Why Tapping Out Isn’t Failing: Learning from Defeat in Jiu-Jitsu
One of the biggest mental hurdles for new and experienced Jiu-Jitsu practitioners alike is the concept of tapping out. In a culture that often equates success with dominance and failure with weakness, the idea of submitting to an opponent can be hard to accept. However, in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), tapping out is not only an essential part of the learning process—it is a sign of intelligence, growth, and resilience. Understanding why tapping out isn’t failing can help students develop a healthier mindset, accelerate their progress, and ultimately improve their game.
The Purpose of Tapping Out
In BJJ, tapping out serves a crucial function: it prevents injury and allows students to continue training safely. Unlike other combat sports where a knockout might signify the end of a match, Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes control and technique. The ability to recognize when a submission is inevitable and tapping out demonstrates an awareness that protects both the practitioner and their training partner.
Tapping as a Learning Opportunity
Each time you tap, you have an opportunity to analyze and improve. Instead of viewing a tap as a loss, think of it as a lesson. Ask yourself:
What position led to the submission?
What mistake did I make that allowed my opponent to gain control?
How can I adjust my defense or escapes to avoid this in the future?
By shifting your mindset, every tap becomes a stepping stone toward mastery.
The Growth Mindset in Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu is often compared to a game of human chess, requiring strategic thinking and adaptability. Those who excel in the sport embrace a growth mindset, which means they view challenges, mistakes, and even defeats as opportunities to improve.
Why Avoiding Tapping Stunts Growth
Some students resist tapping because they see it as a personal failure. They hold on too long in submissions, risking injury, or they avoid rolling with higher belts to escape the discomfort of losing. This attitude, however, hinders progress in several ways:
Risk of Injury: Holding out too long on submissions can result in serious injuries that set back training for weeks or months.
Limited Learning: If you never test yourself against more experienced opponents, you miss out on valuable lessons.
Poor Mentality: A fear-based approach to training leads to stagnation and frustration, rather than improvement.
Embracing the Journey Over the Outcome
Success in Jiu-Jitsu isn’t measured by how many people you submit but by how much you grow. Even the best black belts once tapped hundreds—if not thousands—of times before reaching their level. Accepting that every roll is a chance to refine techniques and deepen understanding leads to long-term success.
Building Resilience Through Tapping
One of the most overlooked benefits of tapping is the mental resilience it builds. In Jiu-Jitsu, setbacks are inevitable, but those who persist despite frequent taps develop a toughness that extends beyond the mats.
How Tapping Develops Mental Toughness
It Teaches Humility – Accepting defeat with grace builds character and makes you a better training partner.
It Encourages Problem-Solving – Instead of feeling defeated, use the moment to strategize ways to improve.
It Reduces Ego – Letting go of pride allows for deeper learning and stronger bonds with training partners.
By embracing tapping as a natural part of training, you develop the mental fortitude needed to push through plateaus, setbacks, and challenges.
Tapping in Training vs. Competition
In regular training, tapping is essential for safety and learning. But what about competitions? While the goal in a tournament is to win, knowing when to tap is still crucial.
Smart vs. Reckless Fighting
Smart Fighters: Know when they’re caught, tap, and use the experience to refine their techniques for future matches.
Reckless Fighters: Refuse to tap out of pride, risking injuries that could end their competitive career.
Even at the highest levels, world-class competitors tap and learn from their mistakes, using each loss as motivation to come back stronger.
How to Shift Your Mindset on Tapping
If you struggle with the idea of tapping, here are a few ways to reframe your thinking:
1. See Tapping as a Skill, Not a Weakness
Just like executing a clean armbar or a well-timed sweep, knowing when to tap is a skill. Recognizing that you are in a bad position and submitting shows intelligence and maturity.
2. Keep a Training Journal
After each class, write down what submissions caught you and analyze how you can improve. Over time, you’ll see patterns in your mistakes and learn how to fix them.
3. Roll with a Purpose
Instead of rolling just to “win,” set specific goals for each session. For example:
Focus on improving your escapes.
Work on defending a particular submission.
Try surviving in bad positions for longer periods.
4. Learn from Higher Belts
Train with those who are better than you and expect to tap often. Each time you do, ask questions and gain insights from more experienced practitioners.
Final Thoughts: The Path to Mastery
In Jiu-Jitsu, true mastery comes not from avoiding taps but from embracing them. Tapping is not failing—it is feedback, growth, and part of the journey toward becoming a better grappler. The greatest BJJ practitioners in the world have tapped thousands of times, using each experience as a stepping stone to improvement. By shifting your mindset and seeing each tap as a lesson, you will not only accelerate your progress but also develop the resilience and humility that define true martial artists.
So the next time you tap out, don’t dwell on it. Smile, reset, and get ready to learn—because every tap brings you one step closer to success.