How To Train

During the earliest stages of learning it is important to realize that a student who is new to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has not built the perception of what “correct” or “good” feels like. This is built over time, with feedback and reflection.  For this reason it is important to select a good training partner and encourage students to be helpful while assisting someone who is learning a move for the first time. Listed below are some basic guidelines to reinforce good training dynamics between students.

Be Compliant.

A good training partner is compliant and non-resistant.  One of the greatest things about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the frequency of live resistance training.  Remind students that while in practice they are trying to help their training partners succeed in the movement.  It is our natural inclination to resist submissions and body controls, but this needs to be overcome to build a sense of what doing the technique correctly feels like.  There will be plenty of failure even with a helpful partner.

Break It Down.

Break it Down- If the movement requires the training partner to have any timing, or a transition in timing, it may be necessary to break the movement down into smaller chunks. It is ok to teach the entry separately from the finish to allow the training partner an opportunity to work on the transition as well.  After all, there are two people practicing and we should not lose sight of the fact that being a good training partner often takes an understanding of space and movement.  

Give Instruction.

Make sure when giving instruction that you talk about what a “good training partner” does.  This includes proper starting position, hand position, weight distribution and any transitions that you wish the student to make.  While demonstrating the technique I feel like many instructors only focus on what they are doing and forget that newer students may not have proper responses and/or movements.  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not intuitive and by giving proper instructions to both students you will find that the whole lesson goes smoother.

Explain the Why.

Explain the Why—Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not intuitive and sometimes keeping up with what you’re supposed to be doing is difficult.  By building a better understanding of WHY a training partner is doing something will often lead to a greater understanding of the technique.  Better understanding = better practice. 

Provide Feedback.

Provide feedback to the training partners as often as you do the practicing student.  Children work off positive reinforcement and often I see all of that feedback given to the child who is practicing the movement.  Praising a child that is being a good training partner is an important aspect of motivation for proper practice, even when it’s not their turn.

Assist.

Encourage students to assist their partner with the same enthusiasm that they practice the movement.  Feeling the development and execution has a lot of value when it comes to defensive grappling.