Personally I think there is a time for both. My goals have changed through out the years and a lot depends what is happening on a bigger level at this point. Initially my goals were smaller, like stop getting caught with arm bars. I gladly accepted the choke if I avoided an arm bar because my goal was met. A lot of times my goals center around learning a new move or set of moves. I like to approach things as the attack and defense. The goal might be drilling it or hitting it live. Sometimes my goals are centered around teaching. Maybe there is something I'm not happy about and I want to improve my abilities. 

On the other side being in the moment can be fun, and I think sometimes leads to creativity because you aren't limiting yourself. Sometimes the goal of a certain move limits us too much and I think for some people can cause burn out. The goal not being met may lead to unnecessary stress. I think being in the moment can be its own goal though. 

This week gi study will focus on another very sticky guard to pass, lasso. Dealing with the lasso can be a challenge, so lets explore some ways to defeat this sticky guard.

Definitely can be a challenge with people you don't know. I personally find myself taking some time to feel them out first. I often have a set of moves that I'll use with people I don't know well that I deem safer. I really like triangles for those people. I feel slightly less risk if they are newer and start moving like crazy. 

Thanks Scott! It's going to be a great day!

I think they are all equally important, but it depends on you focus. Stand up is great but people fall, you could be on the ground already or your partner could pull guard negating your standup game. 

Guard retention is great, but if we follow Chris Haueter we should be on top. If we are on top, isn't it less of a guard and more a position?

If we can't pass we are stuck. If we are stuck our options become smaller and smaller. Less attacks and we might not get to the top. I'd also argue by making guard passing a focus, your retention has to be come better. It the balance. As you learn how to pass guard you learn the weaknesses or how to create the weakness/openings in guard. If you know the weaknesses/opening you'll be better equipped to stop them and have better retention.

Advanced gi/gi study will continue our guard passing block. Frustrated by spider guard? This week we are going to focus on a few ways to pass what can be a challenging/sticky guard. Don't know what spider guard is? Well then this is the perfect time to find out.Don't forget 1 more competition prep class on Sunday 10/5 at 6pm before Tap Cancer Out!

Gary Pond I sense a trend. 

I don't think it is hard. Actually I think it is easier. Gary Pond is right, you really know that person. I think some of my best training has come from when I have a friendship off the mats. These are the people who have a vested interest in you becoming better. 

Additionally, these are the people who know and understand why you are going hard or pushing more. They know your intention vs someone else who might take it as being overly aggressive or mean. 

If nothing else communication is key. If you don't know someone well saying hey I really want to push today, today was a bad day I need a hard roll, I really want to work something or I'm prepping for a comp can go a long way. 

Things can become complicated with resistance.

It's one thing to watch a child perform a move during class, but the dynamic changes when a resisting partner/opponent is added. For the reasons Tyler and Scott mentioned plus there is a good chance that the other person knows what you are doing. These all just keep adding layers, but this is where jiu jitsu helps kids and adults become great problem solvers.