At Greenwood Jiu Jitsu in Leaside, Toronto, I often tell my students:
“You can take the camel to the water, but you can’t make him drink it.”
For most kids, that doesn’t really make sense — it’s too abstract. They nod, smile, and move on, but the lesson doesn’t always stick. So I translate it into something they can immediately understand:
“You can take them to the mat, but you can’t make them roll.”
What This Really Means for Kids (and Parents)
In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as in life, I can show the way, guide the techniques, and give opportunities, but I can’t make a student put in the effort for themselves.
If a kid doesn’t listen during class, skips drills, or refuses to focus, the consequences are real — they struggle in rolling, miss learning key techniques, and fall behind in their progress.
It’s a lesson about responsibility: I can guide, correct, and teach, but the student has to take action themselves. That’s the only way they truly improve.
Why This Approach Works
- Students Learn Accountability – Kids discover that their choices on the mat matter.
- Safe Environment to Fail and Improve – Mistakes happen in class, not at home or in a high-pressure situation.
- Coach as a Guide, Not a Babysitter – I provide correction, encouragement, and challenge, but the effort comes from the student.
By framing the lesson this way, students start to understand that success in BJJ depends on their effort, not just the coach’s instruction.
Lessons Beyond the Mat
This philosophy carries beyond Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:
- Kids learn the value of practice and persistence.
- They understand that someone can show you the path, but you have to walk it yourself.
- They build confidence knowing that effort equals improvement, not punishment.
A Greenwood Jiu Jitsu Promise
At Greenwood Jiu Jitsu, we provide:
- Expert coaching for kids, teens, and adults in Leaside and East York
- A supportive, structured environment where students can grow
- Guidance to help them take responsibility for their training
I always tell my students: I will be the “bad cop” on the mats, helping correct mistakes and push performance. But the real change happens when they take action themselves.
So yes, you can take them to the mat — but they have to roll.
📞 Interested in your child learning accountability, discipline, and skill through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Contact Greenwood Jiu Jitsu today at 647-282-0309 to schedule a class.