Setting the Right Culture at your Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu School

Determine if it’s Skill or Knowledge?

We all want to succeed. Nobody wants to fail.

As Jiu-Jitsu Instructors, we have to ask ourselves if we are setting up our students for failure. Are we sharing with them the right amount of information? Are we giving them the right amount of practice to develop the skill?

The world of martial arts primarily revolves around the development of the skill which is simply what we can do. Knowledge is what we know. If there are gaps in any areas, then we may need to address those through coaching.

Addressing these gaps in knowledge can be as easy as a reminder, or showing them how we think they can execute their Jiu Jitsu techniques better. Gaps in skill can be the most challenging to address. Fixing them requires practice. Lots of it.

Coaching: to a convey a valued person from where they are to where they need to be.

Effective Coaching: Question and Follow-up

Effective coaching is usually done using the Socratic method: the effective questioning. Using open-ended questions to address the gaps that students might have. If you see a student struggling to keep up with the rest, what do you do? First up, ask the student what he is struggling about. You may ask them why they are having a hard time pulling the guard or executing a take down.

Ask them what they think can work for them. Share with them the ways that you found successful in any of the situations that may apply to them. Ask them how they are going to work to achieve it. Ask them how much time and experience they will need to achieve it. Everyone works and operates at different paces.

Always remember to follow-up. Now, it need not be on an one on one session. Keep it simple and keep it short. Ask them about how they are going about their development. Ask them to show you. Your students will be more than happy to show their mentors how they have improved

Praise Them!

A compliment can go a long way. Praise them and show them that you appreciate the effort that they have exerted. Praising them always works and can motivate them in so many ways! A simple pat on the shoulder, or praising them publicly is very effective! Celebrate their achievements by giving the right amount of compliment to them.

Our school is more than a place for them to learn the art of Jiu Jitsu. It is a community and a family that sets everyone up for success. Coaching effectively can help every member. Do it effectively and see results happen