Ex: Attempting to break someone's arm or choking them out is just as much of an offensive strategy as the stand up game. That's why there's a dichotomy in the UFC, WEC (and other MMA circuits) of ground specialists and strikers.
BJJ submissions are some of THE most painful too. I'm not a sensitive sort of person, but seeing someone's elbow get put the other way is not easy to watch. 0_0 Yowcha. Watch some youtube vids of Royce Gracie in the old UFC days...he was a very, very bad man hehe.
(Well, hope that made sense. I'll not ramble on unless someone is interested in more.)
@Garth- If you find yourself getting bored or your skills feeling hindered in the younger people's class...see if you can try out the other class or have some extra one-on-one instruction after your normal one.
I agree...it's good to know how to coach and help those less advanced than yourself, but don't do it at the cost of your own advancement
I have been in a similar situation (twice) of feeling 'inbetween' levels. It's hard to move up (being with those who are older/more advanced) but ultimately that's what will make you better.