TLDR:
If you want to get good at grappling and or you also want your students to get better faster, then you should be doing as much grappling as possible. Cut the fat like dead drilling and step-by-step instruction (or just regurgitating info from instructionals) and design classes that help those behaviors emerge.
There are two different skill acquisition approaches in Jiu Jitsu:
Ecological Dynamics (and Constraints-Led Approach) is a non-linear, self-organization “knowledge of” direct perception model
Information Processing (IP) is a linear and prescriptive “knowledge about” indirect perception, internal model-based pedagogy, in a Jiu Jitsu context, this is the demonstration, step-by-step and monkey-see/monkey-do drill routine
Three key concepts of Eco/CLA?
Affordances: These are opportunities for action provided by the environment to an individual. In grappling, affordances might include the opponent's body positioning, balance, and available space for maneuvers.
Perception-Action Coupling: This concept highlights the continuous loop between perceiving environmental cues and acting upon them. Grapplers constantly perceive their opponent's movements and adjust their techniques accordingly.
Constraints: These are factors that shape the behavior and decisions of grapplers. Constraints can be categorized into three types:
Individual Constraints: These include the grappler’s physical attributes (strength, flexibility), skills, and psychological factors.
Environmental Constraints: These include the physical setting (mat surface, space) and external conditions (crowd noise, lighting).
Task Constraints: These include the rules of the sport, specific goals (e.g., achieving a submission), and the strategies being employed.
Ecological Approach: It posits that perception is a direct process, meaning that sensory information is rich and directly available in the environment. There is minimal emphasis on intermediary stages of processing.
Information Processing Approach: It proposes a multistage process of perception, involving encoding, storage, retrieval, and interpretation of sensory information. It suggests that perception is not entirely direct but involves complex internal processing like remembering the step-by-step method to achieve an intended result.
Filtered through the lens of action and behavior, we have two different skill acquisition models.
Action and Behavior
Ecological Approach highlights the close connection between perception and action, intending to guide an organism's behavior in relation to its environment.
Information Processing Approach: While it acknowledges the role of action, it places more emphasis on the cognitive aspects of perception, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, and how they guide behavior.
Why is Eco a more efficient approach to coaching/teaching Jiu Jitsu/Grappling?
There are three main benefits of using the Eco method for Jits: Skill Acquisition, Adaptability and Decision-making.
Skill Acquisition: Ecological dynamics (or more aptly the Constraints-Led Approach) emphasizes the importance of practicing in varied and realistic settings. Grapplers improve their skills by engaging in dynamic “drills” and specific sparring exchanges that mimic the unpredictable nature of real matches. This helps them learn to recognize and exploit affordances quickly.
Adaptability: Grapplers must adapt their techniques based on the changing dynamics of the match. For example, they must perceive their opponent’s weight distribution and balance to execute successful takedowns or submissions. Training should therefore focus on enhancing the ability to adapt to different opponents and situations.
Decision-Making: Ecological dynamics promotes an understanding of decision-making as a fluid process influenced by the interaction of individual, task, and environmental constraints. Grapplers learn to make split-second decisions based on the perceived affordances in a given moment, such as deciding whether to go for a takedown or transition to a different position.
Training Implications:
Representative Learning Design: Training environments should closely resemble competition settings. This includes sparring with different partners, practicing under varied conditions, and incorporating realistic scenarios that challenge the grappler to adapt.
Constraints-Led Approach: Coaches can manipulate constraints to guide the learning process. For example, they might change the rules of a drill to focus on specific skills, such as limiting the use of certain grips to enhance creativity in finding submissions.
Task-Specific Drills: Drills should be designed to replicate specific situations a grappler might encounter. For example, starting in a disadvantaged position and working to escape or reverse it can help grapplers develop problem-solving skills under pressure.
Feedback and Reflection: Providing feedback that encourages grapplers to reflect on their performance and understand the reasons behind their actions can enhance learning. This reflective process helps grapplers internalize the principles of ecological dynamics.
Ecological dynamics provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and enhancing grappling performance by emphasizing the importance of interaction between the grappler and their environment.
By focusing on affordances, adaptability, decision-making, and coordination, this approach helps grapplers develop the skills necessary to thrive in the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the sport. Training methods incorporating ecological principles can lead to more effective skill acquisition and improved performance in real grappling scenarios.
Next up:
How to design an Eco or CLA-informed class.