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Drop-in etiquette at a different academy?
6 year(s) ago • 12241 views • 46 replies
ADBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I love having visitors! For me, it's an honour when somebody chooses to drop in at my school rather than one of the many others in my city. I try to always take a pic, but don't always remember: https://www.instagram.com[...]jvisitors/ Of course, at the moment, no visitors at all, training is about to stop completely at my school (we'll be moving to online classes for the duration of the coronapocalypse, however long that proves to be). I was pretty surprised that even this morning I was still getting calls from people wanting to start training. Seriously, you pick NOW to try out BJJ?
Can,
I totally understand the frustration of not being able to train now. Especially, when there are interested prospects to be welcomed in the old RYU. Once we're able to travel again and if I ever make it out your way, I'll surely look up your academy. Come down to Zen Martial Arts if your ever in El Paso. Roll easy!
-Anthony
I totally understand the frustration of not being able to train now. Especially, when there are interested prospects to be welcomed in the old RYU. Once we're able to travel again and if I ever make it out your way, I'll surely look up your academy. Come down to Zen Martial Arts if your ever in El Paso. Roll easy!
-Anthony
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Only one drop-in attempt in my time training and it was a huge success. Dropped by RGA in London in 2013. Asked about classes at the door. Suddenly a large shadow appeared behind me and my friends and said to go in and start training. It was Roger Gracie. Almost shit my pants. We just had to fill an information/emergency contact form and that was it. We trained for free for over 3 hours. The atmosphere was very welcoming.
Every other time I have asked about visiting beforehand. Always gotten a positive reply. I guess I've been lucky.
Every other time I have asked about visiting beforehand. Always gotten a positive reply. I guess I've been lucky.
ADBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Only one drop-in attempt in my time training and it was a huge success. Dropped by RGA in London in 2013. Asked about classes at the door. Suddenly a large shadow appeared behind me and my friends and said to go in and start training. It was Roger Gracie. Almost shit my pants. We just had to fill an information/emergency contact form and that was it. We trained for free for over 3 hours. The atmosphere was very welcoming. Every other time I have asked about visiting beforehand. Always gotten a positive reply. I guess I've been lucky.
Miika,
Awesome story! Would've had the same reaction if I saw the GOAT, Roger Gracie, behind me at a new gym. Hope you got to roll with him. If you're ever in El Paso after this pandemic, stop by Zen Martial Arts. Roll easy!
-Anthony
Awesome story! Would've had the same reaction if I saw the GOAT, Roger Gracie, behind me at a new gym. Hope you got to roll with him. If you're ever in El Paso after this pandemic, stop by Zen Martial Arts. Roll easy!
-Anthony
![Slideyfoot [jun]](userimg/5e25cf311adfd.jpg){kind=small}
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Can, I totally understand the frustration of not being able to train now. Especially, when there are interested prospects to be welcomed in the old RYU. Once we're able to travel again and if I ever make it out your way, I'll surely look up your academy. Come down to Zen Martial Arts if your ever in El Paso. Roll easy! -Anthony
Cool, thanks (and yeah, you'd be very welcome here in Bristol), I'll hopefully be able to take you up on that some day! It has been far too long since I was last in Texas, lots of good friends there. :D
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Miika, Awesome story! Would've had the same reaction if I saw the GOAT, Roger Gracie, behind me at a new gym. Hope you got to roll with him. If you're ever in El Paso after this pandemic, stop by Zen Martial Arts. Roll easy! -Anthony
Sadly, none of us got to roll with Roger. He mainly just smashed his top black belts in their own corner of the mat. But it was awesome to watch! And we talked with him for about 20 minutes after class and took a group photo. He seems like a really down to earth, cool guy.
We got to roll with everybody else. It was really cool, there was so many people from all parts of the world visiting, because it was around the London BJJ Open. One of the RGA purple belts urgred me to roll with one of their brown belts. I think he was called "Dom". I still remember, because it was a huge honor for me (*speaking with Bernardo's voice*) at the time as a fresh blue belt.
We got to roll with everybody else. It was really cool, there was so many people from all parts of the world visiting, because it was around the London BJJ Open. One of the RGA purple belts urgred me to roll with one of their brown belts. I think he was called "Dom". I still remember, because it was a huge honor for me (*speaking with Bernardo's voice*) at the time as a fresh blue belt.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Sadly, none of us got to roll with Roger. He mainly just smashed his top black belts in their own corner of the mat.
Yeah: I trained at RGA HQ for 3 years (2006-2009), never rolled with Roger either (didn't get taught by him all that often either: a total of about 30 times). Didn't bother me though, he's a lot bigger than me, plus there were a ton of other awesome instructors there. Including some even better than Roger, most obviously his father, Mauricio Gomes. Roger was doing a lot of prep for his MMA fights back then, plus it was during his dominant phase at the Worlds.
Had a few chats with him. Most randomly the first: taking a shower, he stepped into the communal shower bit as well. So, there I am, nakedly chatting to the best BJJer in the world, also naked. Bit strange, but then I'm German, so FKK. :P
Had a few chats with him. Most randomly the first: taking a shower, he stepped into the communal shower bit as well. So, there I am, nakedly chatting to the best BJJer in the world, also naked. Bit strange, but then I'm German, so FKK. :P
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I get to travel a bit for work. I always call or email ahead. I may be lucky but all the gyms I have dropped into have been great. #1 thing to remember is... it is their house and their rules. So stay humble and try and say hi to as many people before you start the class.
As a black belt in their 40's though it is always interesting to watch competition purple belts in their 20's at gyms. A chance to tap and go head to head with a travelling black belt you better believe they will step up. :) But that is BJJ, you are there to get tested.
As a black belt in their 40's though it is always interesting to watch competition purple belts in their 20's at gyms. A chance to tap and go head to head with a travelling black belt you better believe they will step up. :) But that is BJJ, you are there to get tested.
CBBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
In response to this - if anyone is ever in the Erie, PA, area - you are welcome to come and train at UndergroundBJJ (undergroundbjj.com) with no drop-in fee. We are a small town with only a couple J gyms, everyone is welcome!
I'm supposed to travel to Erie a few times for work this year (try and guess who I work for) I hadn't started investigating gyms yet, but I'll probably reach out to you as my travel plans solidify.
THBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Where a lower belt and then lose to everyone.
SMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I'm supposed to travel to Erie a few times for work this year (try and guess who I work for) I hadn't started investigating gyms yet, but I'll probably reach out to you as my travel plans solidify.
There’s only two options: Erie Insurance or Wabtec/GE.
We’d be honored to have you.
We’d be honored to have you.
EWPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I feel like this would be best addressed from the other side.
Academy owners: The appropriate etiquette should be to clearly include your drop-in/visitation policies directly on your website. Preferably, put it right with your schedule.
Do whatever is right for your business, but we all are aware by now that people sometimes train when traveling. Make a publicly visible policy.
Academy owners: The appropriate etiquette should be to clearly include your drop-in/visitation policies directly on your website. Preferably, put it right with your schedule.
Do whatever is right for your business, but we all are aware by now that people sometimes train when traveling. Make a publicly visible policy.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
EWPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
For your part, you can't read minds and acted in good faith, so you're good.
BNPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
My gym gets a lot of visitors (usually in the summer) due to my area being a common vacation spot. Most people usually either call or send a facebook message in advance and since it's a "one man operation" for the most part my professor is normally always there. If he can't make it for some reason he will let one of the black belts or senior belts know to expect a visitor and direct them to sign the waiver, etc. Regarding fees, probably 70% of the time, my professor will waive the drop in fee or tell whoever will be at the gym to waive the drop in fee "just because".
If I had to summarize my best practices when people visit:
1) let them know in advance you're coming
2) make sure your gi/no gi stuff is clean
3) say hi to everyone
4) train hard/have fun
5) get recommendations from people at the gym for stuff to do (bars, restaurants, parks, fun stuff)
If I had to summarize my best practices when people visit:
1) let them know in advance you're coming
2) make sure your gi/no gi stuff is clean
3) say hi to everyone
4) train hard/have fun
5) get recommendations from people at the gym for stuff to do (bars, restaurants, parks, fun stuff)
RLPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I love to drop in every single time I have a chance.
I love to travel and pre-corona I was going around quite a lot, and BJJ to me was the best way to meet people everywhere I go. Also, it gives me different perspectives on how people train BJJ.
I always email/message way before in advance explaining my (low) level so I can ask which classes I should join, and for how long I will be in tow - usually that's when I ask about fees.
Most of the times I don't get charged anything so I always try to buy some patches, for my BJJ collection, or some t-shirt... And absolutely always leave some form of online review.
Fortunately, I haven't had any bad experiences so far :)
I love to travel and pre-corona I was going around quite a lot, and BJJ to me was the best way to meet people everywhere I go. Also, it gives me different perspectives on how people train BJJ.
I always email/message way before in advance explaining my (low) level so I can ask which classes I should join, and for how long I will be in tow - usually that's when I ask about fees.
Most of the times I don't get charged anything so I always try to buy some patches, for my BJJ collection, or some t-shirt... And absolutely always leave some form of online review.
Fortunately, I haven't had any bad experiences so far :)
BBBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
My general practice is to contact the gym I would like to visit about a week in advance (email, call or FB message etc) . I let them know I will be in town and would like to visit and train on a certain day (I always look at the schedule in advance). I ask if there are any rules (preferred gi color etc) and ask what is the drop in fee. Then on the day of the visit, I send another message to confirm that I will be coming. I always arrive 15 min. early in order to fill out any waivers that might be required, pay the drop in fee and introduce myself prior to the start of class.
During training, I always allow the person I'm training with to dictate how the roll goes. The way I see it, I'm just visiting (usually on vacation) and am just happy to sneak in some training. My focus isn't on hard training or trying to prove anything.
During training, I always allow the person I'm training with to dictate how the roll goes. The way I see it, I'm just visiting (usually on vacation) and am just happy to sneak in some training. My focus isn't on hard training or trying to prove anything.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
