Welcome to The Coaching Codex
A no-BS guide to teaching better, keeping students engaged, and running a class that actually works.
Why This Exists
Teaching jiu-jitsu is an art in itself, one that plenty of talented grapplers struggle with. Just because you can hit the move doesn’t mean you can teach it effectively.
Too many BJJ classes are built on instinct, tradition, or just “what my instructor did,” without much thought on how people actually learn. The result?
White belts get overwhelmed and quit.
Blue belts plateau because they’re not getting structured progression.
Instructors feel like they’re teaching their asses off, but students aren’t retaining anything.
That’s where The Coaching Codex comes in.
This section of Choke Point Chronicles is a free resource for coaches and instructors, covering the most common coaching issues, student struggles, and practical approaches to running a better class.
No fluff, no overly academic nonsense, just actionable strategies to make you a better teacher on the mats.
What You Can Expect
Each post will focus on real problems instructors face and how to fix them. Topics will include:
Class Structure That Keeps Students Coming Back – How to design lessons that actually stick.
How to Teach White Belts Without Breaking Their Brains – Avoiding information overload and building solid fundamentals.
Feedback That Lands: Coaching Without Overcorrecting – How to fix mistakes without killing confidence.
Positional Training vs. Free Rolling: Getting the Balance Right – The secret to getting students to actually apply techniques.
Why Being Good at Jiu-Jitsu Doesn’t Mean You’re a Good Instructor – Common pitfalls of high-level grapplers who start coaching.
And plenty more. If you coach, want to coach, or just want a better understanding of how Jiu-Jitsu is best taught, this is for you.
Who This Is For
New instructors who want to build a strong foundation in coaching.
Experienced coaches who feel like their classes could be sharper.
Gym owners who want to improve student retention.
Anyone who gives advice on the mats (because, let’s be real, we all do).
Why This Matters
A well-structured, well-taught Jiu-Jitsu class doesn’t just create better students, it builds stronger gym cultures, better retention, and a more engaged community.
Teaching Jiu-Jitsu isn’t just about showing techniques. It’s about helping people improve efficiently, stay motivated, and actually enjoy the process.
If that’s something you care about, welcome to The Coaching Codex. Let’s make Jiu-Jitsu instruction smarter, sharper, and more effective.
What’s the biggest struggle you’ve had as a Jiu-Jitsu coach? Drop a comment below and let’s talk solutions.
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!
I mainly use the Constraints-Led Approach when I teach, and I find that the main problem I face is language.
I don't necessarily use complicated words, but sometimes I struggle to explain a particular scenario to someone who is not at all familiar with it.
Any insight?