One of the Most Important Things I learned from BJJ: Value

When we think of the things we’ve learned from Jiu-Jitsu, values come to mind -- respect, honor, loyalty, etc. But what about the word, “value,” itself? The meaning of the word value is simple: 1) the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something; and 2) a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.

Although I have been training for over seven years, I have only began to reflect on the most important things that I value about jiu-jitsu:

I value my academy and the people that I train with. While there are some people that I vehemently do not enjoy training with (and often try to avoid at all costs), I value the things that I learn from training with them regardless of whether I want to or not. I value that my academy provides us with seminars so that we can learn from others, rather than confining information within our academy and/or association. I value the trust I have in my partners to keep it a safe (and fun) training environment.  Most importantly, I value the “mat chats” at the end of each and EVERY class. Whether it is a short message, a long one, or something that has been repeated over and over, I value the things that I learn from those words every day that I step foot on the mat.

I value having a spouse that also trains (who outranks me and is obviously a lot better than I am). I value that I can share this journey, along with all the struggles, injuries, and accomplishments, with someone who FULLY understands what I am going through.

I value the BJJ community. While it is big, it is also small too. I value the time I was able to spend training abroad and the friendships that I have made globally because of it. I also value the people in the BJJ community who continue to come together to support each other in times of need. People who are willing to help complete strangers just because it’s the right thing to do.

And finally, I value not being promoted when I felt that I deserved to be and value what I learned from what seemed like a disappointment at the time. It has reinforced my humility more than ever before.

It is impossible to separate emotion from each and every one of our BJJ journeys. We have all experienced the highs and the lows, but the lessons that we learn from them and the things that we value because of them make the biggest impact on the way that we adapt, overcome, and persevere to become the 2% that actually make it to the black belt.

So, what do you value?

The Prestige of BJJ Competitions /// By: Vincent Inoncillo

The recent topic of jiu-jitsu tournament medalists and how prestigious their accolades are is quite the conversation.  We all know it takes some heart to even step into the gym and begin your jiu-jitsu journey. It takes a braver soul to step onto the competition mats and test their skill. The competitor goes in knowing they will either have their hand raised or not. That’s what’s worth it for them to go in there to test what knowledge they’re able to apply in competition and accept the results. They will emerge or have to go back to the lab and work on their game and try again.

At these tournaments, there is the potential for there to be any given number of competitors for a particular weight and belt bracket to show up to compete that day. Anyone who competes in jiu-jitsu, from no names to the biggest names, could be at that tournament and in your bracket. It’s all possible. We do know that sometimes there’s only 3 or 4 people in a bracket so the likelihood of taking home a medal is higher as opposed to a 32-man bracket. Sometimes there are brackets with only 2 people in the division so someone is definitely going home with their hand raised. And every so often there is the bracket where no one shows up except for one person and that person is awarded gold after they make weight. These things all happen from the smallest to the biggest events. But let’s face it, even if there are only 3 people in a division at a “world championship” event, those 3 will be going home with the gold, silver and bronze. We can’t help who decides to compete on a particular day or at particular event. It’s just the way it is. If you’re a world champion and only had to win one match, then that’s what it is. Whether it’s in the adult or master’s division, that is what the results will bear.

IBJJF World Championships at California State University Long Beach

Jiu-Jitsu tournaments are all over the world for competitors from across the globe to compete with one another and test their skills. With the recent passing of the IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu World Championship earlier in the spring, American Nationals this past summer and most recently the ADCC (along with many other events in between), there is a tournament for everyone to compete in no matter how big or small. We all know that the IBJJF is regarded as the governing body in Jiu-Jitsu competition and many smaller organizations that have adopted the IBJJF’s tournament ruleset. One of the main aspects in the IBJJF’s rulebook is no knee reaping, slamming, or heel hooks, for example. They also allow certain submissions for certain belt levels. Other tournaments offer the same ruleset with the exception of the occasional “all submissions are legal” aspect. A couple newer organizations such as Jiu-Jitsu World League and Grappling Industries have IBJJF style rules except there are no advantages awarded at their event so that there is a clear winner by points or submission. Then there’s ADCC where points are not awarded until halfway through the duration of the match. This is done to promote action in the match and for someone to achieve a submission early.

Different tournaments and events have different rules for different reasons. Each event’s goal with their particular rulesets secondarily showcases their beliefs in how competition could and should be ran. It’s all a matter of preference as well. A lot of competitors compete only in the gi, some only do no-gi and then there’s some who do both. A good number of the guys that can be seen at the EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) events primarily do no-gi (and may or may not don the gi as much) and prefer that event’s particular rule set. Some compete heavily in the IBJJF circuit and whose Jiu-Jitsu games are point oriented. There are also competitors that compete at any type of event and adapt.

The real question at hand is which event is the best? Is it IBJJF, NABJJF, NAGA, Grapplers Quest or ADCC? The IBJJF Europeans, Pan Am, Brazilian National, World Championship along with ADCC are deemed as the most prestigious events to win. Is it because of who shows up to these events? Their rules? Or maybe it’s just because these are the events that everyone says are the best. What if Buchecha, Cyborg, Gordon Ryan, Keenan and other big names all showed up and competed at every Grappling X or NAGA and claimed titles at those events? Having those athletes compete at these events would definitely bring exposure and acclaim to their organizations. The prestige of a NAGA title would mean more. The equity of holding a Grappling X, NABJJF or any other title would go up.

Anyone can be a champion at any given event. Different factors such as rules, organization, money, travel, training, etc. help determine who’s going to be a champion or medalist at a particular event. The worth and value of an event and title have different meanings to different people. It all depends. Are you a 27-time Grapplers Quest champion or a 28-time IBJJF world champion? No matter what titles you hold at any organization, as long as they mean something to you, should be all that matters.

Nick Name Culture /// By: Jared Weiner

The nick name is not a new thing. Nicknames have been getting handed out since the begging of time. From the gangsters of the 20's to the sports stars of modern day and everything in between - nicknames are real!

The nickname culture is strong in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community. Some the the biggest stars in Jiu-Jitsu are only known by their nicknames and I can guarantee many people do not know the real names of a lot of these guys! In my academy, BJJ United, we have so many amazing nicknames that came from the most simple thing to very complicated things... for instance "Bear Trap" was a famous nickname because every time he got arm locked it sounded like he got his foot caught in a "Bear Trap." Then you have "Lobstor," who was named after a He-Man character for his savage handshake the first time I met him... and the name has stuck forever. How about "Suarez?" He may or may not have accidentally bitten someone in training so he was named after the Colombian soccer player who was biting people in the World Cup. We have, "Dirt," which is pretty self-explanatory, to the more complicated "BK Broiler" from a unreal incident that took place in a Dunkin' Doughnuts. Then the more simple approaches like "Lil Mike" or "Big Greg" which is pretty obvious, but sometimes the sizes are the opposite just to throw people off. I have one guy named "Kosher Tamale" because he is half Israelie-half Honduran and the "Basketball Mike" cause he played college ball but ended up being a high school wrestling coach??

World Champion Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida, or "Bochecha," has one of the more infamous nicknames in BJJ. Literally meaning "cheek" or "big cheeks," Almeida was given this nickname when he first began training as he was a bit overweight and his cheeks were prominent.

Photo credit: @marcusbuchecha

Nicknames bring people together and give a good laugh for everyone to share. Nicknames should be embraced on the mats because it's a true sign of love and brotherhood. If you don't like the nickname you were given, go talk to your professor or friends in private and I'm sure they will not address you by the nickname if you request that, but just remember nicknames are fun and usually brought on by your own actions! Embrace the nicknames and stay CREATIVE!

Travel Tips for BJJ /// By: Raquel Pa'aluhi-Canuto

My husband and I travel often. From the outside looking in, we seem rich and like we're living the life. But the truth is, we are very smart travelers. We weren't always this way but over time we've learned a handful of things that's saved us thousands of dollars. Today I want to share some of these with you in hopes of saving you the trial and error time I've been through! Here it goes:

1. Flying on a dime - if you're like me and like to travel but are on a budget or like to save money, buying red eye flights are usually the way to go. In the beginning, I did it to save time because I hated wasting my day flying. I also preferred to sleep on the plane like I normally would and not when I got in, thus wasting time there. It wasn't until later that I realized the cheapest flights were between 10pm and 2am. So it was a win/win situation for me. Also, legend has it that on Tuesday's, flights are cheapest. I won't confirm these rumors but I will say that I got tickets to Portugal for the Europeans this year for $430 round trip AFTER my friends purchased theirs for closer to $700. My tickets were purchased on a Tuesday...

Raquel and Renato in Brazil.

2. Where do I stay? - Luckily for us, we've made so many friends along the way that we almost never have to get a place to stay. There's usually a couch, extra bed and once in a while a floor for us to sleep on. However, that's not always the case. When we're traveling with a group of people we normally check the Motel 6's. It's not as bad as you think! On a scale from 1-5, I'd give majority of the ones I've stayed at a 4 for cleanliness and comfort. For $65-$80 a night you can put 4, sometimes 5 people in a room and split the cost. For a trip like Worlds or Pan Ams when the tournament is 4-5 days long, it helps a lot. Another option we love using is AirBNB. When we do, I thoroughly enjoy browsing through houses and apartments for the cutest place! While we were in Germany recently I paid $130 for 4 nights in a flat near the old downtown Berlin. What's amazing about using Air BnB is that you can find a place that suits your needs. We've gotten places right around the corner from where we needed to be which in return saved us money on Uber, renting a car and gas! It also helps when there's a kitchen, washer and dryer on site. Something we did in Ireland was stay at a place called Aparto which was an off campus college dormitory. It included everything a hotel would plus a kitchen, laundry room and a gym starting from 50 Euro (59USD) a night. I have never stayed at a hostile but hear it is another great option as well.

3. Packing - I have traveled for a whole weekend to compete, gi included, with a normal sized backpack to avoid paying for baggage fees. This normally includes, 5-6 pairs of underwear, 2 sports bras, 3 pairs of shorts/yoga pants and 3-4 tops. How do I do it? I fold everything as thin as possible (so I leave it longer). I stack them all together, stick them in between my gi, fold my gi in half, sit on it to compress it and slide it into my backpack. If your bag is like mine and has a lot of extra pockets on the side, that's where all your toiletries, chargers and thingamajigs go. If you're traveling for a longer period of time, airlines usually allow a small luggage (normally 25 lbs) and a personal item. That usually scares people but I've never been stopped from bringing a backpack as my personal item and a small rolling luggage which should be more than enough for one person. If you like to overpack, a trick I've used for years now is I roll all my clothes up rather than folding it. It normally gives me double the amount of space for clothes. For the most part, flights to foreign countries allow at least one check-in luggage so that is helpful. 

4. Washing on the go - With that said, there is not always an available washer or dryer in hotels and in foreign countries it's harder to find them in apartment buildings. There is normally a laundromat in most cities that are walking distance or a short bus ride away. But if you want to save money here are a couple ways to wash your clothes. 1) Dump your clothes into the bath tub; 2) Run hot water over it and sprinkle detergent as the water is going; 3) Once it's filled, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before twirling them all around and scrubbing them all together to get the extra funk out; 4) Drain the tub; 5) Rinse them out with clean water then squeeze the water out as best as possible; and 6) Hang them in the nearest sunlit spot. Another trick a friend suggested to me is to take the extra large Ziploc bags for smaller pieces of clothing. Fill it with soap and water, shake it around as needed, rinse, squeeze and hang! 

5. Apps - my favorite apps for traveling has to be Google Translate and Apple Maps. On maps you can route everything from driving to walking and even the train or bus routes. While we were in Germany I used the train and bus to get everywhere. Apple Maps gave detailed instructions on departure and arrival times, the amount of feet to walk, streets to turn on, what side of the road it was on and obviously what buses and trains to take to get around. It was amazing! I searched the route on maps, screen shot it and followed it once we left wifi. It was even easier to follow than the website for the bus route itself. My second favorite, Google Translate. There is now an option on there to take a photo of whatever it is you're trying to read so in our case it's normally menus. You snap a photo of the menu, highlight the area you want translated and it translates it all in seconds! There is also Uber and Lyft which I use sometimes when I'm traveling as well. There are literally apps for everything these days but for traveling, these two are my favorites. 

6. Saving money - It is easy to over spend on trips when you're buying on the go. Especially in tourist cities, event centers or airports where prices are hiked up. You're constantly stopping at the nearest gas station, cafe, pharmacy or mall for necessities and items you may have forgot. I normally pack food for the flight or first day of travel so we don't have to buy anything. I also bring a water bottle to fill up at gas stations or restaurants with soda fountains in the airport. I've even packed my french press before to avoid buying coffee everyday and also to make sure I had coffee everyday. When we get in, our first stop is usually a grocery store to get vegetables for salad and fruits and bars to snack on. Another thing I like to do while traveling is find the nearest dollar store. There's always something you forget whether it be a toothbrush, shampoo or socks and these things gets costly pretty fast. The dollar store has just about everything these days. Once in a while we'll get lucky and find a penny grocery store which is helpful for the little things like seasonings, oil, rice, etc as well as the main groceries but at a much lower price. Recently while we were in Ireland it started to rain and my husband forgot his jacket. I was thinking, Great! He just got a new one and now we have to spend 30-40 Euro on another one! About two blocks from our place we saw clothes through a store window so we walked in. It ended up being a thrift store. We found him a nice jacket for 3 Euro, took it back to the dorms and washed it. He had a jacket for the rest of the trip and we saved money too. 

Raquel and Renato at the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland.

7. Tourists attractions on a dime - Most cities are rich in history so there are a lot of sites to see or things to do that's free. A good way to see the ones that are not free for at low price is by searching Groupon or third party ticketing websites. There's always some kind of special going on that the companies website doesn't offer. I almost never buy from the company site. If you search the attraction on google, the first thing that comes up 9 out of 10 times is a website offering 20%-30% off.

Happy travels!

Are You Helping or Hurting Your Game By Studying Your Opponents?

When preparing for competition, I’ve heard of people studying their competition in their division or not at all. Of course, at the white belt level, it’s more difficult to study your opponent, as it is likely that they are competing for the first time on a larger scale (i.e. IBJJF). However, thanks to social media venues such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and people’s quest for recognition, you can almost always “research” your potential opponents whether you get to see video of them in action or not.

On a bigger scale, like at the colored belt level, are you actually helping or hurting your game by studying your opponents? When you’re studying your opponent’s game, are you actually breaking down their signature moves or are you playing into their game by trying to incorporate their game in yours to potentially beat them?

This can be a slippery slope, as we may overcompensate and without even realize it – play into our opponent’s game instead of solidifying our own. Perhaps we see this in action more often at the black belt level, as you can easily find video footage of their fights thanks to Instagram, Facebook, and Flograppling. Similarly, this also happens with our own training partners in our academy who we just can’t beat.

Leandro Lo beating Nicholas Meregali during their second meeting at the 2017 Pans. Photo credit: Dion Watts // @shotbywatts

For example: Nicholas Meregali has fought Leandro Lo three times in the last year. He lost two out of the three times they fought but maintained his guard game. At Worlds, he continued to maintain his same game and ultimately took home the win because Lo could not pass. On the other hand, there is Lucas Lepri. Everyone knows he has an amazing passing game, yet his opponents played into his game by trying to play guard with him rather than trying to stay on the top.

Romulo Barral coaching Edwin Najimi at the 2017 Worlds. Photo credit: Dion Watts // @shotbywatts

For those of us who are not on this level, I’ve learned that it’s best to stick to our confidence in our own game and let our coaches handle the rest. A good coach will help you develop your game to its strongest point during your training camp and will also be paying attention to the matches going on in your bracket or have prior knowledge of the game of opposing teams and their game plans at the competition. If you have trust in them and trust in your own game, you won’t get sucked into the mental game of competition and are more likely to become victorious.

Reasons Why Jiu-Jitsu is Awesome

For those of us who have already managed to get bit by the BJJ bug, we can give you 101 or more reasons why Jiu-Jitsu is so awesome. However, when explaining BJJ (and all of its awesomeness) to others who have no idea what it is, it may sound like you’re speaking a foreign language to them. This makes it a little difficult to get them to try a class if they’re apprehensive about the unknown. So we decided to create a blog specifically designed for our friends and family that we would like to share the many reasons why BJJ is so awesome:

Photo credit: Moises Lopez/Honeybadger BJJ

1. You will live a healthier lifestyle. Everyone who wants to get in “better shape” really wants to lose weight. BJJ gives you a comprehensive workout, introducing you to muscles that you didn’t realize you had at all. Because BJJ is a whole body workout, you are getting a cardio and strength and conditioning workout all in one. You will sweat, you will be challenged, but when you get through the workout, you feel amazing. The weight somehow just melts off once you start consistently training. Not only will you lose weight, but you will find yourself eating healthier and feeling better.
2. Everyone is equal when they’re on the mat. What we mean by this is: it doesn’t matter who you are outside of the gym. You could be a rock star, movie star, doctor, lawyer, etc… it doesn’t matter. When you put on your gi, the only hierarchy that exists is by belt color. And you know that BJJ is something awesome when celebrities like Demi Lovato, Paul Walker, and Spencer Pratt (just to name a few) become advocates of the sport.
3. You will expand your circle of friends – exponentially. And we don’t just mean your friends at the gym. It includes people that you meet on social media and IRL when attending seminars, competitions, etc. It’s like you will just “click” with people and they eventually become your good friends/extended family. All because of BJJ. I mean, where else could you choke your friend and it's cool?!
4. On that same note, if you’re single, you may find Mr. or Ms. Right on the mat. When you share common interests, and in this case, a big one like BJJ, everything becomes a lot easier. You won’t find yourself fighting about how much time you spend at the gym and/or if you’re “rolling around” with other guys/girls. You will now essentially have a workout partner and someone who understands the struggles of dieting, getting ready for competition, and “getting” BJJ.
5. Most importantly, your mental well-being will positively increase. If you are continually stressed out at work or at home, BJJ is the answer. The complexities of learning new techniques and teaching your body to move in ways it hasn’t before, in combination with a good workout, will take your mind off of the things that are emotionally wearing you down. This is why many combat veterans are turning towards BJJ to combat PTSD, anxiety, and suicide.

Photo credit: Moises Lopez

While this list can go on and on, the fact is that Jiu-Jitsu can be a life changing experience if you let it. It’s no wonder why those of us who do it are so adamant in sharing it with the people that we care about. If you’re having trouble finding the words or if your friends/family think you sound like a broken record trying to get them to understand what’s so great about BJJ, share this with them. They may end up changing their mind!

Maturity in BJJ Pt. 2: Jiu-Jitsu Parents /// By: Vincent Inoncillo

As we are all aware, ego is quite apparent in jiu-jitsu. It exists at all levels and lives differently in all practitioners. From beginners to all the way up the ranks, there is a certain attitude that exudes ego. As far as the different levels it does exist in one in particular that is not at belt level. Sometimes it's not a practitioner with ego but a family member that is heavily involved in their life in jiu-jitsu. This family member that can have a lot of ego is the parent of a practitioner.

While friends and family may be our biggest fans, there's no bigger fan than a proud parent. Parents will always have your back, take you to training and make sure you're doing all the right things to succeed in life and jiu-jitsu. At competition they make sure you're there early to prepare you for the event, have refreshments and snacks on hand as well as being a personal cameraman. At practice it's the same thing, they're there making sure you're focused and staying on task. They are there to guide you to success. 

Photo credit: Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu, Las Vegas

However, parents with ego do all the above and a little bit more. They do tend to look out for the best interest of their child when it comes to succeeding in life and jiu-itsu, but their concern is only that. In most academies the atmosphere is a family vibe where everyone knows everyone and treats one other with respect. Signs of a parent with ego can be a variety of things, but one common trait sticks out. This one aspect is that a lot of these parents have children who take the top spots at tournament podiums and have other accolades. As a parent they should be proud of their child's accomplishments, but as an indirect result this success can go to the parents' head. 

Parents like this live vicariously through their child thinking they are the ones that are achieving these accomplishments. They can be found posting on social media on behalf of their child and bragging about them every opportunity they get. Being a proud parent is one thing, but parading your child around as a trophy is another. As we mentioned earlier at most academies the vibe is close-knit like a family, but these parents with ego sometimes don't make it feel that way. They can make lower belts, their parents and especially newer families of the academy feel inferior or like they're not one of the same. In such cases you may experience short conversations, know-it-all attitude, and other forms of the cold shoulder from these individuals. This is a reality of some jiu-jitsu parents. 

Although this type of attitude lives among our community it is not our job to change it. Everyone is entitled to their own views and attitudes, but alienating and disrupting the harmony of the academy in this way is not what the jiu-jitsu lifestyle is about. Parents should be there to support their children, but also support the academy and its members. They are also representatives of the art, sport and their respective academy. Sharing the art and spreading the love of jiu-jitsu should be something that all academy members, practitioners or not, should practice. 

Why You Should Attend Class More Than Open Mat

I recently had a conversation with a black belt friend who has always been a proponent of attending and/or hosting seminars, as well as continuing to be a student of the game by attending classes with his professor. This brought up the topic of jiu-jitsu practitioners who would rather spar than attend class.

Photo credit: Bryant Pangelinan

Regardless of whether you are new to jiu-jitsu or even a colored belt, if you find yourself constantly just rolling (i.e. live training/sparring)… you end up doing the same things over and over. Yes, you may pick up a few tips or tricks in between rolls, but nothing can replace a class setting.

First, in a class setting, you properly warm up.  In an open mat setting, you may get in a good stretch, but never a good warm up. As we all know, if you begin an intense training session without the proper warm up, you increase the likelihood of getting injured.

Secondly, in a class setting, you learn techniques, which you will continue to drill in class. As we noted in a prior blog, drilling helps turn techniques into muscle memory – which will help you spend less time thinking of doing them during a live situation, as your body will just automatically do them in a familiar situation/position. This is where the skill building happens.

Don’t worry, you will get live training in a class setting, whether it is via situational sparring or several rounds of live training starting from either the feet or knees.

Finally, in a class setting, you get structure. Without structure, chaos is imminent.

If you are just looking to roll, the only benefit is that it teaches you attrition – gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure. This is not learning the fundamentals. Nor is it really learning much technique at all.

No matter what belt color you are, be a student of the game. Don’t skip the educational aspects of jiu-jitsu, as you will miss out more than you realize.

And lastly, when you do attend class, don’t be the jerk who shows up late to class so that they can skip the warm ups and be fresh for sparring so they have a “one up” on someone who stayed for the entire class.

BJJ Injuries Over Time /// By: Dr. Ethan M. Kreiswirth, PhD, ATC

As the Medical Director and Coordinator for IBJJF and NABJJF events in the United States, I’ve seen my fair share of injuries.  This journey began in 1998, when I covered my first BJJ tournament held at Cal State Dominguez Hills, CA.  Back then, tournaments were four mats at most and spanned roughly six to eight hours for one day only.  Comparatively, today events may be four to five days in length covering 21 mats each day!  Needless to say, BJJ has grown exponentially over the past 19 years.

As a blue belt and Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), I would trade my medical services for registration to compete.  Today, I run the medical business, caring for the safety and medical protocols for all fighters at Pans, Worlds, Master Worlds and the additional events for the IBJJF and NABJJF. 

According to the collected injury data, blue belts at the adult level carry the majority of injury incidence at the elbow region.  In other words, the number of elbow injuries at the blue belt level exceed all other belts and joint locations.  In contrast, the Master level competitors show rib injuries as the highest level of injury incidence within a tournament.  If I were to break it down further, older dudes get hurt more often with strains and muscle/tendon tears, while younger fighters report acute ligamentous injury. 

Shot credit: Lance Emery Photography

Over the years, nothing really surprises me anymore regarding joint dislocations, blood, or unconscious fighters.  If I were to recall what has challenged me as a medical provider, I’d have to say, head injuries, chest pain, and pace makers in the Master level fighters.  As a black belt, I understand the competitive nature of BJJ and the willingness to push past your threshold, but the heart and the brain are the two organs you must respect and think about regarding repercussions for injuries to them.  Concussions, as well as a predisposition to heart attacks, should be recognized and treated consistently to better educate the fighter, in addition to the welfare of the fighter in the long term.

While I have relocated too many joints to recall on fighters, it’s the joints that don’t relocate that create the biggest hardship.  From toes, knees, shoulders, elbows, fingers and jaws, most will relocate if you’re on scene quickly.  There was one instance, years back at Worlds, where a competitor was fighting a rear naked choke, and the pressure was so great, in addition to him blocking the choke with a tucked chin, that his mandible dislocated.  That injury sticks in my head, because of the disfigurement he sustained.  After applying traction and an inferior glide to the jaw, the temporo-madibular joints related with massive force.  It was pretty awesome to feel and see.  He thanked me many times that day! 

Photo credit: IBJJF

Play safe, play smart!

Dr. Ethan M. Kreiswirth, PhD, ATC

Kreiswirth Sports Medicine Systems

An Open Letter to White Belts

Dear white belt,

While we are so glad that you have chosen to start your jiu-jitsu journey (or are planning on starting soon), there are a number of things that we feel you should know... and that people probably won’t tell you because they think you will eventually figure it out on your own. Yes, that works too… but not all of you are on the same learning curve so let's lay some things out for you just in case you’re on the slower end of the curve…

Photo credit: Inverse Jiu-Jitsu

Not everyone is out to get you. Yes, we make fun of white belts all the time but we genuinely want to see you guys learn and improve. With that being said, if you don’t know what you’re doing when you’re in a live training situation, please slow down. If you think it’s hard hitting a technique at a fairly normal pace, speeding it up definitely won’t help you.

If you don’t know how to control your body, please do not roll with smaller people. You will hurt them. Or they will end up hurting themselves. It does not matter the belt color. Along those same lines, please be aware of your strength and acknowledge when you start to overcompensate with strength. It’s called the “gentle art” for a reason.

At this stage of your game, watching YouTube is NOT going to help you. Take notes during or as soon as class ends if you want to retain the technique you learned from your instructors. There are probably a bazillion (okay, maybe not a bazillion… but a lot) of different ways to do a technique based on size, skill level, and style. It’s best to build a good foundation before you start adding your own flair to techniques.

Don’t worry about promotions. They will come in time and at your own pace. If you are consistent, resilient, and are building your skills, you will improve and will be recognized.

Leave your ego at the door. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you did prior to starting BJJ – at the end of the day, you are a white belt and a blank slate. Let your instructors help write the story. Be humble, learn as much as you can, and appreciate your instructors and training partners. They were once where you are now.

We don’t care what you saw while watching the UFC or YouTube or Five Grappling or whatever. Whatever we learn from our instructors is what we are drilling. Don’t talk during drilling unless you’re having issues and especially don’t talk during a live training roll. Save the social hour for after class when you grab an acai with your teammates.

When you start to see improvement and get better, stay humble. You might get to be the hammer on some days, but you’ll never know if those higher belts were going easier on you that day or if you really did “catch them.” And please, do not ask a higher belt to roll. If they want to roll with you, they will ask you.

Just cause you may have a fancy expensive gi, it does not give you super powers. While you may look good on the mat, you might wanna have skills to back it up too…

Don’t worry, white belt. We know you’re people too. But please, help us out. Don’t be a spaz, don’t be an egomaniac, and please be aware of your body. We want to help you, but you have to help us help you too.

Enjoy the journey… it will be a long one. But it will be worth every drop of blood, buckets of sweat, and injury that will come along with it if you make it to the end. 

Oss,

Your friendly upper belt

Kids and Sponsorships in BJJ

Oh, social media. You are so great and so entertaining… but you can be quite deceiving too. In this day and age, everyone (and any thing) can have an Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter account. Even pets have their own social media accounts, which we know are really run by their owners.  Which brings us to our next subject of kids and sponsorships in BJJ.

Whatever happened to the days when companies would approach you because THEY wanted to sponsor you? I’ve been hearing of companies receiving hundreds of emails, direct messages, and even phone calls from parents stating that they should sponsor their five-year-old kid who started training five months ago. But just because they won their first tournament, now they are “the best.” Or, maybe their kid has over 200 or 2,000 followers so they should send them some gis, gear, or tournament money and in turn they’ll shout you out on their social media accounts.

Perhaps the days of fundraising if you couldn’t afford to travel or compete are gone. The work ethic of actually trying to earn something is now turning into equating “work” as in how many tournaments a kid can win before they are entitled to a sponsorship.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work this way. Do you know why? Because there is no money in BJJ for kids. Between the ages of 5-14, do you really expect your child to try to make a living off of BJJ? Shouldn’t they be focusing on something more important like… school and having FUN being a kid? Parents, what are you really expecting out of a BJJ sponsorship for your kid?  

Don’t get me wrong though, there are a lot of kids out there who work hard and deserve to be recognized. Not just because they win every single tournament that they enter, but because they are good kids on and off the mat – good students, have good manners, and genuinely love training and competing because they love BJJ. They may not have a social media account or post very often, but they are noticed because of their skill and humility.

Colin Yun is a Brazilian Nationals, PAN Kids, American Nationals, Jiu-Jitsu World League, Dream Jiu-Jitsu, and NABJJ champion. He is currently sponsored by Albino & Preto. Photo credit: Jiu-Jitsu World League

So, parents, before you hit up every single company in the BJJ industry, please ask yourself what are you really expecting with a sponsorship for your child? And at the very least, you should think about supporting the companies that you are asking for something from. Otherwise you’ll just look like every other person asking for a free handout.    

Maturity in BJJ /// By: Vincent Inoncillo

In jiu-jitsu there are levels of responsibility and growth that mature with each practitioner throughout their journey. It's a growth that can be compared with the road from childhood to adulthood. This maturity exists at every belt, but not all are the same. Belt or age doesn't necessarily reflect how mature someone is, but how far they've come along in their journey. Maturity in jiu-jitsu takes a conscious effort to convey at all belt levels as it does in the world off the mats. Each belt has its own reference to one's path to adulthood. 

Photo cred: James Manibusan /// Instagram: @the_james

First we will talk about the white belt. Like a young child that's in preschool or going into kindergarten, the white belt is new to the world. In the first years of school we learn the basics that will help us later on in life like the alphabet, basic reading, counting, recognizing colors and shapes. As a white belt we learn about bridging, hip escapes, opening the guard, passing the guard and other basics of the like. These fundamentals will mold our growth in jiu-jitsu. Mastering the fundamentals will allow your path forward to be a lot smoother in transition with each stripe or belt promotion.

Like a young one's early years in elementary school, a new jiu-jitsu student is excited and nervous at the same time. They are eager to learn and sometimes eager to display their knowledge on the mat. This comes from prior experience practicing some moves that a friend may have showed them or from a video from YouTube, before actually enrolling in an academy. This is a common thing nowadays and is completely normal. As we have mentioned in previous posts, everyone learns at a different rate. Some practitioners have the capacity to catch onto the concepts of jiu-jitsu faster than others while others may take a little bit more time by asking questions and practice a little more. 

Occasionally there will be the student with potential, but doesn't wasn't to take the time to ask questions so they may improve on their areas of opportunity. On the flipside to that there is a proactive student that learns some things, but in the process of their journey they have a frustration in them that they take out on their training partners by being rough. That is called ego. It's an underlying trait within everyone. Some to better themselves through humility and learning while others use it as a benchmark for their own personal goals and benefit.

As a white belt the journey should be exciting and arduous at the same time. A good portion of time will be spent on the bottom getting smashed and submitted by more experienced training partners. During this time would it would be ideal to work on escaping tough positions such as side mount, the mount and back control. Tapping often to submissions is recommended too. Ego sometimes gets in the way during this phase. White belts shouldn't focus on toughing out submissions being applied to them, but rather learn to defend and escape. This is the phase where knowledge of different techniques are gathered. Having an ego can delay progress at times and carry over even when getting promoted up to blue belt. 

Not everybody displays this type of ego on the mat. However, it does exist and exists in similar and different forms at each belt. We've known or still know someone that fits this description. It's inevitable we will run into someone like this during our journey. The best thing to do is be a good human, good teammate and good training partner with this person. Teammates help us get better at jiu-jitsu and we help them. 

The Era of the Social Media Competitor

With BJJ competitions happening every month, it is no surprise to see posts on social media about everyone’s last competition. Below are a few of the most common that you see on average if you follow the sport and follow your fellow jiu-jitsu practitioners. Which one are you? Or if you are not an avid competitor, which do you find to be the most common on your social media feeds?

Photo cred: @trojanjitsu

The “Hopefully Soon” Champion:

The most common phrase that you will see from this competitor is: “Today was not my day… but I learned a lot and I will learn from my mistakes and come back stronger next time.” You will also see hashtags like #keepgrinding associated with these posts. Sometimes you will see this person make the podium in a small local tournament but can’t seem to find their place in larger competitions. Either way, they have learned from this experience and vow to come back stronger the next time… and the next time… and the next time.  

The “Every Excuse in the Book” Champion

This is the whiner and never a champion. Somehow their post turns into a rant rather than an “I’ll do better next time” post. They cry and whine about every single reason why they did not win – from injuries, personal problems (significant other just dumped them, etc.), bad coaches, overtraining, or bad training partners. This person never holds themselves accountable for their loss, as it always has to do with something or someone else. This person is also guilty of spamming your feed with pictures or videos of them training, teaching one of their “go to” moves, eating acai, or just everything and anything of them doing BJJ or BJJ related things. Because remember, they are training harder than their competition… but in the end, it’s always everyone else’s fault they don’t win.

The “Faux Podium” Champion

This champion may have gotten a medal but they failed to tell you that they got it by default. This is the champion who doesn’t have anyone else in their division and who also refuses to drop an age division or weight class to fight in a division where there are other competitors so they get a gold medal by default. This is also the champion who received a first round bye and ended up in the semi-finals by default… and loses, but still makes the podium. Yet these champions or medalists are quick to post on social media with their medal or podium pic but loves to leave out the details. But hey, they made weight... so that counts as winning, right?

Here’s what some notable black belts had to say on the topic:

Personally I love following competitors on social media. Especially the athletes I really admire. The ones I don’t follow are the continued excuse makers that look for sympathy from their fans and students. As long as you tried your best and put forth your best effort, there is no need for apologies and excuses cause your competition is working just as hard as you and deserves credit for their victories as well. The athletes I admire never make excuses and always shows respect for their fellow competitors. You can see there is no insecurities in their posts. They are professionals to the fullest like Lucas Lepri, Marcos Torregrosa, and JT Torres.  – Jared Weiner, BJJ United

I’m a firm believer in the old adage “actions speak louder than words” when it comes to competitors taking to social media to air their grievances. It mostly speaks to their insecurities or need for the validation of others in many instances. More often than not, those who can do, and those who can’t talk. – James “300” Foster, Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/One Jiu-Jitsu

Social media is a good platform to showcase achievements, the problem with this is that people like to lie to themselves and that’s okay for them… To this date social media has become something that really matters to people. I understand that top athletes want to expose their training program or what they eat to their followers so they can inspire them, but don’t get me wrong, everything has a limit, you don’t need to post about every damn thing you do… who cares??? I’ve seen a lot of athletes posting so many stories that I don’t even click on their profiles… boring… I’d rather keep a low profile, of course sometimes I post stuff about me training or eating but I try not to over do it. Top level athletes are role models to up and comer athletes so why not give them some inspiration? – Johnny Tama, Alliance

So what’s the best type of social media competitor? The humble ones. The people who don’t feel the need to post everything and anything they are doing that is BJJ related… the people who keep it real. If they didn’t win, they didn’t win. And if they did win, they don’t blow it up like they just won the Worlds. But unfortunately, in this era of social media, these people do exist. So the next best thing is to hit the unfollow button and save yourself the time scrolling through the things you don’t want to.

Taking Your BJJ to the Next Step: Teaching/Coaching

Recently, I posted on my FaceBook page how challenging teaching can be, yet satisfyingly rewarding when people who outrank me say that they enjoyed my class and learned a small, game changing detail from the techniques that I taught. A friend commented and wanted to learn a little bit more about how to give back to his academy by teaching or helping out. Teaching is not for everyone, just like how competition is not for everyone, but with a fundamental understanding of BJJ techniques, understanding techniques to help students retain information, and a passion to help others – I believe anyone can be a good teacher.

This is my story: Prior to being awarded my blue belt, I was offered to participate in an Instructor Training Course provided by my academy. Students of every belt color were allowed to participate, including kids/teens. It was a 15 week course that went over everything from how to teach effectively so that every type of learner could be engaged, how to deal with problem students, recognition, etc. This was eye opening for me, as some of the principles taught were things that I could apply in my daily life and in my career outside of the academy. When I got my blue belt, I began teaching a beginner class with a set curriculum then started a women’s only class. I now am a seasoned purple belt and teach 3 classes a week, including a designated women’s specific class.

Starting out teaching as a lower belt, especially at blue belt (and being a female), had its challenges. One in particular, I will never forget because it made me question whether I wanted to continue teaching. It eventually fueled me to keep going and to want to be the best instructor at the academy. A purple belt told me quite snottily – “What can you teach me?” And he was serious. It was at that point that I realized that not everyone is willing to learn from people they outrank. This was a thought that was so foreign to me because I always (and still do) believe that you can learn something from anyone. With that being said, even though they don’t think they can learn anything from you, they will still come to your class and either: 1) automatically try to take control over it because they outrank you or 2) be disruptive to the point that they will be teaching their drilling partner something completely different than what you just taught because that’s the way that THEY do it.

Anyway, if you are interested in teaching at your academy, and if you’re lucky enough that they offer an instructor training course or some type of initial training for their instructors – take advantage of that. It will be well worth the money and time that you put into it. If your instructor allows you to help out, start small. Start by helping out with the kids class… or if you are not kid friendly like I am, start with the fresh white belts where you can help mold them into shape – including their thought processes about BJJ (i.e. not trying to kill their partners in live training). In the end, you’ll figure out what role you play in your academy – student/training partner, teacher/coach, or competitor... and you will also solidify your technical knowledge by having to teach it to others. Most importantly, your communication skills will skyrocket. This is a skill particularly useful in ANY situation and one that we all should be constantly working on. 

Photo credit: BJJ United

Like any schoolteacher, there will NOT always be fun, happy days. There will be students that will challenge you mentally, challenge your techniques, and maybe even downright disrespect you. Just remember these things: 1) Not everyone has the same learning curve so if they don’t get it after the what seems like the millionth time, it’s okay to move on; 2) If you’ve positively influenced or changed the life of someone else, you’re doing a great job; and 3) Being a good BJJ instructor takes a lot of trial and errors. Don’t get discouraged and stick with it until you know if it is/isn’t right for you.

Lastly, remember that without good teachers, our growth is limited. Give them the respect and recognition that they deserve. It’s just as difficult to get out there and teach as it is to get out there and compete.

For those of you who dedicate your time to teach: nothing is greater than seeing your students grow, love BJJ, and share it with others. That in itself, is the best reward.

The Next Best?

We see it on social media ALL the time: #FUTUREWORLDCHAMPION. Yes, you may have won the Worlds as a blue or purple belt but do you think that you have what it takes to be the next best black belt world champion? If you think it was hard enough to win the Worlds as a blue or purple belt, imagine the skill level you will need to have to win at brown or even black.

Photo credit: Marcus Buchecha Almeida

There is a very, very, very small percentage of individuals that can win the worlds at blue, purple, brown, AND black. This year, only three new black belts who had subsequently won the Worlds at purple and brown (in 2015, 2016), won their divisions during their black belt debut. While there were many other former brown belt champion prospects to win this year, a lot of them did not even make it to the podium.

So what happens when you are a former blue and/or purple belt world champion but just can’t seem to hang in the brown or black belt divisions? Do you continue chasing your #WORLDCHAMPIONGOALS or do you become a “gym hero” and change your focus from competing to teaching/coaching because you can’t stand to be out of the limelight?

Need to hear more about this from a former world champion, ADCC champion, and world champion coach? Here’s what BIG O, Orlando Sanchez, weighed in on the topic:

"I think that the era of Instagram and Facebook and social media in general has given athletes a false sense of self. If I had a fucking dollar for every person that came in my academy saying they want to be a world champion and ADCC champion, I would be rich as fuck. Truth is, hardly anybody makes it. At the highest level it's only the 1% of athletes that have what it takes to make it. The ones who sacrifice everything and anything are the ones who can make it. I've had so many young athletes come to me and do really well at white and blue then they start getting followers and companies give them free shit like soap and shirts and rash guards and they start to teach and all of a sudden they act like they are the greatest thing in the world and all of a sudden at purple they start to lose. Then realizing it's HARD AS FUCK to stay on top at all the belts so they usually run away and talk shit about everything and anyone in their past. I've had guys in my past, students who quit my academy and went running away crying telling people how awful I am because I yelled at them after losing. Because I was hard on them that's why they usually quit and it happens mostly at purple belt. It's weird, purple belt is a strange time for a lot of these young athletes. They think they know it all and have all the answers and their attitudes shift, not realizing they have no idea what lies ahead. Social media has created a very weird culture in jiu-jitsu. So many young athletes think they are like the Michael Jordan of the sport and they talk about their sponsors and all this and that and it always makes me laugh. Usually what I see a lot is that when a young athlete starts to fall off they start blaming people around them - their professors, training partners, etc. The thing I see the most is when people start losing and can't win tournaments, they blame everyone around them. Understand that being the best at anything is a self-taught desire. It's up to you to be the best. Nobody is going to make you the best. I've had students leave and say that they are losing every tournament because nobody wants to be a world champion like them in class. I've had guys say that they treat their girlfriends like shit because of me and the way I'm hard on them. Hahaha. I mean all kinds of excuses. What these young athletes don't get is that it's up to nobody but themselves and it's all about HOW MUCH THEY ARE WILLING TO GIVE TO BE THE BEST. Truth is the ADCC champions and the black belt world champions have a desire and belief in themselves above everything. They are willing to sacrifice their lives to become the best. TO BE AN ADCC CHAMPION OR WORLD CHAMPION is only for the top 1% of our sport... I have an 18-year-old purple belt rooster weight female. My girl Kaori Hernandez. She's been with me since 10 years old. I have screamed at her, fought with her, pushed her to tears and she kept focused and kept fighting, trusting in what we are doing. Understanding this life is not for everyone we agree to stick together and push HARD. In all my years she's the only one I've seen strong enough to make it to the top 1% so far. She's a 5x world champion, multiple time Pan Am champion, European champion... this girl wins everything and is humble beyond belief. She stays head down and grinds day in and day out focused on becoming a black belt world champion. I've had many good young guys come through - white, blue - and do well but they all break they all crumble and run. So at the end of the day to be a BLACK BELT WORLD CHAMPION or ADCC CHAMPION IS RESERVED FOR THE TOP 1% of the mentally toughest people in our sport!!!

On the flip side, purple and brown belt world champion and otherwise known as the BJJ Mental Coach, Gustavo Dantas, offered a different perspective:

“For example, I started training in 1989 and by 1991-92, I already had my dream of becoming a teacher. They didn’t have a world champion back then so my goal was always to become a teacher. So I don’t necessarily agree that when their goals don’t go well and they become teachers is not how I see it. I see people that want to make a living with jiu-jitsu. That’s all as I see it. And if during the process they become a world champion or they have their academy or association… I really don’t know what their goals are… but I don’t think because one they do the other… it’s making a living with their passion.”

So what is your reality? Do you think you are a “unicorn” in the sport and can become the 1-2% of the next best black belt world champions or will you become the next best BJJ coach?

Technique of the Week with Marcos "Yemaso" Torregrosa

Like triangles and taking the back? Then check out our Technique of the Week with this slick triangle set up from the back with Marcos "Yemaso" Torregrosa of Sacramento BJJ Academy!

The Pressures of the BJJ Black Belt

While most people dream of the day when the coveted faixa preta is bestowed upon them, the scary reality is that when you actually are awarded the black belt, you now take on much more responsibility… and pressure. It’s no wonder why some brown belts (and I know a few) who are so close to being promoted would rather stay at brown for years rather than face the pressures of being a black belt.

I will be the first to admit that there are black belts that I’ve trained with that I’ve thought to myself – How is this person a black belt? But, I’ve respected them nonetheless. Perhaps this happens because of my expectation of what all black belts should be, how they should roll/train with others/teach, etc. based on my experiences in the past. (Admit it -- you have been guilty of this too - at one point or another, regardless if you were talking about a black belt, blue belt, purple belt, or brown belt.)

First and foremost, if you are a black belt, people expect you to know it all – from every technique for every position to life in general. You become the YODA to the whites and blues and Master Splinter to the purples and browns. They expect you to show them “mind blowing” techniques that will be game changing all the time… and also, they expect you to be cool AF. Not only this, but students expect to feel (at all belt levels) like a mouse surrounded by hundreds of traps during a roll with you.  

Then there’s the pressure of competing. If you teach or are a staple black belt at your academy, your students put you on an imaginary pedestal (and you know this already). It then becomes a lot harder on the ego if you do lose while they are there cheering you on… but the greatest feeling when you win. Additionally, if you don’t compete at all or are not an avid competitor, people may start to question it and your black belt-ness. Whether you choose to let that bother you or not is one thing, but the fact that what others think of you will still linger in the back of your head is another.

One of the coolest things I’ve recently heard from a longtime black belt (10 years) is how each year, one of the things he strives to work on is to lessen his ego. Being a black belt is definitely not easy by any means… to maintain a “status” while delicately balancing the ego in the process.

As discussed in a previous blog, not all black belts are created equal. But the one constant that remains the same is that most have put in their time to get to that level. When we remember the struggles, triumphs, injuries, adversity, and hundreds of thousands of times that we fought our ego to better ourselves, the less the pressure and responsibilities will get to us (at all belt levels) and the more we will grow into our belt and our roles/rolls.

The Scholarly Jiu-Jitsu Player /// By: Maureen Ramirez

Although half the summer is gone already, we wanted to share this blog with our college student readers who are getting ready for the fall semester next month. The struggle to balance school and training can be a tough one, so here are some words of advice from blue belt and Arizona State University undergraduate student, Maureen Ramirez:

As the semester comes to an end, I cannot be more excited. Not only am I looking forward to sleeping in, no stress from difficult assignments, and finally escaping the prison that is my university’s library. I am also looking forward to being able to train. Of course, I train during the school year. I wouldn’t have survived the stress of school and work without jiu-jitsu. However, I feel that school is one of the factors inhibiting my progress. I often feel torn between training multiple times or using those extra hours to catch up on cellular biology. It makes me feel guilty when I choose one over the other. I’m still young, and I have a lot of time to compete. However, I want to be a talented, accomplished, and elite competitor. I also want to be an amazing, educated, and accomplished scientist. There are times my two passions collide and I think that many people going to school, along with training, feel the same way. As someone studying Genetics and Cellular Biology along with being in one of the most studly blue belt female divisions, I have a few words of advice for those in my shoes.

Maureen (in the black gi) competing at the 2017 Pans.

1)     School is your priority. If it wasn’t, you’d be training full time.

There’s a reason you are spending thousands of dollars on your education. You WANT to be there. Jiu-Jitsu is a life long journey and it will always welcome you with open arms. Do not jeopardize thousands of dollars and potential debt because you’re a blue belt trying to be the next “phenom”.

2)     Jiu-Jitsu is supposed to be fun and a way to relieve your stress.

If you find that you’re only able to make time for jiu-jitsu 3-4 times a week, then go train! It’s meant to be a fun and stress-relieving experience. If you are constantly stressed that you can’t make it to training 7 days a week, 2 times a day because of other obligations (that are also causing stress), you are not doing yourself any favors. Go when you can and give 100% while you’re there.

3)     Use the academic skills you are acquiring to help better your jiu-jitsu.

If you can’t make it to jiu-jitsu, STUDY. Watch a collar-sleeve analysis, rewatch old matches, put those study skills to good use. I am someone who learns quite linearly and I need a step by step breakdown of almost anything I do or learn. I like to use study breaks at the library as a time to make myself a breakdown of certain moves/positions that I am trying to incorporate into my game. (i.e. a step by step of what I want to do from lasso to DLR and what to do if my opponent counters)

4)     There’s nothing like doing it to get it done.

Do your schoolwork to the best of your ability. Train to the best of your ability. Everyone’s journey is their own and if you’re making moves towards your goals, you’re already ahead of the game. The grind is real when you have a lot on your plate and that’s the beauty in it.

The Great Uniform Debate

Lately, I’ve been noticing more academies moving towards a uniform policy where students are required to wear an academy specific gi that can only be purchased through the academy. While there are affiliations who have long institutionalized the requirement, I think a lot, if not the majority of the BJJ community, does not adhere to this rule.

Photo cred: Johnny Tama 

Now that I’ve switched to an academy/affiliation with a uniform requirement, I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place because while I understand the pro of having everyone wear the same gi, the con also weighs heavily on me…

CON: Lack of freedom of choice. When I started BJJ, I went through 3 kimono companies before I found the one with the perfect fit for my body type – as I would often find myself in the uncomfortable zone between the kids and adults sizes. Now that I found the perfect fitting gi, I am now required to wear another brand with standard sizes. Again I feel like Goldilocks trying to find the perfect fitting gi in this required brand. I now either have to wear the largest kids size with a slimmer fitting top or the smallest adult size, which would make me look like I’m wearing a fat suit even after I’ve tried to shrink it.

PRO: Uniformity creates a sense of team/family. On the flipside, I must admit, seeing 25-50 people in class wearing the same gi looks pretty cool and when visiting other academies of the same affiliation, it helps distinguish that you are part of the same team so that people don’t try to kill you because they think you’re a visitor and they have to “protect their house” so to speak.

Photo cred: Orlando Sanchez

From a business perspective, a uniform requirement is a quick and easy way to make money. It is also good for students who are brand new to BJJ because they don't need to go out of their way to buy (and wait for) a new gi elsewhere. But at the same time, it can also turn away potential students who do not want to conform to the requirement - which are students who already have training experience and their own gi.

Most people don’t agree with uniform requirements not because they don’t want to represent their academy, but because not all gis fit the same and not everyone can afford the price point of the required gi - especially if they have a few gis in their training rotation already. The biggest complaint that I’ve heard from others who have this requirement is that the gi doesn’t fit them the right way like another brand does.

I am still on the fence about this new requirement for me. While I feel very strongly for my team/family, I am still hesitant wearing the required gi because it just does not fit me right. And also, I have a heavy rotation of other gis that fit me perfectly that I would have no problem patching up to train in. But at the end of the day, I found a team that I am proud to be on so I’ll do what I have to do to conform to the rules… and wait for those special occasions to wear my much more comfortable and functional gis.

What are your thoughts on mandatory uniform requirements? 

Four Truths About Women's BJJ /// By: Raquel Pa'aluhi-Canuto

One of the most commonly asked questions I get is, “How is it being a female in a primarily male dominated sport?” There are so many ways to answer this question, but I’ll start by saying that it’s not for everyone.

Martial arts have always been a part of me. This is a life I was born into but one I eventually chose to live. However, I do realize that this is my reality and not everyone else’s. There are a lot of women out there who experience training differently than I do… those who train casually, for weight loss, to conquer some sort of personal goal or whatever their reason may be. So, how do I deal with being a “female in a male dominated sport?” I’ll talk a little about it here:

TRAINING WITH MEN FOR THE FIRST TIME

When I started teaching a women’s jiu-jitsu class last year, it filled up quickly, I got a lot of the moms, wives and girlfriends off of the sidelines and onto the mat. Within a couple of weeks, I had a steady group of 16 women training. Their concerns were simple ones. They didn’t want to be drowned in other people’s sweat and body odor and they were afraid to train with men. This class gave them a place to train with other women. Eventually they wanted to challenge themselves or train more than twice a week and had to face their fears of training with men in the beginners class. I always tell them that training with men can go one of two ways: You will either get a guy that is overly aggressive because they don’t want to lose to a women or one that let’s you beat them up because they don’t want to hurt a woman. There is very rarely a third option. In their defense, you can’t blame them. Most men don’t know how to train with us because they’ve never had to. My advice: choose your partner wisely, always assess the situation, and last, be prepared.

There was a time when I was careless when choosing training partners. I always wanted the best training in the room. I didn’t care if they were bigger, stronger, or more experienced than me! I just went for it. Thinking back on it now, it wasn’t the brightest idea. Everyone should go at their own pace. If you can, get a partner you know and trust. If you’re assigned one and they happen to be bigger or stronger than you, play on top instead or play a game you feel comfortable with. Last, don’t walk into a roll with your head in the clouds. I always expect every partner to give me their best. Whether they do or not is on them, but being prepared for what they give is on me. Also, if their ears are really deformed, you should probably stay away from them (kidding).

TRAINING AND/OR COMPETING WITH OTHER WOMEN

Training with men is scary for most women, but I fear training with other women more. At my school we are lucky to have a great group of women and I have never had trouble with any of them. But I have lost count of the amount of times I’ve had women blow up on me while training. I remember the first time it happened I was so taken aback by the situation because I had no clue what was going on. During the roll my partner started freaking out saying I hit her in the face. Instantly I started to apologize but she kept yelling at me saying I kicked her, slammed her… and the story kept changing. When I turned to walk away because she wouldn’t stop yelling, she held on to the sleeve of my gi trying to keep me there to listen to her yell. I literally had to break her off my gi to get away. I was still fairly new to jiu-jitsu but had been training martial arts the majority of my life. So I trusted my control and knew I hadn’t done any of those things. Over the last few years I’ve had this happen numerous times. From white belts all the way up to black belts and accomplished MMA fighters. I’ve been yelled at, cursed at, pushed, shoved, passive aggressively called “fat” (because I am no doubt the bigger girl on the mat) and then minutes later I get apologies.

What I have learned over the last few years is to not take it personal. Women are emotional and I understand this because when it comes to certain things, I’m emotional too. But not on the mat. This is my job so I always give 100% when I’m training. I also expect everyone to do the same with me. But like I mentioned earlier, we don’t all experience training the same way. I know that this is the root cause of the issues I’ve had. From my experience, because women are so emotional, they take losing much harder than men do. It’s more personal to have another female beat them rather than having a man beat them. I honestly can’t explain why, but that’s just what I’ve noticed. This is hard for me to accept because I really want to train with other women. Once in awhile I get to train with Tammi Musumeci and she kicks my ass every time. She has a very specific game that just kills mine. But I love every second of it and wish I could be challenged like this more. Because this sport is growing so rapidly, I believe at some point soon we will have to come together and help each other. I hope it’s sooner rather than later.

TRAINING DURING THAT TIME OF THE MONTH

I have always been an extremely mentally strong person. Injured, tired, sore, I can do whatever I need to do. With that said, within the last year or so, I have found it extremely difficult to train on the first day or two of my menstrual period. Men just don’t understand the hell our bodies go through once a month. For at least a week, we are bloated, breaking out, craving foods we shouldn’t be eating… and of course, feeling like the ugliest human to walk the planet. Let’s not forget about the cramping! It feels like someone is stabbing you with a knife from the inside out. The first 24 hours I just want to lay in bed getting my back and belly rubbed but I still get up and get myself into the gym. I don’t know about other women, but I always feel like I have very low energy levels. My body feels tired when I’m training and everything is so hard to do! Simple movements I do every day now feels like the last round of conditioning where I have to push with every bit of will power I have left. Am I over exaggerating? Not even a little bit. My periods have gotten worse with age. I normally don’t like to take any kind of medicine but on the first day or two, I take 600-800 mg of pain reliever before I head out the door and that usually does the trick long enough to get through the training. Also, a year ago, I started using the “diva cup.” I was very hesitant at first, but it has been a life changing experience for me (yes, that’s good). Aside from it being eco friendly, it’s saved me money, trips to the store, and I no longer panic because I forgot to pack tampons. Above all, it’s extremely comfortable and mess-free. If you have not tried it, whether you are physically active or not, I highly recommend you do. I’ve done everything from training, tournaments, 10+ hour flights, swimming, and more using it.

TRAINING WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER

Dating as a female fighter can be tough. When I was single, I found that it intimidated men who didn’t train. There were all the jokes and the challenges of, “I bet I could beat you up!” and to be honest, it got old really fast. Whether you are a fighter or just a woman that trains, if you date a guy who doesn’t, this will still happen. A fighter’s lifestyle is a hard one to understand. I’m married now and I met my husband in the gym. He’s been training jiu-jitsu just as long as I’ve been training martial arts and we are almost the same exact person when it comes to the pursuit of our goals. I’m not a dating expert, but I think this is an important aspect of a relationship. Having this common ground made us connect a lot faster than I expected. Because of that, he’s always understood how important fighting was to me from the beginning. It was my job, but it also what I loved more than anything else (at the time).

For the most part, we train great together. He’s always the first person to tell me how well I did or correct my mistakes if I made them. He watches fights of my opponents often so we can figure out what game to use for that match or fight. He’s taken the role of coach seriously for me. So with that said, there are also hard days for us on the mat. Balancing his training/preparation and being my coach also can be a heavy load.

Our understanding of jiu-jitsu is very different. If you ever have a chance to learn from him, you’ll see what I mean. Renato sees jiu-jitsu in every single little detail. He can teach a position inside out and make even the hardest of learners understand it clearly. For myself, I just have the feeling of it. Renato always says that I fight or move without thinking. That is just comes naturally to me. Most times I don’t even realize what I’m doing because I’ve never learned how to do it, I just know I’m supposed to. So this difference in learning has caused a little bit of problems in our training. He won’t admit it, but his demand from me is high. We drill and correct positions often and when we do, he always wants my best. He wants me to get every detail he sees, but sometimes I don’t. Other times he gets so excited he’s going from one thing to the other and I get left behind because it’s hard for me to understand everything at once. There have been many sessions that ended in silence. There’s also been days where I’ve gotten up and walked away without shaking his hand because he beat the crap out of me and was not nice about it at all. But even on those days, I am thankful to have someone who sees and believes in what I can be.

One of the harder things to deal with for me is when he competes. I get so nervous, sick to my stomach and I just can’t eat. Normally I offer my help, but I do it in silence and let him do what he needs to do. Recently we experienced him losing and not getting on the podium for the first time in our relationship and it was an experience I was dreading. But I treated it how I always do. I carried his stuff, gave him hugs and kisses and waited for him to cool down. In the weeks to come, he fixed mistakes and we adjusted our training to adjust what was missing.

Being together has catapulted our careers and I believe it’s because are both fighting for something bigger than ourselves now. Everyday we are fighting for a better life for both of us.

Raquel Pa’aluhi-Canuto is a professional MMA fighter and brown belt under Robert Drysdale in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is currently preparing for her main event, title fight for Invicta on August 31, 2017, in California.