When do you actually know a technique?

[doubleouch]

I've been training at the straightblast gym in portland for over a year now. It took me 3 visits to the gym before I decided to train there. To be honest, the first 2 times I was there I wasn't impressed at all with what I saw. What I realize now was that it was not that what was going on was bull, It was that my mindset was wrong. I had the mindset that advanced martial arts looked like complicated intricate moves. What I saw there was simple technique being practiced. Basic stuff really. This gave me the false impression that the school was not a a very high level. I realized that I had fallen into the mindset that I needed more and more techniques of increasing complexity in order to grow as a martial artist. When I didn't see that going on there it perplexed me. I thought that maybie the gym was all hype. After training there a year I've realized a simple truth. You only know a technique when you can pull it off consistiently against a resisting opponent. Thats it!! Sounds simple, and to some of you it may be a Duh!! I already know that. To me though, it was a bit of a revelation.
When I hear BJJ guys talking about the 43 ways to pass the guard, or the 54 versions of the armbar etc. it makes me wonder how many they actually know? How many of those could they pull off in sparring? If you come into straightblast you will see us working on high percentage moves. Perfecting and refining basics instead of adding to the list for the sake of having a longer list. The techniques we practice we can actually pull of in sparring. This is a tremendous advantage. I no longer have to waste energy trying to remember and keep up with everything on the list! To recieve a blue belt from Matt you have to prove yourself with sparring. If you can compete well with blue belts your size then you must be one already. He just confirms it. There is no test where you perform the 43 guard passes etc. It's all about performance. Sometimes when you go to a school that is performance based you have to adjust your eyes a little because it doesn't look as sharp and flashy as some other schools. Often the stuff you see looks downright simple and beginner level. This can be a bit deceptive at first. I have seen probably a dozen or more of Matt's guys fight nhb. To a person when the match started they did not look as crisp or technical as the opponent. At first I thought there is no way this guy can win. You know what? Matt's guys won every one of those fights.

[darrianation]

The simple techniques generally work best. Stringing them together in combinations work even better.

I would say you don't know a technique until you can effectively apply it consistently against an uncooperative opponent.

[kengar]

Good post, enough said I don't need-want-could add any more.




Ken

[Cain]

keep it simple and brutal.. when you are in a real life situation you have tunnell vision, adrenaline rush and only the raw motorics work.. that means: simple, simple, simple, max 3-4 moves in a combo (take hands away from throat, kick to the groin and hit the head as an example..)

simple, brutal, simple..

[Cain]

in krav maga the focus is on simple techniques that rely on raw motorics.. perfect!

[tekshow]

i wholeheartedly agree...


which is why on the ground i probably really know only a few submissions and rely on those over and over again...


if something doesn't work it doesn't work, and i won't keep it or practice it... but i'll give most things that seem feasible a chance, i know by now if i've practiced something 1000 times and it does not come together, that i most likely won't ever 'get it'


which is why i'm always training the basics and very slowly adding new things i like into play...


i think it's important to grow as an artist and see everything that is out there so you can be prepared for it, even if you don't want to use it.