John Danaher draws a sharp distinction between how rigid and how flexible his coaching becomes, depending on a student’s level.

In simple terms, he “lets a bit more loose” when the basics are learned.
However, up until then, he is going to be as thorough as need be:

At the level of fundamentals and basics, I’m a dictator. I won’t let anything go at the basic level.

You’ve got to have good escapes, the fundamental movements of the sport, elbow escaping, the fundamental body movements, bridging, shrimping.
I won’t let you go with your own individual initiative on these things.

These are fundamentals that everyone, regardless of body type, regardless of age, regardless of belt level, everyone has to have them. If you don’t have them, you never going to amount to anything.

Danaher compared learning Jiu-Jitsu to a group of mechanics working on the same engine:

Your actions, no matter where you are, are only going to be as orderly and efficient as the thoughts that govern them.

A very good way to have a well ordered and well governed mind in the sport of jiu-jitsu is that clear sense of what the moves are, be precise.
If your thoughts are vague, your actions are going to be vague, and as a result you’ll have less success on the mat.

Once a student has that foundation in place, Danaher said his approach shifts:

At the advanced level, I’m a Libertarian. I’ll let you do whatever your personality and your body type make you favor.

I’ve always said with students that ultimately in the long run, the game that you favor will be determined by your body type and your personality.

Some people are more aggressive, some people are more risk takers, some people are more introspective, some people are short, tall, fat, etc. I never try to enforce what kind of game you’ll develop at the advanced level.

So yes, I’m a dictator at the basics, but at advanced level I’m very much a libertarian.

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