Opinions on tapping or not tapping out your instructor?

[Ehsan_Karam]

This was s'posed to be attatched to m'post. sorry.

I go to a Rickson affiliate school owned by a Rickson black belt, and I would never even dream of being able to tap one of his instructors. I don't believe any of them hold more than a blue belt, but none of them are very concerned with belt rank, so I don't think their actual skill is reflected in their ranking. I don't think most of them have even made much of an attempt at increasing their belt rank. They just train and teach. The chances of a student tapping them are pretty slim. I usually get dominated while they are going about 50-60%, and anything I get is because they let me have it. I don't know what the etiquette is, but I just don't really see tapping an instructor as realistic unless you're going to a shit school, so I guess I don't really see tapping or not tapping an instructor as a choice. If it is a choice I'd find another gym. Just my .02.

[Jason Hyatt]

I remember a while back...

I was kind of getting ready for my first tourney (you'll see where the "kind of" comes in...). I was at that point where I was starting to feel like I was getting somewhere. I could go the whole five minute round without getting tapped by a few guys and I even got a tap or two myself. I started to think I might be getting good at this stuff. I must have had a particularly good night and my balls must have swollen to a few times their normal size because I posted something on Facebook like: "Either coach was taking it easy or I must be getting better. I went almost the whole round with him before getting tapped!"

Brief bit of background: Normally when we're rolling, it's at most about 60% or so. If you get tapped, you gather yourself together, crawl back in coach's guard, take a breath or two, slap hands, and start again. Sometimes there's a "here's why you got caught" lesson in there, sometimes the lesson is obvious; sometimes it's just some funny shit that came out of nowhere and you laugh. We also make sure to let our partners know if there's a nagging injury or something you'd appreciate them being a little cautious with.

Fast forward. A night or two after I posted that I crawled into coach's guard and got a REAL lesson. I made some comment about some little nothing aches that were bothering me and I got a very stern: "Shut-up and roll." I tried to say something and got an even sterner: "Shut the fuck up! Come on!"

I lost count of the subs VERY QUICKLY. I got ran over. I mean RAN THE FUCK OVER by a big truck with Zog on the license plate. I'd get tapped and if I took more than half a second to re-engage I got a very commanding: "LET'S GO!!!" and *bam* tapped again. Non-stop at well past my 100% for the full five minutes. I don't think coach took so much as an extra breath. I'd limp into his guard and there was a triangle waiting for me. I sat up to try to posture and got crushed right back down. I cannot articulate enough just how insane the pace felt to me. So THAT'S what it feels like to be broken...

When that eternal five minutes was over he said in a calm, almost parental tone: "That's the difference between competition and someone taking it easy on you." When the night was over he pulled me aside and gave me a good talking to. What he said wasn't intended to be private, but that's my lesson so I'll keep that for me.

I think the important part as pertains to this thread is -- don't ever underestimate your instructor. If you were fortunate enough to find yourself in a position to actually tap your teacher, file that under "I got lucky" until proven otherwise.

[Justin W.]

I remember a while back...

I was kind of getting ready for my first tourney (you'll see where the "kind of" comes in...). I was at that point where I was starting to feel like I was getting somewhere. I could go the whole five minute round without getting tapped by a few guys and I even got a tap or two myself. I started to think I might be getting good at this stuff. I must have had a particularly good night and my balls must have swollen to a few times their normal size because I posted something on Facebook like: "Either coach was taking it easy or I must be getting better. I went almost the whole round with him before getting tapped!"

Brief bit of background: Normally when we're rolling, it's at most about 60% or so. If you get tapped, you gather yourself together, crawl back in coach's guard, take a breath or two, slap hands, and start again. Sometimes there's a "here's why you got caught" lesson in there, sometimes the lesson is obvious; sometimes it's just some funny shit that came out of nowhere and you laugh. We also make sure to let our partners know if there's a nagging injury or something you'd appreciate them being a little cautious with.

Fast forward. A night or two after I posted that I crawled into coach's guard and got a REAL lesson. I made some comment about some little nothing aches that were bothering me and I got a very stern: "Shut-up and roll." I tried to say something and got an even sterner: "Shut the fuck up! Come on!"

I lost count of the subs VERY QUICKLY. I got ran over. I mean RAN THE FUCK OVER by a big truck with Zog on the license plate. I'd get tapped and if I took more than half a second to re-engage I got a very commanding: "LET'S GO!!!" and *bam* tapped again. Non-stop at well past my 100% for the full five minutes. I don't think coach took so much as an extra breath. I'd limp into his guard and there was a triangle waiting for me. I sat up to try to posture and got crushed right back down. I cannot articulate enough just how insane the pace felt to me. So THAT'S what it feels like to be broken...

When that eternal five minutes was over he said in a calm, almost parental tone: "That's the difference between competition and someone taking it easy on you." When the night was over he pulled me aside and gave me a good talking to. What he said wasn't intended to be private, but that's my lesson so I'll keep that for me.

I think the important part as pertains to this thread is -- don't ever underestimate your instructor. If you were fortunate enough to find yourself in a position to actually tap your teacher, file that under "I got lucky" until proven otherwise.

that's kind of a harsh way to teach that lesson haha he could've just talked to you about it

[stlnl]

that's kind of a harsh way to teach that lesson haha he could've just talked to you about it

no, it is exactly what he asked for by going to face book and bragging a bit.....does your instructor read this forum? You may have a lesson en route as well (unless, your instructor just sucks).

[Brandon Mccaghren]

I remember a while back...

I was kind of getting ready for my first tourney (you'll see where the "kind of" comes in...). I was at that point where I was starting to feel like I was getting somewhere. I could go the whole five minute round without getting tapped by a few guys and I even got a tap or two myself. I started to think I might be getting good at this stuff. I must have had a particularly good night and my balls must have swollen to a few times their normal size because I posted something on Facebook like: "Either coach was taking it easy or I must be getting better. I went almost the whole round with him before getting tapped!"

Brief bit of background: Normally when we're rolling, it's at most about 60% or so. If you get tapped, you gather yourself together, crawl back in coach's guard, take a breath or two, slap hands, and start again. Sometimes there's a "here's why you got caught" lesson in there, sometimes the lesson is obvious; sometimes it's just some funny shit that came out of nowhere and you laugh. We also make sure to let our partners know if there's a nagging injury or something you'd appreciate them being a little cautious with.

Fast forward. A night or two after I posted that I crawled into coach's guard and got a REAL lesson. I made some comment about some little nothing aches that were bothering me and I got a very stern: "Shut-up and roll." I tried to say something and got an even sterner: "Shut the fuck up! Come on!"

I lost count of the subs VERY QUICKLY. I got ran over. I mean RAN THE FUCK OVER by a big truck with Zog on the license plate. I'd get tapped and if I took more than half a second to re-engage I got a very commanding: "LET'S GO!!!" and *bam* tapped again. Non-stop at well past my 100% for the full five minutes. I don't think coach took so much as an extra breath. I'd limp into his guard and there was a triangle waiting for me. I sat up to try to posture and got crushed right back down. I cannot articulate enough just how insane the pace felt to me. So THAT'S what it feels like to be broken...

When that eternal five minutes was over he said in a calm, almost parental tone: "That's the difference between competition and someone taking it easy on you." When the night was over he pulled me aside and gave me a good talking to. What he said wasn't intended to be private, but that's my lesson so I'll keep that for me.

I think the important part as pertains to this thread is -- don't ever underestimate your instructor. If you were fortunate enough to find yourself in a position to actually tap your teacher, file that under "I got lucky" until proven otherwise.

i love herzog.

[Tim Gillette]

I tell my students all the time that I expect them to tap me at some point or another. Whether it's tonight or 10 years from now....If they can't tap me at some point...then I'm not doing my job as an instructor.

[Jason Hyatt]

i love herzog.

I do too. I'd take a bullet for that guy and I'm pretty sure he knows it. And not just 'cause he taught me how to choke a bitch.

[Tim Horton]

Perhaps you should discuss the issue with your insrtructor on what he/she feels is appropriate. I personally have been given the lead in most of my
Schools grappeling classes lately, and I feel a sense of pride when a move I taught is well executed. I have no problem getting caught, it helps me evolve as well.

[bobby rivers]

Its kinda like the first time you beat your dad in 1 on 1. I would say 'Fuck this loser' and go get a better dad even though he brought me to the point of being able to do it in the first place.

This is hearsay cause i dont know my dad, but I bet I could beat him in 21 if I did. The key to a good shot is setting your feet, squaring your shoulders, and keeping your elbow in. Being able to drive both ways helps too.

[Jason Hyatt]

that's kind of a harsh way to teach that lesson haha he could've just talked to you about it

Oh no I definitely earned that one. I had been lazy in practice, not working on my cardio, and just about every night I was complaining about some little soreness or some crap. I was *that* guy with an excuse for everything. "Oh it just wasn't my night" Blah Blah. And here I was talking about how I was ready for this tournament and crap. Then to go posting some shit like: "Coach must have been taking it easy or I'm getting good..." Nah, I earned that ass whoopin'. It paid off too. Well, that and the good talking too. Totally changed the way I look at jiu jitsu and the way it fits into my life.