14/12/2016 - Teaching | Women's Class

Teaching #609
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 14/12/2016

I went through some half guard basics for the women's class today, following the pattern Kev used to do back in the day. His format was to teach both sides of a technique, such as a submission and a submission escape, or a sweep and a pass. I showed simple maintenance on the bottom, then the basic pressure pass from the top. I think that worked well: my reasoning was to provide the students with the core techniques they would need for the class downstairs. I wouldn't want to get into a pattern where it is the same position as the position of the month every time, as it's meant to be a condensed program.

Still, I think this will be a good lesson to keep in there, as it means people should then have what they need to at least understand what the goals are in half guard. I haven't yet written out a full idea for the curriculum I want to use for the women's class, but I'll do that at some point. However, there is another even better option I'm working on, which is bringing in a woman to teach. As much I like teaching the women's class, a truly women only environment would be superior. I'm sure the fact that there's a guy teaching the women's class potentially puts some women off, so if I can get a woman regularly teaching, that would remove another possible barrier to women thinking about giving BJJ a try. :)