Drilling guys… it is what makes the best better, and the beginner the best. Whether it’s drilling certain moves, situations, or series, you need it. Whatever you’re doing BJJ, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Judo or whatever style, watch the best people in the world competing at it. You may feel like they were born with the gift of a certain set of skills. I’m not on here to discuss whether innate ability exists, I am here to say that whether it does or not, the best in the world all put in a lot of hard work including drilling.
One of my coaches I train under once told me ‘A grappler who never drills will be average at best.’ This struck home to me. Who wants to be average? Not me. When I ask higher belts, specifically black belts, what’s the difference between the belt levels, almost always timing and mat vision is their answer. Everyone thinks it’s who ever knows the most moves but I assure you its not. The best in the world are the best because they took the time to drill and perfect the moves, and when you try to perfect your moves then your timing improves.
When your timing improves you start to see things almost before it happens (mat vision). Realistically you can’t see in to the future, but through drilling you know your opponent’s reactions before they even do it. The general consensus is that it takes ten thousand hours to become an expert or come as close as you can to perfection. I can tell you I have heard of people drilling certain moves over 5000 times, and those people are world champions. The question isn’t really if drilling is important, the question should be how good do you want to be? What legacy do you want to leave behind? I know I’ll be drilling as much as possible here in Annapolis, how about you?
Strive for greatness, DRILL!!
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.â€
Vince Lombardi
