At what belt did you start getting the most out of seminars?

[Anthony Peck]

Already covered pretty well by more senior guys up thread, but I have a couple of staples in my game from things I learned in seminars as a white belt. It's always worth going in my opinion, just make sure you take notes/find a way to remember and drill the most important takeaways you got so that they stick.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Most of the time, I don't really notice anything from seminars until a few months or even years down the road. For instance, the first seminar I ever attended was with Carlos Machado at Triad when I was just a brand new white belt. I just started using one of the moves from that seminar recently.

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

When you're body and skill set are ready to adopt the things you've learned, you'll find all those seminars start paying off.

And, as others mentioned, the guy giving the seminar is a big factor. Some guys "speak your language", whereas some really don't.

[ErikLavigne]

Well I started learning Jiu jitsu in the military. I wanted to have every advantage I could if I went to war and also for when I became a cop. Now as an officer who has been doing JJ for a while, I'd say the most influential belt was white. I went from being a fish out of water to being able to swim. I wasn't the best but that was the biggest transition. It was like being able to see for the first time. I never knew how helpless I was until I started. I have yet to feel that way about anything else in Jiu jitsu as I did in my first year as a white belt. Everything else has been fun and great to learn, but now it's about fine tuning and seeing what works for me.

[Arman Fathi]

From a cost perspective, you're spending upwards of $80-100 for a seminar, which is about the cost of a private with a brown or black belt. The seminar will probably give you 2-3 times the amount of technique, whereas a private will have a higher percentage of technique retention. In other words, you'll be exposed to fewer techniques but might have something stick a higher percentage of the time. My take; investment in your game will benefit you regardless.

[Chris Herzog]

I've gotten something from almost every seminar I've attend, at all levels. To me its all about the money move, If I can leave a seminar with one technique that fits, or will fit into my game , its money well spent. I'd easily pay $100 for a single technique that stays with me forever.

[john harris & sons]

Well I started learning Jiu jitsu in the military. I wanted to have every advantage I could if I went to war and also for when I became a cop. Now as an officer who has been doing JJ for a while, I'd say the most influential belt was white. I went from being a fish out of water to being able to swim. I wasn't the best but that was the biggest transition. It was like being able to see for the first time. I never knew how helpless I was until I started. I have yet to feel that way about anything else in Jiu jitsu as I did in my first year as a white belt. Everything else has been fun and great to learn, but now it's about fine tuning and seeing what works for me.

Already defeating EBI veterens & shit

[ErikLavigne]

Hahahaha John Harris you know better lol

[john harris & sons]

And, as others mentioned, the guy giving the seminar is a big factor. Some guys "speak your language", whereas some really don't.[/QUOTE]

This is so true!! Fortunately most speak the universal language; ) there are unfortunate bastards that dont medicate but even though they dont "speak your language " they understand it. I respect the ones that dont while others do (blatantly ). Ive hung out with some of these savages & the peer pressure is a mutha!

[Marc Montano]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll be looking for the next available seminar I can attend

[ErikLavigne]

John Botello was the instructor at the Altus seminar that just clicked with my ability to learn and retain his instruction. Tons of instructors there but he has some sort of Jedi style that makes you learn without trying. John Harris is on point about speaking your language