Core Jiu Jitsu is the perfect combination of the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self defense. It’s perfect for the beginner or those who are more interested in the self defense aspects of BJJ. It’s also a great refresher for the experienced practitioner. As with all our programs, each class has the best combination of technical learning and fitness to get you in great shape.
Classes will start on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 and will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm to 7pm. Call today or contact us for your free 2 week trial.
Rosendo Diaz Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy - Chalfont – PA
Recently I was on the phone with someone and they asked me who I learned my Jiu-Jitsu from, my immediate answer was to give the names of my instructors. But that got me thinking, did I really learn everything I know from my instructors… or is there more to it than that?
So after spending way to much time thinking about it, I came up with what I think is involved in the process of really learning the art. For me, I think it comes in thirds…
One-third I learned from my instructors for sure. They taught me the techniques, helped me understand the mechanics of movement and helped me find crucial errors in my game. They also gave me the skills I needed to be able to pass on the art to my students.
The second-third I learned was two phase. First and most importantly was mat time. I have spent more time rolling/sparring with my training partners than I ever have or will drilling moves. You need to roll with people better than you. They will exploit your weaknesses and give you a sense of where your game needs to go. You need to roll with people of equal level to your own. They will assist you in developing strategy and timing. And you need to roll with partners that have less skill than you, they will allow you to improvise and fine tune new techniques you are working on.
The second phase was exploration…whether its YouTube, instructional videos, training with other black belts, or just coming up with my own sweeps, attacks, and defenses. Watching videos, training with others outside your academy and just spending time coming up with your own stuff, whether it works or not opens your mind and often gives your game that much needed spark. But don’t go out and buy every instructional or spend your day watching YouTube, that can lead to information overload. Be specific in your exploration, if you want a better guard, find a good series on the X-guard or butterfly guard. Don’t be lulled into buying or watching every position. If you have a target in front of you and you want to hit the bulls-eye, don’t throw a basket ball at it because it’s guaranteed to bounce back, you want to hit that bulls-eye with the point of a dart.
The third-third, was teaching. Regardless of whether you have your own academy, teach a class, or are just helping your training partner during class, nothing cements the information than passing it on. Teaching forces your mind to truly understand the details of a technique.
To this day, after 16+ years of training and teaching jiu-jitsu I will find myself learning a new detail or find new understanding of a technique while I’m actually showing it to the rest of the class. As often happens to me, during the lulls in my training, when I feel like I’m not getting better I will focus on my teaching to help me find new ways and cement what I already know.
So, learn from your teachers, roll as much as you can win or lose, explore and pass on the knowledge, those are the keys to learning the art of Jiu-Jitsu.
