I have a background in the sport of wrestling in the martial art of Brazilian jiujitsu. With time, I’ve noticed that the two have a contrasting take on the value of technique and strength & conditioning.

In wrestling, most likely from the influence of Dan Gable and J Robinson, there is a strong prevalence to out condition and out hustle your opponent. While technique is important, strength & conditioning exercises seem just as if not even more important then the technical training. There’s a quote, “technique will win the first period, strength & conditioning the second, and the third round goes to the tougher of the two.” This sums up the philosophy of many wrestling programs.

In Brazilian jiujitsu, unlike wrestling, there seems to be a stronger emphasis in practicing the art and the technical application of the movements. In Jujitsu it’s almost shunned to out hustle, out power, or out conditions your opponent. This seems to come from the martial art mindset, to train with the expectation that somebody will be bigger or stronger than you therefore technique being the only thing that could even the playing field. The quote “technique conquers all” is one that comes to mind.

Interestingly, wrestling and Brazilian jiujitsu do share an important element. The development and practice of focus and mental toughness. The ability to stay calm when tired. The ability to use proper technique when exhausted. The ability to do just one more when depleted. Interestingly, wrestling and jiujitsu merge together in the idea of focus.

To be the best you need to have all three components. Technique, strength & conditioning, focus. A well rounded training program will emphasize and value all three areas. In training they should be merged together so that at times you might be working on one, but at other times you’re working on all three.