
📝 Field Notes – Aug 10th, 2025
Three Thoughts from This Week
The Greatest Constant is Change
The other Black Belt that I share teaching duties with in the morning, has decided to move on from the program to focus on his Jiu-Jitsu growth. As someone who’s personally had to make that decisions twice, I understand how difficult it is to make yourself the priority.
I genuinely appreciate everything that he’s done and has meant for the program. He’s been such a major piece, long before I even came along.
Hand Fighting
This month I focused on hand fighting concepts and drills. Personally, I feel that this is an element of the game that most students neglect. I don’t think that I’ve ever been taught how to hand fight.
The process that I used throughout the month really allowed me to cultivate a solid approach. I’m looking forward to this month’s Five Peaks workshop, covering this very topic.
Students to Instructors
My goal the next few months is to get some of the upper belts comfortable with coaching and instructing. The goal being to help the morning program grow from within instead of having someone placed in the group inorganically.
Ultimately, I want to be able to comfortably step away on business or vacation and know the the program is in good hands.
New Tapped In: A Jiu-Jitsu Podcast Episode Out Today!!
E41 | Sneaky Things Older Grapplers Do
Thank you for reading.
David Figueroa-Martinez
Founder, DFM Coaching
Coach | Writer | Grappler
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