I am currently looking to train at a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in the East Coast, and am in a "trial" period with a club. Some things that came to my attention are:
-A Blue Belt Regularly teaches the class, the black shows up here and there, but doesn't actually run the class.
-I see a large number of white and blue belts, but have only seen two other black belts, no purples, no browns
-I came into a Saturday evening class, there there was only one other student and the instructor (the blue belt)
-I came into a Friday night class, and there was only four other students..
-Every time i show up, they always ask if i am "ready to sign up".. (I've only been there for a week)
Just curious of these are tell tale signs of a club to stay away from....any advice as to how to spot a good/bad club would be great! Thanks!
Run from this school.
Find a place that has a lot of higher belts in class. Most of my learning when I began training came from purple/brown belts correcting mistakes/teaching me when I was rolling with them.
If you're in NJ, come to AMA fight club, lots of classes, great instruction.
How new is the school? if its only like 3 years, that could be the answer as to why there are only white blues....
... also, some schools advanced guys train at more obscure hours so maybe your only there during beginner classes
... just spit ballin here but....
why not just say the name of the place instead of asking questions so vague they cant be answered?
This school has been around since 2006...The guy that runs it is very reputable, and has associations with with great BJJ guys...a good amount of reviews, nothing negative..just through observation...i'm concerned with the lack of high level belts, and # of students in some of my classes..dont' get me wrong..the blue belt is actually pretty good, and is a high level blue belt..its just that other people who have trained BJJ, have advised me that at least a purple belt should be teaching....and i found it very strange that only a handful of students showed up on friday...and on saturday..it was only 2 students!
I don't want to say the name because, he is actually a poster here..he's a super nice guy..i don't want to damage the rep of anyone's school...i've onlyl been training there a week..and those are just my concerns..just looking for advice from some other rollers...thats all
Hell we don't even have evening classes on Friday or Saturday. If the black belt is legit and teaches class regularly, I would give a chance.
Of course they want you to sign up, most places don't offer one month trials. You either want to train or you don't.
Really if you are a white belt, you are going to be training with whites and blues for a while until people learn to trust you. It does help to have upper belts help you along the way. I see nothing wrong with asking how many purple and brown belts the professor has.
Rhymenoceros - The main things you should be looking for are clean mats and dudes who are chill.
If you can find that and higher belts, cool. If not, go with the clean mats and chill dudes.
Trust me, you can train with purple / brown belts to your hearts content, but if they're douches who crank subs and if you have ringworm and staph every couple of months you won't get as much training value.
Good points! But some defense soap you animals! And wash your freaking Gi and rashguards!
Maybe that means the instructor doesn't hand out belts like candy on Halloween. However, if he doesn't teach, I would run
Sugarfoot -Hell we don't even have evening classes on Friday or Saturday. If the black belt is legit and teaches class regularly, I would give a chance.
Of course they want you to sign up, most places don't offer one month trials. You either want to train or you don't.
Really if you are a white belt, you are going to be training with whites and blues for a while until people learn to trust you. It does help to have upper belts help you along the way. I see nothing wrong with asking how many purple and brown belts the professor has.
I don't mind just working with other white belts and blue belts...but i just noticed that out of all the days that I have trained, i have never SEEN a purple, or brown belt.
If it's a small school he may not have many purples, he probably doesnt have a brown, big deal. I think maybe 10 percent make it to blue and maybe 2 percent make it to purple at legit schools.
Simply ask him how many purple and brown belts he has!
"The guy that runs it is very reputable, and has associations with with great BJJ guys"
Sounds like you've already done some research, we don't know what school and can't make the decision for you. Are you sure this is something you really want to do?
Sounds like you're damn near getting private lessons! I love small classes, as long as I can also mix in occasional larger classes. As far as it being mostly whites/blues, that could be a good sign or a bad sign. Hard to say.
Sugarfoot -"The guy that runs it is very reputable, and has associations with with great BJJ guys"
Sounds like you've already done some research, we don't know what school and can't make the decision for you. Are you sure this is something you really want to do?
Yes. I've done my research...it is a gracie barra affiliate....he's actually trained under a a UFC World Champion...
there is another BJJ school in the same city..
I'm POSITIVE i want to do this..i've trained at a judo club for 3 years, and just got a job where i don't have to travel anymore..i've got the grappling BUG!!!!
eh..watevs..i've still got a few more weeks for my trial...i'll just take it from here..thanks guys for your input.
Good luck man, sounds like a good school, whats your other option?
Ok. here is my opinion as a black belt who runs a school.
He should be teaching at least 80-90% of the classes. I don't have anything other than a purple teach if i'm going to miss.
Blue's can teach and show you some decent stuff, but that shouldn't be the norm or even close to often IMO.
Having higher belts in the class shouldn't matter to you if there are blues in there. Those blues will be purples by the time you're a blue, etc... Unless you yourself are a blue belt, it shouldn't matter if there are purples or browns because you will get beaten by the blues plenty. And they should be able to teach you stuff as u roll as well.
The amount of students could be a problem.
I really don't think you need more than 8-10 guys in a class to get good rolls in and such, but 2-4 guys is pushing it. Not gonna get much differential in size/technique with 4 guys unfortunately.
Just my opinion.
McLeod - Ok. here is my opinion as a black belt who runs a school.
He should be teaching at least 80-90% of the classes. I don't have anything other than a purple teach if i'm going to miss.
Blue's can teach and show you some decent stuff, but that shouldn't be the norm or even close to often IMO.
Having higher belts in the class shouldn't matter to you if there are blues in there. Those blues will be purples by the time you're a blue, etc... Unless you yourself are a blue belt, it shouldn't matter if there are purples or browns because you will get beaten by the blues plenty. And they should be able to teach you stuff as u roll as well.
The amount of students could be a problem.
I really don't think you need more than 8-10 guys in a class to get good rolls in and such, but 2-4 guys is pushing it. Not gonna get much differential in size/technique with 4 guys unfortunately.
Just my opinion.
That was great input, McLeod! Thanks everybody!