Why don’t black belts do warmups with the rest of the class?
Why is it every single class I attend the professor never warms up? Should he be leading by example or is it better served that he or she is guiding our warm ups?
Let’s keep in mind a few things. Our professors are able to chain tap us into oblivion at will (white to purple belts). The fact they do not warm up or even spar doesn’t mean they diddnt earn their rank as our professor. Also keep in mind you pay good money to warm up and learn BJJ. After all it is a martial art as well as exercise. Plus they have to conduct a class of people who are at different levels. Some people need attention and refinement. Not everybody hip escapes correctly believe it or not. In fact I hear its uncommon to learn the true value of shrimping until your a blue or purple belt.
Keep in mind I am in southern California. Its super warm and maybe muscles are better adapted to exercise here. I am not sure about other states but ask yourself “does my professor need to warm up”?
FACT: I am not sure I have ever seen any of my professor's do a front roll…EVER! In fact, I think I am going to ask them to do one and see if I am doing it correct. I respect my professor however I think this raises an interesting point.
Should warming up for BJJ be BJJ? Could this be why purple belts are always late?
Let’s look at another issue. First, is it really unfair that we are running in circles, doing hip escapes, penetration drills, army crawls and leg drags for 15 minutes?
What (beside shrimp’s aka hip escapes) do these things do to help us in BJJ?
What about front and back rolls? Are we going to use these on the street as we are thrown by an expert student of Steven Segal?
Can’t we all just shrimp, do leg drags and get to learning BJJ? I really want to better understand how each warm up helps my game or technique.
Maybe I should just ask...
Truly warm, Anonymous White Belt