Visiting new/different School

[71Fish]

I will be out of town for a few weeks. I've already hit up the head black belt at the school I want to visit.

I haven't done this before so my question is what is the usual etiquette when visiting other schools? I'm a "high level" haha, blue belt. Just go easy, get subbed a lot? I want to be welcomed but I also don't want myself or home school to look bad by being too nice and getting run over.

 

[Solidus Snake]

I'd say match the intensity of the people you have in front of you and you'll be fine

 

[anaconda]

Why would you go easy or get subbed a lot?

Do you think they will go easy or let you sub them? Actually, they will probably go extra hard on you or pair you with their best people.

I agree with SS, match their intensity. Typically if I am visiting a place just for one day, I will roll at their pace and won't give them anything, but will also not be very aggressive.

If I will be there more than once I go lighter the first day with a lot of movement, and then roll harder the second day once they know I'm not an asshole and not there to prove anything. Again, match the pace of the people you are with.

 

[Forceof1]

Another vote for matching their intensity.

Just be on your guard. Occasionally you'll get the "we must defend our turf" guy who will do anything (neck crank, snap a sub, pull digits, etc) to show how tough he / their gym is.

 

[HtomSirveaux]

I've only visited a different gym once. The blue belts were basically in competition mode on me (a blue) but they were smaller so it wasn't a big deal. I used them to get reps on guard passes. Pass their guard, then let them sweep me and go nuts trying to tap me, escape, get back on top and pass again. I got a ton of good reps with resistance and worked on my defense. I only went for a couple half assed subs and didn't put the full smothering presh I'm capable of. It was really productive training

 

[Darwinambrosius]

I've visited a few gyms (internationally and domestically) during my various travels and I always go with the flow of my partners. I've never had a bad experience and I've never had anybody need to flex nuts to show the visitor who's in charge (quite the opposite, as all gyms have been very accommodating), but I did have a guy look at me incredulously and say "I didn't know we were doing ankle locks" one time.

 

[anaconda]

One other thing I'd say that someone else sort of mentioned - I don't do any shoulder pressure or smothering or that type of game. I generally play much more open from the top and the bottom, and try to move a lot.

 

[Who's Laughin' Now?]

Match their intensity and be clear on the rules from the start (no neck cranks/reaping/leglocks/coleslaw parties/etc).