Sunday Field Notes: Nov 16th, 2025
Weekly Thoughts, Mistakes, and Accomplishments In Bjj
📝 Field Notes
Three Thoughts from This Week
They’re Getting Better
As many of you know, my focus has been mounted arm bars. I noticed this week that my students are defending and negating my attacks now. They’re keeping their arms and elbows tight, all while not allowing me to solidify the S-Mount with solid bridging.
It’s a proud moment as an instructor to feel the improved calculated decisions that they’re making.
Styles Make Fights
Something I’ve noticed is that while I’m getting some great training from everyone I’m rolling with, there are some surprises.
You would think that the hardest training partners for a Comp Prep would be from the most experienced, but as of late it’s those that have slightly different styles. They play Jiu-Jitsu with such a different approach that it throws a wrench into my approach.
Mental Maturity and Stress
This competition prep process is showing me a few things that I’m a little surprised about. How I manage stress has changed over the years. I’m not saying that I would cave to pressure, but I remember how nervous I would get before every competition.
I would worry about the weight limit, what might happen, and if I would fail in front of my friends and family.
There have been moments during my training where that little voice chimes in and says.. “You know you can quit.” or “You don’t have to train like this.”
Every time I’ve heard it, I’ve pushed it away.
New Tapped In: A Jiu-Jitsu Podcast Episode Out Today!!
E76 | Position Playbook: The Guard
Thank you for reading.
David Figueroa-Martinez
Founder, DFM Coaching
Coach | Writer | Grappler
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