The Ecological Approach to BJJ Training Explained: Good or Bad?

The ecological approach in Jiu-Jitsu has been a hot-button topic within the BJJ community. I have to be honest and say that I’m behind on all the drama and controversy around this topic.

I wasn’t caught up on the ecological approach or how its biggest advocate Greg Souders has been criticizing top coaches. For those not caught up like me, let’s go over this style of BJJ training.

The Ecological Approach Long Explanation

Advocates of the EA style of training like Greg Souders feel like this is the best approach to learning Jiu-Jitsu.  Here’s an explanation of what the ecological approach is in six parts.

1. Task Constraints:
   • Technique Variability: Instead of teaching techniques in a very structured, step-by-step manner, an ecological approach might encourage variability. Practitioners learn to adapt techniques based on the opponent’s response, promoting creativity and problem-solving on the mat. For example, a coach might set up a scenario where students must grapple without using their dominant arm, forcing them to explore alternative techniques or adapt existing ones.
2. Environmental Constraints:
   • Training Environment: The training environment is manipulated to challenge athletes in different ways. This could mean changing the size of the mat area, introducing different ground surfaces, or varying the number of opponents in a session. This variability trains adaptability and decision-making in real-time, much like in actual combat scenarios where conditions are rarely ideal.
3. Individual Constraints:
   • Personal Attributes: This involves tailoring training to the physical and psychological attributes of each individual. For instance, one practitioner might have longer limbs, influencing their approach to leverage and positioning. The ecological approach would use these attributes to guide their training, focusing on techniques where these physical traits give an advantage.
4. Perception-Action Coupling:
   • Decision-Making in Action: This principle highlights the importance of linking perception directly to action. In jiu-jitsu, it translates to recognizing patterns in an opponent’s movement or posture and immediately responding with the most effective counter. Drills might involve scenarios where students must react to spontaneous movements rather than predictable sequences.
5. Nonlinear Pedagogy:
   • Learning Through Exploration: Rather than a linear progression from basic to advanced moves, learning is seen as a dynamic, exploratory process. Coaches might set up “problems” for students to solve in sparring, encouraging them to discover solutions through trial and error, which can lead to more profound learning and retention of skills.
6. Affordances:
   • Opportunities for Action: The concept of affordances in jiu-jitsu training involves recognizing what actions are possible given the current situation. For example, if an opponent stands up, the affordance might be to pull guard or go for a takedown, depending on the positioning and movement of both practitioners.

My Honest Opinion of the Ecological Approach

From the videos I’ve watched and articles I’ve read, the ecological approach is basically scenario training. Instead of drilling techniques over and over, you get put in a scenario like a game and given bullet-point directions.

This is similar to the style of training Kit Dale advocated for around a decade ago. Just like Sounders, Dale didn’t think like the traditional training approach and developed his scenario-based style of training.

This isn’t a new concept of training and has been used in different academies for years. However, it can be beneficial to grapplers who have a harder time learning just drilling techniques.

Which Style of Training is the Best?

Honestly, no one style of training is the best. Some people learn better by doing traditional drilling, others by just rolling, and the ecological approach. Everyone learns in different ways different styles of teaching are great for the martial and will help it grow.

Choose a BJJ gym that meshes the best with your style of learning and you will evolve your game faster.