I’ve heard people attempt to say that technique is all that matters, and that strength or other physical attributes don’t matter.
This is a bold face lie!
First off what is a technique anyway? A movement.
A movement that requires a certain amount of strength and physical exertion.
As I write this to you there is a cup of coffee sitting to the left of my computer as it does every morning while I work.
When I reach for it, lift the cup and then bring it to my face to sip, I’m using strength. A very small amount of strength, yes, but strength nonetheless.
And having picked up cups to drink thousands of times, I’m very efficient at this movement just as I’m sure you are as well.
But think of a young baby who has trouble holding a cup to it’s mouth. It’s learning the technique of drinking from a cup as well as developing the muscles used to properly bring the drink to it’s mouth.
Technique is and will always be the king but to ignore the physical component is downright nutty.
Techniques are not executed at the press of a button or a swipe to the right. Nor are they executed via mental power alone.
Techniques are executed via human exertion. Bone, ligaments, tendons and muscle power come together in a concert of contraction to make the movement pattern we call a technique.
And think of this way. . .
If physical ability didn’t matter, then why do you see so many of the top Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioners strength training? Wouldn’t they best use their time to drill more repetitions?
If physical ability isn’t important, then why do they separate older men from younger men in competitions? Surely, if technique was all you needed then the older you got, the better you’d be.
If technique is not based upon physical ability, then why do you get exhausted during BJJ training?
Technique is not separate from your physical ability but 100% connected. And the beautiful part is that strength training and conditioning can maximize the effectiveness if your technique is good.
Now there are two ways to increase your ability to use a technique.
1. Practice the technique during drilling to increase the efficiency of the movement.
2. Increase the athletic ability of the physical vehicle (your body) to use the technique.
We'll be talking about the 2nd option today.