Share Your Knowledge

I taught Chris a basic Darce Choke tonight after open mat, and told him I was going to regret teaching him that choke. Chris is already a top notch grappler due to his strong wrestling background. I'm certain that after he works with his new choke a bit, he'll be snapping that thing on right and left. And it's pretty safe to assume, I'll be one of his victims. He's tough enough for me to handle as it is, so as his arsenal of submissions grows so does his dangerousness. Of course, I was only joking, because that's the nature of this business. I teach people how to beat me up every class. I use Chris as an example, but it's true for every one of my students. I've always said that my goal is to make my students better than me.

When I teach a purple belt, like Jerad, a new technique, and I can see that glimmer in his eye and that little smile he gets, I know I'm going to have to be working overtime to counter him on that move next time. Everyone keeps getting craftier and wiser and I ain't getting any younger, so I have to stay smart and continually improve my game. As everyone gets better, this forces everyone else to get better as well.

This is how it goes for everyone. Don't horde your knowledge. Share your secrets, your counters, your defenses. This forces you to get better. Show your training partner that mistake they made that allowed you to apply the submission. Show them how to defend the armbar you keep getting on them.

Don't think of it like you're giving away your secrets. I've been giving away my secrets for years and I still do just fine.