Academies Archives

Belt System in BJJ: Does it Do More Harm than Good?

A few weeks ago, Garry Tonon posted a provocative (and controversial) statement: Having a belt system in BJJ Leads to more harm than good – CHANGE MY MIND. Not only did this statement generate a plethora of comments and likes on Instagram – approximately 545 comments and 4,936 likes to be exact – it really does […]

Masters Worlds After Thoughts from a Competitor

Originally, I had envisioned this blog as a compilation of after thoughts by a bunch of Masters Worlds competitors varying by belt and age. However, after receiving my first response, I definitely felt that it deserved its own post. So thank you, Dion Watts, BJJ black belt, BJJ photographer, gym owner, and most importantly – […]

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Show Up Late to Class

Most academies have a strict policy that they adhere to when people show up late to class without notice. This is usually illustrated in the academy house rules or etiquette guidelines. Some instructors take it more seriously than others, while some choose to let students get away with showing up 30 minutes late because they […]

Fire Destroys Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Chile

The Jiu-Jitsu community is infamous for coming together in times of need. Whether one of our own have fallen ill, experienced a sudden loss of a loved one, had things stolen from them, or pretty much anything for which they need help but are too humble to ask for it. This is one of those […]

Loyalty vs Convenience: Switching Teams When Your Instructor Leaves

It is no surprise to see black belts switching teams/affiliations for a variety of reasons. But what happens when that black belt is the head instructor at your academy and you are faced with the tough decision to either stay with your current team or leave and follow your instructor? For many, this seems like […]

Should Promotions Be a Surprise or Not? /// By: Vincent Inoncillo

When we first start Jiu-Jitsu we are so alien to the whole thing. We may have seen it being used in an MMA or Jiu-Jitsu match, or maybe from videos online. But nothing could be more different than the actual first time you get a full on roll. As in it being your first day […]

Preventing Stagnancy in Class for Colored Belts

In a previous blog, we discussed how the structure of Jiu-Jitsu classes fails the beginner. But what if you train at an academy that focuses primarily on the beginner and doesn’t leave much flexibility in techniques for upper belts (primarily brown and black belts). How do you prevent stagnancy in training for advanced students when […]

The Unfortunate Price of Cross Training

Recently a friend told me that someone in their community that they knew got kicked out of their academy for cross training at another school (i.e. drop in/open mat) in the same area. Perhaps if this were 10 years ago when cross training at other academies/affiliations were unheard of, maybe this wouldn’t be so surprising. […]

Small Town Jiu-Jitsu With Big Vibes

In a sleepy beach town 20 minutes away from Astoria and Cannon Beach (both made famous by the iconic 1985 hit movie the Goonies), Seaside, Oregon, is the home to a secret Jiu-Jitsu powerhouse – Adamson Bros BJJ. Run by Rafael Lovato Jr. black belts, brothers Nate and Zach Adamson, have brought BJJ to their […]

Stop Bullying the White Belts

Normally we make jokes and memes about white belts, but the real truth is that white belts are people too. Granted, yes, they can be spazzy, annoying, and have larger egos than they should have for just starting jiu-jitsu. But, the white belt population often makes up the largest percentage of belts on the mat […]

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