“There is a habit among great musicians, especially the great
ones, that is overlooked: collaboration.” I read this in an article in the March
2012 edition of Success magazine entitled Slowhand’s Success Secret by Mike
Zimmerman. The article talks about Eric Clapton and his amazing success. It also
focuses primarily on Clapton’s amazing amount of collaboration with other top
artists.
What does this have to do with Grappling? In my experience,
everything. In the beginning you will typically learn from one coach or one
instructor. As a beginning grappler it is much better to learn from one source
and one system. It helps keep things simple.
As you progress you will undoubtedly have new questions, some of
which your original instructor may not be able to solve. Enter collaboration. At
some point in your grappling career you will have to ask tough questions that
only other high level grapplers can help you solve.
Training with other quality grapplers and asking better questions
is the key to growth. This is not to be confused with training against high
quality grapplers for competition; there is a time and place for that. The most
beneficial route is to pick their brains for insights and tips that will help
your game.
I’ve been very fortunate to become friends and train with several
high level grapplers, each of which has their own specific style, philosophy and
way of doing things. I’ve learned something from Sheldon Marr, Jeff Kunze, Ricky
Lundell, Jeff Monson, Jeremy Horn, Dave Johnson, Gerald Harris, Ica Medina, Mike
Colby, Rigan Machado, Rulon Gardner, Justin Ruiz, Steve Fraser, JJ Johnson,
Momir Petkovic, Mark Schultz and a host of others over the years. Training with
and learning from these incredible athletes and coaches has given me a greater
insight into the grappling arts.
To finish up with a little more from the article:
“Creativity is generally considered a solo gig, and our instincts
tell us to hoard talent for our own benefit. Instead, seek out more and more
collaborations. This works in any office, in any business. Start with
willingness, enthusiasm and an open mind. Talk to co-workers who complement
your talent. Kick around ideas. Encourage excellence. Share top billing. You
may produce something incredible-and become the person everyone wants to work
with.”
ones, that is overlooked: collaboration.” I read this in an article in the March
2012 edition of Success magazine entitled Slowhand’s Success Secret by Mike
Zimmerman. The article talks about Eric Clapton and his amazing success. It also
focuses primarily on Clapton’s amazing amount of collaboration with other top
artists.
What does this have to do with Grappling? In my experience,
everything. In the beginning you will typically learn from one coach or one
instructor. As a beginning grappler it is much better to learn from one source
and one system. It helps keep things simple.
As you progress you will undoubtedly have new questions, some of
which your original instructor may not be able to solve. Enter collaboration. At
some point in your grappling career you will have to ask tough questions that
only other high level grapplers can help you solve.
Training with other quality grapplers and asking better questions
is the key to growth. This is not to be confused with training against high
quality grapplers for competition; there is a time and place for that. The most
beneficial route is to pick their brains for insights and tips that will help
your game.
I’ve been very fortunate to become friends and train with several
high level grapplers, each of which has their own specific style, philosophy and
way of doing things. I’ve learned something from Sheldon Marr, Jeff Kunze, Ricky
Lundell, Jeff Monson, Jeremy Horn, Dave Johnson, Gerald Harris, Ica Medina, Mike
Colby, Rigan Machado, Rulon Gardner, Justin Ruiz, Steve Fraser, JJ Johnson,
Momir Petkovic, Mark Schultz and a host of others over the years. Training with
and learning from these incredible athletes and coaches has given me a greater
insight into the grappling arts.
To finish up with a little more from the article:
“Creativity is generally considered a solo gig, and our instincts
tell us to hoard talent for our own benefit. Instead, seek out more and more
collaborations. This works in any office, in any business. Start with
willingness, enthusiasm and an open mind. Talk to co-workers who complement
your talent. Kick around ideas. Encourage excellence. Share top billing. You
may produce something incredible-and become the person everyone wants to work
with.”
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