The one question people can’t get an answer to in regard to Gordon Ryan is not one about his technical abilities, but rather his calm and stoic demeanor during BJJ matches. The always-entertaining “Chewy” from Chewjitsu has some interesting thoughts and tactics on how you can replicate Gordon’s behavior.
Staying Calm In BJJ Matches Like Gordon Ryan
What usually happens in BJJ matches is that both people tend to go in strong, and move around and flail a lot more than they would in a roll. The only time this happens in a role lis when the training partner is spazzy. Following this train of thought leads us to conclude that in a match, both competitors start off spazzy.
The reason behind this behavior is mainly confidence and expectations. If one person moves more than the other, it doesn’t mean they’re achieving anything of note. It does prompt, the other person to try and match the intensity though, and people tense up as they try to do so.
This tension in the body leads to tunnel vision and oftentimes blocks the mind from being able to solve problems. Instead, you create more problems by forcing the one idea that you have in your tunnel vision at all costs. That just results in chaos, and as you scramble, the loop continues the moment you find yourself another target in your tunnel vision.
Now, look back to rolling when you and your training partner are both relaxed. The body still moves around and has a job to do, but your mind is not fixated on one idea, and stressing over it, but instead works analytically, trying to solve problems.
A relaxed mind solves problems better than a tense one, and that is exactly what Gordon does in his BJJ matches. No matter what the opponent does, Ryan does not try to match his pace but rather imposes his own slow and methodical pace on the match. Why? because he is calm and confident that the spazzy motions of the other person do not mean the other person is achieving anything worthwhile.
You Fight Like You Train
Being able to calm your mind in BJJ matches is a skill you will need to practice. Rolling offers the best way to do it, but you will need to address it specifically.
One thing is to start recognizing when you anger up and start forcing things, and try to figure out why you respond like this. It may the other person picks the pace up accidentally elbowed you in the face, or even you being too stubborn on making one single move work.
Once you can recognize your triggers, you can prepare to deal with them, by employing a self-awareness that will help you calm your mind.
There are different things you can do, from analyzing tape of how you roll and trying to recall how you felt and what you thought at the moment, to breathing exercises that will relax you.
“Chewy” shares an exercise called the physiological sigh which consists of two rapid inhales through the nose followed by a sigh through the mouth. It calms anxiety down and is perfect to use in high-stress situations like BJJ matches
Of course, if you want to emulate Gordon you’ll also have to work on your poker face too, as well as smile more during fights and rolls.
