EVICTION NOTICE! WHEN YOU'RE FORCED TO TEACH OUTSIDE: THE FAQ

BETTER BUSINESS

- FLOYD BURK

Question 1: Can I still teach ground fighting if my state requires me to conduct class outside?

Absolutely. When you have the right people, you can do whatever kind of contact training you want. By “right people,” I mean family members and friends who train together. Such groups can form a pod or bubble for each student, which means they can be suitable partners for grappling (assuming your state’s laws permit this).

Students who may be loners in class likely have a relative they can bring to serve as a grappling partner. When that’s the best alternative, we allow the “civilian” to serve as the uke once the person has signed a waiver, and we view the partner as a potential student. In fact, our school has had several people enroll after their interest was sparked by a stint as a loved one’s training partner — people who probably would not have signed up otherwise.

If a student simply is unable to bring a training partner, he or she still can benefit from observing classmates doing grappling moves. Until COVID is a thing of the past, these students can mimic the movements solo on a socially distanced mat.

Final note on grappling outside: If you don’t have enough portable mats to enable all your students to roll at the same time, do station training. Have some students work on the mats while others hit the bags or kick the shields — or do calisthenics.

Question 2: What kinds of exercises can be done outside without buying a lot of extra gear?

When it comes to outdoor exercises, I advise looking to CrossFit for inspiration. One piece of equipment CrossFitters like is the truck or tractor tire. Acquire one that’s worn out and have students flip it or drag it across the pavement.

Alternatively, you can buy a battle rope. Young students can use it the way it’s intended — or form teams and play tug of war.