So I’ve been meaning to do a post on this for a while now and it pretty much covers why you should tap out and when to tap out. 

Just from this last ADCC, there was a crazy match with Tye Ruotolo and Paulo Miyao. I just wanted to say that Paulo is an outlier in that he has flexible joints and high pain tolerance. 

So what you guys are seeing is a high level athlete who makes a living competing. He and his brother have made the conscious decision to not tap out to any type of leg locks or really any (joint)submissions and that has paid off for both of them as far as accomplishing major wins and medals at the most prestigious tournaments. 

Paulo was able to survive Tye’s knee bar attempt and take the victory in their match and secure the third place finish at the 2019 ADCC World Championship. 

But the flip side is that their bodies are beat up, practically destroyed, and we might not see that now because they’re still a little young. But I think 10, 15, 20 years down the line they’re going to be in massive pain. I’m sure they’re in pain now, but definitely in the future they’re going to be in a lot of pain. I’m sure their quality of life has been impacted now, but it’s going to be worse off not being able to train in middle age. 

So guys, just be careful out there, be smart and know that tapping is important. It’s important to tap out because it keeps your body healthy. You tap out when you get caught and then you slap hands and go again. It’s as simple as that. 

Again, these athletes made the conscious decision to not tap out, but if you’re a normal person, a hobbyist, a weekend warrior or realistically anybody with a life outside of training Jiu Jitsu. There comes a point when you need to tap out. 

What you don’t see is all the years of rehabilitation and surgeries and time being out of training. And that’s what happens when you don’t tap out. 

We really shouldn’t celebrate this kind of behavior. I mean, the top competitors do it, they made that conscious decision. They’re professionals, but for everyone else that’s not possible. 

There’s been times where I was in a submission and I had to scream to get out. All it takes is not tapping quick enough to keep you off the mats for months not being able to train, compete, do seminars, etc. 

If you take anything away from this post I hope it’s that there’s nothing wrong with tapping out. It saves your body, the body you’re going to have for a long time.

It’s okay to tap out. I’ve tapped out training for the 2019 ADCC. I tapped out so many times in training it was partly embarrassing but it was okay. I think it’s important to let that go. Just let it go. Just like a drop of water, beading off your skin. Just let it go.

It’s better to be able to train and live. Live to fight another day than to go out on your shield. I actually have a rule that I live by that the only time I won’t tap out is if it’s the final of the world championship and there’s only like five seconds left. And I’m already up on points and I know got it in the bag. 

So guys be safe out there. Tap out when you need to and keep training.