The question of how to handle tardiness has become a surprisingly contentious topic. ADCC bronze medalist Dan Manasoiu, a member of the prestigious New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team under John Danaher, has taken a refreshingly nuanced stance on this issue.
Context Matters
During a recent appearance on the Jits and Giggles Podcast, Manasoiu addressed the common practice of instructors punishing students who arrive late to class. Unlike some traditionalists who enforce strict penalties regardless of circumstances, Manasoiu advocates for a more understanding approach that considers individual situations.
“There’s so many different things you can’t necessarily group it all into the same thing. People got their own lives going,” Manasoiu explained, acknowledging the complex realities that students navigate daily.
He emphasized that many valid reasons exist for occasional tardiness – from parental responsibilities and work commitments to family obligations and unforeseen circumstances. In Manasoiu‘s view, these situations shouldn’t automatically trigger punitive measures from instructors.
When Consequences May Be Appropriate
While advocating for understanding, Manasoiu doesn’t completely dismiss the value of consequences in certain situations. He makes an important distinction between legitimate tardiness and behaviors that demonstrate disrespect for the instructor and fellow students.
“If you have somebody who just consistently just showing up late for no other reason than just being disrespectful, that’s different,” he noted. “If you really love showing up late you get to do some push-ups.”
This balanced perspective reflects Manasoiu‘s understanding of both sides of the issue – respecting the instructor’s authority while acknowledging students’ complex lives and the transactional nature of the training relationship.
A Case-by-Case Approach
The key principle in Manasoiu‘s philosophy is examining why someone is late rather than implementing blanket punishment policies.
“It’s really by a case-by-case basis,” he explained, suggesting that instructors should take the time to understand individual circumstances before deciding how to respond.
This approach challenges traditional martial arts hierarchies that sometimes position instructors as unquestionable authorities. Manasoiu‘s perspective aligns with his previously expressed concerns about entitlement among some jiu-jitsu instructors, where he criticized those who demand to be called “master” and maintain an inflated sense of self-importance.
The Business Reality of Modern BJJ
Underlying Manasoiu‘s position is a recognition of the business relationship between students and instructors in modern jiu-jitsu academies. As he has bluntly stated in other contexts:
“If I pay somebody to do something for me and I’m paying for a service, I’m paying you a service – I don’t owe you s**t.”
This perspective frames tardiness not as a moral failing or sign of disrespect, but as a practical reality in a service-based relationship where students are paying customers balancing multiple life priorities.
A Growing Sentiment in the BJJ Community
Manasoiu‘s stance echoes similar sentiments expressed by other notable figures in the jiu-jitsu world. Jasmine Rocha, daughter of renowned BJJ practitioner Vagner Rocha and herself an accomplished competitor, recently made headlines for criticizing instructors who shame students for arriving late.
“Don’t tell me to get down and do push-ups for you, I don’t care who you are,” Jasmine stated firmly in her own Jits and Giggles Podcast appearance, emphasizing that paying members deserve understanding. She particularly emphasized that instructors should be “happy that they’re at your class at all.”
Balancing Tradition with Practicality
Manasoiu‘s position represents a thoughtful balance between respecting jiu-jitsu traditions and acknowledging modern realities. Having trained with John Danaher for approximately six years, starting when he was just 17, Manasoiu understands the value of discipline and commitment, having himself taken 4:15 AM bus rides from Pennsylvania to New York City to train while completing high school online.
