As you make progress in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you’ll soon develop an inclination to select a set number of techniques… And make them your own. In other words, you’ll want to become exceptionally good at certain moves – but which? Which technique(s) should you choose as your favorite one(s)?
John Danaher explains that there is a number of ways to selecting these techniques. The first one is via exposure through a teaching program:
I was blessed to have an excellent teacher, Renzo Gracie, who always did an excellent job of exposing us to a wide and interesting variety of moves so that we had a deep set of choices to work from.
The second way to do so is by having talented mentors and/or training partners:
The second is talented mentors or sparring partners. Sometimes a busting athlete will come in with a new perspective or moves you aren’t familiar with but which seem very effective to you and this inspires you to emulate them.
Being inspired by elite athletes is the third way:
Third is watching great athletes from the past and present and being inspired by something you observe in their game.
However, the most rewarding approach is through personal experimentation on the mats. Through finding (and noticing) what works exceptionally well for you… And then sticking to these, newly found favorite moves, and going as far as possible with them; in order to reach your full potential.
Danaher elaborates:
Some days you try a move and find that it just clicks for you. Something about it seems more natural and easier than most moves and you apply it well from the start.
When this happens, don’t ignore it. This may well be a sign that you’ve stumbled on to something important. When this happens don’t just be happy with a good application of the move that day and then forget it – take it as a sign to engage in further research and study and see how far you can take that promising start!Understand that sometimes you’ll find that it leads to a dead end – better to try and lead to nothing a few times but occasionally find a diamond that can transform your game than ignore them all and go through your career with no diamonds in your collection.
Next time you find that you have a natural affinity for a move, don’t just smile and forget about – see just how far you can run with it!
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