One thing that distinguishes Jiu-Jitsu from traditional martial arts is that it is not (or at least IMO should not be) about memorization of techniques.

It’s about problem solving under pressure.

We can use techniques to help demonstrate concepts, but the techniques aren’t the end goal. The process is.

Jiu-jitsu is chaotic, there are practically unlimited situations you can find yourself in. It is impossible to memorize them all. Instead we look at core concepts and processes that can be used to solve a wide range of similar problems.

And fortunately, this is what kids do best.

What they don’t do as well is memorization, and then be able to execute those memorized movements under pressure.

Some kids will naturally be good at memorization, but when you focus on memorization you exclude the most creative problem solvers.

Instead our curriculum is based on problems, and the ability to solve them.

So pin escapes stop being 4 escapes from side control, 3 escapes from mount, a few from scarf, some from back control…. and we have over a dozen techniques. Instead basic concepts like Don’t be flat, Get inside control to open an escape path.

So instead of a building a curriculum based on techniques, we build a curriculum based on types of problems that kids need to know how to solve.

Creative problem solving under pressure is a far more valuable skill than memorization of technique. And that is what to communicate to parents, not “We don’t teach technique”, but “We teach kids to solve problems under pressure”.