When you’ve been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a while, the chances are that you’ll have thought about attending a seminar at some point. In short, BJJ seminars are an integral part of the martial art and can be a good way to learn new moves and techniques.
As a result, some BJJ gyms will host a few seminars each year with outside instructors coming in and showing their best techniques. For some, this can be a great way to expand their knowledge and improve, whilst others are more cynical. Here’s a list of the pros and cons when it comes to attending a BJJ seminar.
Table of Contents
Pros of seminars
You can pick up new techniques and improve quicker
Arguably, seminars are best for newcomers and beginners who are still learning new concepts. Here, they can go through a crash course on certain positions within a few hours via a seminar. The beauty of this is that during a normal class structure, it’s much harder to learn this sort of stuff in such detail.
The reason being is that often classes are much shorter and also have more sparring. In short, a seminar forces you to focus on specific moves and really drills in repetition
You can learn niche moves that aren’t available elsewhere
Some BJJ moves are pretty niche and specialist. For instance, Gabriel Arges has a great kneebar from the 50/50 position. There isn’t much information about this position, yet Arges has done it many times at an elite level.
In other words, there’s certain, nuanced details of obscure techniques that you can learn at seminars. If you chose to learn these elsewhere, you may only be working on scraps of information. Therefore, seminars can really tighten up your game in specific areas.
You Can drill and spar with some of the best in the world
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of doing a BJJ seminar is getting to roll with some of the best people in the world. For example, it’s not every day you’d get to normally roll with Keenan Cornelius or Gordon Ryan.
For some people, this is the main reason for attending a BJJ seminar as they enjoy rolling with the best in the world. For others, they will go to simply meet their idols or personal characters, such as getting to meet and hang out with the likes of Eddie Bravo or Kurt Osiander for a few hours.
Get to physically feel certain positions which isn’t possible with videos
Imagine you’re trying to learn the buggy choke. Now, imagine getting guided through this move by the Ruotolo brothers. Obviously, these are experts in this field and know exactly how to perform this technique.
In short, they can provide certain movements and intricacies which can’t be learned by videos or outsiders. In other words, sometimes you just need to go directly to the source to learn as effectively as possible.
Cons of seminars
Cost
Perhaps the biggest issue surrounding BJJ seminars is the cost. Some cost well over $100 which for a lot of people is simply too expensive. Put another way, if you’re already paying that amount for your monthly training and money is tight, then the idea of a seminar just seems too expensive.
Even if you’re financially stable, you may simply chose to spend your money on something else. Arguably, with a good training partner and video access which is available to all, you can still learn and progress. Gone are the days before Youtube where techniques were more secretive, which means learning is more open and accessible for all compared to years back.
Lack of detailed drilling if it’s overcrowded
Another big issue with seminars can be the size. If you’re in a room with over 100 people, then this can be problematic. And, if you’re doing a celebrity with a known BJJ practitioner, then this can often be the case. Even during a regular class, you may find it hard to get much attention from the teacher. However, this is even more the case during a popular seminar.
Because of this, you may barely get taught the finer details which is kind of the point of a seminar. Furthermore, every gym always has people who have the ability to hog the attention of a teacher. It only takes a few of these people to minimize your learning at a seminar which detracts from its value.
Seminars be taught by someone disinterested
Sadly, there’s sometimes stories of people that turn up and can’t be bothered to teach. You won’t know until you experience this person and it’s quite rare, but it does happen. Here, the teacher is obviously abusing their power as they’re getting paid without offering any value. They may be rude, uninterested and not willing to show key details. As a result, the entire room suffers and the experience is then wasted.
Flashy ‘seminar’ moves
Sometimes, people are attracted to gimmicky moves which look nice, but aren’t very effective. An example of this could be teaching an Ezekiel choke from bottom mount. Obviously, this can be done but is fundamentally questionable.
However, sometimes these moves are taught during seminars. Even if it’s a world champion, they may not actually teach what made them great. Instead, they may teach something which won’t really work on people who are good at BJJ. This happens and plays into the idea of teaching ‘secret moves’. Obviously, these moves have more selling appeal compared to regular, boring BJJ but probably won’t help improve your game very much.
Too social media minded
Some argue that seminars are attended for social media reasons. This means getting photos and bragging about your training, instead of attending to improve. If you attend a seminar, this can become tiresome with the amount of people turn up. You may not see someone for months, then they turn up to show off. Combined with more bodies on the mat, this too can take away from your learning experience.
Grading seminars and hosted by gym owners
Another reason why seminars can suck if they’re paid grading ceremonies that are hosted by the same gym owners. This is when the same person you train with daily suddenly charges you to attend their seminar. There is a catch, often this will include the temptation of a possible belt promotion.
Some desparate students will go to these seminars and pay in the hope of a new belt. This is morally questionable by the gym owner but it does go on. The integrity of the belt promotion is also questionable too.
Summary
Ultimately, attending a BJJ seminar is up to you. Before you attend, it’s best to weigh up the pros and cons and then see if it’s worth it. It’s also ideal to research what is being taught too, to see if it suits your style or is something irrelevant to your game.
Overall, seminars are always different. Some can be incredible and improve your game massively. At the same time, certain seminars can be a big waste of time and money, which end in dissapointment.
