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Pedro Sauer: The View from Red / Black Belt

by Marshal D. Carper*

Professor Pedro Sauer is renowned for his teaching ability and technical mastery of Jiu-Jitsu.  The ADCC made that reputation official when a worldwide poll named Sauer the best instructor in the world.  In 2007, Relson Gracie promoted Sauer to Red/Black belt.  Sauer discussed his training philosophy with Lockflow.com in an exclusive interview:

Lockflow: Prof. Sauer, how did you get involved with Jiu-Jitsu?

Prof. Sauer: A friend from the streets (Rickson Gracie) invited me to check out the Academy.  It has been over 35 years. 

LF: On your journey to Red/Black Belt, what lesson, experience, or revelation was the most important?

PS: Loyalty is the key to success.  You cannot run a successful academy without being loyal to your instructor lineage.  Never talk bad about anyone; just train every day.  Be patient.  Don't try to pass the wagon before the horse.  Focus on techniques more than you focus on your physical abilities.  The techniques will never leave you.  The physical abilities one day will (if you are lucky and stay on the mat for 20, 30, 40 years). 

LF: What makes your approach to teaching so successful and effective?

PS: Loyalty with the techniques that I learned from Helio and Rickson and the Gracie family.  They are geniuses.  I guarantee you [that] they think about Jiu-Jitsu every day.  Plus, they have the experience and the legacy.  They respect Jiu-Jitsu a lot deeper than anyone else.

LF: What is the best way to train Jiu-Jitsu?

PS: Train easy.  Use the most perfect technique.  Leave the mat with the desire to come back tomorrow.

LF: What are some bad habits you frequently see students develop and how can they correct/avoid them?

PS: Use of too much effort to make a move or to escape.  Don't use muscle.  Use your ability to resolve the problem, not to resist or freak out.  Train with the gi.

LF: What advice would you give to students just starting out?

PS: Find the best instructor in your area who has the best reputation.  Instructors can trick people for some time, but it is difficult to trick people for a long time.  Soon you find out your instrutor is just a tough guy who did not respect the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu name and family.   This lifts a red flag.

LF: What advice would you give to an advanced student?

PS: Start by setting a goal on how you are going to tap your opponent.  Tell your instructor how you are going to tap your next guy.  Do this for a year.  After a year, tell your instructor and the guy in front of you, and the outcome should not change.

LF: Any other thoughts or comments on Jiu-Jitsu?

PS: Get used to being a problem solver.  This may be one of the best habits you will ever develop.

*This article was reprinted with permission of The Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association. 

Lockflow.com is your source for free techniques, training tips, fight news, and product reviews.  If you liked this interview, go to www.lockflow.com and sign up to receive monthly techniques and tips.

Marshal D. Carper is a freelance writer from Pittsburgh, PA.  In addition to working for Lockflow for over 2 years, he has written for Ultimate MMA Magazine and Fight! Magazine.  He is a BJJ blue belt under Renato "Charuto" Verrisimo and Sensei Sonny Achille.