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Cultish behaviour in BJJ
5 year(s) ago • 1787 views • 35 replies
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Was posting in another thread and it got me thinking about cultish behaviour in BJJ. Post some of your experiences or things you find that can be border line cultish.
Reminder: Please be respectful
Reminder: Please be respectful
Edited 5 year(s) ago
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
...Here are a couple I posted earlier. Not really cultish but can be perceived that way.
SLBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Bowing to a line up of photographs on a wall of people that we’ve never met and who 76.5% of the students wouldn’t even know who they are.
Referring to someone as a professor who isn’t a professor.
Bringing out a line of merchandise that ranges from baseball caps, to toothbrush holders and toilet roll so that literally everyone you know is aware of your affiliation.
Having annual gatherings and business meetings that are essentially ran like pyramid scheme events. Ensuring everyone who attends wears the same tie - even if they are rocking said tie with a pair of Nike trainers.
Having a generally very closed off mindset in regards to cross training.
**this is in no way shape or form aimed at any one team/brand in particular - I’ve simply heard rumours that this stuff happens**
Referring to someone as a professor who isn’t a professor.
Bringing out a line of merchandise that ranges from baseball caps, to toothbrush holders and toilet roll so that literally everyone you know is aware of your affiliation.
Having annual gatherings and business meetings that are essentially ran like pyramid scheme events. Ensuring everyone who attends wears the same tie - even if they are rocking said tie with a pair of Nike trainers.
Having a generally very closed off mindset in regards to cross training.
**this is in no way shape or form aimed at any one team/brand in particular - I’ve simply heard rumours that this stuff happens**
JBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
There is an actual marketing strategy that capitalizes on the psychology of this for Martial Arts gyms. They encourage the business to have a "master" instructor who is rarely seen and never spars. Just walk around and have everyone seeking your hard-to-come-by approval constantly. Intentionally create a perceived hierarchy of privileges for the more talented students who are encouraged to ridicule and belittle the lesser students.
This is a model that works and actually attracts many students. There are many gyms out there intentionally following this model and it has been discussed time and time and time again. And yet students STILL flock to these gyms seeking fame and glory.
At this point, IMO, that's on them. The information is out there and therefor if you don't know it's simple ignorance. OR....you are seeking that place for a reason and you will fit right in,
This is a model that works and actually attracts many students. There are many gyms out there intentionally following this model and it has been discussed time and time and time again. And yet students STILL flock to these gyms seeking fame and glory.
At this point, IMO, that's on them. The information is out there and therefor if you don't know it's simple ignorance. OR....you are seeking that place for a reason and you will fit right in,
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
...Here are a couple I posted earlier. Not really cultish but can be perceived that way.
não falo português :0
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SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Was posting in another thread and it got me thinking about cultish behaviour in BJJ. Post some of your experiences or things you find that can be border line cultish. Reminder: Please be respectful
I've fortunately managed to mostly avoid it, I think, despite training in various martial arts since about 1994. The closest I can think of to culty out of the places I've trained is Gracie Barra, but I'm not sure cult is quite the right word.
It's mostly just hyper commercialism, repackaging formality and ritual as a sales tactic (which plenty of people like, especially in martial arts, so I can understand why they do it).
The whole 'defend the red shield' thing has gotten a bit weird, though.
It's mostly just hyper commercialism, repackaging formality and ritual as a sales tactic (which plenty of people like, especially in martial arts, so I can understand why they do it).
The whole 'defend the red shield' thing has gotten a bit weird, though.
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
This is why I hate Martial arts is the cult of personality that forms and it's funny but people actually want that.. It's like I tell my guys I am a nut job who fights better than you.. Does not make me a good person
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
The cult of personality that forms and it's funny but people actually want that..
100% true and sad to see how many ppl fall victim to these as well as those leaders whose insecurities and egos prompt them down that path. They have to use the thing between their cauliflowered ears to discern what is healthy but sadly most are too afraid to accept changes for the better.
BNPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Something that gets to me a lot that I see quite commonly is never being able to give credit to others for the skills/accomplishment. In "real" sports there seems to be credit given where due between competitors however in jiu jitsu there is a sense of "my team is the best, my coach is the best, everyone else is dumb/not as good, etc.".
BNPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
“The Red Shield” is basically lifted directly from the Cults for profit playbook.
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Something that gets to me a lot that I see quite commonly is never being able to give credit to others for the skills/accomplishment. In 'real' sports there seems to be credit given where due between competitors however in jiu jitsu there is a sense of 'my team is the best, my coach is the best, everyone else is dumb/not as good, etc.'.
I love that stupidity as there are so many not only legit practitioners out there but so many world class competitors and instructors.. Hell in Vegas alone there are a ton of great schools
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
That annual black belt lineage get together, where one lower belt guest is brought, and then sacrificed to Helio and Carlos, roasted, and everyone eats of their flesh for greater Jiu-Jitsu power.
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
That annual black belt lineage get together, where one lower belt guest is brought, and then sacrificed to Helio and Carlos, roasted, and everyone eats of their flesh for greater Jiu-Jitsu power.
Great idea
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
only free range and nonGMO certified ones too
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
That annual black belt lineage get together, where one lower belt guest is brought, and then sacrificed to Helio and Carlos, roasted, and everyone eats of their flesh for greater Jiu-Jitsu power.
Delicious
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
So this is why it is mostly black belts and up posting on the forums: you've eaten almost everybody else. Clearly I need to get promoted before I wind up on Dave's plate. :P
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Delicious
i recommend 2 or 3 stripe white belts as they are still tender and succulent. By late purple or brown they're already too ripe and sinewy if you know what I mean.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
So this is why it is mostly black belts and up posting on the forums: you've eaten almost everybody else. Clearly I need to get promoted before I wind up on Dave's plate. :P
by your recent photo evidence of diet which seem to mostly consisting of Creme Eggs, Turkish pastries and other sugary confection plus you're brown belt already makes you GMO/ free range ineligible therefore will not be considered as tribute at this time. My doc has told me to watch my sugar intake cos y'know diabetes and such :)
Edited 5 year(s) ago
HCBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Bowing to a line up of photographs on a wall of people that we’ve never met and who 76.5% of the students wouldn’t even know who they are. Referring to someone as a professor who isn’t a professor. Bringing out a line of merchandise that ranges from baseball caps, to toothbrush holders and toilet roll so that literally everyone you know is aware of your affiliation. Having annual gatherings and business meetings that are essentially ran like pyramid scheme events. Ensuring everyone who attends wears the same tie - even if they are rocking said tie with a pair of Nike trainers. Having a generally very closed off mindset in regards to cross training. **this is in no way shape or form aimed at any one team/brand in particular - I’ve simply heard rumours that this stuff happens**
I agree with this. Any gym I've gone to that requires you to only wear in house gear throws all the red flags for me. I don't mind purchasing gear to support the gyme (love some gym swag souvinirs) but if you require me to wear your Gi's/patches I know I'm out.
In most places I been to BJJ is already pretty expensive, and I hate any place that requires contracts. I don't mind doing some prepay but also, I come to learn and have fun. Don't really care about the other stuff. Being the fan I have I've done my own research into the history of BJJ (good and dark side of its founders) but I don't expect other people with jobs and real lives and families to care about anything other than learning some techniques and getting a work out.
Telling me to call people Sir, Professor, Master also seems very weird. Being humble and respectful is all great but there is only 1 master....
.
..
...
....
.....
SHO NUFF!!!
In most places I been to BJJ is already pretty expensive, and I hate any place that requires contracts. I don't mind doing some prepay but also, I come to learn and have fun. Don't really care about the other stuff. Being the fan I have I've done my own research into the history of BJJ (good and dark side of its founders) but I don't expect other people with jobs and real lives and families to care about anything other than learning some techniques and getting a work out.
Telling me to call people Sir, Professor, Master also seems very weird. Being humble and respectful is all great but there is only 1 master....
.
..
...
....
.....
SHO NUFF!!!
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I cringe everytime someone calls me professor, sir etc.
SBBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
"Professor just means teacher in Portuguese". These are the words I have to repeat to my University Professor of a wife every time I watch Flograppling and they mention the word professor.
JBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Any gym I've gone to that requires you to only wear in house gear throws all the red flags for me. I don't mind purchasing gear to support the gyme (love some gym swag souvinirs) but if you require me to wear your Gi's/patches I know I'm out. In most places I been to BJJ is already pretty expensive, and I hate any place that requires contracts. I don't mind doing some prepay but also, I come to learn and have fun. Don't really care about the other stuff. Being the fan I have I've done my own research into the history of BJJ (good and dark side of its founders) but I don't expect other people with jobs and real lives and families to care about anything other than learning some techniques and getting a work out. Telling me to call people Sir, Professor, Master also seems very weird.
Aren't you a Gracie Academy guy? I'm fairly certain all these things are required at Torrance, unless things have changed dramatically over the past few years.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
'Professor just means teacher in Portuguese'.
Which is fine, if you're speaking in Portuguese. I don't think it makes sense in English, as professor is a specific academic title in English. But to each their own.
HCBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Aren't you a Gracie Academy guy? I'm fairly certain all these things are required at Torrance, unless things have changed dramatically over the past few years.
Not sure. The two I've been apart of haven't forced anyone to wear the gear although they provide discounts for it if you use it instead. I've basically only bought gear from amazon same with everyone else I know. It's pretty much law that you need a spider man body glove suit for no gi bjj though.
JBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Not sure. The two I've been apart of haven't forced anyone to wear the gear although they provide discounts for it if you use it instead. I've basically only bought gear from amazon same with everyone else I know. It's pretty much law that you need a spider man body glove suit for no gi bjj though.
Wow, that's very different than what it used to be like.
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Aren't you a Gracie Academy guy? I'm fairly certain all these things are required at Torrance, unless things have changed dramatically over the past few years.
I like the Gracie Academy.
Also, Rener and Ryron are taller than they seem on camera.
Size does not matter in Jiu-Jitsu.
Unless your opponent is bigger than you.
And, especially, if they also know Jiu-Jitsu.
Or they are much younger than you, and brutishly big, quick, and strong.
Or if they are carrying a pointed stick.
The worst, is when someone is a combination of all of those factors, and has an open herpetic sore on their lip.
Because then, if grapple fu is engaged, you'll be thinking, I hope that big strong guy with the pointed stick who knows Jiu-Jitsu, does not wipe that herpetic sore pus all over me.
Or have the pus drop in my eye.
Anyway, the moral of the story is, violence is not always the answer.
Also, Rener and Ryron are taller than they seem on camera.
Size does not matter in Jiu-Jitsu.
Unless your opponent is bigger than you.
And, especially, if they also know Jiu-Jitsu.
Or they are much younger than you, and brutishly big, quick, and strong.
Or if they are carrying a pointed stick.
The worst, is when someone is a combination of all of those factors, and has an open herpetic sore on their lip.
Because then, if grapple fu is engaged, you'll be thinking, I hope that big strong guy with the pointed stick who knows Jiu-Jitsu, does not wipe that herpetic sore pus all over me.
Or have the pus drop in my eye.
Anyway, the moral of the story is, violence is not always the answer.
Edited 5 year(s) ago
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Rather than violence, I prefer the "curl into a ball and wait for them to get bored" option, often works for me on the extremely rare occasions I've found myself having to spar somebody much bigger. :P
But yeah, serious answer would be, not fighting is pretty much always better than fighting. In 40 years I've never had to use violence ever. I don't even like getting angry, I avoid that too, as I find it counterproductive.
But yeah, serious answer would be, not fighting is pretty much always better than fighting. In 40 years I've never had to use violence ever. I don't even like getting angry, I avoid that too, as I find it counterproductive.
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I like the Gracie Academy. Also, Rener and Ryron are taller than they seem on camera. Size does not matter in Jiu-Jitsu. Unless your opponent is bigger than you. And, especially, if they also know Jiu-Jitsu. Or they are much younger than you, and brutishly big, quick, and strong. Or if they are carrying a pointed stick. The worst, is when someone is a combination of all of those factors, and has an open herpetic sore on their lip. Because then, if grapple fu is engaged, you'll be thinking, I hope that big strong guy with the pointed stick who knows Jiu-Jitsu, does not wipe that herpetic sore pus all over me. Or have the pus drop in my eye. Anyway, the moral of the story is, violence is not always the answer.
I cases like that my motto is
Edited 5 year(s) ago
JABlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
This is why I hate Martial arts is the cult of personality that forms and it's funny but people actually want that.. It's like I tell my guys I am a nut job who fights better than you.. Does not make me a good person
I had a very good friend and trainer who would tell me the same thing. He also said the only difference between him and me was he started earlier. You remind me a lot of him sir.
