Training Techniques Episodes

Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland (combined 40 years of grappling experience) dig into the theme "comfort vs. discomfort" and how embracing hard, uncomfortable training accelerates progress in jiu-jitsu. They discuss competition as a forced growth environment, practical coaching strategies, and how to turn unpleasant moments into usable takeaways. Topics covered include putting yourself into bad positions to practice escapes and defenses, using tournaments and video review to identify th...

On this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland talk with Jon Klem of Managed Memberships about his jiu-jitsu journey, starting in 2020, cross-training experiences, training with visiting gyms, and the role jiu-jitsu played in his fitness and family life. The conversation moves into practical gym-business topics: membership pipeline and retention, the importance of check-ins, overcoming resistance to sales and marketing, staffing and seasonality, and how com...

Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland recap their weekend at the Virginia Open: coaching 15 athletes, guiding first-time IBJJF competitors, and celebrating wins from newcomers to longtime stars like friend of the show Big John. Topics include coaching strategies (simplified in-match cues, tailoring instruction by experience), scenario-based training and performance days, standing takedowns and passing-from-feet gaps discovered at the event, and programming takeaways for future camps. The ep...

Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland break down Scott’s recent solo trip to the American Nationals and dig into the mental side of competition. They discuss pre-match anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the unique challenge of competing alone versus in a team environment. The episode covers practical strategies: simplifying focus to the next action, using warm-up routines and mental triggers, writing notes after matches, and reframing value beyond medals. They also touch on coach-athlete feedb...

Join hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland (with a combined 40 years of grappling experience) as they break down the value of internal competition in jiu-jitsu gyms: your battle buddies, accountability partners, and the scrimmages that sharpen both technique and tactical thinking. They discuss how friendly rivalries push consistency, force you to diversify setups and timing, and develop the mental agility required to execute under pressure. Expect practical coaching points on practicing tact...

Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland share their 40 years of combined grappling experience with you, the listener. They have done things the hard way in the past and have learned better ways to train, prepare, compete and coach because of it. They plan to convey these experiences and discoveries through this podcast to help you streamline your Jiu-jitsu experience!

Hosts Scott Dance and Michael Sutherland discuss how hierarchy and ego affect learning in jiu-jitsu, and why training with everyone (even lower belts) can expand your game. They introduce practical ideas like the 50/50 split between execution and exploration, intentional rolling, and competing as an outlet for ego expression. The episode also launches a new segment, "Combat Confessions," featuring a wild Reddit open-mat story about a man who lets people choke him, plus instructions on how liste...

Welcome back to the Fighters Drinking Coffee podcast. In this episode we focus on how to restructure your training to get past sticking points in your jiu-jitsu progression. Hosts discuss practical steps like increasing frequency, changing training partners or class formats, setting measurable goals, and committing to focused, repeated practice. They cover troubleshooting techniques such as using workshops, privates, partner feedback, and situational drilling. Plus, the value of patience: accept...

This episode is coming to you from the road, where we were still joined by Andrea and Kate, while enroute to the Chicago Open. on this episode we discussed training with men vs. women, the value of bigger training partners for building physicality, but the unique benefit of female partners when you want a realistic look at your weight class. We also dive into the mindset of women who train by discussing the experiences of Kate and Andrea on the mats, looking at how men and other members of the ...

In this episode we explore creativity and self-expression in jiu‑jitsu — using the "jazz" analogy and discuss utilizing the constraints led approach to bridge the space between techniques. We discuss how drills, repetition, and playful constraints help practitioners discover timing, leverage, and their own style on the mat. The hosts cover coaching strategies, balancing competitive rigidity with fun experimentation, adapting over time, and practical ideas like goal-driven rolling and card-based...

Raf Esparza of the Grappling Hour joins Fighters Drinking Coffee to talk training, pro-wrestling influence, and how spectacle and fan experience can grow jiu-jitsu. He shares stories from Subversive and Survivor Series, media and performance coaching for athletes, and ideas for building entertaining grappling events. They also discuss creative segments like Roast Raf and tape study, the importance of personality and promotion in combat sports, and where to find his work. Support Grappling Hour...

In this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee we break down BJJ pedagogy and curriculum design — how coaches plan month-to-month themes, teach fundamentals for each belt, and align multiple instructors around a clear roadmap. We cover class structure for mixed-level rooms, assessment and feedback cycles, workshop/private options, CLA/ECO-style problem-solving, and the role of wrestling, scrambles, and consistent practice in accelerating progress. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or S...

Welcome back to Fighters Drinking Coffee, where we are joined by Adaptive BJJ athlete and sports journalist, RJ Nealon. Join us as we delve into the art of developing your style in jiu-jitsu, focusing on competition and adaptation. Discover how different rule sets and environments shape the competitive journey, and the psychological nuances of facing adversity. From the importance of having a game plan to the resilience needed to embrace both victories and losses, RJ shares his unique insights. ...

In this episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee, we dive deep into the transition from student to teacher in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our hosts kick off the discussion with a listener question about this significant transition. They share personal stories of how they moved from just being practitioners to taking on coaching roles at NOVAMMA and beyond, and how that affected their personal growth Listeners will gain insights into the evolution of their coaching methodologies. Our hosts disc...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Fighters Drinking Coffee! Today, we delve into the dynamic world of cross-training in Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting the experiences and benefits that arise from training with diverse groups. From expanding one's skill set to facing different competition styles, we uncover the value of stepping out of your comfort zone. Join us as we explore how cross-training can enhance both the mindset and abilities of competitive fighters. Please remember to follow, rate and ...

On this episode Scott and Mike discuss purposeful training that we have been doing as preparation for competition and our ideology behind it. Please remember to follow, rate and review! or Support the show on our Patreon Want more from Fighters Drinking Coffee: Follow us on instagram: @fightersdrinkingcoffee Join our discord: https://discord.gg/UPmxwuwXks Get some MADE IN THE USA gear: https://cruzcmbt.com/GETSUDSY