The Hidden Upsides of Being The Uke
Front Seat As The Uke In Bjj
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The Hidden Upsides of Being The Uke
The Uke position is one of the most crucial and often overlooked roles within a Jiu-Jitsu class. People will often look at the star of the show, the instructor, and I can see how that can be the case.
In reality, the Uke allows the instructor to look good. They’re in essence the Hype-Man of the Jiu-Jitsu class. They’re job is to perform along side of the instructor, understanding their role, giving the proper feedback, all while sometimes being on the receiving in of some uncomfortable and sometimes painful situations.
With that being said, there’s an massive upside to being the Uke.
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Front Row To The Mechanics
As the Uke, you get to fully see the technique. While there are aspects of a technique that you can’t always see, you do get a pretty good perspective. As the instructor explains the differences in one grip over another, you’ll have first hand account on why there’s difference.
When the instructor urges one angel over another, then asks you to move, you can again feel how effective one is over the other and why. The same goes for depth of chokes, approach when passing, and every other aspect of Jiu-Jitsu.
You will hear and see the importance of all of it.
A Feel For The Unseen
There’s stuff in Jiu-Jitsu that’s sometimes hard to explain in words.
As instructors, we do our best to describe what should go on and what should be felt, but it’s different when you’re on the receiving end.
The Uke, will feel the difference between one version and another. The placement of the hips, the angle created by pressure, it’s all often unseen.
Some things, just have to be felt.
You Become A Better Training Partner
As an Uke, you are instructed in the proper responses for the lesson. Some of these responses have to be exact in order for your training partner to be able to pull off the day’s lessons.
In doing so, you’re able to mirror that for your partner after the instructor is done demonstrating. It’s a cheat code in some ways for you and your partner. You both get to drill the correct form and follow up responses, cutting out the mistakes that happen due to improper drilling.
Acknowledged Trust
When I pick a student to be my Uke, I’m pretty specific.
In general, I need someone who can move in the desired way for the lesson. But I also need someone who won’t hurt me while I’m demonstrating.
They need to be controlled and advanced enough with their body mechanics to move with and not against me.
At Five Peaks, I have a Blue Belt I like due to his height and easy going nature. I can crack a joke at his expense and he’ll ride with it. At my own gym, there’s a now Brown Belt that I use because we roll really well together. So if I have to demonstration something with some active responses, we understand how the other moves with little to no surprises.
That mutual understanding goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ever the Uke, don’t take it for granted. It might be for a limited amount of time or a regular gig. Either way, it’s usually a vote of confidence in your abilities and a huge learning opportunity for you.
Embrace it.
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Thank you for reading.
David Figueroa-Martinez
Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj
Coach | Writer | Grappler
DFM Coaching is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!