Jiu-Jitsu can be a love-hate relationship.
It can pull you in, changing your life forever. It’s a difficult journey and can cause frustrations that only a truly dedicated student of Jiu-Jitsu can overcome. Some of these challenges will make you into a better person; others are just minor bumps in the road we will all have to deal with eventually. We all love Jiu-Jitsu for better or for worse. Everyone who practices Jiu-Jitsu will develop there own set of pet peeves, or things that annoy them about Jiu-Jitsu. Here are some I found most common.
#1 – Getting injured right before a tournament
2008 GBSC-Slide Show 318It’s a terrible feeling. Months of preparation only to be stopped short due to an injury. There are many Jiu-Jitsu competitors that don’t let injuries stop them from competing. In Jiu-Jitsu, something is always hurt, sore, battered, or bruised. If ever I don’t feel that way, I must not be training hard enough. Serious injuries however should be attended to. Don’t risk aggravating an injury that could have life long impacts.
#2 – The white belt that thinks they’re a black belt
We all know at least one. If you don’t, maybe it’s you. For whatever reason this seems to be one of the more common pet peeves among Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. Jiu-Jitsu practitioners are often very humble and recognize the struggle Jiu-Jitsu is. When someone doesn’t treat Jiu-Jitsu the respect it deserves, it can really get under the skin of many people.
#3 – Rolling with someone who has a dirty/smelly gi.
Gracie Barra MastersNothing makes me use spider-guard more than a person with a dirty or smelly gi. Getting a whiff of someone when they’re not at the freshest is a bit repulsive. It can make you want to tap out. Please don’t be that person who no one wants to roll with because they have a smelly gi or rashguard.
#4 – People who don’t tap and get injured
We’ve all not wanted to tap for different reasons. Many people will experience at least one time in their Jiu-Jitsu career a moment they should’ve tapped. It’s a lesson often learned the hard way, and many people will have a story to tell because of it. I know my elbow makes a click reminding me, tap or snap.
#5 – The guy who rolls like its life or death with no technique
There are many styles of Jiu-Jitsu. A common style that often associated with new students is a wilder more uncontrolled style. It may not be a big deal to higher belts, but can often be annoying for newer students trying to learn techniques. It may also result in more injuries. When I train for competition, I admit to picking up the intensity. By no means though does that mean throw technique out the window.
What are your Jiu-Jitsu pet peeves?