Most people walk into a gym for the first time and they think the scariest partner in the room is the big experienced guy with the dark belt.
I’m gonna tell you the truth. He’s the safest person in the room.
Ironically, the more experienced, advanced athletes are actually the safer people to train with. I have this conversation with everyone who walks through our door for the first time. People are scared of the upper belts. They shouldn’t be. The upper belts have been here long enough to know that submitting you is not worth hurting you.
The person you actually have to watch out for is the brand new guy who is stronger than he knows. He doesn’t know his own pressure yet. He doesn’t know what an arm can take. He’s not trying to hurt you, he just doesn’t know.
So here’s how I want you to think about picking partners, especially in your first six months. Roll with the upper belts when they offer. They will go at your pace and they will leave you in one piece. With the white belts your own age and your own size, go light, go technical, and talk to each other on the mat. “Hey, slow down.” “Hey, my shoulder’s a little weird today.” That’s not weakness, that’s communication. That’s how everyone leaves healthy.
We’ve had our academy open ten years and we’ve never had a catastrophic injury. That’s not luck. That’s because from day one, I teach people that we apply chokes, we apply locks, we apply leg locks with control. Submitting your partner is not worth the injury.
So when you come in, don’t pick the partner who looks the least scary. Pick the partner who’s been here the longest. They’re the ones who know how to keep you safe.
Next lesson is the most boring one I have. It’s also the most important.
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