#217 Henry Akins: Fix Your Jiu-Jitsu Training Method
Aug 29, 2023
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Join host Josh McKinney in an enlightening conversation with Henry Akins, the foremost product of Rickson Gracie's tutelage. They talk training method, skill development, and Akins shares mind-blowing ideas on how to "relax" in jiu-jitsu. Discover the importance of fundamentals, defense, and deep understanding in jiu-jitsu training. Explore the significance of technique, timing, and strategy. Gain insights on teaching concepts and philosophy in jiu-jitsu. Don't miss this captivating episode!
Developing a strong foundation in Jiu-Jitsu requires a focus on fundamental positions and objectives.
Defense plays a crucial role in Jiu-Jitsu, with an emphasis on stopping opponents at each step and experiential learning through positional training.
Instructors should prioritize teaching conceptual understanding and utilize experiential learning methods to deepen students' understanding of Jiu-Jitsu.
Deep dives
Importance of Understanding Fundamentals in Jiu-Jitsu
The podcast episode discusses the significance of focusing on fundamental concepts in Jiu-Jitsu. The speaker emphasizes that learning the fundamental positions and objectives in Jiu-Jitsu is crucial for developing a strong foundation. By understanding the main positions and their goals, students can better comprehend the techniques and develop their own game. The speaker highlights the importance of maintaining dominant positions, such as mount and cross-side, while also being aware of the escapes and defenses. The focus is on conceptual understanding rather than just memorizing specific techniques.
The Value of Defense in Jiu-Jitsu
The podcast explores the importance of defensive skills in Jiu-Jitsu. The speaker discusses the defensive aspect of Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting how defense is often shorter and more efficient than offense. The speaker emphasizes the significance of stopping the opponent at each step in their series of movements to prevent them from executing a technique or submission. The importance of experiential learning through positional training is also emphasized, allowing practitioners to understand and address weaknesses in their defense. The goal is to develop a deep understanding of defense and improve overall game.
The Role of Conceptual Teaching in Jiu-Jitsu
The podcast delves into the effectiveness of conceptual teaching in Jiu-Jitsu. The speaker emphasizes the need for instructors to go beyond teaching techniques and instead focus on imparting conceptual understanding. By explaining the philosophy, ideas, and concepts behind Jiu-Jitsu positions and movements, instructors can help students develop a deep level of understanding. The speaker mentions the importance of experiential learning, where students experience the concepts for themselves, allowing for a profound understanding of Jiu-Jitsu. The effectiveness of positional training is highlighted as a tool to put a spotlight on weaknesses and enhance understanding.
Benefits of Positional Training in Jiu-Jitsu
The podcast highlights the advantages of incorporating positional training in Jiu-Jitsu. The speaker suggests that positional training should make up a significant portion of training, with a focus on specific positions and objectives. The goal is to allow practitioners to develop a deep understanding of positions by experiencing them fully, from both offensive and defensive perspectives. Positional training helps to highlight weaknesses and areas for improvement in practitioners' games. It provides an opportunity to train under resistance and allows for a precise focus on specific techniques and concepts.
Importance of Relaxation and Being Smooth in Training
The podcast episode discusses the significance of learning to relax and be smooth during jiu-jitsu training. The speaker emphasizes that being relaxed allows for faster reactions, increased sensitivity to opponents' movements, and reduces the risk of injury. They highlight how relaxation makes it difficult for opponents to control you and emphasizes the importance of conserving energy. The speaker shares personal experiences of training with high-level practitioners and learning from Hélio Gracie, where the focus was on being relaxed and developing mastery through efficiency.
The Path to Mastery Through Technique over Athleticism
The podcast episode explores the idea of achieving mastery in jiu-jitsu through technique rather than relying solely on athletic ability. The speaker explains that technique refinement and timing are essential in surpassing physical limitations and becoming dominant. They provide examples of top-level practitioners effortlessly defeating opponents with superior technique, despite the opponents' physical advantages. The discussion highlights the importance of focusing on technique rather than relying solely on athleticism, as technique can continue to improve over time while physical attributes naturally decline with age. The speaker encourages practitioners to prioritize relaxation, sensitivity, and strategy, enabling the development of mastery over size and strength.
Discover an enlightening episode on the "I Suck at Jiu Jitsu" podcast, where host Josh McKinney engages in a captivating discussion with Henry Akins, widely recognized as the foremost product of Rickson Gracie's tutelage.In this episode Josh and Henry talk training method, skill development, and henry blows Josh's mind with some ideas on how to "relax" in jiu-jitsu
Check out Efficient Strength for BJJ: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/15
Check out Henry's Concepts: https://www.hiddenjiujitsu.com/
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