The Mexican Standoff

There is nothing like getting "back on the rack" in training. Last month was full of impediments to my training (staph infections in class, the Master Cleanse, vacation, etc...) But I have been to 7 classes straight and trained hard. Not that 7 classes straight is a big deal but I hate missing classes and feel the pain after only one miss.

So my stamina is back up to normal levels. I am training harder and harder. I feel my fighting improving. And I am becomming more intelligent in my game.

One thing did happen in last class which confused me. I was fighting a really tough classmate (one of my favourite guys to fight because he is insane strong and a blue belt to boot). He closed guard on my and locked my right arm in his arm pit (to draw the picture). I know he was going for a cross choke, which I could defend all day. And I was hoping he would go open his guard and go for a sweep, because I would have a chance to pass. But that did not come.

I tapped and asked to start in a different position because I wanted to add some motion to the roll. As I pulled my arm out and asked to start in a new position, he said "put your arm back in there". "You want it out, take it out". I felt a little ashamed about what I asked for, and I admit to being a little amused by my white belt request. But in the end, my arm was locked there for a few more seconds and I did get it out in a position shift.

So what would you do in this "Mexican Standoff"? No one had a distinct advantage. I wrote about this about 4 months ago when a classmate got my back triangled and I would not give up the choke. It is possible to get in a stalemate in BJJ if either opponent is unwilling to smash ;). Perhaps that is why there is a five, six, and seven minute time limit to matches. And there is always a next class and another opportunity to roll. What would you do?

Ous.