Teaching BJJ?

[ronin.74]

So here's the deal. I stopped going to BJJ for awhile because the class times didn't really fit in my work schedule very well and they offered no opportunity to cross train in their facility. So I found a new place that has a great facility lots of space to cross train and quality instructors in systems like Wushu and Boxing. They also offer a groundfighting class one night a week. So I figured great I'll go check out this ground fighting class and be able to keep myself a little sharp on the ground. I go and find out that the two guys that run the class have little to know experience on the ground and was hoping I could teach them The owner of the school wants me to help them get a quality goundfighting program going but I am not sure if I should. I have a bb in Judo and I studied bjj on and off for about 3 years (still a white belt) I am just worried that I am going to piss somebody off at my old bjj school. What do you guys think? Any input would be appreciated.

[TJS]

depends how close your old BJJ school is? It certainly could cause some bad feeling to train at one school and go teach at a competing school nearby.

[UseoForce]

It sounds like a great oppurtunity. Go for it!

If you feel guilty about how your old school may feel, why don't you talk to your old instructor. Most likely he would be happy to see the proliferation of grappling arts. He may even offer advice on creating a program!

[ronin.74]

The old school is about 25 minutes away, so they are not in direct competition with one another. They mainly want to improve their grappling skills so they can teach them along side their street self defense program. I also told them that if the program was to become bigger they would need to invite an instructor from another school to come and teach it because I am not qualified.

[UseoForce]

Help them create a program, it'd be fun.

[tufrthanu]

Hmm...I know i'm not considered a BJJ fan around here BUT...Is the instructor of this new school paying you for your instruction in BJJ? I somehow doubt your old instructor would approve of you teaching the art as a white belt. However, if you asked your old instructor he might be willing to send one of his black belts over to help your new instructor get a class going. Especially if there is chance for financial recompense.

[TJS]

Also I dont doubt your a competent grappler but generally people do not teach Bjj until atleast blue belt.

[UseoForce]

He wasn't asked to create a BJJ program per-se.

He was asked to create a groundfighting program.

Therefore, he can combine everything he learned in Judo, BJJ, and other styles into a groundfighting program. Despite the lack of groundfighting emphasis, a Judo black belt would still know some good stuff right?

[tufrthanu]

Well thats fine if all he wants to teach them is Judo techniques. Otherwise I don't think he should be teaching stuff that he's not supposed to be teaching. For instance I have a bb in TKD and would feel perfectly comfortable teaching newbies that as part of a larger class curriculum. However I wouldn't teach the hapkido yet as I just dont have a large enough grasp of the system to make sure that everything is done properly.

[ronin.74]

That's right people don't usually teach until they have at least reached blue belt. That's kind of the problem I'm having. I walked into a class just looking to work out and grapple and I end up being asked to demonstrate techniques. I want to roll around and practice but I don't know if I should be teaching when I myself am only a white belt. I did already tell them that after the program starts to generate more interest they should bring in someone who is more qualified. Right now they just don't have enough people to pay someone to come in and teach.