Nobody likes to be submitted in training or in competition, but there is a famous saying “There is no losing in Jiu-Jitsu, you either win or you learn”.

Jocko Willink gives some good advice on how to positively react the fact of losing in Jiu-Jitsu. He shares some things that can help you deal with some of the ego bruising which you can fee in losing competition matches and getting tapped in training.

What happens in training doesn’t matter, but if you are being truthful it bothers the hell out of you getting caught by people when you are a white, blue and purple belt.

Have a clinical approach to Jiu-Jitsu. If someone tapped you, they did you a favor because they exposed a flaw in your technique and it’s something you can work on to fix.
Channel that into something productive. Use that energy to study footage, to go to the gym the next day, drill harder, and do the things you need to do to solve that problem.

Losing in training and competition can actually be a crucial component of improving in Jiu-Jitsu, as well as in many other martial arts and sports. Here’s how it can contribute to skill development:

1. Learning from Mistakes: Losing exposes weaknesses and areas for improvement. By analyzing what went wrong during a loss, practitioners can identify gaps in their techniques, strategies, or conditioning. This allows them to focus their training efforts on addressing those weaknesses.
2. Building Resilience: Experiencing losses in training and competition helps develop mental toughness and resilience. Facing defeat and setbacks teaches practitioners to bounce back, persevere, and maintain composure under pressure. This resilience is invaluable not only in Jiu-Jitsu but also in various aspects of life.
3. Testing Techniques: Losing provides an opportunity to test techniques and strategies in real-world scenarios. Practitioners can gauge the effectiveness of their techniques against different opponents with varying skill levels and styles. Failures can lead to adjustments and refinements, ultimately strengthening their arsenal of techniques.
4. Humbling Experience: Constantly winning can lead to complacency and stagnation. Losing serves as a humbling reminder that there’s always room for improvement and that no one is invincible. It motivates practitioners to continue striving for excellence and to push their limits.
5. Adapting to Different Styles: Facing a variety of opponents with different strengths and styles exposes practitioners to diverse challenges. Losing to opponents with unique approaches forces practitioners to adapt and develop a more versatile skill set. This adaptability is essential for long-term success in Jiu-Jitsu.
6. Building Experience: Losses contribute to a practitioner’s overall experience and growth in the sport. Each loss provides valuable lessons and insights that contribute to their development as a martial artist. Over time, accumulating experience through both wins and losses leads to a deeper understanding of the intricacies of Jiu-Jitsu.

While losing may be disheartening in the moment, it plays a crucial role in the journey of becoming proficient in Jiu-Jitsu. By embracing losses as opportunities for growth, practitioners can harness the lessons learned to continually evolve and improve their skills.

Here are some motivating quotes from the Miyao brothers:

– Nothing is impossible. Life is hard for the lazy.

– The law is to train , train, train – until the lamb becomes a lion .

– Never let anyone tell you cannot do something . If you have a dream, go after it. There are people who cannot win and say that you also will not win. If you want something, go after it.

– The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants in life is merely the will to try and the faith to believe that it is possible.

– So you lost ? Shut up and train more.