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What is the dumbest Jiu-Jitsu tradition you've seen?
5 year(s) ago • 3399 views • 79 replies
DBBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Per the discussion in the Walking the Gauntlet topic - what is the dumbest jiu-jitsu tradition you've seen?
While I can think of a lot of stupid traditions I've seen, I can't actually think of any I'd put above the Gauntlet in terms of how dumb I think they are.
While I can think of a lot of stupid traditions I've seen, I can't actually think of any I'd put above the Gauntlet in terms of how dumb I think they are.
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Mandatory uniforms.
DBBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
1. Hazing / gauntlet.
2. Instructors putting their students to sleep at their own promotion, as a sort of baptism.
3. Using the term professor when the lingua franca isn't Portugese.
4. Unironically using Carioca slang in conversation as a non-Brazilian.
5. Fists up fighter poses when you only train pyjama wrestling.
And of course
6. Endorsing the idea that a black belt at BJJ makes you both a sage & black belt at life, thus permitting the wearer to violate the most basic rules of interpersonal respect and boundaries of human interaction.
2. Instructors putting their students to sleep at their own promotion, as a sort of baptism.
3. Using the term professor when the lingua franca isn't Portugese.
4. Unironically using Carioca slang in conversation as a non-Brazilian.
5. Fists up fighter poses when you only train pyjama wrestling.
And of course
6. Endorsing the idea that a black belt at BJJ makes you both a sage & black belt at life, thus permitting the wearer to violate the most basic rules of interpersonal respect and boundaries of human interaction.
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
How about not washing belts. Always drives me crazy when I see people do that. And coming to training sick also. Injuries are one thing, but the minute you have something contagious, stay the fuck home.
MMBlue beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
1. Hand slap and fist pump. What’s wrong with bowing/doing a traditional rei ??
2. Everyone doing pretty much the conga after training to shake each other’s hand and hug. What’s wrong with bowing/doing a traditional rei?
2. Everyone doing pretty much the conga after training to shake each other’s hand and hug. What’s wrong with bowing/doing a traditional rei?
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
What’s wrong with bowing/doing a traditional rei?
Not sure I agree with this one. Unless you're Japanese, there's no real reason for traditional rei, either. While BJJ originates from Judo, but it's definitely become it's own thing. Both kind of irrelevant IMO.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
1. Hand slap and fist pump. What’s wrong with bowing/doing a traditional rei ?? 2. Everyone doing pretty much the conga after training to shake each other’s hand and hug. What’s wrong with bowing/doing a traditional rei?
Disagree. Whatever greeting fits the local culture. Wrestling/grappling has evolved everywhere in the world and what we do today have very little connection with Japan in my opinion. Even if it did, I would still find it really weird to bow to anyone just because we practice grappling together. Same with slap/bump, just because it's common in Brazil. Even Marcelo shakes hands instead.
I might oppose kiss on the cheeks greeting though.
I might oppose kiss on the cheeks greeting though.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
How about not washing belts. Always drives me crazy when I see people do that. And coming to training sick also. Injuries are one thing, but the minute you have something contagious, stay the fuck home.
THIS.
DBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
The whole "professor" thing.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
- Rolling extra hard with someone in order to "teach them to relax".
- Not doing standup/takedowns in sparring.
- Not doing standup/takedowns in sparring.
BTPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
1. Hazing / gauntlet. 2. Instructors putting their students to sleep at their own promotion, as a sort of baptism. 3. Using the term professor when the lingua franca isn't Portugese. 4. Unironically using Carioca slang in conversation as a non-Brazilian. 5. Fists up fighter poses when you only train pyjama wrestling. And of course 6. Endorsing the idea that a black belt at BJJ makes you both a sage & black belt at life, thus permitting the wearer to violate the most basic rules of interpersonal respect and boundaries of human interaction.
Good post! That last little bit is important in many ways. I imagine if I had come across my first instructor as a young person without much life experience.
Another thing that parallels this is the idea is that one is personally committed/beholden to one instructor for ALL their Jiu-jitsu training. Recently, I had asked/solicited a friend (not a close friend, more of a friendly acquaintance) to help me drill for a specific set of goals, to which I would pay for time and services. A silly thing happened. It is that silliness that one hears about but seems unbelievable. The Black Belt who my friend trains under denied my friend to come train with me. My friend does private instruction out of the Black Belt's place. I don't care why, me, them, someone, some silly thing (he thinks I have plans to open a gym...nope. I am a career firefighter, and 9 years until I can retire). The silliest of all is that my friend decided not to train with me outside of the gym as a result. I suppose it would be out of fear of pissing off the gent or gentle lady who may promote a person later.
On a very deep and primitive level, it makes sense. Don't stray from your tribe and hierarchy if you wish to climb the ladder of that hierarchy. I am not opposed to the hierarchy at all. In the military, as well as in business it is important in my opinion.
Another thing that parallels this is the idea is that one is personally committed/beholden to one instructor for ALL their Jiu-jitsu training. Recently, I had asked/solicited a friend (not a close friend, more of a friendly acquaintance) to help me drill for a specific set of goals, to which I would pay for time and services. A silly thing happened. It is that silliness that one hears about but seems unbelievable. The Black Belt who my friend trains under denied my friend to come train with me. My friend does private instruction out of the Black Belt's place. I don't care why, me, them, someone, some silly thing (he thinks I have plans to open a gym...nope. I am a career firefighter, and 9 years until I can retire). The silliest of all is that my friend decided not to train with me outside of the gym as a result. I suppose it would be out of fear of pissing off the gent or gentle lady who may promote a person later.
On a very deep and primitive level, it makes sense. Don't stray from your tribe and hierarchy if you wish to climb the ladder of that hierarchy. I am not opposed to the hierarchy at all. In the military, as well as in business it is important in my opinion.
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
- Rolling extra hard with someone in order to 'teach them to relax'. - Not doing standup/takedowns in sparring.
The takedowns are sometimes especially annoying. I was chatting with someone here in Cologne about this and he said I should join a Judo class if that's what I want (he didn't know I was also a Judoka). That response puzzled me. I mean, takedowns are part of the BJJ game. Why should I have to join another System to learn a major part of BJJ?
SCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
How about not washing belts. Always drives me crazy when I see people do that. And coming to training sick also. Injuries are one thing, but the minute you have something contagious, stay the fuck home.
Agreed. I have always washed my belt regardless of how much flack everyone has given me. I wash my gi every day, so why would I not do the same for my belt?
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
The takedowns are sometimes especially annoying. I was chatting with someone here in Cologne about this and he said I should join a Judo class if that's what I want (he didn't know I was also a Judoka). That response puzzled me. I mean, takedowns are part of the BJJ game. Why should I have to join another System to learn a major part of BJJ?
To be fair, if the academy is very sports oriented then takedowns are in fact a bit of a waste of time. Any hours you pour into that will be worthless the moment the opponent just sits on his butt. So in terms of maximizing training effort towards competition, it makes sense to prioritize takedowns very low.
TPBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Not washing the belt takes the cake. The only rationale I've ever heard for it, is that you can't wash the belt because your knowledge is stored in it and washing it makes your skills decline. WHAT. Disturbing that some people apparently don't ever wash they belt... and this is the reason?
Also a lot of the "unwritten rules" are really dumb.
Like, you're not supposed to ask a higher belt to roll.
Or, you can't ever bring up belt promotion or promotion criteria with your instructor, otherwise they will add an extra year for you on the current rank. WHAT.
I also think the classic class structure is dumb, where you do a hardcore S&C warm-up including running, jumping, push-ups etc. first, then completely cool down while drilling for the middle section, then it's hard sparring for the last third.
Also a lot of the "unwritten rules" are really dumb.
Like, you're not supposed to ask a higher belt to roll.
Or, you can't ever bring up belt promotion or promotion criteria with your instructor, otherwise they will add an extra year for you on the current rank. WHAT.
I also think the classic class structure is dumb, where you do a hardcore S&C warm-up including running, jumping, push-ups etc. first, then completely cool down while drilling for the middle section, then it's hard sparring for the last third.
Edited 5 year(s) ago
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
To be fair, if the academy is very sports oriented then takedowns are in fact a bit of a waste of time. Any hours you pour into that will be worthless the moment the opponent just sits on his butt. So in terms of maximizing training effort towards competition, it makes sense to prioritize takedowns very low.
Fair point.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Agreed. I have always washed my belt regardless of how much flack everyone has given me. I wash my gi every day, so why would I not do the same for my belt?
BLASPHEMING HEATHEN!!!! LOL!!
I wash mine too. It gets pretty nasty. I just don't dry it in the dryer. I hang dry it.
I also have more than one so no one really notices.
I wash mine too. It gets pretty nasty. I just don't dry it in the dryer. I hang dry it.
I also have more than one so no one really notices.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Not washing the belt takes the cake. The only rationale I've ever heard for it, is that you can't wash the belt because your knowledge is stored in it and washing it makes your skills decline. WHAT. Disturbing that some people apparently don't ever wash they belt... and this is the reason? Also a lot of the 'unwritten rules' are really dumb. Like, you're not supposed to ask a higher belt to roll. Or, you can't ever bring up belt promotion or promotion criteria with your instructor, otherwise they will add an extra year for you on the current rank. WHAT. I also think the classic class structure is dumb, where you do a hardcore S&C warm-up including running, jumping, push-ups etc. first, then completely cool down while drilling for the middle section, then it's hard sparring for the last third.
I only talk about promotions with my students if they put together a power point presentation with handouts. Lol
OMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Without a doubt the idea/rumor that you should never discuss promotion with your instructor is the one that baffles me the most.
SBBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
1. Hazing / gauntlet. 2. Instructors putting their students to sleep at their own promotion, as a sort of baptism. 3. Using the term professor when the lingua franca isn't Portugese. 4. Unironically using Carioca slang in conversation as a non-Brazilian. 5. Fists up fighter poses when you only train pyjama wrestling. And of course 6. Endorsing the idea that a black belt at BJJ makes you both a sage & black belt at life, thus permitting the wearer to violate the most basic rules of interpersonal respect and boundaries of human interaction.
Wife has a PhD and is a college professor (psychology and statistics) agrees with number 3 violently.
I’m with you on the fist pictures. A good friend fought in the UFC years ago. He never did the fist thing. Two different times people asking to take a picture with him asked him to put his fist up for the picture. Ridiculous
Wash you fucking belt.
I think the fist bump and conga lines are the best traditions.
I’m with you on the fist pictures. A good friend fought in the UFC years ago. He never did the fist thing. Two different times people asking to take a picture with him asked him to put his fist up for the picture. Ridiculous
Wash you fucking belt.
I think the fist bump and conga lines are the best traditions.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I only talk about promotions with my students if they put together a power point presentation with handouts. Lol
and I hope the presentation include a refreshments buffet table on the side... y'know pineapples, cocktails, h'ors d'oeuves cos that always helps with the decision tree :)
(edit: grammar)
(edit: grammar)
Edited 5 year(s) ago
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Not THE stupidest but
"You DO NOT ask about promotions / next belt / stripes etc."
I've heard people getting shunned and punished (crushed in sparring by instructor, delayed the promotion deliberately) for that.
If we're using belt system that reflects development then DISCOURAGING people to ask about and understand the system and ask for feedback in the context of that system is definitely STUPID.
In my club I ACTIVELY encourage people to go to myself and other instructors and ASK "What am I lacking from the next promotion?" (In case they're the type that cares about promotions.)
"You DO NOT ask about promotions / next belt / stripes etc."
I've heard people getting shunned and punished (crushed in sparring by instructor, delayed the promotion deliberately) for that.
If we're using belt system that reflects development then DISCOURAGING people to ask about and understand the system and ask for feedback in the context of that system is definitely STUPID.
In my club I ACTIVELY encourage people to go to myself and other instructors and ASK "What am I lacking from the next promotion?" (In case they're the type that cares about promotions.)
MGPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Updating your promotion history on beltchecker every time you get a stripe (it’s a new tradition).
SCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Not THE stupidest but 'You DO NOT ask about promotions / next belt / stripes etc.' I've heard people getting shunned and punished (crushed in sparring by instructor, delayed the promotion deliberately) for that. If we're using belt system that reflects development then DISCOURAGING people to ask about and understand the system and ask for feedback in the context of that system is definitely STUPID. In my club I ACTIVELY encourage people to go to myself and other instructors and ASK 'What am I lacking from the next promotion?' (In case they're the type that cares about promotions.)
I've been fortunate enough to have never been at a gym where people were punished in any way for asking about promotions or belt requirements. Even if you have someone who is clearly underqualified asking about a promotion, you can just communicate this to them in a polite way. You don't need to shame them.
DBBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
If you say: Coach, when am I getting my next belt?
You're kind of strange.
If you say: Coach, what to I need to get better?
You're kind of smart.
You're kind of strange.
If you say: Coach, what to I need to get better?
You're kind of smart.
OMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Not THE stupidest but 'You DO NOT ask about promotions / next belt / stripes etc.' I've heard people getting shunned and punished (crushed in sparring by instructor, delayed the promotion deliberately) for that. If we're using belt system that reflects development then DISCOURAGING people to ask about and understand the system and ask for feedback in the context of that system is definitely STUPID. In my club I ACTIVELY encourage people to go to myself and other instructors and ASK 'What am I lacking from the next promotion?' (In case they're the type that cares about promotions.)
This is exactly the approach I take. Belts and the motivation that people derive from them should be a tool to maximise progress.
BTPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Updating your promotion history on beltchecker every time you get a stripe (it’s a new tradition).
On occasion, I have been tempted to do this very thing. Going on my second stripe. I think I’ll just do it for the next belt level.
DBBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
The whole 'professor' thing.
It always makes me uncomfortable. I have a black belt in BJJ. I'm not a university lecturer.
TPBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
On occasion, I have been tempted to do this very thing. Going on my second stripe. I think I’ll just do it for the next belt level.
This should be a non-issue though. If you only update the number of stripes (or edit Location/Comment/upload photos) nothing happens except they get updated. (See the FAQ.) You don’t lose your rank verification or points, as long as you only edit these fields.
People who have lost their verification adding stripes have edited something else too, either by mistake or without knowing better, such as the name of the promoter or the date.
People who have lost their verification adding stripes have edited something else too, either by mistake or without knowing better, such as the name of the promoter or the date.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
It always makes me uncomfortable. I have a black belt in BJJ. I'm not a university lecturer.
As you know in Japanese = sensei, in Chinese = sifu, in Portuguese = professoe = teacher; All point in the direction of respect and are all well-meaning/intention. I'm not a fan of titles either but when someone addresses me as "professor/sensei/sifu" I usually quickly adjust to asking them to address me by name. I do see people who abuse this though and I think this is where you're coming from, those who have "professor" patches on their gi, etc.... *eyeroll*
