to tap because I couldn’t breath. The guy was about 6’8” and pushing 300lbs. I was more mad at myself for not being able to do anything about it. Just means I need to train more.

love the advice Chewy, you sound like my coach. When i'm getting smashed by the same person in the same way too much, if I ask about it his response is figure out how to counter it. If it's the same move every time, there is a counter to it you can learn and practice.

100% continue getting smashed until you figure out how to counter the move that’s smashing you, I’m guilty of avoiding those “tougher rolls” because I’ve gotten injured…after looking at it I was the reason I got injured haha 😆

I agree chewie is right people need to toughen up and learn through problems it's still a combat sport 😁

There is a guy in our gym exactly.. It is frustrating, however when i roll with this guy i always ask him to start with me under his side control.. I still have not gotten out of his pin but im almost there. Actually he has helping me out. As its said everywhere on the internet, Embrace the suck, adapt and overcome., i guess.

I have always looked at bjj as a way to make friends. We are all pretty direct w one another so we get better, and so do the loyal friendships. I really like your channel Chewy. Very balanced with on the mat stuff and theory/gym issues. Got to leave ego at home

Great advice ! Never quit unless you want to quit ......

Great encouragement. We have a guy who is so strong and smashes so hard. After rolling with him a number of times, smashes from others feel like nothing. Face the challenge and figure out the solution.

Great video. I used to be a guy that would hold people and do the same thing. As a blue belt. I started to learn more when the higher belts would sweep me and make me work. Same thing for the people who are getting smashed have work not to get into that position. They need to do the work

I've been guilty of this ... but I've definitely taken your approach when I got my blue belt...and it has made my jiu-jitsu better

Same! This was my experience coming into jiu-jitsu. I came from years of wrestling and was simultaneously fighting in MMA at the time. I ran into this scenario, during a rolling session, a black belt stated that you have the strength but let's focus on technique. That has always stuck with me

Bob, its only side control. Ask your coach to teach you how to defend & counter. Enjoy the journey Bob.

Excellent video/ share chewy

I feel attacked by the Bob story... Yes I'm a wrestler 😂

“Just giving a good smash” Chewie 😂🤣😂

In my gym, I always go for the more experienced, bigger, athletic people. I always improve more because I run into a trouble spot, and I either tap or work out of it, and I love learning how to work out of something because it's gonna make me better for competition

Such great advice.

Chewy is such a great Mentor. We really don’t deserve him.

My Coach told me to do this. He said I rush too much and I needed to slow down. People hate rolling with me. I like that...

AMEN. Chewy, 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏.

Sounds like a great opportunity to work on retaining guard and escaping pins.

Good point. If you keep getting pinned and held down, then focus on drilling escapes. Free rolling is good sometimes but often hard to concetrate on certain things. The only way to improve escaping is more practice escaping.

Thanks chewy

Been watching your videos for a while, you're an inspiration. Im the big guy 6'2 300 plus lbs. I try to move, i don't just stay in side control. I feel like no one really wants to practice or roll with me or I'm always the last one to partner up with someone. Should i just switch gyms maybe to a bigger name gym?

I’m a Heavy weight. 275. Very competitive ( in mentality, skill set is growing) our gym is very much about taking the smashing and using it for growth. As a big fella who is athletic this was my game plan. Take down, smash pass, and apply discomforting positions to hopefully get an arm or take their back. I would never hurt anyone intentionally and would tailor how much I laid it on someone based on a number of things. And like chewy said it worked for me like inverting and triangle chokes work for the lanky guys. No complaints from anyone, regardless of size. Two months ago an even bigger heavyweight started to train. I make sure to roll with him at least once a class. I have more advanced skill than him but I get squished when I end up on bottom. Got costo in my rib cage now. You know what tho? I am better at escapes than I ever have been, and have focused hard on my stand up to hopefully not end up in those positions. We have to enjoy the suffering as much as the winning, or I think your missing the point of the whole sport.

Good stuff!

I agree. But then again I stopped doing gi because I didn't want to have to adapt to the stalemates produced by stuff like worm guard.

I enjoy training bjj and judo it's humbling but for me it's about having fun and with the attitude to learn

I’m 47 yrs old been rolling for about 4 months. Holy crap I am that guy but I go there out of comfort cause that’s what I’m familiar with. A lot of times I’m not aware of it until after the fact or coach yells at me “keep moving “ thanks for this I needed to hear this

Wisdom right there!

PERFECT 👍🏼 ANSWER…!!!

Hey man, I have been in BJJ for about a year now and your videos have been with me the whole way as I have truly fallen in love with the sport. So I will be moving soon and I will have to find a new gym. My first gym truly was special, all people are good people. Before I leave I want to go out of my way to show them appreciation, I was thinking some kind of food or little gifts, just as a extra way to say thank you to the people who helped me along in the beginning of my BJJ journey. So my question is this, if you were in my shoes, how would you go out of your way to show them appreciation to the people who helped show you the sport? Thank you so much, by the way my name is Joe. PS - if anyone has any ideas, all are very appreciated!

I do this, I'm old, fat and my hips aren't very mobile but I have wrestling experience and know how to hold people down. My goal is a bicep slicer or key lock although I did see a hip/leg submission recently from side control. My goal is 100% take you down, get into side control, make you wiggle until tired and then sub you. Sorry?

Side control is the bane of my existence as a somewhat smaller guy. Slowly but surely though I'm developing escapes and preventions. I've started landing triangles like crazy.

As well as someone who is only 4 months into Jiu-jitsu I don't have many options for attacks but being 220lbs I am learning how to control hips and shoulders head etc to maintain position. I had one person I rolled with who I had side control on and probably outweighed them by 60-80lbs and didn't have many attacks and this person said from bottom side "aren't you going to do anything" my thought was, I am doing something, I am controlling you. Now another thing I am learning is exactly what chewy said. It's okay I'm larger than most in the gym and if just do what's seen as offensive movements or things that cater to their strengths that doesn't do them any good if they were to be attacked for real by a larger stronger person. So really I am fine with the jabbering and going to continue to be nice and helpful as I grow but there is an attitude problem involved and it can be both ways so keep it in check find a way to make some lemonade outta thkse lemons.

I’m four months into my jiu jitsu journey and for a few weeks I would always resort to holding people in the lockdown from the bottom, and I would hold this position for 3 minutes at a time, I’m not sure if it bothered people but it started bothering me, so I made a pact with myself to use other techniques even if it meant “losing” and getting controlled, and it’s helped me a lot with trying new things

After people figured out the Americana was the main thing I was going for from side control, learning some combos helped me set up my Americana. I'm that big heavy guy who likes to put people in side control at my gym.

We have an ex-wrestler at our gym who is a blue belt but locks just about everyone up except the black belts, in side control. Even me at a current purple. I love rolling with him though. It shows my weakness and what I need to work on. He also weighs 40 lbs more than me but can control guys 40 lbs heavier than him. However, he doesn't rely on it. He now works from his back to get stronger there. Especially since wrestlers are pre-programmed to hate being on his back. So we both work on our weaknesses together. We have become good friends as well because we both leave our egos and belts at the preverbal door and help each other to get better.

As a judo player I'm guilty of holding a pin. But in judo if you hold a pin for 20 seconds you win. That being said. I know at least 1 or 2 ways to escape side control. Anyways love how you dealt with this one

there's always a solution, that's the beauty of this game. because that answer isn't always easy is what makes it fun and challenging. if we could master bjj in a few years it would not be a life time of fun

Very well said, as usual. Question for everyone: How do you feel about neck cranks? I'm a big guy and pretty unskilled, to be honest. When I'm on top in side control, I sometimes put my arm around my partner's head backwards and swing my leg over the belly to do a neck crank. I always do it slowly and as far as I know, I've never hurt anyone doing it because I go slowly and carefully. But it sucks and it makes people tap. I'm starting at a new gym and I was told today by another student not to do it. I apologized and told him I didn't know it wasn't cool. At my old school, it was totally fine. Anyway, what do you guys think? Sometimes it seems like there are too many unwritten rules of conduct to me. Like, if a person doesn't like a slowly executed neck crank, just tap and start over and don't let the neck crank guy do it again. Or, as another example, if you don't like elbows in your thighs in full guard, figure out how to stop it! Somebody did that to me today and yeah, it hurt, but so what? I don't know. I certainly don't want to be an a-hole, but man, it seems like in JiuJitsu, we should allow whatever type of grappling and just learn to fight it.

Back in the day, we had a really nice guy in the dojo that we called "the tick". Same strategy... side control and tighten up and stick to u. Eventually he relaxed but it was funny yet annoying at the same time.

I think I agree like 98%. But if there’s a huge weight difference it’s pretty lame to sit their and squeeze. But I do agree, pin escapes are 100% needed.

1. It's my responsibility to get out of positions I "can't get out of" even and ESPECIALLY against bigger, stronger opponents. This is akin to self-defense training imo. 2. If my partner just settles and does nothing, that's when I settle to catch my breath and determine the best move to mess with his base and get him off me.

Hey Chewy, I love the channel and am learning lots. Thanks so much for what you do! I'm a new white belt at a dojo in Toronto. I'm 6 classes in and have no game or technique whatsoever. I'm a big guy (230 pounds) and pretty strong. A lot of the other students are smaller than me, and my weight on them can be a lot to deal with, even though my technique at this point is just is a twinkle in my eye. I haven't developed a sense of control over my movements yet, and I am concerned about unintentionally being a gym bully because of my size and strength and lack of control. At the same time I want to try my best so I can learn more and provide enough resistance so that my partners can learn too. I really like everyone in my dojo and I want to be a good dojo member for them and for myself. Any advice?

I had a guy who kept pulling guard on me. About 3 days later, I finally started passing his guard and I was ecstatic that I actually learned something from him. Also the main reason why I worked on my takedowns

Chewy! Any advice for lower belts when two different coaches from two different classes contradict each other while they are teaching you the same technique? Seems they have two different philosophies on how to approach the same position (it happens to be bottom halfguard and how to use the underhook). Can’t figure out which one to use, and if I do one technique in front of the other coach they correct me and tell me to do it their way. It’s interesting and confusing!

as a judoka trying bjj this video made me smile

Extreme Ownership. The solution to all problems when everyone at the club gets on the path.

yo man love ur vids noticed u get annoyed by the ambulances haha dont even wory can still hear you clearly with the siren barley notice it 👊🏼

Would a hip bump sweep landing you in mount be 2 points ? Or 6 ? Also would a butterfly sweep count for 2 if once I come up I wasn’t really past his gaurd but I did stand up he was on his back I was past his hips and grabbed his head and held control for 3 I just didn’t mount or get a side control

Yep. Had one guy do it all the time. And he would always want to roll with me specifically. I complained to coach and he told me that I needed to work on my side control escapes then. I hated the advice, but it was good advice. I got good at side control escapes. At one stage I yelled at the guy though, I'd successfully been able to roll with other people on the mat and one day he came up to me and said I was "ducking" him, so I loudly told him that I needed to roll with other people, like a sad break up, which was made even more sadder by his response, which was a meek, "it's just that you're big and a really good blue belt".

Respect. I rarely watch your content and would not say I know you in any meaningful way. I thought to myself "Boy, I hope this cat doesn't tell a brother to talk to the hold down man...that seems like a terrible idea to me". I was thinking of talking to the complainers about if they really think balking at that guy's style is really the best way to go. Drunk guy you can't avoid a confrontation with pins you down you going to tell him he's not playing fair?

I have this happen sometimes and I find that if I adjust my breathing and keep defending and making the dude struggle, I end up eventually finding a decent opening and sometimes I’ll even be in a pretty good position by the end. Although sometimes it happens too late and I’ll be finally in a good position and the clock runs out lol

I've been grappling (nogi) since early 2000s, and the longer I roll, the more I look for those smashers and wrazzlers and spaz. Cause as time goes on, there are less and less of those in bjj acamdemies, and the thing isnt that there are really more, its just tat I got comfortable rolling with them, and I can manage to get them to tap cause they mostly are exhausted.

I just managed to finally win against people heavier/stronger than me at least 5 times in a row after 5 months of training. It felt awesome 😄

If I find the same person keeps getting me with the same thing, I'll often just ask them for advice on how to deal with it. At least at my gym, most people are pretty good about helping you learn to defend what they are doing. Then they'll try to get past your defense anyway. Everybody gets better!

I like it🤠 no more excuse over STRENGTH and Wrestling or Judo Tech.

I have a question Chewy, no need to make me a video. I got choked pretty nasty at a new gym (open mat) and now my throat is sore. Any advice to speed up healing?

Jiu jitsu, for me, is about being out of the comfort zone. Most days, I feel like I don't wanna go trainning. I don't want to get out of my job, tired, and go to a gym where younger, stronger and more flexible people are going to smash me. But I have the discipline to do so. So every evening I step again at those mats. And I try not to chose who I'm gonna roll with. Or, if I have to, I chose to go with the hard ones. Because, at the end of the night, I probably will have been submitted and smashed, but I know that's the way to improve. When I can get a submission or even maintain a position, thats learning. And thats what teaches me that I can face challenges outside the mats. That I'm not as soft as I may think. That I can get beat down and just stand again to face another challenge on or outside the mats. So far, while still a purple belt, this is what made BJJ so important to me.

Judo guys often do this too, it's the way we trained, actually my bjj coach did tell me to try new things and I did.

Some counter-arguments (I'm not saying I'm for or against your arguments): 1. Even though jiu jitsu rolls are finite games, as a whole, jiu jitsu, as a sport, is an infinite game, meaning its purpose is to perpetuate itself. If this guy is doing this all the time, despite constant negative emotional feedback, he might be damaging his social relationships to the point of damaging the whole social environment. Even if others are wrong to b**** out, he seems to blame a bit too. 2. Squeezing in side control is a likely way for creating cauliflower ears, which is not welcome by most, it might be another point of annoyance for people. 3. If he is doing this to everyone and not dosing it down to those who simply cannot get out of it, then he probably values winning a lot. However, if he is not being challenged, then perhaps he is not in a good enough environment to grow competitively. 4. If he is doing this all the time and getting away with it, then he is probably also to blame for a lackluster way of learning new techniques. With people who are not on the same technical level as you, most coaches would recommend trying out new things and experimenting.

One of the best pep-talks for jiu-jitsu people ever! Too many whiners in the community. That leg lock example was on spot.

Getting stuck somewhere with a partner while training is also a great place to ask for input from the instructor. "Professor, how do I escape from this- specific- side control?"

"when you get comfortable, you lose your taste for discomfort you had early on." so true

the name for ladies is Shelia lol

This is more common in former judoka who win by pinning for a short time (30sec in 90s, think 20 or 25sec now). An advanced person who doesn't have a real problem escaping addressing the person with logic. Logic: When someone can't escape him, they both just lay relatively still for 4min. This approach yields very low returns for the time and discomfort invested. Yes, it is part of the learning process to escape, but when you aren't close to being able to escape, it tends to be very unproductive to just lay pinned. As people learn the escapes and actions/sequences to make them actually work, it is good to encounter the "holders", but on the way to being good enough to escape, this is a SLOW way to progress.

I love the movie real metaphor so true with everybody.

I’m 5’10” and 150lbs. I recently held down a new big guy in mount to keep from having to fight his adrenaline. I try to control the rigid and spastic people the best that I can. On the other hand, I enjoy the movement and dance with fluid opponents.

Ego. BJJ is a neverending puzzle. As long as they don’t injure me, im good. It’s fun to figure things out. Its like a difficult stage in a video game. You keep going at it until you pass the stage.

The harder they squeeze you from top of side control the more justified you are in framing your fist against their head just behind the jaw. Slowly apply more pressure until there's enough space to work an escape. Worked for me

I feel this 100%! I got swept the other day by a white belt…man that hit me hard. Lots went into me being swept. I didn’t change levels, I didn’t move too much during the situational, and I didn’t defend the sweep correctly. Shit happens. Bet ya I thought about what happened and won’t make that mistake again soon. 😎 Bottom line, it’s part of the roller coaster of jiujitsu. Get back at it!

as a new whitebelt i did that a couple of times because I was exausted lmao

One thing to note about rolling with that type of player, it's just exhausting. I've stayed away from rolling with those big pressure guys because I want to keep my gas tank up to have more rolls during the randori and not take breaks cause I was getting asphyxiated for 5 minutes. Love rolling with them, but dont have the endurance for the rest of the night quite yet

You do need an abundance icon w/ counter lol.

Habitual squeezers don't realize they are the ones being controlled by the bottom person. If the top guy is unable to threaten a submission or move then they bottom person isn't threatened. As the bottom player, if the escape isn't available yet, pull the top player's high shoulder into you and control it while also manipulating it to avoid pressure. Don't let the top guy move and it psychologically reinforces that they as a top player are the one being controlled by the bottom guy. They often try to move after that, especially if you whisper "I'm unchokable.".

Love the mark Mack “ambalamps”