Gordon Ryan’s Unshakeable Trait You Want for Your BJJ Game

[@reecebarrett18]

The “breathing” you mentioned is spot on. I’m a 24 year old blue belt, I have a very calm demeanour and when I hear younger/older people breathing really heavy I can feel them stressing out and makes me feel more in control

[@williamkrevey1098]

Me too, in fact it's a common martial concept that should give you an advantage. However! In my experience some people sense your mental state and take it as a weakness and escalate thinking it will give them the advantage. When this happens it sucks doesn't it? I think of it as them confusing kindness with weakness.

[@souljamarx]

My favorite thing a black belt who I look up to told me was “jiu jitsu is about control, not just controlling your opponent but also having control over yourself” He said this bc I was gassed in a tournament but it will always stick with me

[@Polarzbek]

Yes. One of the things that helps me with this is talking to the person about the situation. Sometimes they don't realize what they are doing, or how hard they are going.

[@Acoto]

Needed exact this but for strike sparring. Young dude was really aggressive and ended of getting me in the liver with a hard shot. While laying on the ground and after practice I thought about all the times I could have put bad intention on my strikes and laid him out but had chosen not to. Was torn between ramping up to +1 his aggression next time we sparred and just chilling out and doing what I came there for, which was to practice a few movements. This tipped me toward doing the latter. Thanks.

[@chrispoggi1726]

Someone dropping you to the body is a good thing, retaliate and try to drop him to the body next time ;) dont go putting crazy power on him(esp to the head) just get his respect back by hitting your signature bodyshot on HIM now.

[@dynaordie8083]

This was definitely one of his best videos. Whole nother level.... much appreciated

[@nerdobject5351]

Just dealt with this a couple hours ago in class. I’m a slow starter and tend to feel my opponent out. By the time that happens I’m on my back with knuckles being jammed in throat.

[@ayasugihada]

That's why I love nogi & am dirty buttscooter. The gi really empowers people who are crude, stiff and spazzy.

[@nerdobject5351]

@@ayasugihada You know, the more I think about it, your absolutely correct.

[@jasonfairbanks4714]

I really respect your analysis. The controlled breathing is so important. Something I need to focus more on. Thanks!

[@katieliz]

You are so good at finding analogies to help explain the point

[@robertovelarde_staff-marti9696]

usually when someone is over agressive they make mistake and then you capitalize on them. The managing of emotions with BJJ is a part of the game, along with technique, cardio and stregth training.

[@jacobowudtke3679]

Not only do I love BJJ, I am a huge Star Wars fan as well! One of the philosophies of the Jedi was saying that fear, anger, and aggression were of the dark side. Of course, many Jedi were aggressive in battle, yet they were calculated with it. Qui -Gon Jinn especially thought of concentrating on the moment and flowing with the Force. When the Jedi fought, they were concentrated, unlike most Sith, which would allow their anger and aggression to consume them. When someone is angry in BJJ, they cannot concentrate. If they cannot concentrate, they cannot defend. If they cannot defend, they will be dominated. I have noticed my high level masters and partners all go hard, but they seem to be the only ones that know it. Douglas and Dhiego Lima can go in extra slow motion and be calm and still dominate on the mats. I notice when I am distraught, I cannot focus as well in a roll. With a clear mind, I will do well always. Flowing in the roll and attacking at the most opportune moments are great, just like a lightsaber fight!!!!!

[@jdt1221a]

I too have “suffered” from this. All my life. It’s funny how I have received this advice in the past many times. However, when coming from a person I have much respect for….it seems to settle in much easier. Thank you👊😎🙏

[@k1ng_k3nny81]

it's called "crackhead" energy or "bath salts" energy. wrestlers often have it. it's just something you gotta deal with....a good professor and just BJJ experience in general will tame them eventually. crackheads will def make your BJJ better, so don't try to change them, use them

[@mattweagley]

This comment would be hilarious if you shortened it to just say "crackheads will def make your BJJ better" 😂 In all seriousness, I remember watching a video on Andrew Wiltse's KZbin channel where he talked about this same concept. He and his brother used to work as bouncers at a bar, and he has stories about having to use his martial arts skills at work. He said something along the lines of "if you can't control that spazzy white belt at your gym, there's no way you're going to be able to use your jiu jitsu in a street fight."

[@k1ng_k3nny81]

@@mattweagley dammit, you're right. "Jerk store" moment 😆. I saw that same thing where Andrew said that. So true

[@northbaldwintaekwondo664]

Always great tips! I started Gracie BJJ in January and on top my Professor's instructions, your videos have help me a ton when I'm rolling with the blue belts. Thanks!

[@dzikus.minimus.maximus]

Chewi suffered from this cause he was still a testosterone, rage filled teen and 20 year old. Starting as a 42 year old professional I never had this problem

[@waffensuperninja]

Hahaha yeah. When i was 19 it was a war everytime. Im also 42 and i am one of the chillest💪

[@dzikus.minimus.maximus]

@@waffensuperninja Right. I feel like some people go hard to show accomplishment, which is great. I'm accomplished otherwise and pretty darn happy with where I am at in life so I "old man JJ" it all the time.

[@Chewjitsu]

Possibly

[@Pigeon-envelope]

I just started at 39. I get submitted over and over and over and it doesn't bother me one bit. I'm just happy to be learning this stuff while trying to survive 😂

[@waffensuperninja]

@@Pigeon-envelope i always say, we are all friends here. Lets be able to come back tomorrow. So i leave my ego and even if i could strain an escape if im caught i tap. Something i would never do in my youth hahaha

[@cifuentesf]

I love this channel!!! I lost it with fist grinding my face away I'm still doing my breathing 😂😂😂 As always solid advice!! Thank you!

[@barringtonfisher87]

I think Gordon Ryan smiled because he got it that his opponent was trying to intimidate him & get him riled up to make a mistake. Thing is Gordon is so good he knows he's going to be grabbing him in a second & will make him pay that way. I've had overly aggressive rolls & sometimes I've responded in kind. Other times I've managed to take side control & that's when I start putting my weight on my forearm across their throat & digging my elbow in to sensitive areas on their body. It's annoying to have to do it but sometimes necessary

[@kylieminou7775]

Holy guacamole, Chewy!!! I do that when I have to go work at the house of certain clients that really get on my nerves! I know, it seems unrelated to the subject at hand, but that's exactly what I do, I visualize in my head what I'm going to do, while telling me "it's a big house, it's a lot of work, the worst part, when I'm starting to get really frustrated is at the end of the job, I know this, I will prepare myself for that moment, etc, etc" and it works! It never occurred to me to translate it to jiu-jitsu! I don't get as angry as your guy with the inquiry, but I get my moments and it usually doesn't turn up well for me, it's not like in the movies, where the "hero" gets a sudden burst of anger and ends up winning the bloody match/race/killing all the bad guys while yelling "AAAAAHHHHRGGHHHOOOHAHHH", no, I just get submitted and angry, but I will use the same technique as I do in my job. Thank you!!

[@mrjemenai]

I promise you, I do the physiological sigh, usually when I am driving and over-thinking. But most often because I am forgetting to breathe while I am anxiously thinking. But I didn't know that it was called that. That's amazing.

[@billclay5188]

Chewy I love you man. You are an inspiration bro thanks for the regular awesome vids.

[@badbabybear1]

Great analysis, as always. I find a calm and aware state helps with BJJ and life in general. It's something I've started applying on and off the mat and it works wonders.

[@fteambjj]

Needed this, thanks! as always right on time 😂 chewy can read minds

[@PlowThePow]

I get angry as a white belt when people start playing the legs, and the professor/black belts say no legs under purp. I've come to learn that when I sweep I'm not following them down, hence why I get in leg entanglements.

[@theshrednician4961]

Your beard looks good. I saw a video that said to take a comb or straight razor and follow at an angle from the top corner of your ear to the corner of your mouth. Didn't know if you've tried this, but it's suppose to make really symmetrical lines and give you the fullest beard possible. Thanks for the content!

[@TC-bv4on]

“You can hear them breathe” Okay so a lot of the white belts increase their breathing when they’re about to go for the arm bar. You can like mentally hear them talking them out being worried about losing position.

[@masonwillms2542]

they tend to breath harder when going for subs with me atleast, just anticipation of a win.

[@user-kk6cr7gs9b]

As always, appreciate your insight ... very helpful video. Thank you

[@tcrotunda9856]

This is such a great question.

[@LexAladar]

23 year old blue belt here. I do not allow my emotions to control my rolls so that I can stay as logical as possible and allows me to be open to all plays happening following a linear path towards submission.

[@paraglidingnut26]

Thanks for your honesty Professor.

[@quizziewizzie10]

Sup Chewy! Keep up the great content.

[@andrewkim6037]

If he thinks people are hard on him now, just wait until he gets his blue belt.

[@02468]

This is actually really helpful.

[@darylkenny4562]

That to me is the essence of jiu jitsu. For me it is easily the thing that most translates into the rest of life. Learning how to manage yourself and to think while under sometimes extreme pressure. For me I learned to re-focus on the basics. For example someone has passed my guard and I’m getting pressured or cross faced and it hurts. Ok where are my elbows. Don’t get mounted. Be aware of the N/S choke. Relax. Then as my opponent moves I’m in a position to escape. When it’s an aggressive opponent usually there are more openings to escape but less time to think about it. In competition this creates problems. In class we know who the aggressive guys are and I am thinking stuff like ok how can I use my half guard or butterfly guard to slow him down? If I am on top I need to go for an over/under pass and use lots of pressure instead of a toreando pass. Stuff like that.

[@Matt-um5sb]

Part of me innately believes most people experience this angry reaction, but from what I've seen it's more like ~50%. I know I do. But I know it's not my job to teach them a lesson so I typically just use my strength to protect myself until I can use my speed to get to a dominant position and then just focus on max pressure grind to slow them down. I don't actually feel less effective, its more like I get 2 extra gears and hyper focused. It feels like if someone was rude during a tournament it'd help me be as aggressive as I should be lol. I don't feel good emotionally though. I always wonder afterward if being hard on them was really the right call.

[@shyfly6560]

I used to be king spazz. But it was only because I had no game plan or mission. I would ask people and they would just say it will come. Well I studied ur videos and John Danaher videos. I have a game plan now and it’s a process of rounds 2 submit me.

[@davidribeiro3630]

No matter how aggressive the person I’m rolling with is, I always try to stay calm and relaxed. When I stay calm I can mitigate the aggression a lot better than when I match it.

[@mattweagley]

When it comes to some brand new students and white belts, I wonder if that overly aggressive reaction comes from a lack of previous experience in martial arts/combat sports. They haven't learned yet how to effectively drill and spar because they don't understand you can separate your emotions from doing techniques close to maximum speed and effort. There's definitely a steeper learning curve in striking (boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing) when it comes to being a good drilling and sparring partner. On multiple occasions, I saw things escalate pretty quickly between partners in both drilling and sparring when I used to take Muay Thai classes. Rarely did it happen between competitors/experienced students, but more often with newer students.

[@Senth99]

Definitely agree with your mentality, but how do you deal with it during longer rolls? Had a shark tank class this week, and its hard to keep a clear head when you're exhausted and frustrated.

[@LightPhoenix7000]

I learned a similar breathing technique for anxiety that was a seven count in through the nose, and an eleven count out through the mouth.

[@FR-ty5vn]

I like 4 in thru nose, hold for 8, out mouth for 12….

[@_hipflexion]

You need to deal with it. I roll a lot of no-GI and I have a wrestling background. Part of my game is to “out work” my opponent. I love chain wrestling and scrambling to improve my position. I understand that my style can be frustrating to people but that’s something you need to deal with. I personally hate when my opponent wants to sit back and go slow. I hate it so much that I choose not to roll with certain people so i can develop my game.

[@RippedPantsss]

Ancient breathing and meditation techniques! Amazing!

[@BJJ_Richie]

Everyone has a different disposition and different traumas in life. Being said it can be improved some are more calm under stress then others

[@joshuapetro4776]

I definitely misread the title as "Gordan Ramsey" (clearly not paying attention) and was really interested on how calling people a "F'in doughnut " or an "idiot sandwich" would help my bjj. You had a much better message than that! Haha

[@aditya4346]

Hey Chewie, I am a white belt 6'3, 210 pounds. This size is quite above average from where i come, thus there are not many training partners of similar size. When rolling with smaller guys what should i focus on so that my technique improves rather than me just using my size which won't work if I am to go against a guy bigger compared to me sometime in the future.

[@GalenWill]

I just listened to an episode called “the best jujitsu advice I’ve ever received,” from podcast called the “I Suck At Jiu Jitsu Show,” and he recommended rolling without strength. He said it would make you lose more temporarily, but learn more in the long run. He says you should be able to roll without applying your full physical attributes. I’m not sure I understand how, but that’s one person‘s view. Maybe you should listen to that podcast episode. 🤙

[@Fightingat40]

Pretend you are wrestling your girlfriend.

[@masonwillms2542]

​@@Fightingat40 ok but after is stick my dong in my training partner what next?

[@JaimeBlanco666]

Heavier guy here. Don’t muscle techniques. Don’t smash the partner on bottom. Treat it like play. Those are my absolute favorite rolls.

[@gillyac81]

Going to practice that breathing technique, thanks Chewy!

[@Stevie_tha_tooth]

I agree. I start slow and work up to a faster pace.

[@802reptiles4]

Love these videos

[@fookinlookup5343]

this one purple belt always says "calm down and relax" when he can hear me breathing like crazy, it really helps

[@mattvolentine9359]

Practicing yoga really helped me get my breathing under control, along with a ton of other benefits. I started just as a way to mitigate injuries but it helped me out in a ton of other areas as well

[@lolus8974]

It’s insane that in the ADCC brawl it wasn’t just some guy who pulled out a knife it was MURILLO SANTANA

[@bobbydabutcha]

Just control them, defend, escape, let them go crazy, if you get caught; just tap and reset. They'll eventually wear themselves out and then you pounce on them relentlessly. I did this to a giant wrestler a few weeks ago and he literally just gave up mid round during the second roll lol.

[@Fahim_Lalani]

Love you ❤brother thanks for that breathing exercise ❤it’s unexplainably awesome ❤I will make my friends try it

[@FR-ty5vn]

Great 👍🏼 stuff - I use the 4-7-8 breathing method; however, I modify it to 4-8-12 (4 seconds in through nose, hold for 8 seconds, breathe out through mouth slowly over 12 seconds or so). I’ve learned that too much in breath leads to too much O2 in your system causing hyperventilation (producing more anxiety). The method I use leads to more CO2 in your body, which calms your nervous system. Of course, enough CO2 will kill you, but that’s not a danger here 😂

[@_hipflexion]

Hyperventilating comes from excess CO2 in the body. High levels of O2 are calming. You got it mixed up.

[@FR-ty5vn]

@@_hipflexion Medline: “Hyperventilation Hyperventilation is rapid and deep breathing. It is also called overbreathing, and it may leave you feeling breathless. Considerations You breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Excessive breathing creates a low level of carbon dioxide in your blood. This causes many of the symptoms of hyperventilation.” “Hypoventilation Hypoventilation is breathing that is too shallow or too slow to meet the needs of the body. If a person hypoventilates, the body's carbon dioxide level rises. This causes a buildup of acid and too little oxygen in the blood. A person with hypoventilation might feel sleepy.”

[@FR-ty5vn]

@@_hipflexion Johns Hopkins: “What is hyperventilation? Hyperventilation is rapid or deep breathing, usually caused by anxiety or panic. This overbreathing, as it is sometimes called, may actually leave you feeling breathless. When you breathe, you inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Excessive breathing may lead to low levels of carbon dioxide in your blood, which causes many of the symptoms that you may feel if you hyperventilate.”

[@CBKDaHottest]

My hardest rolls are never aggressive I’m only aggressive with people who are spazzy to get to a dominant spot not to get hurt myself

[@aw8one]

Great stuff❤

[@aungzayhlaing1387]

Opposite problem I need more bloodlust especially in comp

[@mylittlenoah3314]

Thank you for your timely advice. I been trying not to panic when I'm getting smashed but I start feeling like a a panic attack coming. I been training for almost 2 months I'm 43 but still I want to overcome this situation? By the way thank you for your videos they been very helpful.

[@jackschitt6235]

Possibly this is part of why Taekwondo is very popular and Jiu-Jitsu is much less so (at least in my area). People like the idea of developing self defense skills and offensive techniques but most people really don't want to experience anything close to real fighting I believe.

[@fteambjj]

They got sparring too. But the point system sucks if they are stuck with that mentality. Also taekwondo has been marketed more than bjj. If someone first time seeing two guys rolling around with butts in their face compared to beautiful choreograph kicks. They'd choose kicks more. I did back when i was a kid 😂😂. Hell most people nowdays still hate watching mma when there's a grappler. Bjj, Its an acquired taste for sure 😂😂😂 but damn its a great one 🤙

[@jackschitt6235]

@@fteambjj I'm 57 and getting in fights isn't part of my lifestyle. I tried Taekwondo when I was 15. At the time I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Taekwondo masters can put on a great show. I never wrestled and the grappling certainly didn't appeal to me one bit. I think it takes it's toll on the body though as the years go by. During the quarantine I started looking up old acquaintances just to pass the time. The Korean master who started training in Korea at 7 died of cancer at 73. One of his top competitors died at 64 from Alzheimer's. One of his other top people had to get a hip replacement. I'm glad looking back that I didn't become obsessed with it really. I'm glad I grew up and moved on to more interesting and important activities. To me it's sad to see Chuck Norris wearing a wig in his 80's. But for sure if your training doesn't prepare you to deal with a boxer or grappler you are probably screwed if your opponent/attacker has a strong background in either of those areas.

[@rogerverita1499]

Boxed for years and fought amateur then pro. After I stopped fighting I took up jiujitsu as I felt I then had the time to commit to it. I'm a blue belt now, though still aggressive sometimes to a degree where I know it's too far and I don't know how to help myself; recent example being after a good role with a brown belt I was highly agitated due to him constantly using the knee on belly/chest often right on my sternum, so after I finally got submitted I got up and told him to meet me outside for a bareknuckle real fight spar because I really wanted to go to work on his ribs and torso. He looked dumfounded and said no way. Yeah I know I have a problem.

[@Aliens-Are-Our-Friends2027]

past trauma- look into magic mushrooms with a guide (shaman) if you're willing to confront it. Mental fights with yourself can be even tougher than external fights with others

[@rogerverita1499]

No you're looking too deeply into it. He was using the knee on belly position constantly throughout the grapple whereas he could've easily moved to a more effective position, but he kept reverting to the knee on belly just to piss me off and when I challenged him to a real fight outside he didn't want anything to do with it.

[@jackjack4412]

You could tell him that its a dick move to stay in knee on belly.

[@davey7577]

@@Aliens-Are-Our-Friends2027 that’s the devil don’t deceive bro Jesus is the only answer

[@Aliens-Are-Our-Friends2027]

@@davey7577 psychedelics are NOT "the devil". Quite the opposite, they let you experience God.

[@-v9615]

Hey im new to this world im 18, It Is good to train 4 times at week,2 days bbj,2 days MMA?

[@vyndaio]

For me that's the clock choke, whenever someone does that to me, usually a bluebelt, they use so much force it feels like my neck is going to break and I want to come up swinging. There are two people I refuse to roll with ever again because after they did this to me and I told them about the strain it caused to my neck, their response was, "well, you signed the waiver". Fuck that, be careful who you roll with. That said, Chewy's breathing technique sounds useful, I'll try that out the next time my temper flares up.

[@johndouglas1294]

I can't see my own face when I roll and stuff. People have said to me, dude, your eyes are closed for most of this... I really wasn't aware of this. Someone took a picture of me when a partner was attempting a takedown, and showed me.... I looked like I was having a nap. I had no idea I did this. Lol

[@jaxwhyland]

Not gonna lie, I don't know much about Gordon Ryan. I knew who he was, and watched a few matches of his. Every image of Gordon I've seen he has grey hair. I just found out he's only 27. This whole time I thought was like late 30s early 40s

[@justinkongglang7080]

I'm a whity and I bet I scare upper belts by my defense and slowness and attacks trying to secure subs and positions

[@alexrosario423]

Before I got into BJJ, I got very good at this game called "league of legends". I got accustomed to keeping a cool head while others were throwing a hissy fit, which helped tremendously at climbing the ranks. I do not recommend anyone play this game (like at all, do yourself a favor), or video games in general really, but coming into BJJ I see it as a game and I just have completely lost my ability to be emotionally invested. I just have fun figuring out the puzzle that is the manipulation of the human body, and I kind of objectify the person in front of me. I don't see them as a person while I'm rolling, but rather as a puzzle to be solved. Everything they do is just another variable in that equation, and my only focus is on what I can do to get that submission. That being said, if someone is overly aggressive, I will avoid them most of the time because I'm trying not to get injured, but otherwise I don't care. My sole focus is improving my jiu jitsu, the people I roll with are just tools to me while on the mat. Off the mat is a different story of course, I'm not a psychopath 😅

[@chrisblack426]

I get angry when people grab my neck you know that they do when you take them down and they're trying to hold on for dear life when they don't have anything bugs me

[@MrCmon113]

They have your head. Lol. What kind of weird ass ego problems do you have if you tell yourself the story that it's "nothing" when someone has your neck?

[@twinsunpredator7998]

when they get aggrssive just pin them down , weight repartition i gordon ryan them from mount , make them tired, and stick in there hilarious

[@robertovelarde_staff-marti9696]

Fedor is another robot fighter example

[@danielc9416]

The ego takes over pretty easily with some folks

[@rickt9569]

I cant breathe through my nose so i always sound like im dying...i hate it

[@Chewjitsu]

Get that fixed if you can. It’ll change your life.

[@rickt9569]

@@Chewjitsu yeah i definitely gotta look into it because being a "mouth breather"🤣 with that mouthguard in sucks the life right out of me

[@fatandhandsome]

I'm pretty sure it's because this guy is always crying

[@Kevin-ll5vu]

🔥

[@SR-kx5er]

Haha when they do dirty shit. Super shayin comes out. But zero emotion just love

[@eugenenunn4900]

I jist got my Purple....imposter syndrome is hitting hard lol

[@youmang]

I'll let white belts grind their elbows in my thigh and neck and sternum........then I'll use compression chokes and heavy kesa and explain to them why they shouldn't do that

[@MMAengineer]

anyone else here hates rolling?

[@Arcadianx98]

Lol no. It’s the only way to know if you can apply what you learned

[@Calmzat]

What’s the point of BJJ then

[@MMAengineer]

rolling really destroys the body

[@Arcadianx98]

@@MMAengineeroh yea.. it isn’t an all or nothing thing bro. I go 3x times a week. Flow roll first night, medium roll 2nd night, hard roll 3rd night. Find a balance that works for you long term

[@thedopesickshow]

@@MMAengineer you don’t have to go balls out every time, Ryan Hall literally has said he got better with his friend Seph by leaving the main gym where everyone tried to show off for Lloyd going all out and training almost exclusively with Seph at an affiliate gym that was more flow than all out gritty getting after it.

[@V2993k]

Read the title as Gordon Ramsay's Unshakeable Trait You Want for Your BJJ Game and was REALLY interested in how a professional chef that appears on TV could help people with BJJ.

[@dakotamckinnon5511]

I do that breathing too, except I make an effort to exhale EVERYTHING that I can. Gotta get rid of all the CO2 in order to take in as much 02 as possible.

[@alcoyot]

You’re not in a fight, or even a match. You’re applying force to an external body of mass, that’s it.

[@kellyn3351]

I never get mad cause I’m always in the positions that make u mad 135lbs

[@LexAladar]

23 year old blue belt here. I do not allow my emotions to control my rolls so that I can stay as logical as possible and allows me to be open to all plays happening following a linear path towards submission.