One of the best things about being a teacher is of course the holidays. With 3 months off each year I’ve plenty of time off for training. Getting time on the mat is a priority. So in order to do that I’ve had to find various strategies to make training BJJ while travelling easy. Reaching out to people in advance for recommendations on clubs / gyms that are traveller friendly can be tricky. Searching for the right club is often the hardest part. Therefore I’ve put together this article full of tips help you get started.
Finding a club or gym
If members of your own club aren’t able to recommend anything, a great way to locate BJJ clubs is to post a question on Facebook. Maybe a friend will be able to refer you or knows someone else who can. Facebook has tones of groups that can help. If you are a women why not try the Women’s Grappling Network. This is specifically set up to help connect women grapplers from all around the world. Another option is of course google. A simple Google search on where you are travelling too is a great start. Alternatively you can also try posting a question on Sherdog or Reddit. I’ve had good success with both. I would also highly recommend checking out this site BJJ globetrotters. BJJ globetrotters is a great organisation allowing people to mat surf all over the world through their affiliate academies. One of the best benefits is that all travellers are supposed to get one week of free training in all their affiliated academies. You can sign up for their membership which is completely free.
“Remember you are not only representing yourself, you are also an ambassador for your club, and coach”
Once you’ve narrowed down some options, you can read reviews for the clubs on YELP, look up their websites, and facebook pages, and contact them to find out about class times and pricing. I would recommend confirming these details before showing up. That way you will go in with your eyes open. It prevents any awkwardness over wrong Gi’s, pricing and or other club rules.
Choosing the right club/ gym
Each BJJ school is different and when you visit a new one, it’s best to adapt to their culture for the duration of your stay. If you stick to the advice in this comprehensive article on BJJ etiquette you can’t go far wrong. Simple things like clapping when breaking away from the instructor, bowing before stepping onto the mats, protocol for rolling with higher ranks, line ups and starting matches are easy to catch onto, and implement as you go.
If you can I’d recommend a short chat with the gym instructors or staff in advance whether over the phone or by dropping by the gym in person. Many schools will also have their rules posted either online or at least in the gym itself. In my experience one of the most important things to do is turn up early, and meet the instructor and senior students if possible. Be open be friendly and don’t be scared to greet people.
Rolling
When rolling with people I don’t know, its best to be cautious and feel your way into it. The last thing you want when on holiday is an injury. Getting hurt due to clumsiness or aggression is a real possibility. So make it clear working on your technique and staying sharp is your priority not challenging or testing yourself with new people. Missing time due to various injuries is the exact opposite of this training objective. Therefore remember that how you roll will often be reflected by the person you roll with. If you go hard and use rough tactics then you’ll you are sure to get that in return. A feeling out process is what’s required before the roll becomes more natural.
“How you roll will often be reflected by the person you roll with. If you go hard and use rough tactics then you’ll you are sure to get that in return. A feeling out process is what’s required before the roll becomes more natural.”
Remember this should be a fun, learning experience. Its not a competition so if your level is a lot higher than your partner, don’t submit them constantly, try working from a position of disadvantage. Allow the person to work on their game too. It’s going to lead to a much better experience for you and them. Hell you might even make a new friend because of it.
My Experience
Each holiday I have, I see it as an opportunity to upgrade my skills and do more of what I love. Enjoying training is a big part of that. To date all my interactions with the BJJ community have been very positive, with instructors and students welcoming and supportive ready to teach and learn.
