Transition

[shepdog]

Hello all,

Let me start by saying that I have watched the Softworks DVD about 20 times already and I love many of the drills located within that median. So with this enthusiasm I have tried to implement many of these drills into my groups training, yet I am having a hard time getting any of these drills going within my group without people getting too completive.

What I am trying to figure out is how to smoothly transition RMAX ideals and drills into an already established "technique based" group. I am looking for transition drills that will bring people to the RMAX orientated mindset gradually so that they can see for themselves that it works. I want these people to feel comfortable about dropping their technique-based ideas on their own instead of my trying to force it upon the group.

I have a couple different drills that seem to me to be working but I would like input as to weather anyone here who has been on this road way longer than myself thinks I am on the right path here with these transition drills.

Example drill:

I have an individual begin one of their techniques on me and without resistance I begin moving around the technique through the openings they leave me forcing that individual to stay flowing with me until they have worked me into a point where I must resist or be restrained.

I look forward to any input one might have on transitioning a group over to the RMAX training ideals.



Thank you,

Ryan Sheppard


"Those that are successful make a habit out of doing what the unsuccessful will not do” Challenge yourself!!

[Coach Jones]

Getting a "technique based" group to make the switch can be a difficult task. Many people try and blend the two methods of training and end up simply doing their old techniques slowly.

My advice and something that works for me is to not only introduce a drill but identify the performance goal of that drill from the onset.

The performance goal of whatever drill you design should be TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN FLOW. Nothing else. Try and reinforce the idea of working together and cooperation and remove the competitive element (in the beginning).

[Coach Jones]

Getting a "technique based" group to make the switch can be a difficult task. Many people try and blend the two methods of training and end up simply doing their old techniques slowly.

My advice and something that works for me is to not only introduce a drill but identify the performance goal of that drill from the onset.

The performance goal of whatever drill you design should be TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN FLOW. Nothing else. Try and reinforce the idea of working together and cooperation and remove the competitive element (in the beginning).

[Scott Sonnon]

...

[Scott Sonnon]

Ryan, as Brandon advises.

Specifically you can shatter the conventional 'wisdom' of rote technique by forcing your group members to create new techniques at the Static Drill level. Notice the difference between "rote technique" (closed motor skill: one must do it XYZ style's way) and improvised technique (open motor skill: one must create a technical solution based upon universal principles.)

Then apply that within limited drilling parameters to ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN FLOW (uninterrupted, integrated movement, structure and breathing): in Fluid Drills. This will force you and your group members to apply that improvisational ability within the sphere of 'isolated' and limited/modulated resistance.

Finally, the technical understanding through improv is incorporated into one's overarching strategy in Dynamic Drills.

See the Drill Progression Pyramid:
http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/images/3dpppractice.gif

[shepdog]

Thank you both for your ideas, now at least I have some things to get us moving in the right direction. I especially enjoy the idea of having group members "create new techniques at the Static Drill level and improvised technique (open motor skill: one must create a technical solution based upon universal principles.)" Because this is something the group can grasp without too much of a leap to start out. I also think by telling everyone the purpose of the drill you are implementing is a good way to keep down the competitive juices to start with (until people are ready) so thanks. I look forward to implementing these things and I will keep everyone informed of my progress and my group’s progress.


Ryan Sheppard

[shepdog]

Thank you both for your ideas, now at least I have some things to get us moving in the right direction. I especially enjoy the idea of having group members "create new techniques at the Static Drill level and improvised technique (open motor skill: one must create a technical solution based upon universal principles.)" Because this is something the group can grasp without too much of a leap to start out. I also think by telling everyone the purpose of the drill you are implementing is a good way to keep down the competitive juices to start with (until people are ready) so thanks. I look forward to implementing these things and I will keep everyone informed of my progress and my group’s progress.


Ryan Sheppard

[Ryan Murdock]

Ryan,

You might get some ideas from this old Training Methodology (http://circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3483&start=0//url) thread. The answers that I received on that thread helped my group to make the transition from using RMAX materials for performance enhancement to simply pursuing our own mastery.

I realize your question is more along the lines of how to introduce these ideas to your group. What is an RMAX Training Group? (http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/34/murdock.html//url) may shed some light on the group training dynamic.

All the best,
Ryan

[Ryan Murdock]

Double post

[Scott Sonnon]

And then there's the small task of getting your book published on "RMAX Training Groups", Ryan M. :wink:

Ryan S., keep us updated, amigo.

[shepdog]

Well Guys I already started implementing some of the tips I received yesterday at our group training class and let me say it was a step in the right direction. I still have work to do on getting people to relax into the flow of the drills and stop resisting the movement of their partners and instead going with it, but I did see people opening their minds to different movement possibilities, which is a good start.

One of the things that I noticed last night reminded me of something I remember hearing from Coach Sonnon (in either an article or one of his videos series) which was that some technique indoctrinated people will see techniques everywhere. Man did I ever notice that happening in our training group. It seemed that some people want to force their partner into one of their techniques instead of flowing with their movements. It seems hard to get people to flow with the current situation they and their partner are causing in the now without them trying to instead revert back to trying to flow from rote technique to technique.

Anyway change comes about slowly so we will continue on with our baby steps and thanks for the tips.


Sincerely,

Ryan Sheppard

[shepdog]

Well Guys I already started implementing some of the tips I received yesterday at our group training class and let me say it was a step in the right direction. I still have work to do on getting people to relax into the flow of the drills and stop resisting the movement of their partners and instead going with it, but I did see people opening their minds to different movement possibilities, which is a good start.

One of the things that I noticed last night reminded me of something I remember hearing from Coach Sonnon (in either an article or one of his videos series) which was that some technique indoctrinated people will see techniques everywhere. Man did I ever notice that happening in our training group. It seemed that some people want to force their partner into one of their techniques instead of flowing with their movements. It seems hard to get people to flow with the current situation they and their partner are causing in the now without them trying to instead revert back to trying to flow from rote technique to technique.

Anyway change comes about slowly so we will continue on with our baby steps and thanks for the tips.


Sincerely,

Ryan Sheppard

[Ryan Murdock]

Ryan,

Nice work! You're on the right track. Incremental progression is key. It takes time to get out of the technique mindset. For my group, we first approached the material by applying the Static, Fluid and Dynamic drill progressions to what we were already doing. Previous to that we didn't know how to make a gradual transition from rote technique repetition and variations (Static) to full-on sparring.

Over time we figured out the response-based approach, and were able to drop the lens of technique entirely. You'll get there, but the steps are completely necessary. No worries, it's the process that matters, not some arbitrary end point ('cause it never ends...).

Ryan

[Ryan Murdock]

Double post

[shepdog]

Thanks for the tips and encouragement and let me say that the information from those on this forum that have already followed a similar path to what I am now on is invaluable.

Sincerely,

Ryan Sheppard