Training Family Revisited

In 2004 I set out to explain who my training family consisted of. It was one of my first blog posts ever. Shortly after that blog post, my real family grew... and grew, and I had not revisited that post until very early this morning. Nostalgia set in as I recalled my position in jiu jitsu life, pre-kids, pre-purple belt humility and really pre-Small Axe.

Many of the characters are still in play. Some have moved on (which is the nature of running a club at a University as I was in 2004). There certainly have been additions, and so I felt a revisit to this concept of 'training family' would be helpful, especially for those students who want to improve and progress efficiently.

For a detailed background of what I mean by 'Training Family', please read my post from 2004. In summary though, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tends to bond its participants together. Nothing is more humbling than defeat or recognition of ignorance. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu provides its practitioners with plenty of opportunities for both. Thus, those that stick with the art tend to be willing to weather significant storms, guide others through the same, and share in the feelings of victory. Sounds to me like some of the characteristics of a good family.

So, using the analogy of family for purposes of describing one's jiu jitsu partners and instructors, I think it is important to evaluate the 'functionality' of the family. Is your family one that puts the fun in dysfunction? Or, rather, is your family a rooted in tradition, bound for success model family. It is likely that mine and yours fall someplace in between... why? Most people like to watch Jerry Springer but also admire those that seem destined to greatness.


Since 2004, my training family has grown, spread out, and my role has increased in significance. While at IU, I viewed my students as younger brothers (because they were getting instruction from multiple instructors), I was just an older brother imparting what wisdom I could. Today, I am attempting to forge my style of BJJ, create my own students, and develop the jiu jitsu philosophy of Small Axe; all of which places me in a more fatherly role to my current students.

Father figures:

With that said, I still have Professor Caique as a Grandfatherly figure in my training family. He provides direct answers, critique, support, and direction all from a distance. He does not concern himself with my day to day matters, but rather my goals for tomorrow, next week, next month and next year.

Greg Lucas still holds the position of 'father' in my jiu jitsu training family. He is my closest instructor, monitors most closely my training, teaching, and needs. Greg has cultivated my desire to teach and encouraged my creation of my own program and philosophy of jiu jitsu.



Uncles:

There are others that I turn to for guidance, encouragement, instruction, and humbling but fall short of being my coach or instructor. I consider them 'uncles' in the family. James Clingerman, Don Cunnanan, and Pedro Elias are three such characters. Pedro is Professor Caique's son. On my journeys to California to train, Pedro has been willing to observe my practice and polish many of the rough spots in my game.

I met James through my training family brother Mat Stratta (see below). James is a huge Jiu Jitsu Force in Indiana. He runs great tournaments and produces stud grapplers. He is a wealth of knowledge and has corrected my mental mistakes with his advice. James also lets me come to his school to be humbled by his beatings.

(James Clingerman, Jack McVicker, Tim Sledd)

(Tim Sledd and Don Cunannan)

I met Don Cunannan on my first trip to WV to see my Brother and Sister-in-law. We trained together on each of my trips out there and Don gave me a fresh style to play against. He is a medical doctor, so he and I both share an interest in the academic undertaking BJJ can be.

Brothers:

Brothers are your training partners. These are folks you roll with day in and day out, or who are your contemporaries that you share a bond with. Many of my brothers were met in my IU days, but have moved on and spread out. Some have come into the family in the recent past. I consider my students brothers... even if I am in a Fatherly role.

Mat Stratta: Define 'quality human' and you have characterized this man. He is a world traveler, intelligent, and caring guy. His jiu jitsu is very smooth and coordinated. He is a fun roll for sure!

(Tim Sledd, Mat Stratta)

Buddy Mitchell: In 2006 I began training with Buddy during my lunch breaks at work. Buddy is a great student and training partner. He is listens and absorbs the techniques quickly. At just over 200lbs, Buddy is a mountain to move. I am grateful to have him train with.

(Buddy Mitchell, Professor Caique, Tim Sledd)

Kedar Bhat: Kedar and I spent several years co-running the IU BJJ Club. We handed the reigns off to Paul Hogan as we both moved into our professional careers. Kedar is a great example of how BJJ can work for the non-aggressive, self-described non-athlete. While I think Kedar is a tough guy, he will tell you he is not athletic. His jiu jitsu is fundamental, tough, and resistant to a muscling wrestler like me :)

Paul Hogan: The same thing I wrote about Paul in 2004 is true today. The additions I need to make is that he has grown into fine leader. Paul is mega smart and his jiu jitsu mirrors his ability to think outside box.

(Tim Sledd, Paul Hogan, Kedar Bhat)

Brandon Sieg: In 2005, Brandon Sieg, a master in several martial arts, opened his academy to my instruction of BJJ. He is a wealth of information about the instruction of martial arts, the motivation of the students and team building. He also has good jiu jitsu

(Evan Mannwieler, Mike Dodge, Ben Johnson are brothers that are being mentioned because they offer great support, ideas, teaching help and are sounding boards for my rants. )

Unmentioned family members: There are many. If your name is not here, that does not mean you are not a valuable family member. I have intentionally left some off and I am sure unintentionally missed others. Regardless, the goal of this post is for you to critically think about your training family and work to build one of your own.

What is a Small Axe Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt?

Since my days of instructing at Indiana University, I have seen nearly 25 people go on from raw green beginners to attain the promotion to blue belt (largely under the instruction of other blue belts). While I was at IU though, the standards and measurement were determined and shared between several instructors. I always took a reserved, conservative, approach to recommending any particular grappler to blue belt. The reason for this is the esteem I once held for the blue belt and my belief that in order to hold the blue belt with legitimacy and honor, one must possess certain qualities.



Starting Small Axe Jiu Jitsu has given me the opportunity to see if my perceptions of the value and qualities of blue belt are truly attainable or are unrealistic. Of first, and most, importance to me was to stay true to the teachings of Professor Caique and to make sure that my standards exceed his. Professor Caique has been a wonderful resource of what constitutes "roots jiu jitsu" the core fundamental techniques that make a person's jiu jitsu practical and effective. Another objective element of Professor Caique' approach to blue belt promotion, is attendance and temporal scope (time in service). Professor Caique believes that a motivated student should be approaching blue belt at some point between one and two years within service **if attendance and focus are consistent.***



Such a belief is a daunting challenge to a young instructor bent on mirroring the quality of instructor as his own (i.e. Professor Caique). So, first and foremost, I want my students who are up for promotion to blue belt to be ready by Caique's standards. Secondly, I want them to KNOW they have earned the belt and are ready to develop into the belt. If I expect them to feel comfortable and ready for the promotion, I must feel comfortable too.



In measuring what I value in a blue belt I came up with three broad criteria; technical knowledge, leadership/teaching ability, and sparring ability. Some schools will promote students if they excel at any one of the aforementioned qualities. Not me and not Small Axe Jiu Jitsu. My blue belts MUST satisfy each of the three categories.



Technical knowledge:



One of the central premises of Small Axe Jiu Jitsu is a focus on the fundamental positions, transitions, and submissions of classic Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as taught by Professor Caique. Therefore, I have prepared a list, a list of the minimum techniques, I expect the students to KNOW, in a detailed manner. This means, I expect the student to be able to perform the essential details of technique in a repeatable fashion without prompting.

The students will have been exposed to far more than is on the minimal list, but the techniques on the minimal list serves as the building blocks for the more complex or flashy technques. What is universal about the techniques that must be mastered is that they are techniques that are proven. They work from white belt to black belt.



Leadership/Teaching Ability:



I believe that teaching at an "academy" means more than just developing performers. It means creating teachers. It is because of this that my instruction is very detail oriented, and that I allow students to question everything. I want my students to think for themselves. Learning to solve jiu jitsu problems is the key to teaching bjj to newer students.



The cream will rise to the top. Teaching ability or desire to teach is important, but I want my blue belts to be leaders. My blue belts should be able to lead the warm up, take the reigns if I am sick/gone/ or dealing with administrative issues (without being asked).



I asked Professor Caique to watch Mike Dodge for blue belt promotion. He promoted Mike and this was deserved. Mike is a leader and a teacher. He (without being asked) will summon the newer student when asked to pick partners. He pays attention to the essential details and communicates them accurately to the students.



Sparring ability:



Of course performance against resistance is a factor in knowing if someone is ready for blue belt. This does not mean that the student must tap every white belt, nor does it mean that the student must be resistant to being tapped by every white belt. What I want to see is skilled grappling without the basic mistakes that lead to failure. I do not require any of my students to compete. Many choose to compete (it is fun), but it is not forced, nor is it a requirment for promotion.

In the song, "Small Axe", there is a verse that says, "And whosoever digeth a pit, shall fall in it, bury in it." When I spar with students approaching blue belt level, I expect them to make minor mistakes, but I expect them recognize the mistakes, and work to avoid making the same mistakes twice.

Conclusion: There is no conclusion. This article should be and I hope will be as organic as BJJ it itself. I drafted this post to answer a question that I see on forums all the time (e.g. "How do I know when I am close to blue belt?"). In my school, you will know you are getting close when you know the minimal techniques, can teach them, are sparring effectively, but most importantly, are taking up the roll as a leader in class.

Small Axe Jiu Jitsu Fall Class '07 Pics

2007 was a great year for the growth of Small Axe Jiu Jitsu at Gentry Martial Arts. Below is some of the group after a fun class of training. Fortunately for us, we are getting some younger guys in here that are eager to learn... this means more fun to come.

(Front Row: Lane Stocke, Colin Dodge, Joe Wiggins, Jeremiah Deckard, Mike Dodge, Jared. Back Row: Brandon Sieg, Yoshida, Matt Engle, Bill Ward, Doug Bailey, Dan Wiggins, Josh Britt, Vince (DPU), ??, ??(DPU), Tim Sledd.

EGO Fall '07 Competitors (Front: Tim Sledd, Lane 'Short-Bus' Stocke, David 'High-Speed' Yoshida, Brandon Sieg, Back: Doug Bailey, Josh Britt, Dan Wiggins, Mike Dodge, Bill Ward)

MICHIGAN OPEN PICS:

Standing Pass attempt (Tim Sledd On Top)

Working the Open Guard

(Lain Stocke 1st place! between Tim Sledd and Professor Caique)