Role of a BJJ instructor

Role of a BJJ instructor is Trust: It’s important to understand that I never coach INDIVIDUALS, I coach the ROOM. Only when the whole room is on the program can individuals rise to their potential. Of all the characteristics I try to preach upon the room, one of the most important is TRUST. My students are renown for their ability to escape from seemingly hopeless situations, specialize in the use of potentially very damaging types of joint locks, and focusing on submission above all. This is only possible because the students trust each other to train hard, but not to recklessly try to hurt each other. In an art where victory comes from holds designed to snap limbs and choke people unconscious, there has to be an understanding among the teammates that they will train hard, but not recklessly. If I know my partner will not try to immediately snap on an arm lock as hard and fast as he can, this gives me the confidence to practice my escapes and get a feeling for what I need to do in a more competitive situation. The rule with joint locks that I always preach in the room, you can extend the limb but not hyperextend the limb. Focus on control of the limb rather than snapping it. This keeps it realistic enough for students to practice and acquire skills but safe enough to give them confidence to try out risky escapes and counters they will need in top level competition settings. Here, one of our Savarese BJJ Academy students (www.njbjj.com) practices her last ditch escapes against armbars with our student Ivette who gives her realistic tension but not dangerous hyperextension. In this way, you can practice even the more extreme elements and skills of Jiu-Jitsu in a safe manner.