3 Steps to Learn Jiu-Jitsu Faster

While teaching a kids class I realized the initial learning process of a technique could be broken down into three critical steps. Observe. Visualize. Duplicate. Each step can definitely be broken down further, but today we will just touch on outlining these three components. If a student is mature enough (middle/high school) it might do them some good to outline these three steps with them so they know where their energy needs to go at each stage.

STEP 1: OBSERVE

Regardless of whether you are watching competition or technical instruction, this step is critical when trying to acquire a technique. Many times our observation is only from one angle so if you have the luxury of moving around to catch multiple views during instruction I would highly recommend doing so. It is also possible to observe with the body, and have the technique done to you. This is another great way to observe where the pressure is coming and going. In general, we will make most of our observations with the eyes. While you are observing, you should be taking (mental) notes of what is going on without thinking of contradictions (How I learned it before, differences in words used). Internalize the observation of the moment and address the contradictions at a later time. This is your first step to the duplication of the technique, and a good teacher should be showing you the exact way to successfully perform the technique in battle. Therefore you should be doing your best to copy their exact movement.

STEP 2: VISUALIZE

This step is usually overlooked in the learning process. However, visualization is one of the most powerful tools to quickly internalize a technique. In some instances it might be occurring at the same time as you are observing. A good way to differentiate the first two steps is realize that observation is physical (happening with the eyes and body), while visualization is mental (a mental re-creation of the observed scene). Visualization is a great way to review the material covered from the previous class. All you need to do is sit down, close your eyes, and focus on creating a step by step imagery of what you learned in class. 

STEP 3: DUPLICATE

What does it mean to make a duplicate of something? Every student should initially strive to duplicate the technique they are learning. This means, exact placement of the hands, exact movement of the head/body/hips, and exact position from start to finish. A slower, step-by-step approach is probably best when first starting out. As you get used to the movement, adding speed and resistance is good, but stop and slow down if you are unable to duplicate the technique while going faster. If you are learning the exact technique that has been tested in battle then it's very important to be replicating that movement. You may find that you have learned the same thing a different way. That's good, but don't mix and match the technique. Treat them as different moves, and reflect on the similarities at a later time. Right now you should only be focused on duplication!


Key words to remember:

- Observe. Observe (with the eyes). 

- Visualize. Visualize (with the mind). 

- Duplicate. Duplicate (with the body).

Eliot Kelly 

El Dorado Hills Jiujitsu

"Observe. Visualize. Duplicate."

Rickson Gracie Article Translated: Part 1-C

Article Translation:

400 Undefeated Fights! A Special Interview with legendary martial artist Rickson Gracie.
"Winning is not the most important thing, rather, it is important to NEVER BE DEFEATED."
Part 1-C: What is this "Modern Warrior" that pursues ones' happiness?

"It isn't like I blindly follow the ideas
of Bushido (Way of the Warrior)."
Photo by Takahiro Kohara

Q: So, where can we find this answer?
Rickson: My vision of "the Modern Warrior" is a man who strives to live a just life while seeking out what he wants to obtain. All the while, never forgetting his goal of finding joy and happiness. 

     Being relentless with the idea of pursuing something you consider to bring yourself joy and happiness. 

     What's the purpose of your life if you are not pursuing something that brings you joy. Is it possible to live a fulfilled life without being happy? That's just how I feel.
     I don't get the feeling that Musashi and many other fine Samurais, who shared this common philosophy, lived a life of satisfaction.


Q: Isn't Musashi your starting point for all this? 
Rickson:  For some reason there are a lot of people who share this misunderstanding. I have always held true to the concepts of Bushido, long before ever hearing of the name Musashi. 
     I came to deeply understand Bushido and began thinking it was a wonderful after reading the book titled "Shogun" by James Clavell. Actually, it was because of this book I came to understand the Samurai. I didn't read Musashi's "Book of Five Rings" until long after that. 
     My impressions after reading Musashi's book, was that he was very heartless person. 


     He lived a detached life,  where his only aims in life were for the sake of fighting, the sake of winning, or for the sake of escaping death. He had no sense of death, while constantly fighting in battles purely for the sake of winning, as though he was a machine designed to fight. 
     As a result, I can't sympathize with him.


Q: So, your reason for fighting isn't "to win" ?
Rickson: I fought for a much greater reason, for example, to please and bring joy to my family. Additionally, being able to freely demonstrate some high level technique and skill gave me great joy. I stood in front of many opponents, left plenty of accolades from those battles and have created a tradition all because I was pursuing happiness.
     The reason I had to climb over all the other fighters was because I was trying to achieve a rather daunting objective, happiness. 
     I do not just blindly revere the ideas of Bushido. Besides, I think it's easier to live life like the Samurai and be impervious to to your surroundings. A life where you do not prioritize yourself first is much easier to live. 
     However, if the center of the universe is not you, then you very well couldn't say it is your life that you are living. 


Up Next: (1-D) A life that serves no value to anyone else has no value.

Article Source:
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/9482?page=3


Translation by:
Eliot Kelly

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

"Read, Share, Train, Adapt"

Word of the Month: ACTION!

                 ACTION! is the word of the month for April. Over the years I have realized that there are a several traits successful people have in common. One of these successful traits being ACTION! Action happens as a result of making a DECISION. Sometimes your decision is very conscious. For example, deciding to go for a run or deciding to stretch at the end of Jiu-Jitsu practice. Sometimes your decision is subconscious. For example, eating when you get hungry or you put shoes when you go outside. Many times our actions reflect decisions we have made over a period of time. As a result, our actions are not determined by daily decisions but out of habit or routine. Therefore, if you are determined to do something new, you must make a decision and allow you actions to reflect your decision. If the action does not follow, you really have not made a decision. 
                  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is all about ACTION! Initially, the action you create is very taxing and inefficient. The decisions you are making are either incorrect or you just don't have the time to make your move within the allotted amount of time. However, as you begin to feel comfortable in different positions and learn to move your body in different directions, you learn how to apply the forces and laws of nature to your advantage. You start to find efficiency with your action. Now you are able to make the correct decision with enough time for your action to be applied. At times Jiu Jitsu may be discouraging, tough, or hard, but allowing yourself to learn from your ACTION! will help you learn. Simply making the DECISION to keep moving will elevate your game! 
                  Sometimes we choose not to make a DECISION. As a consequence, we do nothing and our lack of ACTION! is simply a decision not to act.  If you want to create or make new ACTION! then you will have to make a conscious DECISION and allow your ACTIONS to follow..... Make good decisions, create positive actions, both on and off the mat! 

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

"Decide to practice Action Jiu-Jitsu!"