There's a place in my jiu-jitsu journey when it hit me... Jiu-jitsu is mine. My body mechanics. My style of learning and application of techniques... Jiu-jitsu is mine to learn, and everyone can help me learn... Ultimately, it is on me to learn! Edit: I wrote this before the end of your video... We agree then! You're awesome, brother!

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

One hundred percent buddy! That’s the goal and message I want people to think for themselves and understand that ultimately they need to be their own coach and develop their own understanding

@magcitrate

Жыл бұрын

Truth. My professor frowned on me when I was drilling wrist locks with a Buddy. He says “don’t do that, you don’t need it.” Wtf. I’m curious and I want to learn. Lots of stuff, we have to teach ourselves… 😞 This realization hit me a few months into Blue. I pay for the monthly membership just to roll with others now. Almost 99% I learn is from instructionals I buy online. I find that John Danaher’s vids are a good starting point, as he goes into so much detail.

@charles9571

Жыл бұрын

Amen

As a coach I've made a decision years ago to guide my teaching by studying what the world's best are doing, parallel that with my own knowledge and share that with my students. My own innate knowledge is limited if there's an area that I'm not great at, I'll admit it, and I'll make sure to transmit what other top coaches are teaching. All coaches should be studying. You don't know it all. Always remain a student!!

I'm a 4th degree black belt and I feel like I can't learn enough. There is always new stuff or stuff I haven't seen

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

It’s crazy my list of position to go through and evolve on is always getting larger no matter how much you work on staying up to date.

@jasonkeaton5140

Жыл бұрын

@JonThomasBJJ yes Then you have a buddy visit and they show you mind blowing stuff. LOL Then back to the drawing board . It is fun though. Why would you ever want your game to grow stale ?

@andrewwright2543

Жыл бұрын

that's why I love it, you can never master it, so there's always more to learn

@jasonkeaton5140

Жыл бұрын

@@andrewwright2543 exactl6. It's fun

This is such a great point. My first BJJ coach was a Gracie Barra guy who didn’t ever acknowledge his own limitations. I didn’t realize how much that hurt my BJJ progression until I moved and had a new Professor who didn’t shy away from saying, “I don’t use that position much myself but try this and report back”. It’s honestly more impressive to me to acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers.

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I think it’s something a lot of people feel makes them look bad, but really doesn’t. That’s why I made the video I wanted people especially students to understand that a coach shouldn’t need to know everything. They just show what they do know and be a positive influence and guide.

If there's one thing I've figured out its that the feeling of having something all figured out is a sure sign of not having it figured out. There is always more to learn and it's better to learn than to be right. This inability to say I don't know and to learn from everyone seems to be at the root of all division in our world. Good stuff man!

I can’t be the only one that wanted Roger to come out of the background and throw Jon into some Worm guard right then.

Seminars are so important....it's tough as a gym owner to travel sometimes. So we bring the specialist in so as an instructor my students and I can both learn from this source. Ot also shows that as an instructor I am willing to get on the mats with my students and drill this new technique. They need to see that I am also always a student and they should be as well.

So well explained. Also reassuring. When I got to late purple belt I realized even if I get to black belt it was simply another step in an ongoing journey of learning.

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yup and when you get to black belt you realize it just keeps going there is no moment where you are like now I get it!

I actually really like this video as I feel like a lot of big gyms are cults and because of that people fall in and into a trap of accepting a system of jiu jitsu sold when I think that people should find and use what works best for them. And in regards to cult like behavior I feel like it can be an issue with any gym with any major blackbelt who has a somewhat big following within Jiu Jitsu. I recently left a gym like that and feel that people can get a little bit complacent and limit their potential with what they can do , or eventually accomplish.

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yeah absolutely a lot of places have a cult like mentality. Team spirit is good but the individual spirit and creativity matters a lot.

Being honest with yourself and your students about your competency and confidence level with humility is a huge “green flag” for a coach. Uber confidence regardless of topic, huge red flag (but like you say, may be good to listen to with a grain/truck of salt)

I love the formats of these videos. This is the B-side of coaching that is really lacking (imo). Appreciate all the videos and the quality you deliver!

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yeah I think it’s a great way to provide value as well. So much of learning is the off the mat stuff and learning methodology. So I’m enjoying sharing these kinds of videos

The title is pure click bait. The content is excellent. The bottom line is that you can trust your coach. You and your coach must understand the natural limitations of their ability.

I love the point you made about knowing where to be at the right time

So well said 👍🏼 Thanks Coach for sharing ❤

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

No problem thanks for listening

Outstanding info and thank for the effort of making these points! The number one point that grabbed my attention was belts don't really mean anything.......for me this is a double edge because yes they do mean something, but yet they do not. My brother, who trained for almost 10 years before I started, and who unfortunately, no longer trains, told me my first week on the mat that belts mean nothing and you will eventually get to a point to where you realize that.....and I am there now after almost 10 years of training. I am amazed by how fast some people learn and apply bjj skills in a variety of situations and how they can transition between moves so easily. I flow rolled with a white belt yesterday that moved like water and was effortless and efficient. Great video and I think all new people should watch and learn from.

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yeah absolutely what matters is movements in positions. Sometimes I will work a position and it works well vs most black belts then some white belt will have a weird response that is annoying in the position and I will talk with them about what they are doing and try to figure out why it’s causing problem.

I am a biochemist graduate, and i have found that the tools from research science translate to BJJ / Judo extremely effectively. It is not that i distrust my coach, it is that 'more supporting information leads to a more accurate conclusion'. Even if my coach was an expert in a given guard, i would still do more research; all he has done is expedited 70- 95% of the literature/information i need, but that does not mean my personal argument/technique is fully supported yet. Then when we get into the idea of differential body types, mechanics, and approaches, one must end up with an idiosyncratic conclusion about the technique you're learning. A hierarchy is formed with the most applicable details for your specific argument to be placed first, and the least, the last (and probably forgotten). This means when i teach the beginners class, i too am by definition a "good, but not fully reliable" source - not to mention human error which occurs along the way when teaching and communicating. Nothing in this approach is insulting to anyone, it is always the interpretation, as you say. Although i know what you mean about "you can't trust" your coach, my pedants argument is that it isn't about trust, it is about doing what's right for your learning, regardless of who is teaching. Good video as always, hopefully i'll see you in Canada soon :)

I am a white belt and i learn so much from all of your videos !! Thank you prof jon!!

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

No problem happy it helped! And hope it made you think about learning in general.

The first time I tried a Jiu Jitsu class was in 8th grade, I trusted the coach and he appreciated me going 100% percent. One time we were practicing throws, and I was thrown with my weight on my fingers. One finger got swallen fast so I asked my coach to rest on the side while others trained, he refused by stating something like "no, here we don't rest while training". Turns out I My finger got sprained and I left.

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yeah it’s stuff like this that makes me want to discuss topics like this. It’s kind of random where you end up starting you can’t control who the person truly is, so thinking about it your self is reasonable and worth deciding to move on or not

There are certain parallels when it comes to arts and passions of all kinds. Be they martial, music, dance, writing, any of them. Sure, lots of people play piano. No one will ever play it exactly like you do though. No one has your exact touch and expression. Likewise, many painters can all be painting the same scene. But no two paintings will end up being completely alike. Jiu Jitsu is no exception to this. It truly is our own thing at the individual level. No one person's influence should be gospel. It seems best to just be like a sponge. Therefore, for me, even if I'm not a white belt anymore, I will never not be a white belt. Great video man! 👍

I left a coach years ago due to behavior I wasn't keen on and it was the right thing to do. That opened my whole BJJ world up.

Great video!

I'm very fortunate to have a coach to goes out of his way to bring in people with innovative, modern jiu jitsu, and athletes that are excelling at a position that he might not have the most knowledge about. It's great.

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yeah very fortunate for sure. It’s great when I travel and see gyms that are focused on bringing people in and evolving the game for everyone.

I have had the great privilege of not having had any coaches yet that feel the need to be seen as having all the answers. All mine have been happy to refer to other coaches or high level students for the answer.

I'm just a one stripe purple belt, at a gym with 500 members. I'm lucky our coach encourages cross training and delegates well to other coaches for expertise in certain situations. He's a great leader and I've grown well into my own unique style that he's encouraged me to develop. So lucky!

@CaleCoast

Жыл бұрын

I definitely use a lot of his stuff, have won tournaments with the technique he taught, but I've added styles and techniques over the years from other gyms I've visited and rolled with. The other lead coach will watch KZread with me to work on new technique. It's so awesome not to be in a cult

Always keeping things 100 !

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Doing my best!

I love the idea of being a research lab. My old instructor was so offended by trying to adapt the technique to my attributes that I just go I to robot mode now when drilling

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I think it’s important you understand what the coach is trying to show too, but also should learn from external sources as well,

I wish there was a better culture on cross training, I’ve found a ton of coaches teach the same stuff they learned like 15 years ago aswell.

@dragoph

Жыл бұрын

Not that it’s outdated, technique from back then works just as well today, but they don’t seem to update their knowledge and are stuck in the past

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yeah if you really want to stay relevant on the long run you have to really love the sport. It’s the only way.

I wish I could get students to learn externally. I am constantly looking for new info, even external to jiujitsu. Wrestling judo sambo... There is so much out there and I can't learn it all on my own :(

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely the group needs to work as a collective hive mind, to learn. That’s how we do it, of course I always show my techniques and provide leadership but try to push people to learn for themselves.

When I coach can’t admit their wrong, especially when it comes to webbing a STUDENT that’s when you need to find a new coach

I was just remarking the other day how a group of us who all started together a decade ago have completely different games and styles. One guy loves loop chokes, one guy loves arm triangles, one guy loves butterfly guard, another z-guard, etc. and we're members of the same gym and have the same coach! I have a question my coach couldn't answer and would love to hear other people's opinions: I'm trying to hit an Ezekiel choke from the back/Triple-Threat and I was taught to slip my fingers inside my sleeve. Would it be better or worse to slip my thumb in instead?

My main jujitsu coach is absolutely awesome and is always evolving and helping the class. However, extra study for my personal use is really helpful. I'll pick through content when I have a question that's more specific to me. I have a black belt in judo but I'm actually only one or two really good throws. If someone asks about another then I usually tell them that I understand the basic concepts but i would look elsewhere for better instruction

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yeah for sure, learning from other sources is never going to take away from the coaches. And when you give advice to people to look elsewhere for more data it’s great and I think reflect positively on you coaching.

hello prof jon !. can you please give me an advice on how to deal with coach expectations because before i enjoy and always happy when i train but when my coach put expectations in me ,i feel like i am a soldier training to follow orders not to lose any rolls

My Coach, Uncle Black Belt Bobby is putting an emphasis on principles.. not the move but helping me to understand the principles behind what makes the move work… keeping me open to discover innovation by allowing me to understand why a move works and how I can apply those principles in various situations

We should all have healthy egos… professors included. I would rather hear “I’m not sure, let me figure it out and get back to you” instead of hearing they’re insecure quick answer.

been training 4 year 5 time a week , getting better every-week , higher belt struggle to tap me still white , im like my coach hate me or im missing something the bar seems always higher and higher

Are you coming to sweden ADCC INVATIONALS

This is 100% true 👍

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Happy you liked the video buddy

@gunner3613

Жыл бұрын

@@JonThomasBJJ i love all your videos , we have similar style of game so your techniques are really helpful, but your explanation of how and why a move works is amazing!

When I (white) get advice from the upper belts (purple/brown) I also try to filter how applicable their advice is to my situation. For example, a purple belt telling me that I'm telegraphing too much and he can anticipate my movements. I'm not disagreeing with his assessment. But if I have one half-baked move for the position we're in, then my immediate room for growth is not "stop telegraphing", it's learning more techniques in that position and drilling them to a competent level. Then I can worry about whether or not I'm telegraphing. Maybe I'm wrong. Overall I get good advice from this guy. I just think sometimes he forgets what color is wrapped around my waist when he gives me advice. I used to teach Taekwondo, and I certainly made that mistake when I was new at teaching.

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I saw always try to apply what they are saying because they probably know things you don’t so it’s good to trust, but also learn from other sources as well and pay attention over time that they are showing legitimate stuff and are a good person. I have taught students stuff in past now that I would say don’t do it that way.

All Is about styles

👍

purple belt here... great vid, very true

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot buddy!

100% agreed

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot buddy! Happy you enjoyed it!

@dragoph

Жыл бұрын

See u next Friday!

Ur coach will stock u on social media

@dragoph

Жыл бұрын

I’ve heard of this happening lol 😂😂😂

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

Haha definitely happens

Algo

Coaches are sus

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

They can be but plenty of great ones too

Although I agree with the obvious traits that make a bad coach, people should 100% trust their coach if they have a good impression and no red flags from them. Good coaches will understand your path, your weaknesses, and they're a coach for a reason. Listening to them in the beginning is the best thing you can do. Going on KZread is the worst thing you can do as a beginner, as 1) a lot of content on KZread is not quality content when it comes to BJJ and also taught by bad coaches, and 2) you won't have the knowledge to understand what the full context is on a lot of the transitions or positions you'll see, and 3) You might learn something quite dangerous without knowing the consequence to you or your training partner by doing it wrong (or reacting to it wrong). I think KZread is a great source for blue belt + practitioners... but as a white belt you should really focus on what your coach is looking for, learn the fundamentals and learn the greater context of BJJ. Online information should only ever be supplemental, not a replacement for a real coach that works with you all the time. For example, Gordon might take seminars and watch other people's videos, but John is going to be his go-to. John knows Gordon probably better than Gordon knows Gordon lol. And if you have a feeling your coach isn't a good teacher, try to find another. But I get it, business is business, and you and many others make a partial or full living off of ad-rev and selling videos and all that. In the end though, definitely find a coach you can trust, and learn from them. If they see you're ignoring their advice and just watching KZread, it won't do you any favors in the coach/student relationship either, and that in itself can be a problem.

@JonThomasBJJ

Жыл бұрын

The only thing is that you don’t know who their coach is. The same way you described there is bad content on KZread, there absolutely is bad content in person as well. So the point isn’t that they shouldn’t listen to their coach or trust them. They should just pay attention to them and most coaches are good and open to learning from multiple situations. As I explained in the video too, you need to pay attention to credibility and competence. I think the general message of the video if you listened to the whole thing was very positive about coaches and listening to them.

@goku-pops7918

Жыл бұрын

I disagree on the point about online content. Most online content is great. You very rarely come across bad content, maybe the worst is fancy stuff that is low percentage in sparring. But still sparks the imagination