I actually train at Megaton's, so let me address some of these comments:
"1) Dudes roll their like it is life or death and sometimes won't tap even if you are in a position to do serious damage. I saw this myself with lower bels and while watching others. In fact, I witnessed a knee injury happen that I believe was easily preventable. It isn't everyone there who does but it is worse than I've seen at any other gym and it was easily preventable."
I think any school in the area will have people who roll competitively in their respective competition class. Megaton doesn't promote "no tapping" in any way. If you happened to have had that experience, I'm sorry.
"2) Megaton only promotes if you go to his Christmas party (I got this one second hand from his students who I often rolled with). This means he only promotes once a year. This could bug some people but I could care less personally. My only real criticism is #1."
This isn't true. While the majority of promotions do come at the Christmas party, there have been multiple people who get promoted throughout the year.
"I've heard people criticize his students for sandbagging. If you know about his daughter that is an obvious example but last time I visited I'd most of their serious competitors could compete well one or two ranks higher. I think a lot of competitive schools do this and some people see it as a badge of honor of sorts (i.e., that he doesn't give away belts or that you really have to earn them). "
You'd have to ask Megaton how exactly he prioritizes promotions. I think sandbagging is a funny term. If someone is better at their belt than YOU think they should be, is that sandbagging? Or, is it that someone wins multiple titles at a belt, and doesn't get promoted? I agree that if someone wins a local tournament/national tournament they should be promoted. From what I have seen, that seems to hold true.
In regards to which school:
We are fortunate to have such great training opportunities in the Phoenix area. You should really travel around and get a feel for which one you like the most. A fair amount of the schools cross train with other schools. It's a good environment for jiu-jitsu.
I've trained with Ryan Beauregard and his brothers. They periodically come by Megaton's to train. A good group of people. I haven't trained directly with John Crouch, but I have friends who enjoy the training there. I though his only school was at the LAB, but someone could correct me on that. The LAB is a great facility, but it's also across the valley from Tempe. Gustavo has always been very good to work with, but I haven't trained with him directly. I've just worked with him on competitions. His guys always tend to do well in competitions.
Any place you pick will get you great training, just pick a place that fits you best.
If you come by Megaton's on Friday, come to the morning class. First, it's the only class of the day, and second it's the best representation of the upper belts.
