You asked for it, and we (somehow) delivered – we managed to pull BJJ instructors Scott Fritzinger and Andrew Bowers off the mat long enough to write this post. Meet the guys running the show here at Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu in Reno.
Scott and Andrew, RENO bjj instructors
We asked the boys about their favorite part of BJJ, and, well, these are pretty good answers.
“The thing that keeps me interested in BJJ, even after all of my years of training, is the constant mental challenge,” says Scott. “A lot is made of the physical aspect of the art, but the mental part is just as, if not more, challenging. So much so that it becomes a creative outlet on top of a physical activity.”
Wow! Keep going, Scott.
“The person who has instilled that sense of wonder in me the most is Dave Camarillo, the head of Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu. He has the ability to break down positions and techniques to their basics and explain not only how to do something, but also why to do something. That is something I’ve taken to heart in my teaching, trying to ensure that students actually understand a technique, not just how to do it.”
Awesome. What about you, Andrew?
“Growth in BJJ is brought through struggle,” he says. “The intensity of training brings humility, introspection, and a practical skill. After training for 10 years, I still feel like I’m just starting to learn.”
Sounds great. Now tell us why anyone debating picking up the sport should give Guerrilla a whirl.
“We foster a learning environment that is accepting of everyone regardless of gender, size, and personality with an emphasis on safety,” says Scott. “Classes are a mix of people from various professions who are there to learn, not get repeatedly injured. We can provide a safe learning environment because we use teaching techniques which minimize the likelihood of injury and increase the retention of material. In short, our students get better, faster, because of not only the way we teach, but also because they spend more time on the mat since they are much less likely to get injured.”
True story. Anything else you’d like to add?
“The hardest part in training BJJ is stepping on the mat the first time,” Scott says. “It can be incredibly intimidating to even step foot in the school. But, once you do, you will see just how easy we make it to get started and to set you at ease. Pick a class time, ANY class time, from our schedule, show up 15 minutes early in some comfortable workout clothes, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
Andrew concurs.
“Intimidation is natural when starting something new – always,” he says. “Once someone gives the art an honest trial, the intimidation will disappear.”
ready to roll?
Finding the right BJJ school can be tricky – next post alert – and jiving with the instructors is a good first step. If you’re considering starting BJJ, we invite you to come in and meet Andrew and Scott, check out the facility, and sit in on a class. You’ll pick up on the class dynamic really quickly, and you’ll be in a great place to decide if Guerrilla is right for you.