Tyler Metcalf is a 13 year old BJJ competitor from Glendale Arizona. Tyler is on the autistic spectrum which means he does not communicate the same as a typical kid and needs a very structured schedule. This article will show from his first hand experience how BJJ can help kids with autism and let them interact with other kids. Something which is usually very difficult for them to do under everyday circumstances.
The young competitor began training BJJ when he was just 6 years old when his dad convinced him to give it a try, in his own words “I was doing Kyokushin Karate at 4 but my dad wanted me to train in Jiu Jitsu as I was hesitant, but I said if he would do it with me I would do it and I’ve been training ever since.”
After training for around 7 years, he is received his orange belt under professor Daniel “Demigod” Madrid at Legion MMA, but now trains at Allied Jiu-Jitsu in Peoria.
When learning about jiu-jitsu Tyler claims that he enjoyed watching brothers Caio & Kim Terra, but now believes Keenan Cornelius to have the biggest influence on his style. This can be seen from his guard style often using De La Riva, Single Leg X and Full X guard to transition in to worm sweeps. He does however mention he got his worst injury through playing worm guard, getting his foot stuck in the gi and heel hooking himself.
From the top position he prefers to use the knee slice since he says there are so many different variations from this position. In addition to this he is fond of the Kimura submission since it is a safe submission. Perhaps wise beyond his years he quotes “It’s a safe submission. If you miss an opportunity from a triangle or armbar your opponent might be able to pass but kimura is low risk high reward.”
An avid competitor, Tyler regularly competes at IBJJF events and F2W promotion in either the feather or light feather categories (depending on ruleset). He is currently training under professors Thomas Reichenberger & Jeff Cook and would like to give a special mention to London Horn from his gym.
He claims his toughest opponent so far has been Jacob Iniguez saying “He was a real tough opponent as he was older than me and he came at me and had a game plan and almost caught me in a rolling kimura. We went back and forth but I was able to control the pace and kept attacking him and got the decision. He is a really good competitor though and he is one of the best kids in Arizona.”
When speaking about his plans for the future he would like to be called up for a title match in F2W and win the gold medal at the Pan Ams, something which he has just missed out on in the past having 2 bronze medals to his name. When he becomes an adult he would also like to fight in MMA and open his own gym, something which would be well suited to young man who loves to teach and talk about BJJ to everyone he meets!
Lastly, he would like to mention “You can follow my journey on IG: @the_mighty_ace_von_bubbs and I have a youtube channel but since covid I haven’t updated the content lately. Tyler Metcalf BJJ. I do tutorials and break down my own matches and just random stuff with me training. The gym I go to is alliedjiujitsu.com” He would also like to give a shoutout to his sponsors Cult BJJ. Also feel free to check out this book, Martial Autist which is about the benefits of autistic kids training martial arts.
Q & A
The interview below is conducted with Tyler’s father, Tim. Tim explains about how BJJ has been an extremely positive influence on his sons life and social development.
The definition of autism can be found here. In summary, you are born with autism, or at least develop it at a very young age. Once you have it, it will be with you for life. It is not an illness. Autistic people like reptition and structure, something which the every day man or woman would find quite boring. People with autism also have trouble communicating with others and seeing things from another persons perspective.
When speaking about his son’s autism in general, Tim says:
“He does get obsessed with things where he could devote literally 8 hours to doing a repetitive task that you and I would find boring. He can really zone into what he is doing, the downside is the zoning in as he forgets about the world around him.”
Do you think Tyler has this kind of obsession with Jiu-Jitsu that has this allowed him to progress faster than other kids? Is it because he is more interested in BJJ than regular kids?
“I remember when we first got into BJJ and the meta was 50/50 and berimbolos. He started to figure them out quickly as a white belt and would watch someone’s movement and mimic it. Being the fact that he doesn’t have to rely on others or any outside information besides what his opponent does there’s no sensory overload and he can just do his thing. We’ve tried (his mother and I) putting him in team sports and he has no interest and will usually just stand out in the field as kids run past him with the ball.“
You mentioned he [Tyler] does not have friends at school, because he’s just not interested in other kids and is happy by himself. Is BJJ different? Or do you think it is because he is interested in BJJ so other kids will ask him things? Then he is socialising because it is more of a BJJ based engagement than a social engagement (in his mind).
“Yes! it’s different just as you said where BJJ is a subject that he is willing to share with anyone, in the community here he is well known and liked. [He] Never showboats or talks trash. Shows up and does his thing and goes home. He doesn’t dwell on matches that don’t go his way.
Sometimes it’s pretty amusing when he will have a conversation with a person whether it be standing in a grocery checkout lane or talking with a random person at a restaurant, he will always interject something about BJJ or a superfight on Polaris or Who’s Number 1 and talk to the person assuming they know who any of these professional grapplers are.”
Following on from that, would you recommend BJJ to other parents of kids with autism for this reason? Is it kind of like a forced socialisation – but the kid will not see it as socialising?
“I would say it’s just like dealing with people on the spectrum as it depends on the individual. Some kids might take a liking to it and others based on where they are with sensory issues and input might have a meltdown over it. Honestly, it’s worth a try though as I know at least a dozen of children that train that are on the spectrum that enjoy it greatly.”
I have also read that autistic kids have “meltdowns” due to changes in schedule. So for example, let’s say there was a leak in the gym roof and the class was cancelled. Would this cause a meltdown? If so could you describe what a meltdown is like?
“This is a great question and observation. Tyler does the opposite which is referred to as a “Shutdown”. Schedules are critically important to him. He likes to be on time and feels its important for him to show up to help the other kids. So, if his schedule is deviated, he will become really introverted and not speak and be withdrawn and inconsolable.”
As I mentioned a little earlier, in terms of competition, does autism perhaps give an edge due to it’s obsessional nature? I don’t want to accuse anyone in name, but i’ve read on forums, several high level competitors and coaches have been mentioned as autistic by the way they interact with students and others. What do you think of this?
I believe this is true. I think there’s an intangible when it comes to high level competitors that is a mental component. Imagine if you competed and you had no fear of the outcome, who and what your opponent does and are not bothered by a million different thoughts in your head. It’s just you and your opponent and the confidence in your technique and executing them like a machine. I would rather have that as an ability than per se: flexibility or endurance, strength etc. The mental game is huge as a competitor.
Lastly, in terms of a future for [autistic] kids when they become adults. Obviously you can protect your kid and look after him now. What are the plans for him when he is around mid 20’s? Does autism stop him from doing anything or do you think he can just live by himself and do a regular job like an accountant (or some other kind of repetitive but challenging work). If so, would BJJ help him get the social skills he needs for later on in life, or do you think it doesn’t make much of a difference?
I think this is a reason why I placed Tyler within this community. We are a microcosm in of itself and I believe we are the new “golf course” as to where business and networking is getting done these days. There’s no reason to not see him getting plugged in somewhere through the community in earning a living and having the time to focus on what he is passionate about.
After I am gone, I want him to always have a “safe place” to go that is always relatable to happy times and peace for him as an adult. What he does for a living is inconsequential as long as he is a kind, compassionate and a friend to those who need him.
He is a very simple kid that doesn’t need much to be content, believe me we’ve tried by buying him gaming systems and other stuff and it just sits there and collects dust. As an adult, he could honestly have nothing but a backpack of a few outfits with a gi or two and some no gi gear, with a bedroll and access to training all day and he would be completely content and happy. He has expressed to me when he builds his gym, he would want to live there lol.
I know by the time he is in his early 20’s he will have made a name for himself and could be a very successful Black Belt competitor and teacher based on how patient he is. I know others will look out for him and help him with day to day things.
