In this episode Jack sits down with Jack Brickley, owner and head coach of Hook Grappling, to trace his journey from watching UFC to becoming a jiu-jitsu coach. Jack shares how he discovered grappling, his early days training at Basingstoke, and why he resisted chasing belts and competition as the main goal.
They discuss Jack’s transition into coaching (starting at purple belt) and how jiu-jitsu builds confidence and personal growth in students. Jack explains how he learned and adopted an ecological, constraints-led approach—using games and targeted positional practice to teach submissions and problem-solving rather than rote drilling.
Jack outlines a typical class structure (stand-up, guard, pins), how he chooses weekly submission focuses (e.g., leg locks, armbars), and gives practical examples of games and constraints to help learners explore positions safely and effectively. He also addresses common misconceptions about ecological training and why simplifying terminology helps beginners progress faster.
The episode closes with shout-outs to Jon Collins (Guildford) for introducing Jack to gamified grappling and to the Hook Grappling team as they aim for growth in the coming year.
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