Useless for what purpose? To gain the ability to fight across all ranges of combat? Definitely not that useful if you're only training one range. Useless for defending yourself? Clearly expertise in a single range of combat IS an effective means of self defense as we've seen video evidence of it time and again. Useless for what purpose?

This subject I think is something people need to look at more closely. Heavens knows I have many times. In my years of training I have flip flopped back and forth between focusing mainly on Bjj and training or variety of styles such as bjj, kickboxing, judo, and wrestling at the same time.

It was during these many years that O decided I wanted to be the best martial artist I could possibly be. To achieve this meant that would have to let go of my pride and open up to other styles of fighting even if it meant my jiujitsu would be surpassed by my training partners whom focused strictly on it.

However, after coming to this conclusion, I realized that although my training partners might be able to beat me in the game of rolling, I was striving my ultimate goal of being able to beat them where it really counts. I could swallow my pride on the mat even if I am dominated on the ground based on that rule set. By fulfilling a purpose, I'm talking about the purpose of reaching your full fighting potential in the martial arts.

My goal in martial arts is to smash people. I've found that throwing them on the ground and breaking their limbs or choking them unconcious works well for that. There is no philosophy. You are silly.


When I first started working out, it was because I wanted to smash people. I thought that if I lifted weights and got huge, then I would be able to hit people harder. So I started lifting weights and git pretty big. Then I found out that my size had absolutely nothing to do with my ability to fight. That was a life changing epiphany. Even though I could bench 405lbs, I couldn't throw a decent punch!! I wasted all that dang time.

But at least I figured it out before it was too late. But back on topic. I agree that you have to define the word "Master". I think the OP thinks that a Master is someone who wind the PanAms 5 times or Mundials. However, forgetting that you can be highly skilled but not have the physical genetics to win at that level.

You don't have to be a BJJ blackbelt to be able to hold your own on the ground against the average person. I would say that most bluebelts can. Likewise you don't have to be a golden gloves champ to be able to hold your own in a striking competition. Most guys who have boxed for about a year can.

Like many philosophy questions, the merit of being a "jack of all trades" depends on the situation. More specifically, the goal(s) of the individual determines the value of pursuing knowledge in myriad areas or mastering one.

Personally, I enjoy training in a multiple aspects of martial arts since it keeps me on the steep side of the learning curve. I can submit most of my striking partners and out-strike my grappling buddies that ignore stand-up. While I'm not the best shooter in the world, I've invested lots of hours and money to become competent. At the range, I'm just as likely to be firing a pistol as a rifle and my shotgun comes out occasionally. Next month, I'm starting Arnis..

Note, I understand this approach means I won't "Master" anything. However, my goal is simply to learn. So it works for me...

This subject I think is something people need to look at more closely.

Why?

Basically you are slowly moving the argument to fit YOUR definition of Jack of all trades. The answer will be different for most people because, they will make the argument fit their own personal beliefs.


Note, I understand this approach means I won't "Master" anything.

Can you define mastery that will appease everyone? No, you can't. Seriously, we all know people that have "mastered" arts that get embarrassed when they spar/fight.

Part of this relies on how you define "Master" If you spend 10 years training BJJ, you'll Master it for most definitions of the word. Same for Muay Thai. Same for MMA. Since you're splitting your time between the different ranges maybe you have to spend an extra couple of years training MMA to be able to hang with the 10 year BJJ guy or the 10 year MT guy, but I don't think you need to spend 20 years training MMA to equal 10 of pure BJJ and 10 of pure MT (arts used are for example purposes only).
I've seen plenty of guys who have been doing MMA for 3 years do well in the blue belt and intermediate grappling divisions at NAGA, even though they have divided their time instead of training a pure grappling art. So I really don't think this analogy stans up very well.

Do you ever see people do well in the black belt divisions of Naga who have only trained mma? Curious!

Yes actually. One of the first NAGA events I went to had Sean Jindrak (I dunno how the hell to spell his name) who is an Ex Pro Wrestler who has been training only MMA. He competed in the Advanced no-gi division and the absolute division. He won th advanced no-gi in his weightclass and got 2nd in the absolute, losing to the dude who won the black belt Gi division. His training was, as far as I'm aware, all MMA plus whatever he did for Pro Rasslin.

You'd think he did hs/college wrasslin' prior though if he got into pro-wrestling no?

I agree completely with the author. As an engineer turned high school teacher, I see students every day that are one-dimensional in their approach to academics. That was a great comparison you made, George. I try to get them to balance out their studies by explaining the benefits of a complete education - not just their favorite subjects. I think the same can be said for our study of martial arts. It never hurts to have an understanding and appreciation of other arts. All arts have something beneficial we can learn and use. Personally, I have trained in Judo for thirteen years, but I have supplemented that training with a couple of years of boxing and Tae Kwon Do. I will never compete in any form of MMA tournament, but I feel a little versatility in my skills is a good thing for me as a martial artist. Don't get me wrong. I have a lot of respect for the guys that stay within a single style. This is just my own opinion and this training works for me.

MMA champion ranks is dominated by masters in at least one art who then cross train for balance. Seems to me this points to learning something well first.

I think of two things with this issue:

1 - that an MMA guy or girl isn't trying to do all 'trades', but is actually training in a very selective system that pressure tests both individual techniques and fighting systems. The MMA system is open to trying anything but quickly ditches the many pieces that don't work for either combat sports or self defence.

2 - someone may have done an art for ten years, and look down on the upstart MMA guy or girl - but if that's twice a week, you're looking at maybe 1000hrs in total in their lifetime. If you go heavily into MMA and do 20 hours a week (which plenty of serious non-professionals do) you've already done the equivalent of that 1000hrs in one year. Your view of what competent or expert means would be just on a completely different level to that other practitioner with 'ten years experience'.

Understand that I'm using the term "master" in the context of the quote. I'm not necessarily referring to someone that has mastered a particular style, but more, someone that has devoted him/herself to one thing while excluding everything else hoping that their proficiency in one thing will make up for their short-comings in others. Does this mean that you have to learn everything there is to know in life? No, but a wide range of skills will help fill any holes you may have.

I do think that having a solid base in something is important before diversifying your skills. It may help you to better understand the other skill sets and the principles behind them. To what extent of skill though do you need to have in one system before cross training in the other aspects of fighting?

I used to believe that I needed to wait to get my bjj black belt before delving into striking or take downs. The more I did that though, the more I saw other more well rounded guys in the gym surpassing my fighting ability. I used to sit there and rationalize "Well, if we were starting from the knees and rolling I could tap them out for sure." Deep down, however, I knew that if we sparred in a more realistic situation, the holes in my game would be exploited and I would get beaten. It made me sit and think seriously as to why I got involved in the martial arts in the first place.

I have great respect for pure practitioners of single systems, but can't help but think if they've had these same thoughts like I have. I sometimes wonder if many others considered cross training but maybe ditched it because they would have to approach the style as a beginner again.

Just recently after 6 years of training in BJJ I started cross training in judo and boxing. I have to admit it was quite humbling to wear a white belt again and feel totally lost learning tachi waza. Sadly though, I'm one of very few BJJ guys in the school that has done this. While there are several judo guys that cross train bjj, very seldom is it the other way around.

The mentality usually arises in the mind like this,"I'm really good at _____, to get more well rounded I should cross train in _____." Then after a few weeks of cross training you realize that the guys devoted to only one style are dominating you and you think, "I'm learning a lot by cross training, but I can't let Joe tap me out in class so I'll only cross train one a week." Once a week eventually de-evolves into never and then it becomes all about who is the best at rolling. The whole meaning as to why you are training gets completely lost in who can win at a game.

Understand, that I'm not criticizing people that train one style exclusively because it's fun, for competition, or for self defense. I'm just stating that even if you become mediocre at everything as opposed to world champion at only one thing, at least you can feel confident that in the end being well rounded is just as good if not a better approach.

It's an interesting question and there's been some good replies. I do think specialisation is ultimately more worthwhile, and much more beneficial for an individual (though for an organisation, there needs to be more of a range taught to match the various strengths of members).

You could go heavily into Boxing, with something like Judo or Wrestling as a support system, and you really wouldn't go far wrong (you'd be physically toughened by both, and they will work in self defence and in tournaments). NB This is just an example, and is not to dismiss things that clearly work, such as Thai Boxing and BJJ, but I think on an individual level, specialisation in a couple of complementary arts will get you further then trying to manage three or four in limited time.

You'd think he did hs/college wrasslin' prior though if he got into pro-wrestling no?
I fucked up the name anyways, it was Sean O'Haire, who was Jindrak's tag team partner when they debuted.
And no, he doesn't have any previous high school or college wrestling experience.

My word. Motherfuckers is retarded these days. Leave it up to you fucking clowns to try to complicate laying an ass whuppin on somebody. Look, mayne. ****'s simple. Hit face, slam, choke/tear off limb.
I'm surprised you fuckers have time to train when you're always here waxing pseudophilosophical about bullshit.

I'm surprised you fuckers have time to train when you're always here waxing pseudophilosophical about bullshit.

Irony:


This is not the kind of **** I like to post in LLL, but **** it.

So yesterday my very good friend's girlfriend texts me and says she wants to talk to me urgently. I think, "****, this ****'s an emergency, better get over there".

After which she asks me weird questions. Very weird questions like " Do you think I have changed recently?" "How would you describe me to someone else?". "[I feel like some parts of my life don't make sense anymore]". "What do you think's going on?". "Have you ever had a girlfriend? How did the relationship end?"

People always do this **** to me. Like I'm some sort of counsellor, but it's cool, because I'm friends with her. I was friends with her before she started dating my very good friend who I mentioned earlier, so I don't mind. Then she says "OK, now don't breathe a word of this conversation to anybody".

I say "OK", but as I'm leaving, I think "****, that's going to be difficult, considering me and my main ninja talk about almost everything".

The following morning I call my main ninja and he says "Yo, my girl's acting really weird. What do you think's going on?".

Now I'm sworn to secrecy, so I made do with some generic advice, 1) because I didn't want to say anything about the conversation and **** everybody's day up and 2) Because I gave my word not to say anything. So now I'm effectively just counting on her to resolve the whole thing in her mind, so we can get over the **** and get back to life.

But for some reason, I feel like I might be betraying my main ninja. Then again I'm paranoid.

I really hope this thing doesn't turn into a clusterfuck.