So, you’ve been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a while and you slowly, but surely, came to a realization: „My BJJ instructor is not that perfect after all!“ Well, of course he isn’t – instructors are humans too and, as everyone, have their shortcomings and make their mistakes in one way, shape or form every now and then.
However, what if you start thinking that your instructor is not just „non-perfect“, but that he, well… Kind of sucks? That they aren’t giving you what you think you need in order to progress more? Let’s discuss that for a second.
THERE’S TOO MUCH KNOWLEDGE OUT THERE FOR YOUR INSTRUCTORS, BUT NOT FOR YOU
Alright, let’s get one thing straight for a second: even the best of the best, world-class instructors don’t know everything. They may know a lot of things, and about some peculiar things they may know a heck of a lot more than you could even imagine – but the scope of Jiu Jitsu knowledge that exists is simply far too immense for anyone to study, learn and teach it all. Therefore, the reason why your coach may not show you something in class is because they, themselves, don’t feel as if they know it well enough – which is human!
Another reason, which ties in with the first one, is that it may be that your instructor has never been exposed to an aspect of the BJJ game that you’re after.
Say, for example, that you want to learn how to Heelhook and Berimbolo – but your coach comes from a more traditional training background, where he wasn’t urged to practice and learn these techniques to begin with… Therefore, he ends up not showing them to the class.
So, what can you do then? Well, it’s quite simple, actually: sure, your coach may not be showing you something that you want to learn, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn it! All you need is a reliable training partner or two and the willingness to dive into the vast quantities of BJJ knowledge, available at your fingertips.
Yes, at your fingertips! Youtube tutorials, instructionals, books… Knowledge has never been more easily accessible, and the same holds true for BJJ-related learning material. So – dive in, find a breakdown that explains that technique you’re after and drill it with your training partners, before or after regular training practice.
BUT… I JUST DON’T LIKE MY COACH!
Now, while you may not get everything you would like to get from your coach, the chances are – if you like your coach for who they are, how they communicate and address you and your training partners – that you’ll continue on training in your BJJ academy.
However, what if your instructor turns out to be a total prick? What if you start figuring out that they are, to put it bluntly – bad?
You may come to understand that they don’t treat you with respect, that they act degradingly towards other students, or that they have moral shortcomings outside of BJJ that you just can’t get over… Whatever the case may be, the answer is the same: if the environment you train and roll in is negative, then get out of it. That holds true both for the people you train with, as well as for the people who are there to train you.
In that case, just turn away and find another school. For, let’s face it: no matter how good the training sessions themselves may be, you need an academy where you can trust your coach – and grow your roots in a positive, uplifting and honest environment.
The post What Do You Do If Your BJJ Instructor is Terrible? appeared first on Bjj Eastern Europe.