During summertime or just any other free time, we usually plan some trips. For some people, holidays are simply relaxation. They do not want to train at all and just want to rest. For others, however, going for any trip without BJJ is unthinkable. They want to train anytime, anywhere. If you also want to train during your vacation and you plan to visit other jiu jitsu gyms check this BJJ savoir vivre so as not to make any blunders. Below you will find step-by-step tips on how to behave in a place where you are a guest.
1) Contact the academy before you come to the training
Probably no one likes unannounced visitors. No matter if we go with a visit to family or friends, it’s always better to make an announcement at least a moment earlier. This way is just more cultured. Thanks to this we do not surprise anyone and therefore we do not put them in an awkward situation.
It’s the same with visiting other jiu jitsu gyms. So if you want to follow BJJ savoir vivre just contact the academy before you come to the training. You can call or text on the website or FB, it’s nothing hard. Simply politely say who you are, that you will be nearby, and ask if you can come to training. At worst, you’ll find out in advance that you are not welcome, but this is an extremely rare situation. Usually, this will give you a bunch of information and better reception than if you showed up unexpectedly.
2) Be on time
At some clubs, you can be late without consequences. In other places, however, you do push-ups for being late or you will not even be allowed into the training room because the door will already be closed. Moreover, being late is generally frowned upon and just rude. So if you plan to be a guest somewhere, better not start your stay by being late. Being on time is much better. Thanks to it, you can safely find a changing room, introduce yourself, etc. Besides, you will also not delay or disturb the training.
3) Obey the rules
Just because in your club something is like that does not mean it is the same everywhere. If at your jiu jitsu academy you can call the trainer by name, chitchat between rolls, etc. that’s great. But if you go somewhere as a guest behaves according to the rules of a place you visit. If they address the coach as sensei, trainer, master, or anything else just do as they do, etc. In such a situation, there is no need to forcefully shorten the distance and try to be “cool” by calling everyone by name. If they don’t want you to talk to them between fights because they have silence on the mat and you have to address the coach officially, just respect that.
4) Represent your club with dignity
Even if you are not a model of virtue during classes in your club when visiting at another jiu jitsu academy, behave as best you can. Because for then you do not represent only yourself but also the place you are coming from. So during training, do not disturb, carefully listen to what the trainer says, while rolling, tap and don’t heel hook beginners. By doing this, you are showing your best side and giving a good testimony to your club. Moreover, in the place you visited, they will remember you as a cool person with whom you could practice well, and not an aggressive jerk.
5) Don’t disappear without saying goodbye
Just as you shouldn’t be late, you shouldn’t leave without saying goodbye too. You don’t have to do all the sparrings etc, especially if you are visiting a club in climate way different from yours or classes are longer than in your club. It’s not about getting tired there, but just having a good time. So if training in the place you are visiting is too hard or something, you can always leave earlier. When doing so, however, do not forget to say goodbye, thank you for the hospitality, and perchance ask if you can come again if you are staying there longer. Then you will not only behave culturally but also maybe you will give a chance to people from the gym you are visiting to ask about your impressions, how did you like the place, etc.
6) Offer to pay
Many places offer the first classes for free, or when you are only a temporary guest they don’t mention payment at all. However, especially when there is no official price list in the place you are visiting, according to BJJ savoir vivre, ask how much you should pay for the training. If they tell you that you don’t have to pay anything, thank them politely and make sure it’s not a problem that you will be in these few classes for free. And if they say you must pay, you must pay.
7) Leave a review
Saying “thank you” for being able to train somewhere on your vacation is absolutely essential. However, if you also got well received, the trainings were for free, you learned a lot and people were cool, make sure the world knows about it too. To do this, leave your review on FB of the academy you were visiting, or on another website dedicated to this purpose, eg. Yelp. The coach and members of jiu jitsu gym you visited will definitely appreciate this, and perhaps it will also encourage other people to train there, either permanently or during a trip.
General BJJ savoir vivre that you cannot forget
Even though you are on vacation you should always also follow the general and not just the “holiday” rules of BJJ savoir vivre. So don’t suddenly think of walking on the mat in your shoes or to the bathroom without them, just because you are on vacation. Not to mention that you should always have a clean gi, rashguard, etc. It’s simple, being away from home does not exempt you from good manners and cultural behavior, both on and off the mat. So if you are planning to visit other jiu jitsu gyms don’t forget BJJ savoir vivre.
