Dear Legion,
In this edition of the newsletter, we’ll be looking at some mindset tips for training. Most of the jiu-jitsu advice that you’ll get comes in the form of technique tips or other kind of tactical feedback when it comes to your movements on the mats. We share tips on strategy, but we definitely should not forget about the mindset. Mindset and mat etiquette have a big impact on your training so they are the focus of the main column.
We have some fun matches of the month selected for you, new events, a big competition that’s coming up this weekend, we’re making some merch in America now and more! Lets dig in.
Training mindset tips
Do your part to stop this specific apology
“Sorry for not giving you a tougher round”
This is a surprisingly common sentence to come out of the mouth of a lower belt after a round with a more experienced person. I’ve even heard black belts say this to me and it’s baffling. At first glance, it seems like a respectful thing to say, you’re acknowledging your training partner's superior prowess, but it’s also completely unnecessary.
First of all, you don’t owe anyone a perfect round where you magically make up for an experience or physical deficit and fight like you’re in the finals of the World Championship.
Secondly, why put pressure on yourself to perform a certain way? Jiu-jitsu is difficult enough and will try to break you, so why aid it with self-inflicted mental pressure?
Thirdly, it sounds awfully insecure. Who’s saying the higher belt didn’t enjoy the round and needed a challenge? Even if you perceive that the higher belt is genuinely annoyed for having had to roll with you, that’s his problem, not yours.
There’s always the option to say: “Thanks for the roll”, or to ask a specific question about a position or situation in the round.
Don’t stall in training
Winning jiu-jitsu competitions is really difficult at any level and sometimes a little bit of strategic stalling is the way to victory. No one will fault you for it unless you’re getting paid to put on a show.
However, stalling in training is silly and counterproductive. You stall to win, and there’s no winning in training, so why not pursue the ideals of jiu-jitsu and always try to advance to a submission? This is especially true if fatigue is not a factor.
This is particularly important if you’re bigger than your opponent and you can pin them and hold them against their will. That’s good for you. Learning how to be able to do that is important, but one day you’re going to run into someone with the horsepower and technique to be able to get you off of him.
That’s when you’ll be really glad to possess the transitions and submission attacks that come with practicing them during training.
You can just tap and not talk about it
Believe it or not, there's no law prohibiting anyone from tapping and providing zero comment, even if tapping is uncommon for that person. It's just your ego that wants to tell the guy that typically doesn't tap you that you haven't slept well for the last two days and that mercury is in retrograde.
I'll give you an example from my experience today, so you don't think I'm holier than thou. I was rolling with a lighter brown belt, who rarely gets the opportunity to tap me. This round started as a flow warmup roll that turned into a more standard round. At one point he jumped on a d'arce choke and since my neck has been a bit sore for the past couple of days, I tapped.
The darndest thing happened immediately after. I really wanted to tell him about my neck. There was absolutely no need at all to do that. We were already on the bump part of the slap and bump and getting ready to continue. The guy was doing his best against a more experienced grappler and did everything right on his choke attempt, and now my little ego wanted me to transmit sounds out of my mouth, letting him know effectively that "it was more of a crank". I was so disgusted that I made sure to tap again later in the round when he had another solid attack, just to quiet the ego.
How often are you getting submitted?
If you are getting submitted all the time, you may think this is bad. You may think the question is posed today to remind you of how much further you have to go on the mats.
No. Getting submitted a lot is completely normal, especially in the early days. Not getting submitted enough is a far bigger problem.
This means that you are either not training at all or that you are avoiding or missing training partners who can submit you. Not having people who can submit you in the room feels like being a tiger in a zoo. Razor-sharp claws, long fangs with 400lbs of muscle behind them, but the food just gets flung over the wall. Where’s the challenge, the problem-solving, the drive?
You should be seeking opportunities to roll with people who can beat you, even if you’re the coach or your gym’s top competitor. Cross-training, traveling, and camps are all awesome ways to get exposed to the next level. There’s always another level.
Matches of the month
Dorian Olivarez vs Felipe Pena
Felipe Pena is one of the best jiu-jitsu fighters of the modern era. A gi world champion, ADCC double champion, he submitted Gordon Ryan amongst many others. He is also a big dude, at 220+ pounds.
Dorian Olivarez is a 20-year old rather fresh black belt who trains in Austin with John Danaher. He has been racking up accomplishments, but he really put the grappling world on notice in this match. Check out why for yourself.
Buchecha vs. Rodolfo Viera
This match is from 2012. A time when statistically, most people reading this newsletter have not yet stepped on the mats. Both Marcus Almeida and Rodolfo Viera are titans of the early 2010s; Keenan has tangled with both on multiple occasions. They are both currently fighting in the UFC.
This match is as close as it gets and has plenty of excitement for a 10-minute gi match.
Belt Promotions
Congratulations to everyone who got promoted in September!
Brown Belt
- Tyler Mckay
- Dominique Enciso
Blue Belt
- Josh Lu
- Audric-Ethan Sarmiento
- Jed Soriano
- Francesca Bankovich
- Ema Pangelinan
September Top Attendees
🥇Jimmy Wang - 29 classes
🥈Jason Bunch - 26 classes
🥉Christopher Gardner - 22 classes
Events
5 Week Beginner Course - Parents Edition
Legion’s 5 week beginner course will be running a Parents-Only Edition starting on October 20th. Taking place at an adjusted time slot of 5pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, learn the fundamentals of American Jiu Jitsu at the same as your child is taking their own class. Same 5 week program that has spawned many Legion members - but at a super discounted price.
Minimal spots left - sign up at the front desk now!
Girls in Gis
Coaches Paige and Rana are running a fun training event for women and girls of all ages and skill levels. No experience needed—just make sure to register online!
Register Here
JJWL San Diego - This Weekend in Del Mar!
We’ve got 40 Legion members competing at Jiu Jitsu World League San Diego in Del Mar. Spectators are encouraged—come out and support your team!
Note: Judo class is still on as scheduled.
First-time competitor tips:
- Show up early and allow time for parking and check-in.
- Bring snacks, water, and cash/card for venue food.
- Warm up before your division is called—don’t rely on mat time for that.
- Stay near the bullpen so you don’t miss your name.
- Win or lose - it doesn’t matter. What matters is stepping up and giving effort.
FAQ:
Will I have a coach in my corner?
Yes! Even though several of our coaches are also competing or coaching at No-Gi Pans in New York, we’ll have multiple Legion coaches at JJWL San Diego—armed with a spreadsheet of where and when you are fighting.
Competitions
- IBJJF Orange County Open - Costa Mesa, Oct 25th REGISTER
- JJWL California Championships - Long Beach, Nov 1st -REGISTER
- Grappling X - San Diego, Nov 2nd -REGISTER
- Grappling Industries - San Diego, Nov 29th -REGISTER
- IBJJF World No Gi Championships - Las Vegas, Dec 11th -REGISTER
Outro
That does it for another edition of the newsletter.
P.S. In merch news… We have a new limited edition rashguard, this one is made right here in California!
The Liberty rashguard. We have about 25 left, grab yours here (for pickup or shipping).
