Bad Coaching & Parenting...Are you Guilty of This?

(Link for mobile users: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie9FvX0Yyy0&feature=youtu.be)

I am not a fan of public shaming but I feel like there are examples where this should be done.  The goal isn't necessarily to single any one individual out but to be more aware how we as coaches, instructors, and even parents should treat our children.  This is not limited to sports by any means. There is a fine line between being firm as an instructor but we should focus on building our kids up. They WILL make mistakes both on and off the mat.  I am not a proponent of babying kids and ignoring their mistakes but it should be a focus to help them LEARN from their mistakes.  Tearing kids down as shown in this video is a terrible way of helping kids learn from their losses.  This kind of behavior isn't tolerated in our gym.  If you find yourself doing this as a coach or a parent, I implore you to reconsider about how this may affect them.

1.  Is this sport or activity for them or is it for YOU?
2. Do you know how difficult this is for your child?
3. Have you yourself tried this activity?
4. Is it more important to YOU or your child to succeed?
5. What are they learning from the experience?

Remember a few things that I can assure you that your child will go through.

1. They do not want to disappoint you (Parents & Coaches)
2. They do not want to fail because who likes to lose?
3. They will experience stress from the above two items
4. They WILL lose some but hopefully they will also win some as well

If you are a parent that is incredibly tough on your children like what is seen in this video I ask that you work on making yourself a better parent.

1. Back OFF!  Let the coaches do their job and TALK to them.  Get feedback to determine what they could have done better.  If you have a coach like this...I recommend finding a new gym.

2. If you can't do the above then you should reconsider taking part in activities such as BJJ practice and especially tournaments.  I have seen parents here and there that simply cannot control themselves while watching their kids roll & compete.  This may not be the sport for you or your child.

You kids are already participating in a very tough sport and they need YOUR support.

If you are a coach and are guilty of treating your students like this then YOU should reconsider working with children or coaching entirely.  It's our job to make these kids better on and off the mats. They need to have their self-esteem built up, not destroyed.

I'll finish this up by saying that as a parent, if you find your kids in an atmosphere that is not healthy for the development of your child IMMEDIATELY get in touch with the coach or head instructor. If the issues cannot be resolved then it's time to look for a better environment.  Not everyone can be a world champion in this sport but this should be fun, a learning experience, and an opportunity to grow.

Five Grappling Tournament Returning for Texas 2

I had the pleasure of meeting of couple of the gentleman that run this national grappling organization earlier this year.  They made a big effort to tour around the future locations of their planned tournaments, meet with gym owners, pass out their posters and flyers, etc.  It was a nice opportunity to put names with faces and get an idea of what they are trying to accomplish.  I feel this organization is growing and headed in the right direction.  For the most part, IBJJF has been the big dog of grappling tournaments and many strive to replicate their standard but Five Grappling offers a wonderful alternative for all age groups without some of the negatives associated with IBJJF.  Don't get me we wrong...I do support IBJJF and consider it a prestigious organization to compete for but there are some issues such as added costs for membership cards for juvenile, brown, & black belt competitors among other issues that turns people away.    

So let's look at some things that I like about Five Grappling as compared to IBJJF.

1. Annual membership cards NOT required for juvenile, brown, & black belt competitors

2. Discounted pricing for multiple divisions.  ie: $90 for 1, $20 for each additional

3. Website / Registration is much easier to navigate allowing for division change options to be selected

4. Some of the event posters advertise specials like "Small batch run of Shoyoroll gi's for sale" among many other cool things like DVD instructionals, and an opportunity to win a documentary about YOU by BJJ famed documentary ninja Stuart Cooper.  

5. Kids divisions are a plus / IBJJF has separate tournaments generally in California just for the kids.

6. Website is laid out very well and easy to navigate.  Rules, videos, results, pics are all posted and easy to find.  

7. Both Gi & Nogi division the same weekend.  IBJJF doesn't do this as often. 

8. All competitors receive a t-shirt and gi backpack 

9. Lastly is more of a personal note from me.  Five Grappling is new and it's a little different.  Competition is a good thing.  Five Grappling appears to be committed to evolving the way they run tournaments and adapt their scoring system if it makes sense. They are actively soliciting opinions on their Facebook page that are brought to panel meetings for consideration.  

Five Grappling is committed to bringing in high level talent.  At numerous events they've brought in the talents of Keenan Cornelius, Clark Gracie, McKenzie Dern, and the list goes on.  Looking over the competitors list from Texas 1 last April I would expect no less...actually a bigger turnout since they are gaining momentum. Five Grappling has grown since their first big tour and now unfolding their second tour of tournaments across the country.  

(Link for mobile users: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqjaT2i0wzQ&list=PLa96ITUSiCCnPKy_3qP8wjveZHKRNkbug&index=1

Time is ticking, don't wait and miss registering early for the savings and opportunities.  Main Page: http://www.fivegrappling.com/

Register for Texas 2 NOW: http://www.fivegrappling.com/events/texas2/

Early Registration ends after September 4, 2014

Registration closes: September 29, 2014 or when 1500 competitors reached