Mat Chat 15 - Claustrophobia, Panic, and Top Pressure

[@johnnyevo7174]

I needed this a few years ago before I quit. I suffer from anxiety being smothered

[@TheKySharpshooter]

This is a great topic for a video! This actually happened to me a week or two ago when going for a triangle or armbar and I got stacked. I could barely breathe and had to close my eyes (partially because my knee was pinned against my jaw lol) to relax. I usually close my eyes, take a slow, deep breath through my nose, and start working on ways to get them to shift their weight to allow a possible escape. If you start to thrash they know you are in panic mode and will usually just try to lock you down. I have found if you breathe slow and make smooth movements, they are more likely to start working for something else and that's when you can make your escape.

[@nextexhale]

Good stuff, Brian. Very true that people who have never been pinned by a skilled grappler underestimate the physical pressure and psychological fear that can be experienced in that situation. I've been on both ends of that equation. My father, who earned a Judo Black Belt in Japan, related a story to me of when he tapped out to a fellow judoka that had him in a crushing and painful Kesa Gatame. This happed before my father was ranked but he is a big man and the other man was smaller--but skilled.

[@dsimon33871]

Great topic! bless you for dealing with something that is not...Sexy!! Exciting!! etc...But is extremely integral to being a great teacher.

[@Pje3ski]

I have been trying to work through this. It helps me a lot to make sure I am not flat on my back. Lift one hip if you can.

[@ohplezz]

Your a wise teacher to take this approach. Most people don't, and I think a lot of people quit due to this.

[@swurve4real]

Im a 4 stripe blue. My professor tells me I'm purple but he wants me to do one more competition. I have this issue sometimes but i struggle with these attacks off the mat. They started during a bad back injury. I feel like jiujitsu has helped them happen very very seldom off the mat. Now they seem to happen on the mats. During rolling sessions i get bad images even being buried alive. I want so badly to overcome this. I almost feel like I can't be a purple belt with this. I train with some pro fighters and I'm 38 and weigh 170I can't always keep up with their pace and when I'm out of breathe and someone who never runs out of breathe and outweighs me by 50 lbs and more i freak out and think I'm dying. Last night I went with a heavy weight who is a pro fighter he's about 6'7 and weighs about 280. I was surviving well and even attempted a couple submissions. When professor yelled one minute left he might as well have yelled infinity. I lost all energy this guy went side mount and all I could think is I can't breathe and fear came over me. I had to tell him to stop and I had to go outside where it was like 20 degrees but i didn't feel it. I've had these about 10 times in different situations on the mats. A few of them where i was winning. Is it possible to be a higher belt with this problem? I wish there was a secret formula to stop them.

[@ivanjacobsen7656]

Ive have a similar problem when rolling or sometimes doing exercise it just comes on . I think it has something to do with my back . It might be worth getting your back checked out , sometimes the nerves can get pinched and restrict your breathing Good luck

[@ianmacdougall8812]

I have the same problem takes the fun out of the most awesome sport!

[@FR-ty5vn]

Great video - I have a few BB’s in other arts, but encountered difficulties with this in GJJ. Still struggling from bottom, but my defense was to develop a strong top game. Blue belt & more work to do...

[@SlackerBluePodcast]

Damn chewy u really let urself go

[@tomhawktom8849]

I am trying to overcome it, but not having much luck. Tonight was my first time in 11 months of BJJ that told myself that it's not getting better and I should stop.

[@faridzeynalov8619]

TomHawk Tom Don't stop,bro! I have the same problem but i am confident that one day i will overcome it and will grow mentally and as a person. If u qur, it will follow u till the end of your life. You can do it!

[@updownftw]

Don’t you fucking give up. I’m going through something like this right now as well. We will comment here again after 1 year

[@agentjames6x808]

@@updownftw and something changed?

[@leroyjankins7368]

@@updownftw did you get through it?

[@updownftw]

@@leroyjankins7368 yeah bro, I started with smaller people and eventually got up. Also I let myself get submitted rather than panic and get up. If you just stay there a lil bit more, they’ll submit you. Eventually try to avoid the submission and get to a better position