Could Grappling/Wrestling be the best?

[Bill Glasheen]

I think to a certain extent the Gracies dominated when they did because the strikers went in ill prepared for this free format. The Gracies did their homework. They learned just enough about the striking arts to develop their defenses so they could set up their own game plan.

I learned long ago that it's best to master an unusual art, and learn everything you can about the status quo. Back in the latter 1970s when I first started teaching in Virginia, Jhoon Rhee and Taequondo was king. As the ad on TV said <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Nobody bothers me! I take karate from Jhoon Rhee!

Call USA-1000 Today!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Well what do you think I did? I choreographed a kicking form for my dojo so all my students understood the basic kicks of Taequondo. I introduced this to them in the first three months of training. In fact, my first three months was all about a general martial arts education, complete with ukemi and simple self-defense moves. Then we zeroed in on our own style, which was quite unusual in the area. Folks down here knew very little about infighting.

Well guess what happened? Anytime a Taequondo person got to spar one of our people, they were all over their opponent like a cheap suit. The Taequondoist never got a chance to unleash these distance techniques. There was always at least one or two people in my dojo that would take to the kicks, and they wandered the sparring floor in search of heads to kick. My students learned quickly...and a guest Taequondo student never knew what hit them.

This is what the Gracies did. Over time, that element of surprise and the unknown was taken away from the jiu-jitsu crowd. Over time when everyone learned everyone else’s favorite techniques, the contest "Ultimately" went to the best fighter.

- Bill

[gmattson]

Good observations all. . .

Lesson to be learned? Don't give away your favorite and most effective technique/strategy. There was a very good reason the Chinese and Okinawans practiced in secret and behind closed doors. Learn how the other guy fights and you have an advantage.

Anyone interested in Bill Glasheen's "secret" weapons???

I just found his Renshi Thesis. . . which included a fantastic video documenting and demonstrating his famous "45" drill. . .

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GEM