The Top Ways to Annoy Your Instructor and Higher Belts

In Jiu-Jitsu, respect is not just a word, but an action that goes far beyond the mats. We are taught to respect our instructors, training partners, and the hierarchy of the belt system. Sometimes our attitudes, egos, and ignorance get in the way and we do things (most times unintentional) to annoy our instructors and training partners...

Talking while the instructor or higher belt is demonstrating a technique.

This is one of the most disrespectful things someone (not just a lower belt, but anyone) can do. Sometimes people take it a step further and “correct” the instructor because it is not the same way that they saw it on YouTube, learned it from someone else, or because their way works better. Everyone has their own way of doing something and we adapt our BJJ to our size and strength, however, there is a time and place to discuss the intricacies of a position. During an instructional is not. And don’t bother trying to re-teach the move to your partner in the way that YOU learned it or like better – trust me, your instructor can hear you… and is annoyed.

Using size as an excuse to explain why they just got dominated by a higher belt.

“Hey, you’re really strong. How much do you weigh?” after a roll can be taken as a backhanded comment after rolling with the higher belt whose technique and proper use of pressure was misinterpreted for using too much strength or pushing their weight around. And never avoid rolling with a higher belt because you don’t want to “lose.” The best way to get better is to learn to adapt in different situations.

Talking too much during a roll.

As stated in #1, there is a time and place to discuss the intricacies of a technique or position. During a live roll is not one of them. Don’t ask how your partner did something in the middle of a roll. Also, if you accidentally hit them in the face or body, do not over-apologize. Say sorry and move on. Ask for details after the live sparring is over when you can dedicate more attention to what the higher belt can teach you.

If you don’t know the basics, don’t ask to learn fancy moves.

Before you learn to walk, you need to learn how to crawl. The same goes for BJJ, if you don’t have a solid foundation of the basics, it will be very difficult for you to learn advanced moves (i.e. the berimbolo). Just because you saw it on YouTube and it looked like a really cool move, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to work for you – at least not right now if you don’t know the foundation of the move. We have an unlimited amount of time to learn BJJ – why rush it and cheat yourself?

As we progress through the belts, it is likely that we see less of these annoying behaviors (although they still exist). It is important to understand that while “joking around” with friends at the academy adds to a fun BJJ experience, there’s a time and place for everything. Sometimes it is acceptable and sometimes it’s downright annoying. Know when the difference is and spare yourself being “that guy” (or gal) in class.