Some Amazing Resources: Aides to Improve the MMA Learning Curve
April 30, 2009Every black belt martial artist started out just like the rest of us, an eager student hungry to learn more technique and get better. Class is a great place to learn that technique; but for those of us who want to learn more and at a faster pace, sometimes class alone is just not enough. If you are that sponge-like student who wants to constantly learn and advance quicker, then keep reading. Aside from the hour you spend in class, there are many other resources available for learning technique (especially with the advent of the internet). The purpose of this article is to point you in the right direction on your quest to learn more technique.
The most inexpensive and convenient resource for learning new techniques is the internet. Nowadays you can go online and spend countless hours watching technique being demonstrated on various websites. Youtube literally has thousands of videos teaching virtually any move you can think of. Just log on to youtube.com and type in what you’re interested in seeing and hundreds of videos will come up in your search results. Other good websites are dailymotion.com, submissions101.com, and lockflow.com.
Another good resource for acquiring new techniques is books. If you like to read and prefer learning at your own pace with books then buying a book is a good choice. Any major bookstore such as Barnes and Nobles has a martial arts section within the general sports section. There are usually specific books on wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing. There are also books that cover all three disciplines in one book. Some students like to buy a book and bring it with them to open mat. Then they open the book up to a certain technique, read through it, and practice the technique with a partner at open mat (usually with the book right next to them on the mat).
Private lessons and mentorship programs are probably the best ways to learn more technique and improve the learning curve. Although pricier than the previous two options, it is definitely worth it. With a private lesson you have a highly experienced coach working with you one-on-one. In a private lesson the instructor teaches you new techniques and focuses exclusively on you. Mentorship programs are extended private lesson packages where your instructor takes you under his wing, like a mentor, and works with you for an extended period of time. If you can afford these options and are interested ask the staff at the gym.
Purchasing videos is another option if you want to learn more technique. Almost any advanced martial artist owns at least one DVD or video series on technique. There is a huge market selling DVD instructional videos on the internet. For those of you that don’t like to read or surf the internet, this option is for you. Each instructional video usually focuses on one aspect of grappling or martial arts. For example, FFA’s head instructor, Marcos Avellan, is soon to release his own DVD instructional that focuses on passing guard.
To sum it all up, there are many places you can go to improve your learning curve outside of your class. The internet, books, private lessons, and instructional videos are just some of the many resources available for learning more technique. Good luck on your quest to learn as much as possible.
