I wasn't looking for a BJJ school. I clicked because a martial artist was doing a UA-cam episode with a Star Trek uniform. I like your extremely rational explanation of why you should invest the time to check out the options, and why vibe trumps style. The bit about delusional theoretical arts was entertaining.
I was once told by my former sensei to go to a new club wearing a white belt to see how newbies are being treaten - regardless what belt you really wear at that time. He said that I'd be one of the best indicators of how this particular club works.
Thank you for the information because I have a serious question on this topic. I've only done 4 months of BJJ and have meet some good people in my school who have helped me a lot. But lately my Professor has got me thinking if I'm at the right school or not. He never rolls with us, he will show a technique 2 or 3 times then tell us to partner up and do it. No matter who it is he will just sit on the mat yelling at random people for not doing it correctly. He even does this in our warm ups! He will roll his eyes while giving advice and sit there looking annoyed at us. The last straw was when he unexpectedly handed out promotions at the end of a class and called me up to receive my first white stripe. I was so happy and then he killed it with saying that all white belts get a free stripe for been there over 3 months :( What do you think Stephan? Is this how most schools teach? Am I been weak and over thinking these situations?
I know you wrote this to Stephan, but from one bjj brother to another.... This is not how most schools teach. In fact, no school should teach the way you described. You are not being weak over thinking about these situations. A quality instructor will never do as you said and roll their eyes, yell at their guys in a way that belittles them and cuts them down. There is a lot of pride and arrogance in bjj today, the very things which corrupt the art. A guy thinks that just because his belt is black and he has an academy he is something, when in reality he's just another human being with a job. I'd highly consider testing the waters and visiting some other schools. I'm really sorry that your first 4 months of exposure have been this way. If you you'd like some pointers or help finding another place you can inbox me.
ClearGrillz as the other people in this thread have said that's definitely NOT how most schools and instructors operate at all. I personally would never put up with that and neither should you. Hopefully that isn't the only option in your area. Worst comes to worst you can try to get a training group going outside of any school. In the current day and age that's always a viable possibility. Good luck with this!!!
Thanks Stephan the feed back is much appreciated! I looked online and found I have 3 other schools close to home which I will be checking out over the next month. Just a friendly place that teaches self defense is all I want really. Once again thank you for the advice guys :)
Stephan this is a great timed video for me. I walked out of my training session on Sat because i was told that I was pushing back too hard on a guy who not only up kicked me during our roll repeatedly but also bit my hand hard enough that I still had marks the next day but because I pinned him to the mat to tell him to calm down i was in the wrong. I want to train and be in a good environment but at the martial arts school i am at we are lead by blue belts and they are constantly telling me before I roll with someone "If I hear one Ouch from them" and so i feel i have to hold back in my rolls which makes me feel like I am loosing out on my progress for that of others. Heck i don't even want to attack for submissions because i don't want the other person to say ouch. I am there to train and help out my training parteners but at the same time having to hold back all the time makes me feel like I am not being allowed to train.
I once had a had instructor who was a bully. He used to make fun of weaker students in front of the class. It filtered down through the students for sure.
A lot of places will let you train one or two nights for free so that you can get a feel for the training environment. If you have your choices narrowed down to 1-2 clubs, I'd recommend training (for free) with both as a tie breaker.
Another great vid mate, keep them up I really do enjoy your vids and explanations. Im extremely lucky and gratefull to be able to train under Professor Paul Abel a great instructor that can tweak his teaching for each of his students for what they need. Question Stephan, do you ever travel for seminars? If so do you ever reach the Maritimes? On a side note, I see the Star trek rashguard. Whats your opinion on the new star trek show coming out?
ive been to too gyms so far. i really liked the first one. nice people and teacher, but it was rather full imo and due to the pandemic i decided to postpone. then i went to a diferent one with less students, and although the teaching was good, the teacher was kinda weird, talking about sexual stuff which was rather off putting.. i´m not sure if i should go look for one more school or jsut wait it out and stick with the first one i liked?
thumb up, good points that really work with any martial arts school. if there to have fun and your not, move to another school. fun being whatever it is that you enjoy. Cheers
How should you go dressed to the martial arts gym? If I'm going to each gym, I should be ready to perform as well, what would you recommend dressing since we won't have the uniform.
First academy I went to was not a good experience. The professor cared more for his guys who compete and didnt really take the time to show the white belts the fundamentals. Some of the guys there were a bunch of cocky assholes too. I was being laughed at because I was getting destroyed in rolling matches after only training for 3 months. I mean alot of these guys have been doing this at least a year more than I have. I just did not feel welcome there. Not sure if I even want to do bjj anymore after that experience
You may have to take an hour bus ride or something. Where there's a will there's a way. Back in the '90s when there were only a handful of BJJ schools in the entire US, people would sometimes travel hundreds of miles to get some training; they were hungry for it.
Really great advice but I disagree with you on one thing - the self defence mos5t certainly won't take care of itself. If you want self defence, don't learn jujitsu as your primary art - it murders your self defence instincts. I would add to your advice about visiting clubs - don't make a decision based upon a single class. Train a couple or more. They could have a bad class the one day you visit, or a great visiting instructor. Happened to me. But then don't feel embarrassed to view a visit as an audition. If they don't like being visited that way then that's already a strike against them.
It's quite apparent that you've never actually stopped to consider how a real fight might unfold. How does BJJ cope with kicks, bottles, knifes, even punches? How are you gonna do your double leg take down in a crowded club, or out in the rain or on a hard floor? How will your grappling skills help you against multiple opponents? Self defence and a refereed exchange in a matted gym bear NO comparison, and given that weapons are a reality in even small towns, a system that copes with them is invaluable.
It's quite apparent you've never fought someone who knows how to fight before. There is no system that deals with a gun or a knife other than taking out your own gun or knife and letting the cards fall as they may. Show me your system...and if it's videos of someone doing choreographed Krav Maga dancing, I'll try not to injure my spleen from laughing at you. As far as multiple opponents go...if you're fighting against four guys at a time, the first thing you need to do is question your life decisions up to that point. If that is a common reality for you just going home from work, then you need to buy a gun or just move. From a technical standpoint though, if you're fighting five guys, chances are you will go to the ground at some point. You know what BJJ does? It teaches you how to get off the ground. If you knew anything about anything BJJ related, you'd know that even though it's a martial art that's all about getting to the ground, it also teaches you how to stand up. It sounds simple, but if four guys are kicking you and you don't know how to do a technical stand from experience of live rolling, then you've lowered your chances tremendously of getting off the ground and will continue to get pummeled. It's quite easy to get an arm drag in a tight space, so assuming one has to double leg to get to an advantageous position shows your lack of knowledge again...and there is a such thing as a double leg that doesn't require a shot, and guess what? It works even better when there's no mat to cushion the fall. It is always hilarious to see comments form you "The Street Haz No Rulz!" guys and you only think the logic works one way.
that rashguard 😂😂
Getting one
Make it so.
Love it!
I wasn't looking for a BJJ school. I clicked because a martial artist was doing a UA-cam episode with a Star Trek uniform. I like your extremely rational explanation of why you should invest the time to check out the options, and why vibe trumps style. The bit about delusional theoretical arts was entertaining.
Your videos are consistently great Stephan. Very refreshing to see a down to earth and positive guy. Keep up the good work!
I was once told by my former sensei to go to a new club wearing a white belt to see how newbies are being treaten - regardless what belt you really wear at that time. He said that I'd be one of the best indicators of how this particular club works.
I only have 1 school in my city, thank god it's full of nice people with a good variety of styles.
Oh I’ve never known that Captain Jean Luc Picard knows BJJ!
How VERY clever!!! Kudos.
I’ve watched several videos on how to choose a Great BJJ school and this is the best one.
This helped tremendously!! Thank you for this video 😀🙏🏼
very difficult to find a self defense based gym these days. everyone's looking to compete
True.
BJJ self defence is an oxymoron in my experience. If you want self defence, learn Japanese jujitsu or Krav Maga.
Mat Broomfield why is that?
@Mat Broomfield
Lol, a BJJ purple belt would mop the floor with anybody in a Krav Maga or Japanese Jiu-jitsu school, including the instructor.
@@Drwcorner traditional judo has the same self defence with gjj
Thank you for the information because I have a serious question on this topic. I've only done 4 months of BJJ and have meet some good people in my school who have helped me a lot. But lately my Professor has got me thinking if I'm at the right school or not.
He never rolls with us, he will show a technique 2 or 3 times then tell us to partner up and do it. No matter who it is he will just sit on the mat yelling at random people for not doing it correctly. He even does this in our warm ups! He will roll his eyes while giving advice and sit there looking annoyed at us.
The last straw was when he unexpectedly handed out promotions at the end of a class and called me up to receive my first white stripe. I was so happy and then he killed it with saying that all white belts get a free stripe for been there over 3 months :(
What do you think Stephan? Is this how most schools teach? Am I been weak and over thinking these situations?
I know you wrote this to Stephan, but from one bjj brother to another....
This is not how most schools teach. In fact, no school should teach the way you described. You are not being weak over thinking about these situations.
A quality instructor will never do as you said and roll their eyes, yell at their guys in a way that belittles them and cuts them down. There is a lot of pride and arrogance in bjj today, the very things which corrupt the art. A guy thinks that just because his belt is black and he has an academy he is something, when in reality he's just another human being with a job.
I'd highly consider testing the waters and visiting some other schools. I'm really sorry that your first 4 months of exposure have been this way. If you you'd like some pointers or help finding another place you can inbox me.
ClearGrillz as the other people in this thread have said that's definitely NOT how most schools and instructors operate at all. I personally would never put up with that and neither should you. Hopefully that isn't the only option in your area. Worst comes to worst you can try to get a training group going outside of any school. In the current day and age that's always a viable possibility. Good luck with this!!!
Thanks Stephan the feed back is much appreciated! I looked online and found I have 3 other schools close to home which I will be checking out over the next month. Just a friendly place that teaches self defense is all I want really. Once again thank you for the advice guys :)
Stephan this is a great timed video for me. I walked out of my training session on Sat because i was told that I was pushing back too hard on a guy who not only up kicked me during our roll repeatedly but also bit my hand hard enough that I still had marks the next day but because I pinned him to the mat to tell him to calm down i was in the wrong. I want to train and be in a good environment but at the martial arts school i am at we are lead by blue belts and they are constantly telling me before I roll with someone "If I hear one Ouch from them" and so i feel i have to hold back in my rolls which makes me feel like I am loosing out on my progress for that of others. Heck i don't even want to attack for submissions because i don't want the other person to say ouch. I am there to train and help out my training parteners but at the same time having to hold back all the time makes me feel like I am not being allowed to train.
I once had a had instructor who was a bully. He used to make fun of weaker students in front of the class. It filtered down through the students for sure.
A lot of places will let you train one or two nights for free so that you can get a feel for the training environment. If you have your choices narrowed down to 1-2 clubs, I'd recommend training (for free) with both as a tie breaker.
Another great vid mate, keep them up I really do enjoy your vids and explanations. Im extremely lucky and gratefull to be able to train under Professor Paul Abel a great instructor that can tweak his teaching for each of his students for what they need. Question Stephan, do you ever travel for seminars? If so do you ever reach the Maritimes?
On a side note, I see the Star trek rashguard. Whats your opinion on the new star trek show coming out?
What is the best BJJ school in Vanouver for a beginner that wants a hardcore gym?
That rashguard is epic :D :D :D
I have horror stories trying to find a BJJ gym here in Florida.
Half way tru your video I can tell your a genious... Thanks for sharing 👍
awesome video, thanks!
ive been to too gyms so far. i really liked the first one. nice people and teacher, but it was rather full imo and due to the pandemic i decided to postpone. then i went to a diferent one with less students, and although the teaching was good, the teacher was kinda weird, talking about sexual stuff which was rather off putting.. i´m not sure if i should go look for one more school or jsut wait it out and stick with the first one i liked?
thumb up, good points that really work with any martial arts school. if there to have fun and your not, move to another school. fun being whatever it is that you enjoy. Cheers
nice rash guard! did you buy it online. if so can you post the link
www.amazon.com/Fusion-Fight-Gear-Generation-Command/dp/B00XHLYSWK/ref=pd_day0_200_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00XHLYSWK&pd_rd_r=D05VJSH3M7PGW6GEG9X7&pd_rd_w=Y8RGc&pd_rd_wg=caRn8&refRID=D05VJSH3M7PGW6GEG9X7
It's Captian Picard!
How should you go dressed to the martial arts gym? If I'm going to each gym, I should be ready to perform as well, what would you recommend dressing since we won't have the uniform.
Try something light, shorts and a light white tee
awesome, planning on going to some gyms next week to check them out, but wants sure how to dress, thanks!
eljefito94 No problem, I wish you the best of luck on finding a genuine and amazing gym :)
How did you like West Island Jiu-Jitsu, Stephan?
Should the instructor be a black belt?
I just came for the Trek rashguard.
I also literally clicked for it
just use the armbar
Make it so.
First academy I went to was not a good experience. The professor cared more for his guys who compete and didnt really take the time to show the white belts the fundamentals. Some of the guys there were a bunch of cocky assholes too. I was being laughed at because I was getting destroyed in rolling matches after only training for 3 months. I mean alot of these guys have been doing this at least a year more than I have. I just did not feel welcome there. Not sure if I even want to do bjj anymore after that experience
I want to do BJJ but there aren't any schools in my area. I live in Brisbane Australia btw please help!!
Buzzy Any tones of schools in brizzy mate
LeeroyJenkins I'm
In the south east nothin down here only in the city
go on Google and type jiu jitsu Brisbane thats how I found the place I train down in melbourne
You may have to take an hour bus ride or something. Where there's a will there's a way. Back in the '90s when there were only a handful of BJJ schools in the entire US, people would sometimes travel hundreds of miles to get some training; they were hungry for it.
profd65 yeh I'm only 13 and my parents can't drive me there all the time and I've got school and studies that I gotta commit to
i love your top
2:18
#10p4L
Really great advice but I disagree with you on one thing - the self defence mos5t certainly won't take care of itself. If you want self defence, don't learn jujitsu as your primary art - it murders your self defence instincts. I would add to your advice about visiting clubs - don't make a decision based upon a single class. Train a couple or more. They could have a bad class the one day you visit, or a great visiting instructor. Happened to me. But then don't feel embarrassed to view a visit as an audition. If they don't like being visited that way then that's already a strike against them.
It's quite apparent that you've never actually stopped to consider how a real fight might unfold. How does BJJ cope with kicks, bottles, knifes, even punches? How are you gonna do your double leg take down in a crowded club, or out in the rain or on a hard floor? How will your grappling skills help you against multiple opponents? Self defence and a refereed exchange in a matted gym bear NO comparison, and given that weapons are a reality in even small towns, a system that copes with them is invaluable.
It's quite apparent you've never fought someone who knows how to fight before. There is no system that deals with a gun or a knife other than taking out your own gun or knife and letting the cards fall as they may. Show me your system...and if it's videos of someone doing choreographed Krav Maga dancing, I'll try not to injure my spleen from laughing at you.
As far as multiple opponents go...if you're fighting against four guys at a time, the first thing you need to do is question your life decisions up to that point. If that is a common reality for you just going home from work, then you need to buy a gun or just move. From a technical standpoint though, if you're fighting five guys, chances are you will go to the ground at some point. You know what BJJ does? It teaches you how to get off the ground. If you knew anything about anything BJJ related, you'd know that even though it's a martial art that's all about getting to the ground, it also teaches you how to stand up. It sounds simple, but if four guys are kicking you and you don't know how to do a technical stand from experience of live rolling, then you've lowered your chances tremendously of getting off the ground and will continue to get pummeled.
It's quite easy to get an arm drag in a tight space, so assuming one has to double leg to get to an advantageous position shows your lack of knowledge again...and there is a such thing as a double leg that doesn't require a shot, and guess what? It works even better when there's no mat to cushion the fall.
It is always hilarious to see comments form you "The Street Haz No Rulz!" guys and you only think the logic works one way.
You sound like you dont know shit.