Making Technique Work

A common criticism for Japanese Jujutsu is that it simply does not work against a fully resisting opponent. Without going into "Japanese Jujutsu" is a proven battlefield art, and therefore just somehow works, let's boil it down to a far more realistic perspective. Often what works and what does not work is not decided by the technique, but the training methodology that surrounds it.

For example, let us take the classic "double leg or single leg" takedown. The technique is as sound as "omote gyaku", in terms of principles. However, many train and drill a double and single leg takedown over and over, against fully resisting opponents. How often have you seen a Japanese Jujutuska practice omote gyaku in such a way, against people who don't want to be taken down? Seldom, if ever.

My argument is that training methodology is just as important as technique, if not moreso. In the summer of 2008 I fought a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practioner, and ended up taking him down with omote gyaku, which led to an arm bar/juji-gatame. Train your classical Jujutsu against uke who progressively resist more and more, and you will learn how to utilize such techniques in a real time manner.

Finally, simply because a technique does not work the first time around, or the 50th, do not dismiss it. Strong training with proper methodology can make many techniques work. Do not limit yourself to only using what is immediately easy, otherwise you limit yourself. As my teacher once said "there is a tendency to only accept techniques that are in your current range of ability. The problem with that is your range will never grow, nor will you." These photos are stills from the very same match I was just telling you about, where I managed a takedown with omote gyaku.