The Industry Standard

In the martial arts world, there was major headline news recently. A jiu-jitsu student was awarded $46 million in damages. In writing and on YouTube, the jiu-jitsu community is apoplectic. Mr. Iturralde, the man who caused the injury, stated that Rener Gracie gave false testimony when serving as an expert witness. As of the publishing of this article, it has not been easy to track down what part of Gracie's testimony was considered false by Iturralde. 

Gracie put out a video, explaining what he testified to, and correct application of the technique in question. 

YouTube personality and MMA coach Ramsey Dewey put out a video in which he decried what he stated were Gracie's claims, and made some other observations, as well. However, the video is chock-full of inaccuracy about Gracie's testimony, claims, and also relies heavily on assumption of things not stated. This is not typical of Dewey. Dewey is usually right on the money and very accurate. Here are the more erroneous claims:

• Dewey claims Gracie called himself the industry standard with regards to banning certain more dangerous techniques. This is patently false. Gracie stated the industry standard is that there are banned techniques - most every training studio bans specific injurious techniques. Gracie urged all studios to adopt this practice, and that is very wise. 
• Dewey claims Gracie called himself the industry standard with regards to having a syllabus of techniques that students need to learn. In so doing, Dewey committed a hasty generalization fallacy, as his claim is patently false. Gracie stated the industry standard is that there is a list of things students need to learn in most studios. Gracie urged all studios to adopt this practice, and that is very wise. 
• Dewey observed that Gracie testified that the studio in question did not separate beginner and advanced classes. Dewey drew the conclusion that this meant Gracie advocates "white belts only spar with white belts." Gracie never testified to that, and it is a completely erroneous statement by Dewey. This was a straw man fallacy to be sure. Dewey goes on to point out (accurately) that white belts are the most dangerous people in the studio. A better interpretation might be that Gracie insinuates that advanced students ought not apply more dangerous techniques to newer students. Also, the industry standard is to separate beginner and advanced classes, for just this reason. 
• Dewey made several snide comments on the Gracie University online learning. This came across as sour grapes. 

Summary

Martial Arts studios should have a syllabus. And most do!

Martial Arts studios should have a written list of banned techniques. Most have banned techniques, but this author would question how many studios actually write down the banned techniques. 

Martial Arts studios should have beginner and advanced classes. Most martial arts studios do. 

Gracie spoke to the industry standard and was correct. One who disagrees so vehemently might do so because they are guilty of not adhering to those minimum standards.