08/26/2026
Our coaching style also incorporates a Constraints-Led Approach (CLA). While we still use demonstrations to introduce key concepts, positions, and objectives, we avoid relying solely on step-by-step technique memorization.
Instead, we place students into partner-based situational games with specific constraints, goals, and clear winning conditions. Each student is given a task or problem they must solve—for example, maintaining a position, escaping, passing, controlling distance, achieving a takedown, or creating an opportunity to submit.
The constraints guide students toward discovering effective solutions while still allowing them to develop their own timing, reactions, decision-making, and individual style.
This creates a more live, adaptable, and problem-solving-focused learning environment that better reflects what students will actually experience in competition, self-defense, and real-world combative situations. And a special thank you to my daughter, Coach Angelina, for sharing the mat with me and helping me lead and develop these kids, along with Coach Adam and Coach Billy. I’m grateful to have coaches beside me who genuinely care about helping our students grow both on and off the mats.
