For people outside of the 10th Planet system, techniques such as the Lockdown, or the Electric Chair submission are often frowned upon as semi-illegal, causing severe injury or just being painfully uncomfortable for the rolling partner. 

INJURY

One of the worst care scenarios when rolling with someone is injury. After all, most of us are not professionals, but rather amateurs trying to enjoy our time and challenge ourselves on the mats. However, if you are practicing the gentle art, the possibility of getting injured is quite substantial. The type of injuries ranges between a sprained finger to a torn ACL on the knee. There are many common causes behind why we get injured, such as not preparing the body and the joints for unexpected movement through off the mat workouts, or a lack of sufficient warm-up or stretching down after practice. These are all physical factors. However, there is another less known factor that is closely related to injury, and that is the mental factor. 

The Spazz

At the white-belt level, we are often surprised by moves we have never before experienced. If we allow our survival instincts to take over, trying to force ourselves out of an uncomfortable position, the chances are that either the white-belt or the partner will be injured increases drastically. This is the reason why many refer to these white-belts as “Spazzes.” originating from the word Spasm. 

The EGO

The Ego is one of the more complicated factors in the injury hierarchy because it highly depends on each individual’s character, temperament, and values. If someone is not mentally ready to tap and accept being dominated, then the chances of injury are significantly increased. The most common scenario is when someone measures his worth by how well he dominates others. One such situation is a higher belt sparring with a lower belt, especially in an environment where the practitioner’s status is perceived as compromised if defeated in front of his or her peers. The status factor is extremely powerful, so be aware, especially if you are using the Lockdown or the Electric Chair on a person that isn’t familiar with the 10th Planet system. The chances are that the person will not tap and that the person might end up getting injured. 

If an injury does occur, who do we blame? Should we blame ourselves, or should we blame our partner for not taking better care of us? What is your opinion? In this video featuring black belt and head instructor Magnus Hansson from 10th Planet Stockholm, we get a straight answer. 

Magnus Hansson, 3rd-degree blackbelt under Duda Suares (Gi) and Eddie Bravo’s 1st European blackbelt shows everything there is to know about the Lockdown in a Gi with new revolutionary details. Modified from its original, the Lotus Lockdown will change the way you approach this powerful half-guard. Let the Lotus Lockdown be your solution!