How to motivate dedicated students/partners in your gym?

[Shawn Arnold]

We have all had this problem at one point or another. Any tips on getting guys motivated to see through to there full potential?

[Shawn Arnold]

I have students with fights coming up and a few only show up half the time. I keep an eye on them and try to get them to show up and put the hard work in but it's sometimes easier said than done. I don't know if I'm being an asshole or being to hard on these guys or what.

Any of you guys have some pointers. What do you do to get them going when they are in a rut?

thanks

[AJ Camacho]

At my gym our coach only green lights people to fight based upon their dedication towards their training. Are these guys just fighting independently without representing the gym?

Another approach is to just inform them about the potential reality of what could go bad in the cage and how every minute they're not training puts them closer to serious injury. Brian Yamasaki over at Damage Control MMA wrote a very great article about a fighter who was badly injured in a cage fight: http://damagecontrolmma.com/a-fist-f...-to-your-face/

From the article: "And I think most of those that come in wanting to fight have no idea what can happen or how easily it can. I think they watch TV and see fights and always relate to the champion or the guy with his hand raised. Rarely do they say to themselves, “geeze I could have my jaw wired shut for the next 5 weeks, have metal plate put in my head, or lose the ability of speech for a while”. I don’t think they have the slightest clue as to the fact that getting hit hurts. I know it sounds ridiculous but I swear most of these guys just don’t get it."

I highly recommend the article.

[Carlos Rios]

My coach (Ian Freemantle) tells us that jiu jitsu fluctuates and your game will always rise then slow down and then rise and then slow down even longer until eventually you plateau. This is because after your game develops in certain areas you start focousing on other things and that primary area weakens and so on. Thus the importance of drilling! and reviewing basics on a regular basis.

Sometimes i would get bummed down when my rolling sucks or i feel like im not moving forward but when he reminded me of that i simply saw this as a 'bump' on my road and simply kept driving.

Try that on your students or partner, it definitely worked on me.

[bobby rivers]

Find the right guys. I'm tired of trying to motivate people who don't want it, or don't want to work for it. I got a day job and my time is becoming more precious. I don't get paid though. That would make me more patient.

[Shawn Arnold]

They do represent the gym I work at. I did have to tell one of my fighters this week that he can't fight, but it just sucks. He is prolly my most naturally talented scrapper. This is why I just don't know what to do anymore. He is young so maybe its just a stage. He'd rather party right now than dedicate himself and it drives me nuts 'cause he could be smashing guys right now.

[Carlos Rios]

I have students with fights coming up and a few only show up half the time. I keep an eye on them and try to get them to show up and put the hard work in but it's sometimes easier said than done. I don't know if I'm being an asshole or being to hard on these guys or what.

Any of you guys have some pointers. What do you do to get them going when they are in a rut?

thanks

Oh, i thought you meant they werent motivated because they were having difficulties.

Damn, to get them to show up if they arent showing up would be hard i guess... i dunno, im curious myself as to how to motivate them to train. IMO however, i dont think you should have to push anyone to train, because then their training isnt gonna be that great. If you have to convince them to come train, its a problem i dunno, but thats just my opinion i may be extremely off haha but i hope you get a good advise

[Shawn Arnold]

Unfortunately thats not the issue. Some just don't put in the sparring and mat time they need... but you are right about that area fo sho!

[Chris Herzog]

I pull a fighter without even thinking about it. They don't train properly they don't fight period. I've told people to leave my gym before, as they were hazards to themselves and others. Safety is priority, and its my responsibility. I would never put a stamp of approval on one of my fighters if they were not 100%. I wouldn't let them risk their health and the reputation of my team and our staff, we've put too much blood, sweat, tears, passion and time in to let one doorknob screw up their life because they didn't prepare properly.

[Brandon Woolsey]

If you have guys that dont put in the time at some point you have to tell them that you cant put anymore time into them, and tell them when they show up like so and so does and put time in you are behind them 100%. Its kinda cutting your losses or they will get it and show up. IMO you have to give the time to the people that are consistent and just make them better. We have some very naturally talented fighters but they just dont show up. Once a week here and there with promises of Im good now and am gonna start training right. Here one day gone the next. Just my thoughts.