Thoughts on Martial Arts training styles
So, I was doing a little thinking over the weekend about martial arts training styles. Especially as it related to MMA.
There are lots of different ways and mindsets about training, but I want to address a couple of key ones: Specialization or all at once. Specialization, in my mind, means that you pick a specific skill subset of MMA, and train in the best possible way for that subset.
An example of this mindset would be the training program of George St. Pierre. When he train his wrestling, he trains with the best wrestlers in the world. Same with his kickboxing, etc. George does not do “MMA training” so much as he does specialized training in the various disciplines (at least to my understanding.)
An example of all at once would be MMA gyms. Couture and runs one of the world’s best MMA training centers. But you are training with MMA guys. Will you ever get as good at your throws as if you would if you trained with the world’s best no-Gi Judo? Or learn takedowns as well as with the world’s best freestyle wrestler?
But there’s a trade off. Each dscipline has inherent weaknesses as well. If you train specialized, do you learn from someone who does not know to be careful of an upper cut when throwing a Judo throw? Do you learn pieces that fit poorly together?
I’d love o hear others insights on this. Is it best to do “all at once” to a level, and then specialize to improve certain areas?
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