Contributing to the Development of your Team:

Much like our technical understanding of Jiu-Jitsu grows and the colors of our belts change, we should strive to improve upon the quality of our contributions to our training partners. Having established the importance of contributing to the development of your teammates in an earlier post, I thought it would be fun to share my perspective on what that development looks like:

•The beginning: 
When a student first starts out they lack any technical understanding of the art, while this may be the case, they can still make a significant contribution to a class through their attitude and appreciation. Our attitudes are contagious, by bringing one of enthusiasm it can can motivate not only those around us, but brings joy to an instructor. I truly believe the greatest gift a teacher can receive is a student eager to learn. It is possible to bring that attitude from the very first day and the most enjoyable people to train with have been ones who maintain that spirit.

The challenger: Every practitioner brings a unique set of attributes with them and at this point they have learned techniques to utilize them to present a challenge in sparring. Passing spider guard against a lanky student, neutralizing the strength of a strong or speed of a fast one, escaping the weight of a larger opponent, or perhaps trying to maintain position against a smaller teammate. At this phase our individual progress begins to challenge our sparring partners and in turn makes them better for it.

•Technical understanding: The practitioners technical understanding has now reached a point that they can utilize it to develop others. They are able to competently teach techniques, point out minor adjustments needed for another's individual physical properties and can discuss and develop the intricacies of a technique with others. Students that reach this level are a great blessing to a school and are able to significantly advance the team.

•The Example: Perhaps they have realized significant success in the tournament arena, have accumulated a wealth of technical knowledge that they continually contribute to others or they are feared "mat sharks" that dominate rolls. For any number of reasons they are admired, respected, and looked up to. The practitioner receives a lot of responsibility at this point. Your teammates will be looking to emulate your example and they should strive to represent one that is worthy of being followed.

•Leadership Development: "Organizations rise and fall on leadership." -John Maxwell. One leader in any organization of life leaves a single point of failure. The ability to grow leaders is one of the most challenging areas of life and it is possible to achieve great personal success in JiuJitsu without ever cultivating this ability as it is removed from technical proficiency and competitive ability. A practitioner who reaches this level though is able to make contributions to their team that makes an impact that carries beyond the confines of the mat. There a number of individuals that possess this trait that are my personal heroes. They are rewarded with successful organizations and a legacy that will last long after they stop training

About the Author:

Steven McMahon earned his Kyuki-Do Black Belt in 2011 from Grand Master Kim at Kim's Black Belt Academy and his  BJJ Purple Belt in January 2017 under Professor Charles Nunley. He trains out of Cornerstone BJJ in Fayetteville, NC. He is an active competitor at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Army Combatives tournaments.