5 Risk Management Lessons from A Misfit.
How Brad Edmonson (owner Misfits Jiu Jitsu) Creates a Safer Culture on the Mats:
At JiuJitsuInsurance.com, we’re always on the lookout for gym owners who are doing things right—especially when it comes to safety and risk management. That’s why we stopped by Misfits Jiu Jitsu in St. Charles, Illinois to sit down with owner and instructor Brad, who shared some incredibly thoughtful strategies that every gym owner should consider.
We talked about injuries, mat culture, submissions, and more—and Brad didn’t hold back.
Here’s a breakdown of the 5 essential risk management strategies he shared during our conversation:
🥋 1. Always Be in Control of Body Weight
One of Brad’s core principles is simple: no uncontrolled falls.
“There should be no point where you’re not in control of falling body weight.”
This philosophy guides how takedowns and throws are taught at Misfits. Brad referenced a guideline from John Danaher black belt Placido Santos that’s stuck with him:
“You can drop to a knee—but you can't fall to a hip.”
This rule keeps students from committing to techniques that could result in dangerous, uncontrolled impact. It’s especially important for beginners, who are more likely to fall awkwardly or land incorrectly.
📚 2. Teach What’s Off-Limits
It’s not enough to simply ban dangerous moves—you have to teach students what’s not allowed and explain why.
Brad emphasized that if you're going to restrict techniques like guard pulls or high-amplitude throws, you should actively train students on safe alternatives from day one. He recommends teaching broad concepts (e.g., “always maintain control of your weight”) rather than just listing banned moves. This helps students internalize the why, not just the what.
⚠️ 3. Redefine How You Teach Submissions
Brad shows Alexandra what he shows his new jiu jitsu students.
Submissions are a major source of injury—especially when new students apply them without full understanding.
“Beginners aren’t in control of their bodies yet. Submissions should be taught in stages.”
Brad breaks submissions into control mechanics and finishing mechanics, and emphasizes positional understanding before pressure. By delaying full-force application and teaching students to recognize tension in limbs, he's seen a noticeable drop in injury rates.
🤝 4. Culture > Paper Rules
You can have the best safety rules in the world printed on a waiver—but if they’re not reinforced on the mats, they won’t matter.
“If you don’t call out dangerous behavior, your culture shifts—and not in a good way.”
At Misfits, culture is reinforced every day. That means conversations on the mat, correcting poor judgment in real time, and making sure everyone from white belt to black belt knows that safety is a shared responsibility.
At Misfits Jiu Jitsu, Coach Brad emphasizes the importance of easing beginners into the training process, creating an environment where live rolling isn’t intimidating, but instead fun, supportive, and educational. "Live training shouldn't be this big, scary thing," he says. At Misfits, the focus is on building a culture where teammates help each other, offer tips, and have fun while improving — not just overwhelming new students with intensity.
He uses a simple but powerful analogy: "If I were teaching you to play baseball, you’d start with tee-ball, not facing fastballs right away." Too many gyms throw beginners into full resistance sparring before they’ve had a chance to properly learn. At Misfits, Coach Brad ensures white belts get the repetitions they need, with guidance and encouragement.
“I always joke that I’m trying to train all my students to kill me,” Coach Brad laughs. “Them getting better forces me to get better.”
👊 5. Rethink the Role of the “Mat Enforcer”
This one may ruffle some feathers: Brad addressed the tradition of the “mat enforcer”—the tough senior student who gets sent in to “handle” reckless or overly aggressive newcomers.
But his take is different.
“A mat enforcer’s job isn’t to crush someone—it’s to show what relaxed, effective control looks like.”
At Misfits, enforcers are expected to set an example, not send a message. They diffuse intensity with technique, flow, and composure—not ego. The real win? When tough rounds end with a laugh and a “Nice move!” That builds camaraderie and trust, not intimidation.
Final Thoughts
Our visit with Brad was a reminder that risk management isn’t just policies and waivers—it’s leadership, culture, and consistency. The best gym owners are those who think beyond the insurance forms and cultivate safer spaces every day, on every roll.
Thanks to Brad and the team at Misfits Jiu Jitsu for having us—we left with some powerful lessons we’ll be sharing with the broader martial arts community.
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