The Circular Nature of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – How Nilo Colita Trains the Next Generation of Athletes

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and particularly Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) are at an all time high in popularity. Thanks to the influence of the UFC along with strong proponents such as Joe Rogan and Mark Zuckerberg, the general public has been introduced to BJJ in a massive way. Gyms have begun popping up all over the United States aiding in teaching the next generation both self defense and physical intelligence.

At the heart of this movement is coach Nilo Colita, trained at Ryan Gracie (of the esteemed Gracie family) Team Jabaquara by Master Danilo Ribeiro. Colita’s journey in BJJ began in Sao Paulo and has continued on at a high level. With podium finishes in competitions ranging from the Circuito Paulista de Jiu Jitsu in 2016 to the Brazilian National IBJJF Championship in 2015 he remains an active competitor.

Crucial to his continued success is BJJ’s dedication to education. As a black belt, the coach is at a stage where he can train others, leading them through classes centered around techniques and recovery. It is during these classes that he is able to build up not only the new generation, but also his own knowledge base. Today we sat down with him to discuss not only how he approaches education, but how it is a foundation for BJJ as a whole.

Can you talk about the education that is built into BJJ?

Nilo Colita: Jiu-Jitsu is much more than a sport or martial art; it’s a tool for personal development. The learning process is a slow one that involves discipline, patience, and resilience. These qualities apply to all aspects of life, not just on the mats, and help to provide a framework for one’s personal life. Practitioners learn to handle frustration while adjusting their strategies in the face of adversity which leads them to embrace continuous growth. This builds a mindset centered on perseverance and constant evolution, which is essential not only on the mat but in life in general.

How much do you learn by training others?

I believe that teaching is one of the most effective ways to solidify knowledge. When I explain techniques to a student it requires me to break that technique down to its simplest and finest details. This analysis helps me to understand the movement better as I try to find the correct way to pass along this valuable information. Additionally, the students’ questions coming from a fresh perspective often push me to analyze each position from a new angle. We become clouded by our own years of doing things a certain way that can take a new approach to help us improve which ultimately strengthens my own development as an athlete.

You have insights into refereeing, how does this knowledge help you train athletes for matches?

As a referee, I have developed a sharper understanding of how small decisions can impact the outcome of a match. Armed with this knowledge I am able to train athletes to make strategic choices that maximize their scoring opportunities. I do this while simultaneously teaching them how to avoid unnecessary penalties that can be detrimental to their chances of victory. My role as a referee has helped me as well in my own competitions, as I too have the same knowledge and I use it to help influence the outcome of a match in a positive way.

Is it hard to transition from training for your own matches and helping others?

Yes, but balancing both roles is even more of a challenge. I do feel as if it has its advantages though, as I mentioned before education is the best way to solidify knowledge and straddling the line of educator and competitor helps me immensely. While my personal training keeps me performing physically at a high level, the teaching forces me to refine my technique. It has also led me to deepen my understanding and appreciation of Jiu-Jitsu while simultaneously learning from my students.

Do you have a preferred group that you like to train or train with?

For me it is about having a partner that pushes me. I don’t care so much about the rank as I do about the level of training that I get out of a session. I work with a variety of training partners that range from experienced black belts to lesser experienced students. This allows me the ability to work on different aspects of my game and get looks from people who have different styles. Each upcoming opponent brings with them their own skills and having multiple training partners gives me the opportunity to train with someone with a similar style to them.