Hai. Thank you, everybody, for your input.
So, this is what happened: Thursday evening we were working on some groundwork techniques. Tori was laying on his back and Uke attacked with your basic two handed choke. My partner was the senior member of our training group. He has 10 years of serious training in, and obviously moves at a completely different level than I do. However, I won't lie. I have about 3 years of very active groundwork experience between wrestling and the BJJ that's part of the PFS branch of JKD. It's where I move best (as compared to a clubbed baby seal).
With him, I definitely provide an initially higher level of resistance then I do with other training members. But, that was what I understood he wanted. He just about broke my nose with a shuto a few weeks ago. I was guarded up better on the next pass - and stayed guarded well for the rest of that training day. In my mind, it was the wake-up call I needed.
The first time we did the tech, I went at about 20% resistance (but slowly) and stuck with the movements as Uke was specified. If it wasn't part of the attack, I never would have performed a choke like that or kept my butt so high in the air, but it's the movement and timing we were training, so I went with it.
The second time we did the tech, when he put his feet on my hips I cocked them so he slipped off and I sunk a little lower. I didn't snuggle in as I would have gotten if really going for that choke, and I didn't try to pass the guard or anything like that. I wasn't gripping hard to actually perform the choke, but I always attack with intent and I kept my hands where they were supposed to be. No change in speed, still moving slowly.
He did the perfect thing and whacked me in the face. I said "Good" because it both showed me that I wasn't paying attention for strikes and it surprised me. The second time he hit me was just after I spoke, and as I reacted he rolled me into the double arm lock we were working. In my mind, it was perfect. I resisted and instead of trying to muscle it out, he broke my concentration, created an oppertunity, and moved when I reacted. Perfect.
He put the lock on well, and I tapped - probably already later than I should have. He sat up, and that really bent me, so I tapped again and made some ouchy noises. I expected he'd release at that point, and was just laying there waiting when I heard a voice say, "Now that I've got you here, I want to talk to you about a few things. You see that I can do the techs with resistance, but some of these other guys wouldn't be able to."
It took me a second to realize I was getting a lecture about speaking with your Tori before providing resistance. I work hard at being a good Uke, so I was surprised at getting this lecture at all, but I'll certainly allow that I could communicate better - especially with this guy. I do disagree about the skill level of the group on that day . . . but I didn't say that.
It wasn't until the next day when I woke up and couldn't straighten my right arm or touch my fingers to my shoulder that I got pissed and saw the irony of the situation. You don't like the level of resistance I provide - safely, and with your training in mind - so you're gonna injure me instead of just saying something as you said I should have done? We did two passes, and I didn't significantly bump up the resistence on the second pass or go any faster. Why not say something after the first? Or say something while we were working?
Hai. I learned several lessons with that experience. I'll communicate better, tap earlier, and be more careful around this guy.
And, I won't let this bother me anymore. My set of
shuriken arrived from Budo Weapons yesterday. I've got better things on which to spend my energy.
)
