The more training I do, the more I realize the power of momentum.  Momentum is a scientific principle defined as follows:

Momentum = mass x velocity

It basically means that if something is not moving it has zero momentum.  If it is moving, then its momentum is a factor of speed and mass (ie. weight).  Purely from a physical perspective, when I train, one of my objectives is to be aware of, and use, momentum.  Broadly speaking, this means that on bottom, I am trying to create it - I NEED it.  I want the movement (ie. velocity) that translates to momentum.  If I am on top, I want to slow things down, I want to conserve the momentum and space.  I want to weather the storm.

This came to light for me a bit more in training the simple sweep the other day.  We went through all the basics in class (grip position, unweighting, etc), yet we spoke very little about creating that momentum.  For you Judo guys, this is tightly related to the concept of unbalancing or Kuzushi .  Against one opponent, I forced the sweep.  He knew it was coming, and it was work - bad jiu-jitsu.  Against the next, I sat up into them for a sit-up sweep, as they reacted (creating momentum), the simple sweep was there - effortless.

It is interesting that in bjj we seem to focus on small details of every technique, yet spend little time on the control of momentum. 

Just to drive the point home, let's look at one more example - the mount transition.  When anyone goes from side control to mount, there is movement.  This movement creates momentum.  We all know that if our opponent "settles" into their mount it is MUCH harder to escape.  Good guys are escaping AS YOU MOUNT.  Why?  Momentum.

The cool thing about this concept is that you can see it everywhere, not just techniques. 

• What about the momentum of a match and how that relates to your mental state? 
• What about momentum of a class - the bow in, warm up, the teaching, the rolling, and the bowing out - can you feel the crescendo? 
• If you have ever stayed on the couch and skipped a workout your know momentum. 
• If you ever dreaded going out to the city and then loved it when you were there, you felt momentum.

See you on the mat!

Paul