“I am winning the Championship Belt”
When we roll in Jiu Jitsu, spar in boxing or kickboxing the goal is not to win. There
is no Belt on the line. You are not the world champion. There is no prize. The goal
is to learn- to put into practice the skills and techniques you have been learning.
This is the time we try to apply the new sweep that coach taught or try to hit it on
a higher belt because it worked on the white belt. Maybe you are trying to work
in that angle step and combo that you want to apply in your fight.
The reason we spar, or roll, is to get better at the skills we need to get that win
when we compete. We spar to increase our conditioning, to learn to breathe
through the tough parts. We spar to get our timing right or to control the
opponent in a bad position. Sometimes, we even spar to learn how an opponent
moves or sets up their techniques so we can learn to evade or counter.
The next time you spar with your teammates try applying a different mindset. Try
remembering that you are training, not fighting. It is not a matter of winning or
losing, but of getting better and increasing your skills.