what to look for in a bjj school

[prodigypenn]

so ive been lookin around for a bjj schooli went to one place already but i didnt like the terms for registration, 200 down and an annual contract with 109 a month for 2 classes a week, and u still buy ur own gear. That seems a little steep to me even for jiu-jitsu, and i cant do an annual contract cuz i have no idea what my schedule might b 3 months from now.
Theres 1 other school near my area that ill b checking out sumtime soon, but in the meantime what in ur opinion makes a school a good school? is it the lineage of the instructor? or the way cklasses are held or what?

[Tom Gavrilos]

First thing I would want to know is the name of the main instructor and if the if the BJJ is Gi, No Gi, or a mix of both. Then if that all worked out for me Id want to know how big and how often the classes are.

[Ari Bolden]

In my opinion:

1) Atmosphere and type of students the place has. Are they respectful? Are they all huge guys? Is it a competition based school? Are the new students treated like cannon fodder for the higher belts?

2) The instructor: Do you mesh with him/her? Are they nice? Over bearing? Something to prove? Humble?

3) Cost: Do they have contracts? IF so, are they fair? Do they offer drop in classes or "punch cards"?

4) Location: Is it a resonalbe distance from my place? Is it in a crack neighborhood? Nice area of town?

5) How do they compare to the other places in town? Does the best have to cost the most? Does it matter if the lineage of the instructor is GRACIE or not?

There are a lot of great instructors and schools out there. Don't let the big guy push out the little guy.Don't get bedazzled by how many trophies a guy has? Beware of the used car salesman approach.

Remember that a lot of these places are trying to get your business and will use certain "tactics".

My main instructor was a guy from Japan who didn't have TV time, Didn't have a last name GRACIE (insert popular name here), and wasn't a 3 time national champ at so and so. I was told once by another instructor that I couldn't call what I was teaching BJJ because it wasn't my linage and wasn't directly from a Gracie.

I was also heavily influenced by Eddie Bravo. Eddie doesn't even call his stuff BJJ...its a next generation of JJ. And other guys like BJ PENN, DEAN LISTER and DAVE CAMARILLO and breaking new ground. So, what do I teach? Is BJJ now used more to market the art of Jiu Jitsu????

Here's a news flash for you: I teach an amazing art called JIU JITSU. Much of it influenced by these crazy Brazilians. Also influenced by a 1000 year old Japanese culture. The Japanese have styles of Ground Fighting that pre date BJJ by many years, but they get bum wrap because it isn't MAIN STREAM or mentioned in the media every day. Don't get me wrong, BJJ is the S#$T, but the art is now evolving in so many wonderful ways: Submission grappling, wrestlers, judo players, JKD, BJJ, shooto, Japanese styles (FUSEN, KOSEN or Nanba Ippo Ryu)

You can learn a lot from all types of people. Keep an open mind and trust your gut!

Rant over...

All the best!
Ari

[Tom Gavrilos]

Here's a news flash for you: I teach an amazing art called JIU JITSU. Much of it influenced by these crazy Brazilians. Also influenced by a 1000 year old Japanese culture. The Japanese have had styles of Ground Fighting that pre date BJJ by 600 years, but they get bum wrap because it isn't MAIN STREAM or mention in the media every day.

Dont forget the Greeks! PANCRATION 1ST OLYMPICS :D

Japaneese Ju Jitsu is the base and Brazilians (Not even really Gracie is a Scottish name) changed it more to "small mans Jiu Jitsu" Like anything else that becomes popular and widely practied the sport will advance and morph.

I agree dont be swayed by Trophies etc... the teacher himself may never even be there...BUT there is something to be said for an instructor who has strong lineage or who has been tried and tested in top level competition such as Pan Ams or Abu Dhabi.

I think Gustavo Dantas is the Best Arizona has to offer for instance BUT I learn my BJJ from DeFranco because he is No Gi and he is a very smart MMA fighter who is fun to work with and pays attention and respect to everyone regaurdless of skill level. He also understands BJJ better in the context of MMA better than many pure BJJ guys might and has solid wrestling.

You have to truly guage what you are looking for as well. I wanted to train MMA to make my Pro Debut so that was another reason for training with Santino.

What do you wish to do? Do you just want to learn some BJJ, self defense, or do you want to compete etc...

[Ari Bolden]

Tom is absolutely right! What are you looking for? Sport, MMA, Self Defense? To stay active?

Different schools will offer different things. Again, Tom hit the nail on the head...go train under a guy who has the best thing to offer what you are looking for!

Good Luck!
Ari

[prodigypenn]

im in it strictly for the bjj, as much as i like MMA im not rlly the the type who likes to fight all the time, but it wouldnt hurt to have an MMa approach to things. rite now tho im leaning towards the school i havent visited yet, simply becuz the contract is too long term for me to commit to, plus 200 dollars down seems ridiculous, im lookin for bjj not buying a car.
The lineage of both schools is pretty good, the 1st one is run by eric williams, supposedly the 2nd american to win a world title in black belt division. The other school is run by leonardo xavier, who studied directly under the gracies and was an instructor at the academy in rio.

[Tom Gavrilos]

http://www.leonardoxavier.com/classes/index.html#schedule

Looks like Adult BJJ 4 times a week and the earlier class (when most people are at work) is at a different location than the night class.
How will that realisticaly affect your ability to make classes or can you even make those at all?

Also a 1 hour class? Does that include rolling? These are the things I would consider in your case.

11AM - 12PM class held at Lexington location. 16525 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land TX 77479

then at night time:
Schedule for LX Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters - 2595 Cordes Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77478

As far as Leonardo and his classes/tourney wins etc this may be helpful:
http://www.redlinejiujitsu.com/news.html

[prodigypenn]

the locations r pretty close to each other, but 11-12 is not rlly the best time for me work and what not, but 7-8:30 shouldnt b a big deal, and its not that far away from where i live, i just need so make sum time to go check the place out, with it being the 4th of july holiday and evrything i may just wait til next week when evrything is back on schedule before stopping by