Larry Lonis

Larry Lonis - The primary focus of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lesson is to furnish the student with the fundamental aspects and moves they will confront in a basic class. An effective introductory lesson will put the student at ease by providing an outline of the regular classes and letting them ask questions pertaining to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

It is extremely important for the Instructor to capitalize on this opportunity to connect with the individual and give them as much information as possible to ensure they make an informed decision. A potential Jiu-Jitsu practitioner needs to know the style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu being taught and the ability of the instructors to relate the techniques and positions to them before they join the academy.

The Instructor is going to be determining the physical attributes of the student, the way the individual processes the techniques and movements, and what they hope to get out of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. All these factors need to be scrutinized to produce a favorable class.

A good Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Intro class will follow a structure that has the prospective student getting a workout, learning something new, and having a good time. These 3 factors are an essential element to making sure the individual get the best training possible.

Structure to Introductory Class

The start of any physical activity begins with a warm up. The warm up gets the body ready for increased physical demands and decreases the chance of injury. Perform light calisthenics for 3 to 5 minutes using a routine of various exercises that get the whole body involved.

Show and practice a set of basic techniques that the person will be able to grasp. Explain the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu terminology as you put the student in various positions to show them the techniques and movements as you transition in and out of moves. Let the individual drill a series of moves that guide them into other positions or techniques. A good example would be: passing the closed guard, secure side control, and move to mount position.

It is required that the student understand how to Tap from a submission before the introductory class is finished. It is essential that the individual understands that everyone gets caught and tapping is what prevents them from getting injured. Make sure to cover the types of submissions that are allowed in the academy and if the situations change at different belt ranks.

Do not do any live training in the introductory class, but it is necessary to explain to them why it is implemented in the training. Explain the difference of position rolling compared to starting a roll from the knees and the benefits of each.

The class ends with a few stretching techniques and go over the outline of the class one last time. This is the time to make sure all of the individual's questions have been answered and they have an understanding of the fundamental class structure. The primary goal of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lesson is to make the learning process enjoyable right from the start.
Larry Lonis