26 Apr Duality of Knowledge Terms, Names, and the Effect on Skill Acquisition
“I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.” Richard Feynman
“Your actions no matter where you are, are only going to be as orderly and efficient as your thoughts that govern them…. If your thoughts are vague your actions will be vague” John Danaher
Here we have a great debate in the world of martial arts and the world of skill acquisition. On one side there are those that insist on precise nomenclature, that want to have a distinct vocabulary for discussion of a topic. On the other side are those that believe that the search for specific terms, obscures the path to true knowledge. I believe both camps have valid points that can be considered and simultaneously held to be true.
Richard Feyman was a renowned physicist who worked in quantum mechanics. He consistently mocked those that mistook being able to name something for the true understanding of its nature. Understanding something at a true fundamental level and searching for depth of knowledge versus breadth will always be a core in any learning process.
Vinny Magalhaes, renowned BJJ competitor, is in the same camp as Feynman. I have heard him mock those that spend time trying to come up with a vocabulary to describe martial arts rather than search for an intuitive understanding of how the move works. To be able to name a move that you cannot implement means you are lacking in some level of understanding.
There is another camp however, and in this example, there are some more strange bedfellows. John Danaher is a Renzo Gracie Black Belt, he has coached GSP, Chris Weidman, Gary Tonon, Eddie Cummings and others. Eddie Bravo is the founder of the 10th Planet System and has created current high level grapplers such as Geo and Ritchie Martinez as well as Nath Orchard.
In my estimation these two are the foremost individuals in martial arts at the moment that are insisting on being very specific in nomenclature. Both of them use very specific terms to describe moves they are using. I’ve cornered against 10th Planet grapplers and fighters and I’ve always come away impressed with how effective the coaches are in conveying what they want from their athletes.
Most of that effectiveness comes from having a very specific naming of techniques and an understanding of how to progress them logically. That efficiency all comes back to having a system. Students of John Danaher are very similar. They go out of their way to be precise in naming convention. Rather than saying they heel hooked an opponent, you will hear that they hit an outside heel hook from ashi garami.
This is much more clear, and resembles the rigor with which scientific names are applied. Think of how much more information you receive this way. You know the leg position, and type of heel hook. Once they clearly state what position they entered ashi garami from you know know the entire finishing sequence.
Once you have that level of information being passed along, think about how much quicker students can learn best practices and take away lessons from a teammate’s match. In turn, the entire team will improve holistically. On the other hand, let’s look at unclear naming in martial arts. We have the lead, the jab, the “1”, left, etc. All these names refer to roughly the same strike.
I say roughly because there are many different types of jabs. A lunging jab, stepping forward jab, jab utilizing shoulder rotation, not utilizing shoulder rotation, while stepping with the lead or trail foot; many different starting positions and targets all shift what a “jab” is a what you want to accomplish.
Rear Naked Chokes can involve, different hand and leg positions. You can also utilize the rear naked choke as a blood choke, a wind choke, or even a neck crank. These naming conventions vary from team to team and often develop organically. However, it is incumbent for each coach to consider the place of nomenclature in their system.
Clear distinct names can speed up both the individual and team learning process. Training and drills must reinforce not only the names, but also the true, fundamental essence of each move.
Athletes should have a language they can speak with their coaches about moves, but also constantly seek that understanding.