Strict BJJ School Rules???

**Hast** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 8:58am

Originally Posted by tao.jonez

Ya, we do. It's another old school Japanese respect thing.

Oh, nifty. I always wanted to check out one of those japanese jiujutsu schools, but the only one around here hurts to even watch. Thanks.

**Res Judicata** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 9:11am

It's interesting to see what happens when people make up their own traditions or attempt tradition a la carte. Perhaps its the interaction with one of most formal, hierarchical societies (Japan) with some of the least (USA, Brazil). Everything I've read here is some take-off of standard Judo/Japanese reishiki (etiquette), sometimes through a very distorted lens. You can read about reishiki here: http://judoinfo.com/dalien2.htm

**rangerdavy** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 9:21am

My school appears to be an intermediate in formality. We bow in/out, bow to the flag and Helio to start and end class, but everything else is laid back (ie, talking while warming up, laughing while rolling, etc). The explanation for the formal start and end that I've heard is that it gets everyone's mind going thinking about training, because it's something we do every class. Having trained at an extremely informal BJJ/MMA school and this, I prefer the definite start. It seems to cut down on lost time while everyone gets their heads on straight.

That being said, I would not train at a school where I was chastised for talking through technique.

**Res Judicata** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 9:49am

By the way, I find bowing to Helio hilarious. Carlos, or Carlos and Helio, perhaps. Or Meada. Or maybe Maeda and Kano. But Helio alone? That's really odd.

**goodlun** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 10:42am

Originally Posted by Res Judicata

By the way, I find bowing to Helio hilarious. Carlos, or Carlos and Helio, perhaps. Or Meada. Or maybe Maeda and Kano. But Helio alone? That's really odd.

This!

**judoka_uk** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 10:46am

You should all be bowing to Jesus, because BJJ isn't that important.

**Mo_Fo** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 10:50am

Originally Posted by judoka_uk

You should all be bowing to Jesus, because BJJ isn't that important.

Jesus is my gardener.

**rangerdavy** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 11:00am

I agree with Res's statement, but it's a trivial price for good training. One thing that's nice that all of the Pedro Sauer schools I've been to have the same opening and closing formalities, so it makes my xenophobic self feel better.

**Res Judicata** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 11:06am

Originally Posted by judoka_uk

You should all be bowing to Jesus, because BJJ isn't that important.

You used to be so eager and nice. Now look at you, trolling the BJJ guys.

I pretty much follow the Japanese customs whether I'm doing BJJ or Judo (although I haven't been to BJJ in months due to work). Bow on and off the mat, bow to my partner, tie by belt facing away, etc... It's habitual.

**Tenebrous** · Posted On: 1/21/2011 12:01pm

I have rolled as a paying member at something like 5 clubs so far. I have visited or fucked around at something like 15. It's not exactly the broadest survey, and all of them were in California but I learned one thing about etiquette:

There is no standard etiquette. Every school does things their own way. Schools that are part of a "family" or franchise tend to do it the way the rest of their chain does, which is more traditional and more strict. If the teacher comes from that background, more bowing and bitching if you come late, most likely.

A ton of them are laid back. No bowing, no bonus etiquette to observe or additional rules beyond "Don't Be A Dick". Those schools tend to be friendly as hell, well beyond schools that advertise children's classes and "family atmosphere". Hell, Brudda's Jiujitsu in Sacramento was the friendliest place I've ever been, had very few rules or rituals, and had 4 or 5 blackbelts to boot. And they won't make you do pushups for showing up late. Grownups shouldn't have to pay for that sort of thing. :eusa_sile