Working with Civilians
Here I am in 2016 with the seminar host and his children, performing a newly learned oblique kick
In this article, I'd like to give you a glimpse of how I work with everyday citizens in the teaching and training of martial arts and self-defense. I do so from two perspectives:
- Individuals — in their homes and places of business
- Groups — at seminars, in homes, and places of business
Individuals
When someone contacts me by phone or email, I chat with them and ask, "How can I help?" Let me give you an example.
A Jiu Jitsu student in his early 50s emailed and asked me to help him reduce injuries and increase his enjoyment while training at his academy. We talked at length about this problem. And after hearing some of the specific he was encountering, I gave him a few concepts to consider. Then, I invited him to travel to San Diego to train with me one-on-one - and maybe do a bit of shopping and sightseeing with the wife. A couple of months later, he did so. Here's a peek at what happened.
Upon his arrival, I told him, "First, we must begin with a few fundamentals. These fundamentals have very little to do with 'TECHNIQUE.' Rather, they have everything to do with laying a foundation so that, at some later point in your journey, you can begin build something personal that works efficiently for you (i.e., your body type, personality, current strengths, weaknesses and injuries, etc)."
Next, because his primary concern was escaping from the bottom of the side mount position, I wanted him to experience what I was about to teach him. So, I told him to side mount and try to control me. As he moved into position, I assumed the Harris Jiu Jitsu defensive positioning - without using any postures.
With his weight fully on top of me and with his arms in position, he began struggling and grunting. He was trying to establish 90+% control, but because of my defensive positioning, he was only able to gain about 40% control. And as a result, he switched from side mount to scarf hold - and I switched to defensive positioning for side mount to defensive positioning for scarf hold. Then, unable to gain more control, he switched back to side mount control - where I was waiting for him with another round of defensive positioning. He then tried to go to the north and south position - to which I prevented him from doing so. Then, he tried to go back to a scarf hold and I escaped by putting him onto his back.
Long story short, he was tired and breathing heavy, and I was smiling and relaxed. When he saw this, he was now ready to learn what had just happened!
At the end of the lesson, he was a very happy client! While he paid for 60 minutes of my time, I gave him almost 80 minutes.
Three weeks later, he emailed me a progress report about his experiences using the new info at his home academy - in a different state. He told me, "The new info worked like a charm, and now the other students were asking about it!"
Groups
An instructor wrote and asked me to come teach a seminar at his academy. He wanted the seminar topicf to be unique, so I decided to call it "The One Thing!" I wanted the students to be curious about the topic—and curious they were!
At the start of the seminar, I declared, "Today, I am going to try and blow your mind. You are going to learn... THE ONE THING! Here's what it will look like. You'll learn THE ONE THING for guard passing, THE ONE THING for side mount control, and THE ONE THING for arm locks from side mount.
"Now, this ONE THING will not give you everything you seek. Rather, it will give you 60-70% of what you seek. And, as you will see, this one thing will solve many of the problems associated with those three topics.
"Are you ready?"
And with that, I began the seminar.
Near the end of the seminar, I had the students test the information by doing a bit of light sparring with each other. What happened made many students happy—but some weren't so happy.
Why?
Well, put yourself in my shoes. Here's what you would have seen:
- White belts passing purple belts' guards.
- Blue belts holding down brown belts.
Near the end of the seminar, I stated, "Based on what I've shown you today, do you now see how IT'S NOT about technique? Do you see how it's about something different? And do you now see how I've simplified certain aspects of Jiu Jitsu - to make it more memorable, enjoyable and efficient?"
At the end of the seminar, one guy said, "This was great information, but can you answer one question for me?"
I replied, "Sure."
He asked, "Can you share with me the ONE THING for collar chokes; the ONE THING for leg locks; the ONE THING for sweeps; the ONE THING for front mount control; the ONE THING for side mount control; and so on?"
Many of us at the seminar got a good laugh out of that question!
If you or your academy would be interested in working with me, email me at the address below, and let's chat.
Thank you for your time,
Roy
Phone: 1-98-98-HARRIS
Email: roy@royharris.com