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Home » Blog » Never Give Up | Anything can happen in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Never Give Up | Anything can happen in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

September 16, 2011 By Sensei Matt Klein

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Never give up

Never give up

In a no gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class a few weeks back a guy was monstering me all over the mat. He passed my guard like a hot knife through butter, got into side-control, and after a few seconds, mounted me. Was able to buck him off but soon ended up in his guillotine choke. Used a classic over-the-shoulder defence to shut it down, but before long he had me in back control, hooks in.

By then I was exhausted, as I struggled to fight off his attempts for a rear naked choke hold. But the battle was tiring him as well and fatigue invites us all to make mistakes. He made one—crossing his feet over my legs. Remembering the defence I learned years ago, I swung my right foot over his ankles and leaned back on him. Felt the tap instantly.

On more than one occasion I have been on the other side of this story. Just when I thought I was getting the better of someone on the mat, they turned the tide, and tapped me out. That is the nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The moral of the story—never give up, even against a superior grappler. It ain’t over till it’s over. As long as you are fighting, you are still in the game.

“Never, never, never give up!”
~ Winston Churchill

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. ”
~ Unknown

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
~ Albert Einstein

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Filed Under: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, For the Martial Artist

Comments

  1. John W. Zimmer says

    September 26, 2011 at 5:58 am

    Hi Matt,

    Yep you are still in the game if you don’t quit. Many people think if something does not work – they can stop and just try again. Fighting is not like that – you may not get another chance so it is best to try and work through the adversity and get the win.

    I’ve always said you will end up having to defend yourself when you are sick, injured, blindsided, drunk or outnumbered. Better to already have the notion that quitting is not an option. 🙂

  2. Sensei Matt Klein says

    September 28, 2011 at 6:59 am

    Hi John! Like Eminem says, “You only get one chance, do not miss this opportunity to blow up”. You are so right, you may not get another chance in a fight.

    Yes, there is no such thing as perfect conditions for a fight. Thanks for your visit John.

  3. Jan Littlehales says

    October 6, 2011 at 9:21 am

    Hey Matt, I haven’t visited your site in a while – it’s looking good. Thanks for reminding us to Never Give Up – and for reminding me of Winston Churchill’s amazing speech “Never Give Up, Never Give Up”. And who’d want to disagree with Einstein!

  4. Sensei Matt Klein says

    October 7, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Hi Jan, great to see you here. Glad you liked Churchill’s speech. He was one heck of a leader when it counted most.

  5. harsha says

    October 12, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    THis is one thing i like about karate !

    Not only helps in defending ourselves physically but also make us mentally strong

  6. Sensei Matt Klein says

    October 12, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    Thanks harsha for your comments. Karate definitely builds our minds and spirits as well as our bodies.

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Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
Mihir Joshi

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Mihir's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
Yogendra Joshi, father of Mihir JoshiImage
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Tyvian Macfarlane

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Tyvian's story.
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane, father of Tyvian Macfarlane
09/08/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
Adam Loader

See our Karate Success Stories Page for Adam's story.
09/01/2014
Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
09/01/2014

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