A personal note from Donald Park:
“This is a great interview from Rickson Gracie. Rickson’s thoughts on the relevance of competition, the methods of training for competition (and how that compares to training for a fight), and putting “YOU” ahead of your Jiu-Jitsu when training – these are all primary considerations in our training at Gracie Legacy.
My teacher, David Adiv, is one of the few people I’ve encountered that approximates Rickson’s level of understanding as it relates to body mechanics and some of the fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu. I’ve been lucky to have spent over a decade with David, learning from his approach to Jiu-Jitsu, and watching his own evolution as a practitioner, a martial artist and a teacher. Here’s a clip of David teaching some of the most basic principles of posture within the guard, and some basics of back control.
One thing that David was always keenly attuned to was the difference between being a “guy who does Jiu-Jitsu” and “Jiu-Jitsu guy”.
What’s the difference?
As I explain to my students on a daily basis, a “guy who does Jiu-Jitsu” is someone who views the techniques they learn on the mat as a “move” or a “trick” to be pulled. Pass this way. Redirect that way. Set up this submission with that sequence.
A “Jiu-Jitsu guy” is someone who immerses themselves in the spirit of Jiu-Jitsu, in all things. Their efforts are no longer a series of movies, strung together for a particular outcome. Instead, it is their MOVEMENT, the application of their fundamental body mechanics that is the manifestation of their Jiu-Jitsu. These practitioners exist within Jiu-Jitsu, and their Jiu-Jitsu presents itself in everything they do. No more techniques, no more “tricks” to catch their opponents. . . this is just the tip of the iceberg. Instead, there is one strategy, and one strategy alone:
Free your movement and limit your opponent’s. Stay safe and centered such that when your opponent gives you the opportunity, you efficiently advance position and maximize your opportunities to win.
When I listen to Rickson speak, it resonates with me. This is the Jiu-Jitsu we should all strive for. And this is the Jiu-Jitsu I’m glad to have learned from my teachers.
www.roylergracie.com
www.davidadiv.com
-Donald Park”