[bamboo]

How do you roll- with aggression or very passively? Why?

When it comes to the takedown I am very passive. I never take a shot or work for the clinch but rather just let the person come to me, I find offbalancing and throwing quite easy when executed in a passive manner.
When we hit the ground I'm an entirely new person, I work hard for position and fight for the choke or sub. Because I train with alot of wrestlers this sems to be the norm among that group bu tthose with bjj training are always quite passive and wait for a mistake on which to capitalise.
I can see the logic behind this but simply can't bring myself to do it.

-bamboo

[zefff]

The way I spar depends on who Im sparring with really but usually I try to be more aggressive, especially against higher ranks. Get position, consolidate position, finish without giving away position!...hopefully

I shoot all the time and am always looking for arm drags, ankle picks and reaping throws. When I am being aggressive though I am actually inwardly passive as I need to be sensitive to the situation and openings and the opponents intentions. To much aggression can lose you positions or a hard fought advantage, or you might not even see an opening. The same goes for when I am passive, inwardly I am aggressive and searching for the opening where I can explode my inner aggression.

For me, being aggressive is neccessary as nothing gets done from doing nothing in my book. But being passive is neccessary to be most efficient when on the recieving end of technique and turning around a situation to your favour.

[bamboo]

Very interesting to read of your mind set while sparring Zefff.

I try to keep a cold, blank mindset all the time. Work hard but look what pops up and then pounce on it.

[zefff]

Haha! Thats funny to me because I am far from cold myself. I feint a lot, jump about and make lots of noise. Infact Ive been told I must keep the noise down for our next competition this weekend as the ref may stop the bout thinking I am screaming in pain! ...yes I am that bad. But only because I enjoy the chess of Jiu Jitsu a lot I cannot help but laugh aloud when I roll.

[bamboo]

LOL, it must be treat to grapple with you.

My only noise habit is telling my opponent "nice work" or "well done" when they sweep or are about to set in a sub and I know I'm done for.

Other than that its all business.

[admin]

I am more passive or relaxed, especially when fighting a smaller or less skilled partner. If fighting a real fight, or fighting someone that really annoys me, then I turn it on and use full strength and technique.

What Zeff said I agree with as well, too much aggression or power makes techniques sloppy and out of control. Having control is the key. If you can control your techniques, position, and essentially the fight, then you can dictate how the fight goes.

I have been told to step it up a little bit more against some of the guys I train with. Especially guys who are training for an event. I used to go softer so they could train their techniques on me. Softer meaning less strength and aggression.

[zefff]

What really annoys me is the type of person who is so hyper-competitive or afraid to lose that they will go all out in sparring to get a top position, just after they've asked you to go easy because they have injuries. They use all the dirty tricks like cross faces and neck cranks, get a solid side mount and use all their strength pinning your neck and hips to the canvas for the whole round. What have they learnt from that?

[Wilhelm von Wankenstein]

Originally Posted by zefff

What really annoys me is the type of person who is so hyper-competitive or afraid to lose that they will go all out in sparring to get a top position, just after they've asked you to go easy because they have injuries.

I don't mind facing intensity from a sparring partner, but I loathe dirty fuckers like that with a passion. If someone wants to go balls to the wall with me, that's all good so long as they make it clear from the start. Playing stupid games like this is crossing the line.

[NeverMan]

Depends if I know the guy.

I never shoot Gi, only no-Gi.

I got some good Judo takedowns during my short time at DZR, so I try and use them but only if it really presents itself (ie. if I can unbalance my opponent easily and get a hook or whatnot). When going no-Gi, I usually wait for the other guy shoot and then I sprawl, unless he is really put his legs out there for me, then I go for it.

On the ground I am aggressive if I am in a dominant position but passive when I am in trouble, holding off a sub and waiting for the person to become impatient and make a mistake so I can gain position. Also, since I am still getting back into shape, when I am in trouble, it's easy to hold off a sub (against my skill level opponent) and catch a breath or two.

[bamboo]

An interesting development concerning my way too aggressive rolling game. My private coach/friend and I were talking after a great session when I asked him what he would do if I were in his school and needed to relax more. He said normally a good beating usually cured the problem but suggested in my case (he's known me since we were children) and instead suggested that for the next few months I only roll starting from a really bad position where aggression will only get me into more trouble.

Wish me luck.....meh..or not.