Combat Potential from the Gracies

This is from the latest issue of the Gracie Academy newsletter. I like the simple guideline of understanding your progress when learning a new technique/tactic/strategy. Too often, we jump in against an opponent at our level and get frustrated when our new cool technique fails. this might help keep things in perspective. All props should go to the Gracies if you like this, not me!

What’s Your Combat Potential?

Question of the Month: "I have heard people say that strength doesn’t matter if you know jiu-jitsu. My problem is that I have been training for 7 months and I am constantly loosing to stronger opponents at my training center and as a result am starting to believe that I am not strong enough. What are your thoughts?"

-Ivan B. (Detroit, MI)

Answer: First of all you should understand one thing- strength does matter. Hypothetically, if two fighters are pitted against one another with the exact same level of technique, the one with greater strength and size will win every time. In order for you to overcome a skilled opponent who is stronger than you, your technique must be far superior to his so that you can make up in technique what you lack in strength.

In order to better understand what Gracie Jiu-Jitsu can do for you, you must first understand “Combat Potential”. Combat Potential is term used to depict the level of threat that an individual is capable of neutralizing in a physical altercation. There are 4 levels of Combat Potential. An individual who has reached Level 1 Combat Potential is skilled enough to effectively neutralize someone of similar physique who does not have any technical knowledge. Level 2 indicates that the practitioner can effectively neutralize a larger, stronger attacker who does not have any technical knowledge. Level 3 indicates that the practitioner is prepared to neutralize an opponent of similar physique who has some technical knowledge. Level 4 indicates that the practitioner is prepared to neutralize a larger, stronger opponent who has some technical knowledge.

Without knowledge of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, one’s Combat Potential is determined almost entirely by their preexisting physical attributes such as strength, speed and coordination. The reason Gracie Jiu-Jitsu will increase one’s combat potential so rapidly is that the techniques are so based almost entirely on proper timing and usage of leverage so that strength and speed are less important than they would be in any other martial art.

One very common occurrence amongst new jiu-jitsu practitioners is that they test themselves against a level 3 or 4 opponent when they have not yet achieved level 1 or 2 Combat Potential. This can be very discouraging and in many cases cause a new student to quit taking lessons. To prevent this from happening, a you must have a clear understanding of the 4 levels of Combat Potential and be patient enough to progress through them one level at a time.