The picture above was taken by a Renzo Gracie Portland Academy student. It depicts the number of class participants in the introductory course when it started, and below how many people were left in the end.
Business and marketing aside, Brazilian jiu-jitsu has a lot of aspects that create a harsher environment for the casual observer just looking to join in on the fun.
Here are some training related tips you might want to consider if you’re looking to cultivate a better white belt population:
Many beginners feel slightly adrift when they start classes. The abnormally huge drop out rate makes the ones that stick with bjj fairly disinterested and reluctant to get invested into someone they’ve just met. This is why friendly atmosphere in general is one of the best things you could provide. Most adults who are looking to engage in a physical hobby want to work on themselves but also be a part of something bigger.
This is why team building skills are quite relevant even in a sport that could be considered individual- include new members in activities inside and outside the gym and support them, and urge them to support others when the opportunity presents itself.
Depending on the size of your gym, some will have fundamentals classes while others will make dues with what they have. The average instructor spends between 5-10 years practicing bjj before getting in this position which means they’ve already distanced themselves a bit from the experience – this is why it’s important to provide a student with a basic list of standard positions or urge them to look them up themselves. BJJ terminology can be confusing to complete outsiders (and there’s often plenty of terms mixed in from other grapple arts)- ask a random person you meet could they tell the difference between halfguard and something called 50/50 and you’ll have your answer…
Some people believe that sparring could be counter effective in the first 6 months. There’s even a Gracie breakdown episode focusing on it. And sure enough getting murdered repeatedly might not foster the enthusiasm in multitudes. This is why some schools have a policy that limits more advanced students that roll with beginners. The rule some go by is that a non spaz* white belt with less than 2 stripes cannot be submitted – you’re only supposed to threaten subs but assert positional dominance. This helps encourage newbies to think and transition as opposed to smashing them and or repeatedly having them land in banana split.
In house competitions are another great method of fostering the team spirit and inspiring growth. This will provide ample opportunities for beginners to compete without all the anxiety attached to public performances. Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet has frequent in house competitions and as of the last EBI, the victor has a rite of passage to the team spots in EBI.The prize doesn’t really have to be anything EBI like because let’s face it – most of the time you actually pay to compete in bjj and even if you win you barely break even.
Constant feedback is always a must. Many times somebody starting up will be under the impression they’re not making headway because at the same time while they’re learning something everybody else is also learning it along. It really helps to hear both good and bad feedback as often as possible. Being a black belt means making it through with motivation, persistence and endurance but it also means fostering an environment that helps others push themselves. One psychological factor worth considering is assertiveness. When giving negative feedback it’s best to be open but also devoid of sarcasm or irony. Just straight forward feedback will help.
