Best Scott Sievewright Podcasts (2025)

1
5 Ways to Start Eco Training if You're Not at an Eco Gym 7:57

1M ago7:57

7:57

Interested in eco/CLA but stuck in a traditional school? Or maybe you’re frustrated with your progress, want to try something new, but are stuck inside a learning environment you don’t control. Either way, you still have some options. Of course, it’s optimal to run your own club or gym, but you can take ownership of your own learning journey and ge…

1
Why the Practical Karate Movement isn't Improving Karate 14:05

2M ago14:05

14:05

My friend Daniel Marino made a critical observation about the karate community: “It’s about looking good, not learning how to fight.” Now, if you’re a part of the so-called “practical karate” or “practical bunkai” movement, you might think that you are exempt from this statement…but you’re not. Dan wasn’t just talking about the most traditional of …

1
Systematic Coaching & Team Building with Luke Martin 1:18:14

2M ago1:18:14

1:18:14

I talk to Luke Martin from Sydney West Martial Arts, Luke has been on the podcast several times before, and this marks ten years since he began his journey of bringing the world-class Danaher grappling system to his gym in Penrith. We discuss his team's recent participation in the ADCC World Championships, how his coaching philosophy has evolved ov…

1
Training Review #3: David Ooi's Awesome Ecological Jiu Jitsu Seminar 22:55

2M ago22:55

22:55

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.combatlearning.com Today I analyze a jiu jitsu seminar conducted by David Ooi in Singapore. In the process, a lot of good little nuances surface that I don’t often get to talk about in other places. Other Paid Articles You Don’t Want to Miss……

1
CLA is Not Positional Sparring... 9:01

2M ago9:01

9:01

Positional sparring is consistent with the constraints-led approach (CLA) to coaching—and by extension, scalable live training (SLT)—but positional sparring tends to have a less flexible scope of practice. So whereas all positional sparring can be CLA, the CLA is not simply positional sparring: it can be much more or much less, depending on the nec…

1
REVIEW #2: Josh Beam & Craig Hutchison's Lasso Passing Game 10:00

3M ago10:00

10:00

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.combatlearning.com Today I’m reviewing a video by YouTuber Josh Beam BJJ, with Craig Hutchison from Carpe Diem Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu helping him assess and develop a passing game. This episode explores the vital considerations we need to make about how we manipulate constraints, if sma…

1
(Video) Training Review #1: Converting YOU to Sport Taekwondo with FACTS and LOGIC 44:22

4M ago44:22

44:22

Today, I review and criticize (in good humor) some videos I found on YouTube. I’m analyzing the utility of several drills and games related to developing lead leg kicking tactics in taekwondo, a.k.a. cut kick and cancelling. Relevant to kickboxing and beyond. But I’d like my awesome followers to get involved, too! * Found an interesting training vi…

1
Sport Psychology, Ecological Cognition, & More w/ Duarte Araujo 1:09:04

5M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

Major ecological researcher, Dr. Duarte Araujo, joins us on combat learning to discuss all things ecological cognition and sport psychology. Other topics include… * Knowledge of vs knowledge about * Technique vs task space * Repetition without repetition * Affordances * Decision-making and sport expertise * Representative learning design Dr. Araujo…

1
Five Views of the Fundamentals of Martial Arts 19:58

6M ago19:58

19:58

Everyone agrees that the fundamentals are the essence of martial arts skill, but nobody can agree on what they are exactly. In this article, I outline and briefly comment on five different conceptions of martial arts fundamentals. * Fundamentals as Basic Techniques * Fundamentals as Principles of Play * Fundamentals as Basics + Principles * Fundame…

1
There are no Eco Games. [Audio] 13:08

6M ago13:08

13:08

Information processing and ecological dynamics are both theories of perception and learning. They explain your relationship to the environment and how that affects your internal states and vice versa. As such, they inform training methodologies, but they are not methodologies in themselves. Or, put another way, they have clear implications for how …

1
#53 - Philosophy, physics and phighting! - Andy from the School of Grappling FINALLY joins me to chat. 1:49:08

6M ago1:49:08

1:49:08

Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Andy from the School of Grappling, a coach and physicist whose analytical approach to no-gi grappling and wrestling has made him a respected figure in the sport. We discuss the science behind skill development, biomechanics, and training methods that align with the ecological approach. As the podcast ne…

1
#52 - Getting Emotional! - Dr Laura Cuijper's talks about the emotional aspects of training and performance. 1:26:30

7M ago1:26:30

1:26:30

Send us a text In this episode of the Primal MMA Coaching Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Laura Cuijpers, an assistant professor at the University of Groningen, to explore the emotional and psychological aspects of martial arts training. We dive into Dr. Laura's work on agency, resilience, and the application of the ecological approach in self-defense…

1
What are the Fundamentals of Striking? w/ Scott Sievewright 1:36:06

7M ago1:36:06

1:36:06

MMA coach and ecological approach to martial arts pioneer, Scott Sievewright, returns to Combat Learning to discuss his newly published academic paper on ecological dynamics for MMA and his evolving conception of martial arts ideas such as “the fundamentals.” We also talk about problems of practice in the constraints-led approach, especially how di…

1
You Don't Have to Give Your Students Feedback (Live Q&A) 1:02:58

7M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

The first combat learning live Q&A! We discuss… * How you don’t have to intervene during training and you don’t have to generate feedback for students if it’s not necessary. * The power of external instructions, especially with young children acquiring movement skills. * CLA for coaching poomsae and kata. * Overcorrecting and junk coaching. …and mo…

1
Bruce Lee's Tao of Aliveness [Audio Essay] 30:11

8M ago30:11

30:11

This is an audio version of a previous combat learning article, Tao of Aliveness. Bruce Lee superfans have to pretend about his fighting prowess because, to them, that’s what makes him legendary. It bolsters the legitimacy and mystique of his jeet kune do system. Jeet kune do, as Lee taught it, is the chief artifact of his legacy in the eyes of mar…

1
The Ecological Approach vs Embodied Grappling With Greg Souders & School Of Grappling 1:12:21

8M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

I talk to Andy from School of Grappling and Greg Souders from Standard Jiu-Jitsu about their perspectives on the ecological approach to teaching grappling. We explore the theoretical foundations and practical applications of this method, discussing key concepts like experience, perception, consciousness, and intentionality. Andy shares insights on …

1
A Constraints-led Approach to Combat Athlete Rehab w/ Patrick Jacobs 1:25:54

8M ago1:25:54

1:25:54

DPT, licensed physical therapist, CSCS, and fellow martial artist Patrick Jacobs joins me to unpack rehabilitation and injury prevention for martial artists from a constraints-led approach to PT practice. Want to upgrade your coaching? Bring your CLA coaching and ecological dynamics knowledge to the next level and upgrade to the premium combat lear…

1
There is No Perfect Technique. [Audio Essay] 25:28

9M ago25:28

25:28

The original There is No Perfect Technique article can be found here. It’s the air we breathe from our first day of school to our last day in the workforce and beyond… Repetition, repetition, repetition. Practice makes perfect. Perfect practice makes better. Everywhere we’re washed over with some form of messaging about how to learn that involves d…

1
Embodied Grappling Philosophy & Practice With Andy From School of Grappling 2:05:09

9M ago2:05:09

2:05:09

I talk to Andy from School of Grappling about the rising trend of the ecological approach in BJJ coaching and its implications. We explore the interplay between culture, coaching methods, and individual motivation in training. Andy shares insights on the limitations of singular approaches and the need for a holistic perspective in creating supporti…

1
Live Striking Practice: Safe & Productive CLA Training w/ Adam Singer 1:02:01

9M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

Adam Singer joins us again to discuss how he balances safety and productivity using the constrains-led approach to teach 100% live sparring classes from the ground up, beginner to advanced. Remember to sign up for the FREE Combat Learning Newsletter. You'll get an introduction to motor learning for martial artists PDF, a transfer of learning cheat …

1
#51 - Beyond Eco! - Sony Sahota on bridging Ecological Psychology with an Active Inference Framework. 1:47:49

9M ago1:47:49

1:47:49

Send us a text Today I welcome Sonny Sahota from Praxis Gym in Canada. Sonny, a judo black belt and manager of Kensington Judo Club in Vancouver, shares his insights on integrating Ecological Dynamics and the Active Inference Framework (AIF) into martial arts coaching. Sony introduces some of the tenets these approaches, discussing how they inform …

1
Bruce Lee, Aliveness, and the JKD Problem w/ Adam Singer 32:55

9M ago32:55

32:55

Long-time MMA coach, SGB affiliate, and martial arts veteran Adam Singer talks about the old days of Jeet Kune Do, the introduction of MMA, and the development of aliveness from Bruce Lee through Matt Thornton to today. Remember to sign up for the FREE Combat Learning Newsletter. You'll get an introduction to motor learning for martial artists PDF,…

1
#51 - It's complex, keep it simple! - Coach Rob Cole on playing the ecological long game. 50:51

10M ago50:51

50:51

Send us a text Coach Rob Cole joins me today to talk coaching within an ecological dynamics framework. Rob is a long time mixed martial artist, globetrotters BJJ coach and a regular coach at Ascension Athletics in Connecticut.

1
Embodied Cognition and Martial Arts w/ Sony Sahota 1:37:28

10M ago1:37:28

1:37:28

Today I'm joined Sony Sahota, owner of Praxis Gym and a teacher of judo, wrestling, and jiu jitsu.In this episode, we discuss how Sony approaches training through the lens of embodied cognition, specifically enactivism. Sony recounts how it changed his entire approach to training, and then we move into a deep philosophical discussion about embodied…

1
#50 - Exploring Eco Psych and perception - Gray Thomas of U-Con on ecological Psychology and it's implications for practice and development. 1:12:14

11M ago1:12:14

1:12:14

Send us a text Gray Thomas joins me today to talk about the Ecological Psychology side of ecological dynamics. Gray is a PhD student at the university of Connecticut where he studies and researches Ecological Psychology. I enjoyed my chat with Gray and learn more about eco psych. The ecological approach really hangs on the theory of direct percepti…

1
Chess Rating to Assess Progress in Combat Sports w/ Kabir Bath 24:56

11M ago24:56

24:56

Josh and Kabir discuss the elo chess rating system and how it might provide an approachable way to assess skill development across belt levels — and end tournament sandbagging permanently. Where to Find Kabir... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kabirbath/Website: https://kaboombjj.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this wit…

1
#49 - Pitching and Punching - Pittsburg Pirate Coach John Baker on an eco approach to Baseball, BJJ & MMA skill development. 1:42:54

11M ago1:42:54

1:42:54

Send us a text Today's chat was with Pittsburgh Pirate's coach John Baker John is a former MLB player and current performance and skills coach alongside Andy Bass in the Pirates Baseball organization. Also a BJJ purple belt, Ecological dynamics advocate and MMA fan. We had a fun chat covering all things eco, baseball and combat sports.…

1
Coaching Coaches Ecologically w/ Kabir Bath 35:01

12M ago35:01

35:01

Kabir unpacks how he coaches his coaches to do what he does -- ecologically. Visit combatlearning.substack.com to start reading now. Where to Find Kabir...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kabirbath/Website: https://kaboombjj.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi…

1
Learning thru Play and Connected Coaching w/ Kabir Bath 58:32

12M ago58:32

58:32

Today I’m joined by BJJ black belt Kabir Bath. Kabir is one of the early success stories in the ecological jiu jitsu movement, and he has the distinction of a commercially successful gym, too—especially a large children’s program. In this episode, we explore the value and effectiveness of learning through play, as well as the vitalness of coaches c…

1
A Constraints-led Approach to Preparing Your Body for Combat w/ Raul Sanchez Garcia 29:42

1y ago29:42

29:42

Dr. Garcia joins us one final time to discuss a few very interesting topics. First, we talk briefly about donor sports and the part they play in building better skills for your main sport. Finally, Raul helps us understand how we can use CLA not just for training in the sport itself but also a preparedness that comes with greater skill in stress ma…

1
False Assumptions of Kata-based Training w/ Raul Sanchez Garcia 29:30

1y ago29:30

29:30

Dr. Garcia joins us again today to unpack the false assumptions that lie beneath the kata-based training system and traditional martial arts. He shows how early ecological researchers such as Nicholai Bernstein blows up the conventional wisdom of traditional martial arts. He then spends the bulk of this episode comparing and contrasting the differe…

1
Kata were Insignificant in Historical Warring Japan w/ Raul Sanchez Garcia 26:31

1y ago26:31

26:31

Today I'm joined by Dr. Raul Sanchez Garcia, a sport science lecturer at the University Politécnica of Madrid, Spain, martial artist, and Ecological Dynamics thinker. Most researchers in the ecological approach come from a psychology background. Dr. Garcia is unique in that he approaches Ecological Dynamics from the vantage point of ethnography, wh…

1
#48 - Hot Off The Press - The Boys from Emergence talk about their recently published Ecological Approach to MMA Journal Article. 1:35:55

1y ago1:35:55

1:35:55

Send us a text The boys from emergence are back to discuss their recently accepted and published paper on "Applying an ecological dynamics framework to mixed martial arts training". This paper followed their previous publication from 2023 "(Re)conceptualizing movement behavior in sport as a problem-solving activity". Both of these papers were suppo…

1
Mobility Training for Martial Arts (NOT Yoga) w/ Matt Phili 55:24

1y ago55:24

55:24

Today I'm joined by Matt Phili, a mobility training coach and founder of Primal Mobility. Whether a grappler or striker, most martial artists need greater mobility. However, most of the mobility routines you see around Instagram really won't cut it, and stretching isn't necessarily good mobility work either -- at least on its own. In this episode, …

1
Ecological Approach to MMA Striking with Scott Sievewright 1:48:10

1y ago1:48:10

1:48:10

In this episode of The Sonny Brown Breakdown, guest Scott Sievewright discusses his ecological approach to coaching martial arts. Sievewright emphasises the importance of live, unscripted sparring from day one to build relationships and develop skills, arguing that traditional techniques taught in isolation do not effectively transfer to real-life …

1
Should you do pad combinations? (9 Months of CLA for Kickboxing) w/ Pedro Sierra 20:36

1y ago20:36

20:36

In this episode, Pedro updates us on his kickboxing program. Then we move into a deep discussion on combinations, affordances, and elaborate pad work in striking sports. We return to the external focus of attention subject briefly before digging into some of the issues Pedro and his coaches experience applying CLA to their classes on a daily basis.…

1
#47 - "ACTION ~ perception" Coach James de Lacey on building action capacities for combat sports. 56:30

1y ago56:30

56:30

Send us a text In this episode I talk with Coach James de Lacey of Sweet Science of Fighting. While most discussions on the podcast have been biased toward the perceptual half of the perception-action loop. Coach James talks about how we can support the action side through science informed exercise programming. While James doesn't offer a specific …

1
Student Wins ADCC Open after training the Ecological Approach w/ Pedro Sierra 26:02

1y ago26:02

26:02

Today, Pedro Sierra returns to the podcast to update us on his program in two parts. Before understanding Ecological Dynamics, Sierra MMA had lackluster results. Since implementing the constraints-led approach, Sierra MMA has begun to see much more success. In fact, thanks to this change in training methodology, one of coach Pedro's students even w…

1
#47 - All Choking Aside - Dr Andy Bass talks about self-talk, attention and focus and how these can interfere with us all on game day. 1:35:03

1y ago1:35:03

1:35:03

Send us a text Today I talk with Dr Andy Bass. Andy is a researcher, educator, former pro baseball player and is currently a performance coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Andy talks about both the mental side and motor learning side of skill development. How the two can be separate but also generally integrate. I have linked several episodes that …

1
Use CLA to Individualize Muay Thai Sessions w/ Emil Fitoussey 28:26

1+ y ago28:26

28:26

In this episode, Emil reveals his approach to game design. Then we move quickly into the ways to individualize sessions to each learner, including some principles of session design. Overall, Emil keeps the generic conditioning exercises out of skill training. Strength and conditioning is something you can do on your own time with coaches specialize…

1
Safe Muay Thai Sparring for Day 1 of Training w/ Emil Fitoussey 37:18

1+ y ago37:18

37:18

In this episode, Emil continues to explain how he does the constraints-led approach to Muay Thai. Other ways to control for intensity/going too hard How to introduce leg kicks and leg kick defense through sparring games What are the fundamentals of Muay Thai as a sport? How can we understand it at a dynamic and foundational level? How constraints c…

1
Ecological Approach to Muay Thai Kickboxing w/ Emil Fitoussey 28:25

1+ y ago28:25

28:25

Today I'm joined by Emil Fitoussey, a professional Muay Thai coach out of Nacka Dojo in Sweden. Over the past year, Emil has transitioned his partially ecological Muay Thai program into a 100% ecological Muay Thai program. In this episode, he recounts his journey into Ecological Dynamics and the constraints-led approach. Then, we talk about how he …

1
Foundations vs "All Levels" Classes: Moving from Task Simplification to Task Complexification 25:21

1+ y ago25:21

25:21

In this third installment of our interview with Greg Souders, we unpack in gritty detail how Greg approaches both task simplification and task complexification. There's quite a bit of information out there about how to scale down games, but not a lot on how, why, and when to scale them up, even beyond the complexity of free sparring. There's a lot …

1
#46 - The gimmicks of the Gram - Coach Jon Mackey returns to discuss agility ladders and other questionable training tools. 1:49:32

1+ y ago1:49:32

1:49:32

Send us a text Today I chat with Irish National Kickboxing Coach Jon Mackey about the role of training tools in striking sports. We'll explore whether these tools actually support skill acquisition and debunk some of the popular training gimmicks that are flooding social media. Coach Mackey brings not only an extensive coaching experience, but his …

1
"Scaling Focuses" Make Any Game Appropriate for All Jiu Jitsu Skill Levels w/ Greg Souders 29:29

1+ y ago29:29

29:29

In this second part of my second Greg Souders interview, we take Greg's rationale for his use of language and demonstrate how it can be used to take the same games and help learners of all skill levels get something out of it even without scaling the constraints down or up. Of course, we highly recommend you engage in task simplification and comple…

1
#45 - Game on! - Kit Dale and Greg Souders on ditching the drills to become better quicker! 2:44:00

1+ y ago2:44:00

2:44:00

Send us a text Today I welcome Kit Dale and Greg Souders on to the show. Kit is well know in the jiu-jitsu world for his rapid development in the sport and his achievements at high level no-gi grappling in a short few years. An advocate of 'learning through trial and error and one that has been preaching the anti-drilling message for years' it seem…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Scott Sievewright Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen