I've studied martial arts in one form or another since the 80s. I've also trained along with my kids in four different Jiu-Jitsu schools in the valley, When searching for a school to train in there are two things that I consider to be very important to look for. 1. The competency of instruction. 2. The culture of the school.
INSTRUCTOR COMPETENCY. TNT's owner and lead instructor is Scott Tannenbaum, a 5th degree blackbelt under Jiu-Jitsu legend Rigan Machado. If you've been in the world of Jiu-Jitsu for more than 10 minutes you know that a Rigan Machado blackbelt is as legitimate as it gets. Coach Scott is also a Thailand trained Muay Thai fighter and holds several blackbelts in other styles including Judo. Learning he was a Rigan Machado blackbelt was enough for me to sign. What I didn't expect to find was that Coach Scott is what I consider a martial arts innovator. You don't run into folks like this very often. In fact I've never run into one in Arizona. Helio Gracie was an innovator. Cus D'Amato and Bruce Lee, were innovators. John Danaher is an innovator. It's easier said than done, but an innovator is someone who can take a technique, or a series of techniques and improve them in their effectiveness and efficiency. Coach Scott has done this with several techniques.
I don't say this for any reason other than it's the truth, but the TNT version of the Americana is genus. The Americana is one of the first techniques you learn in Jiu-Jitsu It's a high success technique that is universally practiced in Jiu-Jitsu schools across the world. To modify something that is so commonly used and already highly effective is a feat that requires the highest level of competency. Plainly, Scott Tannenbaum is no ordinary black belt and it shows in his students-as I quickly learned. .
I'm no Rickson Gracie. But I can usually tap out most blue belts I encounter and can usually hold my own against purple belts my size. That's nothing to brag about. However, when I got on the mat at TNT, I should not have been as ineffective as I was. It was like I'd never had a lesson. I'm not knocking any of my former instruction, but I hadn't tapped out that much in years. The fellas at TNT were simply better than me. All of them, were better than me. My son who had just finished his first year of high school wrestling with 7 years of jiujitsu under his belt ran into the same thing. He was getting regularly tapped out by smaller and younger kids. It was a little demoralizing for him but now he's getting up to speed with TNT's expert training. This place is truly a cut above the rest. In fact I've seen head instructors from other long established schools training here. The competency of TNT instructors is among the best I've ever seen. They are that good.
THE CULTURE OF THE SCHOOL is also very important. It's the difference between enjoying the learning process or just pushing through and putting up with nonsense because you want to learn the art. Trust me, the former is much better than the latter.
It starts at the top. Coach Scott is for lack of a better description a "Zen dude." His philosophy is one of respect, kindness, and hard work. He cares about his students. At TNT you will run into nothing but gentle giants. Absent are the knuckle heads or mat bullies that are common in many JiuJitsu/MMA schools. Many will tell you they don't have this problem but in truth almost all of them do. A friend of mine was once neck cranked by an instructor who didn't like the question he was asked. My friend was out for a month. He later quit. Guys like that don't last at TNT and Coach Scott is the first one to show them to the door. I have no reservations in telling you If you are looking for a safe place to train with a friendly environment, TNT is where you want to go.
Let's talk about money. TNT doesn't nickel and dime you. They don't insist you buy their equipment. They don't even train in the traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi, which for many reasons is a much more realistic way to train for a self defense encounter or an MMA fight. I've personally spent thousands on Jiu-Jitsu Gi's over the years with little to show for it. TNT offers the highest quality of instruction for a very reasonable price. The only thing you are required to wear during class are whatever gym shorts you already have and a 15$ TNT t-shirt.
Investigating TNT is in my opinion absolutely worth your time. Before you sign somewhere else, come talk to Coach Scott and his instructors. Talk with the parents and other students. Get your questions answered. I'll be surprised if you don't like what you see.
I don't get a thing for writing this. But if this review can help you find the school that works best for you and your family I'm happy to do it. The truth is my only regret about TNT is that I didn't find it earlier. In my opinion it's the best kept secret in Arizona.
I hope this helps.
Steve read more