What exactly are Fundamentals?
Some of you may or may not have asked this question at some point. I’d like to clarify why we believe that they are so important, and why we ,as your trainers, are always harping on them. Fundamentals are the building blocks to the greater things that you want to achieve. Without them you are left with a myriad of movements that have nothing to stand on. This applies to both CrossFit and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as everything else we wish to our lives.
In CrossFit for example we start with the basic squat, but in reality it is not that “basic” after all. This basic is the foundation for all of the other more complex movements that we employ ex: overhead squat, squat cleans, med ball cleans, and snatches. Without a squat that is built upon proper mechanics the rest of the house (the body) will fall. And without these mechanics working properly we are more prone to injury, not just in the gym but during the rest of the day when we require these functional movements to get things done. So when you hear us cuing you to push your knees out, you butt back, chest up, toes out, or elbows high we are pushing you to pay special attention to these basic elements. In time you will reap the benefits.
BJJ is the same. We see flashy flying armbars and bent armlocks from odd angles all the time on YouTube. They are very cool, no doubt. But how do they get themselves in a position where they can employ such a move? Most of the time it is because the practitioner has spent his/ her time working on the fundamentals. What good is a great armbar if you can’t consistently control your opponent long enough to set it up? So when we’re going over posture, arm placements, and repetitive movements that you “think” you got, think again, and drill it a few more times. Get these movements so that you don’t have to think about them any longer and they become instinctual.
By no stretch of the imagination are these basics simple either, they require attention, persistence, and a great deal of patience. Have faith in your body and ultimately in yourself that you will improve – because you will if you stay at it. Nothing is really that easy, and if it was would the rewards feel so gratifying? I know they wouldn’t.
Check out Roger Gracie here. Simplicity.
Front Squat
Sun, Jan 31, 2010
Uncategorized