ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A JIU JITSU ACADEMY?
Here are FIVE questions you should be asking before you join!
Choosing an Academy can be hard! You are stepping out of your comfort zone just by entering a new environment. (Not to mention the anxiety that goes along with trying new things.) There are also a LOT of McDojo studios that are teaching something that they aren't skilled at. Check THIS crap out! This is DANGEROUS! If they are not an expert in the art, BEWARE!
Luckily the the internet has exposed these rackets with a sweet selection of "Your Martial Art vs My Martial Art" videos for quick research on what works and what is crap. A quick search of "BJJ vs" whatever martial art, CLEARLY reveals a DOMINANT martial art. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
To avoid these traps, here are three questions you should ask when choosing a Jiu Jitsu academy in your town.
1. Is the instructor a real BJJ Black Belt?
This is ULTRA important! A Black Belt knows what it takes at each level of Jiu Jitsu. He/She has been there and has experienced frustrations and problems that you will run into and should have curriculum to navigate your trouble spots. A real Black Belt will have a lineage of successful Black Belts before him dating back to the origins of Jiu Jitsu, If a Black Belt is not available in your area train with the highest belt possible.
2. Are there Beginner Classes?
A sign of a solid BJJ academy is a Beginner Class. This shows that a curriculum is in place to help guide you safely and develop your Jiu Jitsu at a pace that allows you the freedom to make mistakes. Jumping directly into an advanced class can lead to injury because you lack the building blocks of the art.
3. Are the clients HAPPY and engaged?
A VERY important aspect of any Academy is the COMMUNITY! There should be NO ego on the mat and EVERYONE should feel welcomed! Are the students engaged with what the technique or not focused? Are higher belts engaging with lower belts? Or, are the new students left to fend for themselves?
4. How often can I train?
You should be able to train as often as possible! Having a high skill level of Jiu Jitsu takes time and QUALITY training. Being able to train up to as often as possible is a MUST! If the academy only offers Jiu Jitsu a couple times a week, they are most likely not specialists!
5. Are there upper belts and does the Instructor Train with the Students?
A very good way to gauge a student's progress is by training WITH them! If the instructor is not training with his students on a regular basis, THIS IS A RED FLAG! The BEST way to learn is by sparring and learning from someone with more experience than you! There SHOULD be upper belts (purple, brown & black) that are willing to lend a hand and train with the beginner!
There are many places to choose from when looking for a martial art. DO YOUR RESEARCH! You wouldn't go to a dentist to fix a broken finger. Find an Academy near you that fits this description and you're on your way to reaching those goals you originally set for yourself!