What are your guy's opinions on training with two different instructors? I've read several threads and articles about jiu jitsu politics and how your not supposed to train with two trainers at the same time, something about representation. In my opinion I think its stupid because if a person truly loves the art of jiu jitsu, he/she will try and fill up their days with the sport they love. I'm in a dilemma right now because I found two gyms that I both love, and I would do anything to train at both. Both gym's schedules fit mine perfectly, but the only thing I'm worried about is how am I supposed to tell both of my instructors that I'm training at two places? I've grown very close with my jiu jitsu trainer, however today I went to a gracie barra affiliated class and their skill levels was much higher than the one i currently train at. You think both instructor would be cool enough to let me train at two places? need advice...
id say run it by him tell him your curious. pretty much say youll still come to his gym when it fits your schedule but when his gym is closed and the gracie is open youll go there
One of our guys is in the entertainment business...doing security. He lives in L.A. most of the time, comes and stays in St. Louis when he has time...and the rest of the time he's travelling the world for his job. Rodrigo here in St. Louis is the guy who he originally started under, so he comes here whenever he can to continue his training. But he trains with Rickson in L.A. and where ever he can around the world when he can. From Carlos Gracie to Renzo's in NYC...he's got some interesting stories....but he hasn't ever said anything along the lines of other instructors giving him shit.
To train at different schools in different cities so you can keep training wherever you go is okay, your instructor would probably encourage you to find a school to train at if you go to a different city. But to train at 2 different schools in the same city that u live in and regulary train at both of them, then a problem might occur. I myself would never do it, it would show disrespect to my instructor. I would never want to disrespect my coach.
As long as your instructor is okay with it you should do it. But be warned. I've heard some hairy stories from the U.S about instructors going all apeshit when someone trained with another club even though the instructor was abroad for several months and his club was closed down when he was away. If your instructor turns out to be like this you could stick to his club or quit and go to the other place. I don't think you should do it behind your instructor's back 'cause that is twice as disrespectful if he doesn't approve of it.
I train at seven places regularly. At every school and club, I learn something different and a new way of looking at grappling. I don't think it is disrespectful at all. In fact it shows your commitment to BJJ and that you value your instructor's opinion. After all, if you thought he offered nothing over the other instructor, then you would only go to the other instructor!
the problem is competition. i guess nobody would care if you didnt compete, but you see, when you do compete, which academy will you represent? and which of your teachers will promote you to your next belt? see the complications? if jiu jitsu weren
Hey Gsoares2 if you're in Tampa you should definately check out Rob Kahn's schhol - Gracie Tampa, he was my instructor while he was in NY, his Jiu-Jitsu is incredible. www.gracietampa.com
My old club was like this. I had to leave for financial reasons (well, I didn't have to). At the school I'm at now my coach lets us train where ever we want. I was almost in the same situation. i.e- stressing about asking him. He actually encouraged me. The politics with tourneys here is shocking too. Club A won't compete at club Bs comps and vice versa. Club C competes in all tourneys, but you have to be part of their team to compete in their comps. Luckily I'm in Club D, where we can compete in whatever we want. Actually, one of the schools around here has started tourneys every 3 months. They're cheap, and open to everyone. They don't even publish team results, so there's no rivalry.
Train at two places in the same city? I mean I aint you, but personally I wouldnt disrespect my team or coach like that. You could either be a team player or selfish, which there is nothing wrong with if you are like that. Pick your own path, but I am speaking for me and not for you.
My coach would throw me out immediately. I can play out of the city all I want and I can drop in at other places from time to time, especially within the team, but if I joined elsewhere, coach would not be pleased. Even if he let me stay, my loyalty would be questioned and I wouldn't be trusted with the school's techniques. My instructer takes too much pride in his clan for me to be running around willy nilly.
Well thanks for all the replied, and all I know is that I have to tell both of my coaches for permission before I make a decision. If they say yes, great, if they say no, I will most likely join Gracie Barra. The way I see it is that I am loyal to the first club, because they trained me, and they taught me everything I know. Its a small club, but everyone is skilled and friendly. However, I feel that I have already learned as much as I can from the instructor. Don't ask me why I feel this way, and I know that I still have a million things to learn about the art of jiu jitsu, however I can already submit all of the people in the class except for the teacher, and the teacher's assistant. To speak plainly I am no longer challenged. The first time I went to that school I was being tapped left and right, but I learned from all of my mistakes. People get better by losing. When a person stops losing, they stop learning. I don't think I can further my skills in jiu jitsu if I only train at that club. That is why when I went to Gracie Barra the other day. All I want to do is grapple. Loyalty is something that everyone should possess, and that is why this issue has been bugging me 24 hrs a day. I think that if a person truly wants further their skills in BJJ, then they would have to explore different clubs and learn from different kinds of people. Thats the whole point of mixed martial arts. If a kickboxer wanted to do jiu jitsu, its not a betrayal to kickboxing, he just wants to further his skills. I have already decided that I will not enter any tournaments. I really do hope I can train at both clubs, but I can't, I hope my first instructor and me part ways on a happy note.
hopefully something will workout good for you. i hate to see the politics ruin training, but it happens. i do train at different schools in same towns, but i only do it as i travel around, so it doesnt hurt to do it that way. if you are not entering tornys, then they should be ok with some cross training between schools, but they will probably not like it after time goes by. i train with everyone i can, just try not to piss off both places and then get suck out.
sorry Soz I would not like to reveal that information because some of the people from Gracie Barra or my the first jiu jitsu club I've trained at might be reading this post right now.
