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5 Most Frequently Asked Questionsstreets of Famagusta

With more than eighty years of experience instructing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to a wide variety of students, the Gracie family has addressed nearly every question and situation that may arise in conjunction with the practice of this martial art, and what they have found is that five questions have been asked more than all the others.

  1. Question : Why isn’t this move working for me?
    2. Apply the four reasons that account for most students’ inability to execute a technique.
    1. Reason : Missing Details
      2. The most common reason for difficulty with a technique is that you simply overlooked an essential detail. Ensure that you have learned every detail.
    2. Reason : Bad “Bad Guy” Behavior
      3. It is very important that the “bad guy” realistically simulates the attacker behavior or else the technique may not work. Review the “Bad Guy Reminders” that are discussed.
    3. Reason : Bad Timing
      4. Timing is everything. If you feel that you are performing all the steps correctly but the technique is still not working, there is a good chance that your timing is off. Review the lesson for hints on how you can use better timing to increase your effectiveness.
    4. Reason : Physical Limitations
      5. If a physical limitation is the problem, we recommend you use your understanding of the Principles to modify the technique to accommodate your body or consider using another technique from the curriculum
  2. Question : What if the bad guy does something different?
    3. Gracie Combatives prepare you to defend against the most common attacks that a larger, unskilled opponent would use in a real fight.
    1. Consideration : Street Realness
      2. A poor training partner will constantly change behavior in order to defeat the techniques. This will prevent you from learning the techniques properly and may even promote development of bad habits.
    2. Consideration : Training Speed, Street Speed, and the Surprise Element
      3. When practicing, always execute the techniques so slowly that it is impossible to make a mistake. Your training partner’s role is to consistently simulate the most common behavior so that you can perfect the techniques – not to fight with you.
    3. Consideration : The Complete Curriculum Will Address Nearly Every Scenario
      4. You can either wait to learn the solution to the problem in a future lesson, or you can use the Principles to develop your own temporary solution. But any time you spend on modifications will slow your progress of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
  3. Question : Can’t the bad guy punch you from there?
    4. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu puts you within very close range of your opponent. You must be constantly aware of your opponent’s ability to punch you.
    1. Fact : You Will Get Punched
      2. In a fight, the question is not whether you will get punched, but whether or not the punch will hurt you.
    2. Fact : Distance is Everything
      3. In order for a punch to land effectively, your opponent must establish the proper distance and angle. The key is to remain calm and understand that you can neutralize any punch by positioning yourself either inside or outside the optimal punching range. When you are inside optimal punching range, your opponent will be able to touch your head but will not be able to hit hard enough to hurt you.
    3. Fact : Punching is Exhausting
      4. You may take solace in knowing that the punches are probably more exhausting to them than they are damaging to you and that you will soon have the opportunity to take advantage of your opponent’s weakened state.
  4. Question : What if the bad guy fights dirty?
    5. Although street fights have no rules, we have found that larger and stronger opponents prefer to punch the face rather than fight dirty.
    1. Priority : Respect the Punch
      2. Since punches are the most common form of attack and the most immediate threat at any given time, stopping them must be your first priority. Shift your priority to defend against other types of attacks only if your opponent clearly resorts to a dirty fighting (eye gouge, groin shot, biting...).
    2. Priority : Master the Techniques
      3. You will have truly mastered the techniques when you can apply them without conscious thought. Once you reach this level you will remain calm and easily read your opponent’s behavior in the midst of a fight leading to quick neutralization of any type of attacks before they happen.
  5. Question : What if the bad guy is too big?
    6. We have proven the effectiveness of every technique against larger opponents.
    1. Fact : True Mastery Takes Time
      2. Learning a technique is a relatively simple process that can be accomplished in one lesson. However, perfecting the technique takes months if not years. We have found that your ability to handle larger opponents increases as you improve your mastery of the technique.
    2. Fact : Reach Maximum Potential with Perfect Technique
      3. Most Gracie Jiu-Jitsu techniques will work against an opponent of any size when executed with perfect timing and accuracy. While you can’t control the size of your attacker, you can control the amount of time and energy you dedicate to perfecting the techniques.

This text is an excerpt from Gracie University website. Original text and for further reading:
http://www.gracieuniversity.com/LC/info_view.aspx?c=63QJ4TGT7X&n=28