We often think of dirty mats when we consider toxic Jiu Jitsu gyms. However, there are other signs that your gym has an unhealthy culture. Here is a list of warnings to watch out for:
Jiu-Jitsu Rolling and Sparring
The first component is roll culture. Is every roll in class taken seriously like it’s the ADCC finals? Or are rolls more like soft flow rolls? Both are necessary at various times, but everyone should be able to exercise discretion and not take a one size fits all approach. Another indicator of a poor roll culture is aggressively going for submissions when someone isn’t aware of the danger, even if they should be taught better.
Toxic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
The second indicator may be instructor behavior. Is your instructor always absent? While it’s unrealistic to think an instructor will be at every class – especially if there are three classes a day – if students are paying to learn from that person, they should be teaching some classes. Additionally, watch out for instructors who nickel and dime students – charging testing fees or the cost of a belt, or having mandatory gear that can only be bought from the school. Instructors should not use loyalty as a sales tool either; loyalty needs to go both ways between student and teacher.
Focusing less on BJJ techniques
The third indication of toxicity may come from the school itself; if it’s not offering what is being advertised; too much conditioning or no wrestling/judo when it was promised could indicate trouble. Always make sure you’re getting what was promised! Also pay attention to respect between teachers and students – friendly trash talk is natural, but malevolent comments that show lack of respect or ego can cross the line.
Respect between instructors and students is essential
Everyone should be treated with respect, regardless of their win record or gender. Trash talking should remain friendly and not become malicious. When searching for the right jiu-jitsu gym for you, consider whether the instructor charges for belt promotions or if there is a small clique in the gym. These could be signs that it may not be the best environment to invest in both time and money.
Finding the best jiu-jitsu gym for you
In this way, investing in the right club matters; while small issues don’t necessitate a toxic environment, they should still be considered seriously when making your decision!
The post Toxic Jiu-Jitsu Gyms: Examining Indicators of a Harmful Jiu Jitsu Culture appeared first on Bjj Eastern Europe.