Andrew Smith of US Grappling and Revolution BJJ, took some time to answer a few questions for us. Andrew is a black belt in BJJ, a black belt in judo, and a 3x Pan Am Champion. He currently is an instructor at Revolution BJJ and has brought US Grappling (editorial: one of my favorite tournaments to compete in) to Chicago. Thanks Andrew!
Enjoy!!
1. Have you ever used jiu jitsu in a self defense situation?
Not really, apart from drunken friends horsing around and kind of forcing an impromptu grappling match. Self defense is 99.9% common sense and good judgment, neither of which I was born with. Fortunately, I've learned the value of diplomacy over the years and stayed away from confrontations like that.
2. If you could go back in time and tell yourself anything as a white belt, what would it be?
Invest in Google. Wait, maybe that was blue belt.
3. What role does ego play in BJJ?
It plays an important role. Of course, ego can get in the way of good training, because training becomes more like a fight than like a game. On the other side of the coin, ego is what drives us to improve ourselves. It's important not to neglect ego; you have to want to get better in order to get better. The important distinction is to use your ego properly, not as an obstacle. Jiu jitsu is a game- even competition- and it should be treated as such. There are lessons to be learned every time you roll or compete, and you can't forget that. No match is more important than the lessons you'll learn from that match.
4. What separates those who excel in BJJ from those who do not?
Love of the art and dedication. Give me one student who has two left feet who loves the art, makes the necessary sacrifices, and trains 8 times a week any day over someone who is incredibly talented, trains hard for six months, and then loses interest when they start tapping blue belts.
5. Do you get nervous (either as competitor, coach, etc.)?
Certainly, as both. When I was competing every weekend (circa 2002-2006), I was seldom, if ever, nervous. It was like training. Nowadays, I compete about once a month, so it's a little more special than it was back then. I'd say I get less nervous than your average competitor. As for coaching, I put a lot of stock in how my students perform at competitions, because it reflects on me even more so than as a competitor.
6. What do you say to potential students that are interested in starting BJJ?
Are you sure you want to do this? Kidding. Well, kind of.
7. How do you know when to promote a student?
It becomes very obvious on the mat. That's one thing about BJJ: there isn't any kind of lying when it comes to performance on the mat. When their technical proficiency allows them to execute great jiu jitsu technique above their current level, consistently, then it's time to move up.
Thanks again Andrew!
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