Invinsiblity or false security?

[david a]

Does anyone remember when they first learned Bjj basics and all of a sudden you have this feeling that you are invinsible and that you could whip anyone, even the big 300lb loudmouths that intimidate people and cause crap?

I admit that I did- due mainly because Bjj was never considered beatable at the time. That was back in the days of UFC 2-4. Heck, I remember wearing my first Gjj t-shirt everywhere thinking "I'm the man"

Does anyone else have these thoughts even with other disciplines? Is it owed to martial arts mistique? Is it because we think we have unknown techniques against Joe Blow or that we have an edge on him?

How do you percieve things now that you have learned this "invinsible" art. Are we bordering on a false sense of security or should we never leave home without wearing GJJ
logos on our clothes incase we need an intimidation factor?

[L3FTH00K]

I believe that having a positive perception of yourself can be benefitial. Even in boxing you see fighters who have never lost an fight and feel that they are invincible. And in the most part it's difficult to defeat a undefeated fighter because in his own heart he feels he can't be beaten. But that theory on the other hand goes only so far.

Athleticism and other factors play a large part to. In theory knowing Bjj helps but it's not the unbeatable armor people think it is. You will always run into people who do not know Bjj but are natural fighters. Think of it this way if experience alone is the only factor that makes you win than Royce Gracie in theory should never loose. Because how can somebody whose family has 65yrs of MMA knowledge can loose? Why are fighters like Sak who has only been in the game for 5years be so succesful? No matter how good or invincible you feel because of Bjj remember there are fighters like Tank, Tito Ortiz who never end fights with Submision yet defeat world class Bjj stylist.

[david a]

Good answer. Exactly what I had in mind.

We have to face reality and know that no matter how hard we train, no matter how many miles you jog, no matter how much weight you lift, there will always be someone who can do that much more than me or you.

Do you realize that almost any champion of any single player sport has been bested by someone at least once in some way or another?

Look at Tyson, Karelin, Royce, Ali, Sampras, etc.

[duchman]

I feel invible when i wear my sakuraba mask!

[Robbie]

Originally posted by duchman
I feel invible when i wear my sakuraba mask!

lol.

[dan downard]

When I first started I thought I was good.Then I started going against guys with 5 years or so and 50lbs over me.I was stuck on the bottom and a toy.Stuck with the program.Got my mat time in.
Finally I get a (you have become VERY GOOD)from Matt Thornton.
Felt better than all the belts I have recieved in the past.
Although I am 100 times better than when I started,I now feel less invinceble.
My eyes are open to how much technique is really out there and how much I really dont know.
The cockyness is gone.
I now view fighting as a serious thing.
Something you only do if you have to.
Not for fun.

[Mickey Finn]

I won’t wear anything with any kind of a martial arts logo on it. Why advertise? Certain people are going to be drawn to that and want to test you because of it. You are also advertising what your training is so a knowledgeable guy is going to have an idea of how you like to fight. Finally, if will be pretty tough to deny that you have had training if a bust goes down over a fight you’re in and you’re sitting there wearing a T-shirt with your affiliation printed on it. The fewer people that know you train the better. I would rather be underestimated than overestimated. People that are overestimated get shot in the back.

[Mickey Finn]

Your last post pegged it IMO Dan. When you first start out, after about a year you are pretty impressed with yourself and what you know. That seems normal. Hopefully you survive this stage. If you keep going you start realizing that there is always somebody out there that can take you.

[david a]

Mickey Finn,

Even though I was gullible at the time, thinking I could whip anyone, I have to say, I had more respect from guys when I was wearing the logos, than I ever did without.