Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast challenges me!…..Hold My Beer.

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on APR 02, 2024

Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast challenges me!…..Hold My Beer.

 

(2 minute 7 second read)

A commenter on one of my articles challenged me: "Step onto a jiu-jitsu mat and get humbled."

This sentiment highlights a common desire in martial arts - to find the ultimate fighting method. But the truth is, and I have written about this extensively, there’s NO single "best" martial art.

Many practitioners take pride in their chosen method, and that's fantastic! However, effective martial arts share core principles: Good instruction, dedicated practice, and a realistic understanding are key. Techniques alone won't magically grant you victory - it takes sweat, determination, self-discipline, and a thorough understanding of the principles and fundamentals of your chosen method.

The focus of any training should be on effort, not Ego.

Many martial artists, and the Keyboard Warriors, can get caught up in style or method superiority. "My way is best because I do it (or watch it on TV)“ is a undesirable mindset; it hinders growth, and sticking solely to your comfort zone can leave you unprepared for anything other than your usual frame of reference.

Different martial arts excel in different areas. Some may not translate well to real-world encounters, but that doesn't make them inherently bad. Every method has its place, depending on the context.

And Context is King.

As an example, comparing sport fighting, with its rules, weight divisions, and safety gear, to self-defense is like comparing apples to oranges. Self-defense scenarios can be messy, unpredictable, often brutal and sometimes with disastrous or even fatal consequences.

Some techniques and practices that are used in a self-defense scenario wouldn't be allowed in a sporting context, they would be deemed unfair. This doesn't make them "better"; it simply reflects the specific scenarios trained for. Just as you wouldn't expect to use certain weapons on a jiu-jitsu mat, context is crucial.

In their context, they might "win" by their rules. But that's the point - context matters every time.

Instead of getting caught up in style wars or which martial art is the “best”, we should all celebrate the diversity of the martial arts. I’m a traditionalist at heart, a pragmatist too, but I enjoy sport such as Boxing and MMA (as an example), just like anyone else.

Whichever method you follow, for me, the quality of instruction is paramount. A great teacher can elevate any method, or style, while a poor one can cripple even the most effective techniques…… We have all seen those right?

Challenges are fun to receive, and I’ve had a few over the years, but your focus should be on yourself, on continuous improvement within your chosen discipline (if you have one). Be open-minded to learning other ways of doing things, other methods and styles, not to replace your own, but to broaden your perspective.

Ditch the ego-driven challenges and arguments (I’m getting old now), and foster a spirit of mutual learning.

Remember, the best martial art is the one you train effectively. So strive for constant improvement, not belittle each other's chosen paths.

 Photo Credit: from Kuro Obi World - Tatsuya Naka and Yuki Nakai