Tapping out

The first thing that comes to mind when I see that logo is all the tough guys strutting around with perfect ears and a false sense of their ability to win a real fight. Not that I would want to start one with them, as fighting is for the gym.

The second thing is how hardcore I used to think the concept of making someone submit was. "I will tap you out." So scary! Tap, nap, or SNAP! AHHH!!

How I view it now is entirely different, and seems to change the more I train. As a beginner, it was just a constant reminder of how bad I was and how much I had to learn. As I slipped into what you may call intermediate level (trying to keep stripes and belt colours out of this,) it sometimes felt like failure. Thoughts like, "I am supposed to be good. Why the hell was I promoted if I still get tapped by lower belts. Am I properly representing my instructor and the rank he has bestowed upon me?"

Well you slowly come to realize that is all bullshit and the rank you have earned gets acknowledged after you have already earned it. If you are getting tapped, you are experimenting and learning which is all you really owe yourself and your instructor/training partners/affiliation.

I am proud to say I have to tap out repeatedly to lower belts in rolls. Proud to say that it pisses me off for an instant or 2 until I realize that old guys take longer to get comfortable with berimbolo, or my blown shoulder may never be as good as it once was but I will not let that become a factor, or dammit I have pushed these guys hard enough for long enough that they are closing the skill gap and getting good.

Tapped Wednesday to a blue belt (20+ years younger than me, trains 6 days a week, is an MMA fighter SHADDAP EXCUSES!) on Weds evening to a standard arm-bar he snagged from knee-on-belly. I may suck forever but I will always be learning and will die on the mats.

##What was the your last tap-out?##