Time off training

Over the years, we’ve had a number of experienced people stop training for some reason, and then return years later.

As we do the lessons, they often have difficulty with moves they once new, and struggle about the amount that one would expect considering their layoff.

Then it’s time to roll, and the amount of rust on them is surprisingly small. They often are a little hyper, and tire more quickly, but their actual rolling ability seems largely unaffected by the time off of the mat.

I don’t know why this is.

Yesterday, my partner was a Purple Belt, who let me know that it was her very first class back after 2 years off. It was the same thing that I’d noticed back home.

Of course, she was fuzzy on what we’d been just covering, it having been years since she’d done the like. However, her reflexes were all there, and she rolled like a pro. She was full of smiles, but did work herself hard enough to be bright red in the face by the end of the session.

That will pass.

In fact, I don’t think returning students are discouraged by any of this, but there is another danger.

Suppose you were such a person, with maybe a Blue Belt. When you left, you had a group of peers of about your ability, and some people on the mat that you would consider rookies. Your life then has you off the mat for a couple of years.

You return, and everybody in your peer group can now kick your ass. They have moved on.

Some of those people that used to be rookies, know are more experienced than your, and right up to date. They will be showing you the moves during class.

If you aren’t prepared for this, it could all be very discouraging, and that’s even if you haven’t slipped even a tiny bit. Realistically, you will have trouble remembering some of what you knew.

There is a society structure to martial arts groups. Just where will the returning student fit in. It sounds silly, but subtle things like that can have a remarkable impact.

This, too, can pass with time.