Technique

I have just a few thoughts about technique that I've wanted to write about. When I think about technique, I think about the steps or details that are performed to execute a submission, a sweep, a reversal, or any of the other fundamental moves of Jiu-Jitsu. I was talking with Sensei Dave Ossian about techniques awhile back. We concluded that there are different ways, or different techniques that can be performed that will result in the same or similar outcome. There are some techniques that are better than others, and then there are some techniques that are just different. When I come across a "different" technique, I try to keep an open mind about it.

Let's take for instance how I teach a guard pass. of course there are numerous ways to pass the guard, but let's refer to just one of them. I'm certain that the technique I teach to execute that guard pass is very similar or the same to the way a lot of other instructors teach that same pass. I'm also certain that the way I teach that guard pass is different than a lot of other instructors. I may include or omit certain steps or small details to accomplish the same task. The overall product is the same - a guard pass, but the ingredients may vary slightly.

The point is that just because it's different, it doesn't necessarily mean it's better or worse. It's simply different.