We are living in very interesting times in regards to evolution of martial arts fighting techniques. As a judge for numerous mixed martial arts events, I get to watch all of the cutting edge techniques and see what works and what doesn’t work. (Like my Dog Brother stick fighting days, where we were inventing new moves almost on a weekly basis, MMA techniques are constantly evolving. But this goes beyond the cage − depending whether you’re training for the street, self-defense, or various types of combat sports like muay Thai or boxing, you have to evolve and adapt.

There are plenty of intricate techniques you COULD learn, but you first have to ask yourself what is possible and what is probable? Some things that look great against a cooperative opponent will quickly go to hell if you try them against a drunken biker outside a bar at night who isn’t feeling any pain (self-defense rule one: stay away from drunken biker bars at night). The best things to focus on are techniques and methods that are simple and repeatable under stress. But the very best thing you can do for yourself in martial arts is to be in good physical condition.

Walk Before You Run

If you’re in good shape, you will learn faster, perform better, and retain more. Start with the basics and then move to learning the high-percentage techniques that work for your body type. There are certain techniques that you see working in grappling tournaments or cage fights week after week and most of those can be adapted for self-defense as well. If you’re learning jiu-jitsu make sure you learn the high-percentage moves like the triangle choke, arm bar, guillotine choke, hammer lock, Kimura, and rear naked choke. Then learn the escapes, variations, counters, and counters to the variations. By then you should start to have a pretty solid ground game. Only then should you start to add some intricate moves. But it’s probably a better idea to learn the counters to the intricate moves. Taking seminars from some of the top black belts is a great way to learn the latest and greatest techniques so you know what to expect. You will usually get caught with something you have never seen before.

Become a jack of all trades and a master of none. Be committed to everything but commit to nothing. In Bruce Lee’s style of Jeet Kune Do (JKD) you first get the essence of a particular style and then move on from there. From my own experience of training and teaching, it can take up to two years to capture the “essence” of a style. In the process you probably find two or three that appeal to you more and that you will focus on. When you do, there are five steps in the process of learning techniques.

The Five Steps of Learning

1. You must learn the technique
2. Practice the technique over and over
3. Master the technique
4. Functionalize the technique so it works on uncooperative opponents
5. Maintain the technique through review and application.

Trying your techniques against uncooperative opponents is the key to martial arts truth. But be careful to not get hurt or hurt your training partners. Be aware of them tapping out or being rocked or stunned if you hit them. If you’re going to be punching or kicking wear protective gear and have an observer who can cool things off if necessary.

The truth of the matter is that too much of one thing is not good anymore. You have to be well-rounded. If you’re on your back in a cage fight, chasing an arm bar that worked for you in a grappling tournament, you’ll probably end up being pounded by punches. Be aware of what works in the cage and what doesn’t. Likewise, if you’re focusing on hitting someone and overextend on a punch you’ll probably be submitted by an arm lock or a triangle choke.

Lester’s Logic

One of the most valuable things I have learned over the years is to not be too quick to throw out a technique that you think doesn’t work for you. I have thrown out techniques and years later looked at them again, thought how great they were, and was left scratching my head wondering why I stopped using it? Give yourself a chance to grow into the moves. Also remember that there are many other reasons to train martial arts other than just competition. Fighting is just the tip of the iceberg. The benefits that you get through learning martial arts techniques will help you develop both physically and spiritually into a better human being. Keep this concept in mind when you want to stop training. Martial arts are really about helping you to become the best person you can possibly be.