In the latest jiu-jitsu methodological controversy, multiple-time ADCC world champion Gordon Ryan has taken aim at Lachlan Giles‘ “flipped classroom” teaching model, dismissing it as merely a repackaged version of open mat training.
The criticism comes amid a broader debate about teaching methodologies in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with Ryan already making headlines for his blunt assessment of the “Ecological BJJ” approach promoted by Greg Souders.
“My man discovered what an open mat is hahahahah,” Ryan commented after learning about Giles’ flipped classroom concept, which encourages students to come to class with their own training plan rather than following a structured curriculum.
Giles, a respected black belt and instructor, described his approach:
“The flipped classroom model is essentially where you come in with a plan on what you need to work on and you implement that during training… What you should be working on right now is not what everyone in the room should be working on.”
This teaching philosophy has similarities to the controversial Ecological BJJ methodology that Ryan recently criticized. When asked about Ecological BJJ in a WhatsApp conversation with ADCC bronze medalist Dan Manasoiu, Ryan initially showed confusion, asking,
“So what is ecological jj? It’s just positional sparring, isn’t it?”
After Manasoiu explained that the approach discourages learning technique in favor of live training, Ryan responded bluntly:
“That’s re*tarded.”
There is growing rift in jiu-jitsu teaching methodologies. On one side stand traditional instructors who emphasize technical instruction before application, including Ryan’s coach John Danaher, known for his detailed technical breakdowns. On the other side are proponents of more “natural learning” approaches like Ecological BJJ and variations of the flipped classroom model.
Greg Souders, the leading advocate for the Ecological Dynamics approach, has positioned his method as revolutionary, even criticizing Danaher’s instructional content as unnecessary. This has drawn criticism from established competitors like Gianni Grippo and Gui Mendes, with the latter dismissing the concept by saying,
“You guys and these crazy names. Just say drilling with reaction.”
Giles‘ approach appears more moderate, as he still teaches techniques while allowing advanced students to focus on their personal development areas during drilling periods.
“The way I run it is I teach something and then when it comes to practicing, people can do their own thing if they want or they can do what I’ve shown,” Giles explained.
Ryan‘s criticism suggests that the jiu-jitsu community may be overthinking training methodologies that have existed for years under different names.
