There is a must watch video on YouTube produced by Rener and Ryron Gracie. They are the minds behind the GracieBreakdown which has been pushing out Jiu Jitsu related videos for several years. With close to 300 videos that analyze the application of Jiu Jitsu in various combative settings ranging from the UFC to parking lot street fights the crown jewel is a video that has nothing to do with technique or combat. Its a well known and much discussed video titled “Jiu-Jitsu Over 40 (5 Rules to Roll Till 95)”.
Without giving a Cliff Notes version of the entire video the first rule is to “know your Boyd Belt System”. From what I understand Mr Boyd, in which this system is named after, was not much different then many of us. He started his Jiu Jitsu journey in his mid 40’s. Although its not mentioned I am guessing that he achieved the rank of black belt some time in his mid to late 50’s. It sounds like Mr Boyd struggled with one of the challenges of Jiu Jitsu that many of us, if not all of us face all too often. That is, living up to the expectations of our belt rank. Being a purple belt I have some unrealistic self expectations that I am suppose to “win” every role with anyone who is of lesser rank than I am no matter their physical attributes, weight, strength or age. Where the hell did I develop this insane expectation? It certainly was not from my professor. Maybe it developed out of my own ass kicking from upper belts when I was climbing the Jiu Jitsu ladder. I am sure I could dive down a rabbit hole of self analysis in an effort to discover my deranged perception but I don’t have nearly enough bourbon or time to do such. In any case the GracieBreakdown video dives into what are the realistic expectation of the aging martial artiest. Like in chess knowledge is the key to Jiu Jitsu but unlike chess pieces don’t move as well as they did when we were younger. This is not an excuse its a natural fact. If it wasn’t we wouldn’t see athletes retire. We would see geriatric combatants hold all the championship titles. Here is a simple fact. With every day, hour, minute and second I grow older. This doesn’t stop me from lifting, running, rolling and increasing my fight IQ but I know that the way I approach the game must change on a mental and physical level.
I once read a quote by Helio Gracie that said something along the lines that he did not fight to win but fought not to lose. At the time that I read that I was much younger and it went against all that I had learned from competitive martial arts. But years later I now get it. Please take the time to watch “Jiu-Jitsu Over 40 (5 Rules to Roll Till 95)”. It’s just under 28 minutes and I assure you that the lessons in this video will better serve you then the dozen of YouTube BJJ techniques that you will watch and immediately forget.
And yes, as you may have guessed this was written after a night of not performing to my “expectations” with lesser ranks and younger athletes including my own son!