My Lineage


My Lineage:
Mestre Roberto Traven - Kevin Synan - me

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Compete with your strengths, train with your weaknesses.

Training in BJJ requires the use of many  different aspects of physical well being.  I'm going to break them into 5 categories to make them more easily quantifiable.  My list, in order of personal greatest to least ability is:
(1) Strength.  This is force applied statically or with slow movements.  Examples would be grip, ability to maintain posture against guard attacks, resisting the manipulation of your arm by kimura, etc.
(2) Power.  Force applied explosively including moves like upas, hip escapes, sit outs, or breaking an opponents grip with a fast spin out.
(3) Endurance.  Being able to train into the second or third hour greatly increases your time on the mat and can make the difference in a long round.  I am also including your ability to recover between both rounds and training days.
4) Flexibility and agility.  I believe these two go together; a deficiency in one will limit the other.  BJJ rewards those who flow like water - quickly and smoothly.
(5) Technique.  This is why we are here.  This builds the bond between your training brothers and sisters.  This separates us from simply being "fit".

However, if I were to make this list in the order that I beleive is most important it would be in the opposite progression.

Most important <<----->> Least important.

Technique - Flexibility and Agility - Endurance - Power - Strength.

I believe this to be true, yet when I consider extra training my mind goes immediately to pull-ups, ring dips, and cleans.  Why?  Because I've logged a lot of hours lifting weights I'm good at these and they are easier for me.  But...I'm not getting beat because I'm too weak.  There are times when my strength is not enough to overcome someone - but it's because I'm doing the move wrong, or I didn't set it up properly, or I'm in the wrong position, or I'm simply outsized.

Be proud of your strengths, but fix your weaknesses.

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