For the past 8 years I’ve been writing curriculum for my classes. It has been important to me that my programs follow a clear, systematic approach to learning. I never wanted my students to feel like my classes were an afterthought. I had the privilege of making Jiu jitsu my full time job, I should certainly treat it as such. Each year the curriculum changed and evolved, all while basically following the same program. Notes were added, classes change, but the topics mostly stayed the same. This year I feel like I have this curriculum in a place where it should be shared with my students and friends in the Jiu jitsu community.

Have you learned the lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with you, and stood aside for you? Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you, and disputed passage with you?

Walt Whitman

These thoughts and lessons are the result of many hours of long discussions with the amazing people with whom I disagree. The passionate arguments with industry leading coaches from around the world, would end up playing the most important role in my coaching, and for this I am forever grateful.

Latest Classes and thoughts

  • Week 8: Side Control Day 4

    At this point in the block the students know what to expect. So we quickly move into our first game. Game 1: Top player is the active play and they will stay in for 3 minutes. Bottom player will alternate… Continue reading

  • Week 8: Side Control day 3

    I don’t like to spend a lot of time on submissions with beginners. I’ve always felt positional dominance and understanding is significantly more important than submissions. Everyone wants to learn submissions, but if you only focus on them without learning… Continue reading

  • Program break to share my thoughts

    At this point in the program I’m starting to see solid Jiu jitsu from my students. Some of whom are only 8 weeks into training. I think a fundamentals program is essential to a successful gym, but the gym also… Continue reading

  • Week 7: Side Control day 2

    Today we allowed our top players to advance position. I wanted to keep it narrow, so I only gave them two ways to end the rep. Either they progress to mount, or they are able to secure the back. Two… Continue reading

  • Week 7: Side Control Day 1

    To start off this block we asked for a very simple task. Hold our training partner in side control for as long as we can. Our partners can do literally anything they want. They have no rules to follow. Any… Continue reading

  • Weeks 4,5,6: Submissions

    This block marks the first time we move to a more traditional approach to classes. I want my beginners to understand and identify positions in which they could submit, but I don’t necessarily need them to perfect the submissions. I… Continue reading

  • Week 3: Guard retention day 2

    This practice was a tough one for me. I want to repeat the last practice while adding a few details, but I don’t want to overwhelm the students with guard retention dogma. The class begins with a brief explanation of… Continue reading

  • Week 3: Guard Retention Day 1

    Again, we begin our first class of the block with our 4 foundational movements. Forward rolls, backward rolls, granby rolls, and sidewinders. Today I offered a few new details on these movements, for two reasons. I wanted the movements to… Continue reading

  • Week 2: Guard Passing Day 2

    Now that my students have a bit of context I can begin to sprinkle in a few details. I don’t want to overwhelm them with technique, but I do want them to have a few ideas in their head as… Continue reading

  • Week 2: Guard passing Day 1

    The second week of my curriculum focused on guard passing. For me this is the most important part of grappling, there’s really nothing harder. If I want my students to develop a good guard then they have to have a… Continue reading

  • Week 1: Fundamental movements

    My main goal for 2026 is to develop a strong fundamentals program. A program that will allow students of any skill level to enjoy a fun, fast paced practice while retaining as much information as possible. I have found that… Continue reading