BJJ Mental Models Ep. 371: Building on a Curriculum, feat. Todd Richards
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Jan 5, 2026 
Todd Richards, a BJJ black belt and co-head instructor at Team Rhino Jiu-Jitsu, shares valuable insights on building a structured curriculum following the loss of Keith Owen. He emphasizes the importance of scenario-based drills for beginners and how a well-crafted curriculum supports hobbyists who may not have time for unstructured learning. Todd also discusses the significance of teaching concepts behind techniques, testing philosophies, and the need for progress markers like stripes and belts to guide students in their Jiu-Jitsu journey.
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Hobbyist Results Reveal Coaching Quality
- World-class athletes can hide suboptimal coaching because of talent and time investment.
- Producing consistent hobbyist progress is a stronger sign of effective coaching.
Tight Early, Looser Later
- Structure early belts tightly with a limited set of drills that train positional flow and basics.
- Broaden options at higher belts so students develop personal games.
Fundamentals Depend On Your Goal
- Fundamentals depend on program goals; self-defense gyms prioritize escapes and safety over flashy submissions.
- Define what you want students to be able to do before designing fundamentals.