Jiu-Jistu Seminars, Are They Useful?

My jiu-jistu school, Caveirihna Jiu-Jitsu Family (CJJF), has had a lot of seminars lately. At one point there was a seminar every other weekend. And there are more seminars to come. It got me wondering if seminars are actually useful for me or are they more a way to bring exposure to the school.

The big draw of a seminar seems is an opportunity to learn new techniques from high level jiu-jitsu practitioners. And while it's true that we learn some really cool techniques, I find that I don't really remember them. It's because the techniques we learn at a seminar are really specific to the guest instructor. They don't really fit in my jiu-jitsu game or the style in which Professor Caveirihna teaches at CJJF. Also, without repeating the techniques in day-to-day training it's really easy to forget what was learned at a seminar.

What I do find to be useful is understanding the concept behind a technique. For example, Bruno Fernandez held a seminar and he showed us some good techniques to transition into armbars and bow-and-arrow chokes. I don't remember the specific steps but what I do remember is that both techniques utilized a strong grip on your opponent's lapel. Bruno only briefly mentioned the importance of a strong grip but I realized that was the concept behind the techniques he showed us. Having a strong grip established will create submission opportunities.

We had another seminar where the guest instructor, I forget his name but he helped Anderson Silva get started in jiu-jitsu, taught us several pathways to work a sweep from the guard depending on what your opponent does. Sort of like a map of what to do if your opponent moves left, or moves right, or stands up, and so on. It's a really good thing to know but the concept behind it was efficient movement. For example, if your opponent moves right you only need to move you left leg a little bit to set up a strong open guard and create a sweep opportunity. No need to move your hips or roll anywhere. Just move you leg a little and you're set.

Another benefit of a seminar is learning about the guest instructor. Learning where they come from, how they got into jiu-jitsu, the level of dedication they have for it, what else they're involved in, and so on. Learning their overall story and how jiu-jitsu fits into it is always really cool. I'll go back to Bruno Fernandez. He's a high level jiu-jitsu competitor with a remarkable pedigree. The number of championships he's won is amazing, he has a Ph.D. and has been published in a few science journals. Just goes to show that you can still accomplish a lot while involved with jiu-jitsu.

I'm sure exposer and gaining new students is always a motive for hosting a seminar. A jiu-jitsu school is a business after all. But I don't think that's the main motivation, at least not at CJJF because there hasn't been a seminar that ran us more than $40. It's more of a way to better understand the concepts behind good technique and to gain perspective of how jiu-jistu can fit into whatever life you lead. You learn jiu-jitsu as a functional, contributing part of life.

PS - If you're on Oahu, CJJF is hosting a seminar this Saturday, 8/29. Open to the public, starting at 6pm. No-Gi world champion Maycon Gordilho is stopping by. Come check it out.