Jiu-Jitsu Case Study Implications For Schools
Martial arts have been practiced for centuries and have gained popularity worldwide for their physical and mental benefits. These benefits range from increased physical fitness and self-defense skills to improved self-esteem and discipline. In recent years, martial arts have become a popular form of exercise and competition for people of all ages. This case study, “Exploring the Coach’s and Athletes’ Behavior in Martial Arts,” examines the coaching and athlete behavior in martial arts and the impact it has on skill development and performance.
The case study was conducted with a focus on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
and involved in observing the behavior of both coaches and athletes during practice sessions. The study aimed to understand the relationship between coaching and athlete behavior and how it affects skill development and performance in martial arts. The study was conducted over a period of six weeks, with five practice sessions, with an average of 84 minutes, videotaped for analysis. The study involved three experienced athletes and three novice athletes, for a total of six, all members of a martial arts club in Finland.
The study found that the coach’s teaching style in BJJ was best categorized as an efficiency approach, where the focus is on competition and effectively performing a technique. The coach structured practice sessions into three phases, where 30%was warm-ups, about 40% was skill practice, and roughly 30% was used for sparring. The study also found that physical preparation and learning movement skills were the most important activities in coaching practice.
The athletes’ behavior during practice sessions were also analyzed, and it was found that the participants’ practice activity level was high, with most spending more than half of practice time at a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity level. The study also found that experienced athletes showed a lower proportion of very high-intensity physical activity during sparring compared to novice and other athletes. The athletes’ average moderate-to-vigorous physical activity across the three phases exceeded almost half of the practice time, with average levels ranging from 46.5% to 92.0%.
The study’s findings suggest that the structure and content of coaching practice in martial arts are different from those in team sports. The coach needs to identify and react to the needs of individual athletes. The study highlights the importance of physical preparation and learning movement skills in coaching practice. The findings have implications for coaching practice in martial arts and other combat sports.
One of the most significant implications of the study’s findings is the importance of individualized coaching.
The coach needs to understand the needs and abilities of each athlete and structure the practice sessions accordingly. This approach ensures that the athletes receive the support and guidance they need to develop their skills and perform to the best of their ability. Individualized coaching also helps to prevent injury and ensure that the athletes are physically and mentally prepared for each practice session.
Another implication of the study’s findings is the importance of physical preparation in martial arts. Physical fitness is essential for performing martial arts techniques effectively, and it is critical for preventing injury. The study’s findings suggest that physical preparation should be a primary focus of coaching practice. Coaches should ensure that athletes are adequately warmed up before practice sessions and that they engage in physical activities that promote physical fitness, such as strength training and cardiovascular exercise.
The study’s findings also have implications for the importance of technical perfection and competition in martial arts coaching practice. The coach’s teaching style in BJJ was best categorized as an efficiency approach, where the focus is on competition and effectively performing a technique. The study found that physical preparation and learning movement skills were the most important activities in coaching practice. Coaches should strive to create a practice environment that promotes technique perfection and competition, as these factors are critical for developing athletes’ skills and performance.
The study’s findings also highlight the importance of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in martial arts practice. The athletes’ average moderate-to-vigorous physical activity across the three phases
The athletes’ average moderate-to-vigorous physical activity across the three phases exceeded almost half of the practice time, with average levels ranging from 46.5% to 92.0%. This finding is important because physical activity is crucial for overall health and wellness. Coaches should strive to create a practice environment that encourages moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to promote physical fitness and health in athletes.
The study’s findings also suggest that sparring, which is a key component of martial arts practice, should be approached with caution. Experienced athletes showed a lower proportion of very high-intensity physical activity during sparring compared to novice and other athletes. This finding suggests that sparring can be physically demanding and should be approached with caution to prevent injury. Coaches should ensure that athletes are adequately prepared and warmed up before engaging in sparring to prevent injury and promote safe practice.
The study’s findings are particularly relevant for schools considering the inclusion of martial arts in their sports programs. Martial arts can provide numerous benefits for children, including physical fitness, self-defense skills, and improved self-esteem and discipline. The study’s findings suggest that coaches should take an individualized approach to coach practice, focusing on the needs and abilities of each athlete. Physical preparation and technique perfection should also be emphasized, and sparring should be approached with caution to prevent injury.
Martial arts can also promote socialization and teamwork among children. Martial arts practice requires collaboration and mutual respect, and it provides an opportunity for children to interact with others who share their interests. This sense of community and camaraderie can be especially important for children who struggle to make friends at school.
The study’s findings also have implications for the promotion of physical fitness and the prevention of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is a significant problem in many developed countries, and it is associated with a range of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Martial arts practice can promote physical fitness and provide an excellent opportunity for children to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Coaches should ensure that practice sessions promote physical fitness and provide opportunities for children to engage in physical activity.
In conclusion, the case study “Exploring the Coach’s and Athletes’ Behavior in Martial Arts” provides valuable insights into coaching and athlete behavior in martial arts practice. The study’s findings suggest that individualized coaching, physical preparation, technique perfection, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity are critical for developing athletes’ skills and performance. The study’s findings also have implications for schools considering the inclusion of martial arts in their sports programs. Martial arts can provide numerous benefits for children, including physical fitness, self-defense skills, and improved self-esteem and discipline. Coaches should take an individualized approach to coach practice, and they should emphasize physical preparation and technique perfection. Martial arts practice can also promote socialization and teamwork among children and help to combat childhood obesity.
Jean Carlo Benetti Bueno, Leonardo Vidal Andreato, Rodrigo Batalha Silva & Alexandro Andrade (2022) Effects of a school-based Brazilian jiu-jitsu programme on mental health and classroom behaviour of children from Abu Dhabi: a randomised trial, International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2022.2109184
