Is cross-training over-rated?

[kiddbjj]

hi all

do you think cross training is over-rated? would you rather be a specialist or a 'jack of all trades'.

if you only had say two-four nights a week to train (as most normal people do) is it better to get sh*t hot in one area (eg.stand up) or to split the week up into little chunks working on different ranges?

for the sake of this post lets say our goal for training is self defence

[LoneHusky]

jack of all trades easy choice. especially for self defence.

[medic06]

yes and no. I think it's good to be proficient and knowledgable in many techniques but it has been my experience that most people really have only 5 or 6 really good moves.

[JkD187]

For self defense you need to crosstrain....for mma you need to crosstrain....if your just working out do whatever you want but i believe you need well rounded skills in all areas.

[kiddbjj]

what about as a percentage breakdown of time?

eg. 70% stand up 20% ground 10% weapons

what do you all think when training for street?

[Hermosa]

When I first started BJJ years ago with Pedro Sauer...he told me that BJJ and boxing would cover all the bases you'd ever need.

To this day..that still seems pretty accurate. Pedro is damn good.

[Sagacious Lu]

Originally Posted by kiddbjj

hi all

do you think cross training is over-rated? would you rather be a specialist or a 'jack of all trades'.

if you only had say two-four nights a week to train (as most normal people do) is it better to get sh*t hot in one area (eg.stand up) or to split the week up into little chunks working on different ranges?

for the sake of this post lets say our goal for training is self defence

I think it's better to take the time to get good at something before trying to mix it with something else. I'd put my money on a good boxer ("sh*t hot" with his fists) over a person with a wide range of skills that they are only mediocre in. Why? Because a truly good puncher will blast through a mediocre defense for a KO at which point it doesn't matter how many other half assed skills the jack-of-all trades has.. Similarly I would place my money on a good BJJ practitioner absorbing the mediocre strike's from the jack-of-all-trades long enough to take him down and destroy him with his solid grappling skills. I think all martial arts take a lot of time and practice to get good at, and taking short-cuts is a sure way to hurt your practice. If you already have strong skills in one area I certainly see the benefits of rounding out your skill set but IMHO the popularity of MMA has encouraged people to attempt to learn so much at once that they don't develop strong skills in any of the things they dabble in. Their eyes are bigger than their stomach so to speak.

[kiddbjj]

great point man! i totally agree. everyone is so obsessed with cross-training that they really end up learning a whole lot of nothing because they divide their time up into tiny increments.

so how much is enough for one range then in your opinion. like how many classes a week of boxing for example?

[Sagacious Lu]

Originally Posted by kiddbjj

great point man! i totally agree. everyone is so obsessed with cross-training that they really end up learning a whole lot of nothing because they divide their time up into tiny increments.

so how much is enough for one range then in your opinion. like how many classes a week of boxing for example?

Honestly this is a question for an experienced MMA teacher. I've been focusing on a stand up style for about 2 1/2 years and now I'm thinking that I'm getting to the point where I want to supplement my skills by cross training at a BJJ school. The only thing holding me back from enrolling is that I'm worried about how I would balance my schedule and find enough time to keep up with two styles. It's not something I would undertake lightly because I've worked hard to progress in my current style and I don't want to back slide.

[JkD187]

If you start out at a real mma gym that teaches stand up clinch and ground then you will be well rounded from the start...in my opinion that is the best way to start off...however if you started off in an art that only teaches one of the three areas then its prob in your best interest to stay there untill you feel comfirtable with your skills in that area to move on to another area.

[Sensei Saki]

I think I do.Thanks for telling me. Yes it is one of the best way to start off.I think I do.