This quote always helps me when I get frustrated. Reminds me to calm down and reset. Works almost every time. 😊
3 years ago | 78
Since about 2005 this quote has been attributed to every martial art, boot camp, and firearm instructor.
3 years ago (edited) | 191
I once over heard a US Army infantry unit repeating that during training. I never knew it was a Jiu Jitsu thing.
3 years ago (edited) | 75
This mantra applies in motorsport especially well. The machine and driver have to be balanced and connected. The car has an innate balance due to tire pressure, spring rates, sway bar stiffness, etc. and the car responds the best when you are in tune with these things. The car's balance is upset by rapid steering, brake, clutch, and gas inputs. My dad who is an excellent rally, autocross, and endurance racer taught me to drive like there are eggshells under my feet. The goal is to apply the input smoothly enough that you don't break the egg, and release smoothly enough that you don't drop it. By focusing on efficient, smooth inputs, speed comes effortlessly. If you overdrive the car, it will chew you up and spit out out. If you listen to the car, and focus only on the process of driving, you will be faster than anyone else. Slow inputs are smoother, and smooth driving is fast.
3 years ago | 35
For those acting like this doesn't make sense, think muscle memory. Slow is smooth refers to learning something. As you get better at it and perfect your technique, speed will come because your body will remember the actions without deliberate, clumsy thinking.
3 years ago | 71
I don't normally post but I think something needs to be clarified here writ large regarding how smoothness in movement equals speed in action. While training Marines in CQB, I attempted it impress to understanding that smooth movement relates to speed in engagement. So one of my buddies said the phrase - "slow it down and smooth it out". A Marine NCO remarked with the comment - "slow is fast". Another Marine responded to him saying, "no...thats not true...slow is slow and fast is fast"...at which point I said, "you're both partially correct. Where did you hear "slow is slow and fast is fast?" The kid said, the top instructors he researches on the "internet" are saying that. I responded with..."they've committed a dis-service to you because they haven't explained the original mantra." So here it is folks...slow might be slow and fast might fast but there is much more to the definition of speed as it relates to action. The original mantra as explained to me by my instructor at School of Infantry (West) was "slow is smooth, smooth is fast, speed is the efficiency of motion." Speed isn't velocity in this case. Speed is the building of smooth momentum - in all things movement. When you eliminate unnecessary movement, you build momentum in necessary movement. Scott Jedlinski explains it as eliminating "frenetic motion or movement". Here's my point, if you "shortcut" the mantra and make the leap that "slow is fast" or you simply respond to that statement by saying, "no...slow is slow and fast is fast" and don't explain what fast is and how initially moving slowly to understand how to eliminate wasted motion, which in turn builds the momentum to "speed" (not velocity) and that speed is built by eliminating wasted "frenetic motion", then your instructors we are failing you miserably. If you actually intend to take something from the lesson, do so with the full context of what it is, and what it is telling you.
3 years ago | 65
This is true for work too, especially if you work a trade where you use your hands. I train all the technicians in my department at a chemical manufacturing plant and that’s the main theme I drill in their head along with plan your work and work your plan.
3 years ago | 1
Burned into my head by the corps. I never knew. And knowing is half the battle
3 years ago | 26
Without this legend there would be no Gracie jiu jitsu or bjj
3 years ago | 20
Kill House Logic: Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. Slow is Fast!
3 years ago | 15
We use this is disc golf as well. Except it's "slow is smooth and smooth is far."
3 years ago | 3
What an insightful post, thank you. And thank God for jiu-jitsu, jujitsu and judo. 🙂
3 years ago | 0
"Gotta no when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away know when to run" Mitsuyo Maeda 1935
3 years ago | 4
Jiu-Jitsu Times
3 years ago | [YT] | 11,561