One of my business mentors, Perry Marshall, is very big on 80/20. Or Paretos principle.
Paretos principle basically says that not eveyrthing has an equal effect. Commonly, its used to say 20% of something, causes 80% of something else.
80% of finishes in the UFC, occur from 20% of submission holds.
80% of medals are won by 20% of the teams.
yada yada.
SO again what this means is taht by focusing on the essential 20%, we can get 80% of the result. Or in other words, we can cut off 80% of the time, and still get the majority of the results that we want.
For super go-getters, this means that we can take whatever we’re doing in the 20% and jsut do that all the time, making us super productive.
So in Jiu-Jitsu, what are the 20% of techniques that White Belts should focus on that will get them 80% to Blue Belt. (not training methodologies)
#1. Posture and Stability in the Closed Guard.
I feel there is too much emphasis on escapes at the White Belt level. Not that escapes are not important but more often than not, the beginner student is getting caught because of stupid mistakes rather than their opponent’s offensive progression. To focus on escapes is the equivalent of giving painkillers to a sick person and expecting them to be cured.
#2. The Triangle Choke.
The most ‘confusing’ submission for beginners to see coming. The effectiveness of the triangle greatly diminishes as the ranks progress as people begin to understand its assymetrical attack and guard inversion but you can speed up this progress by really studying this attack.
#3. Crappy Single Leg / Double Leg
To prevent the half guard attack.
#4 Guard retention – namely framing and shrimping.
What are the 20% of behaviors that White Belts should focus on?
#1. Getting into better shape (but not too good). I’m not saying you have to run a 4-minute mile and be able to do 20 pullups, but at the white belt stage, your movements are inefficient and you’re unfamiliar with most attacks which require you to do unfamiliar movements to counter them, and this will tire you out more. By being in a little bit better shape, you will be able to train with a clearer mind for longer, which will allow for more skill development to occur. The good news is that this will occur just by doing jiu jitsu.
The reason I say don’t be in too good shape, is that I’ve often found that being in really good shape, can act as a cover for bad technique.
#2 Regular training schedule
Get the rest of your life prepared for a regular training schedule. If you have a variable schedule, then you need to make sure you get to class, even if its at a different time than your normal one.
What are the 20% of training methodologies White Belts should focus on?
1. Learn to watch tape.
2. Learn to compete.
3. Learn to take the back.
4. Learn to grip.
5. Learn to move correctly (gymnastics, wrestling, and judo movements)