What to Look For When Choosing a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy?

First, I would like to thank so many people for inquiring about our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu School, Crispim BJJ Barra Brothers in Pleasanton.  One of the topics that continues to come up with most of you is that you don’t know what to ask a prospective BJJ school and you don’t know what you should be looking for.  We are putting this list together so that as you are researching and visiting the local schools, you will have a better idea of how to select a jiu jitsu academy.  We welcome comments, additions and changes to this because we would like to create a comprehensive list of questions that a new student to BJJ should be asking and things that they should be looking for.  This is a work in progress and we are asking the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community and the Crispim BJJ Barra Brothers students why they chose the school that they did in an effort to help new students decide which academy fits their requirements the best.

A lot of different factors go into choosing a school to begin your training.  It is always a good idea to visit several of the local schools before committing to one. 

1. Does the school have a qualified Instructor or coach?  Just because the instructor has a brown or black belt does not necessarily mean that they are good instructors.  Watch the class and see how they interact with their students.  Watch for how they command the class and how the students respond to their instruction.
2. Does the school have WRITTEN curriculum that they can show you?  Many jiu jitsu schools do not follow a step-by-step program so neither the teachers nor the students know where they are going or how far they have come.  Just like with any business, there should be a plan and goals.
3. Does the school allow you to set your own goals whether that be getting exercise, learning basic self-defense, or training at the competitive level?  You can determine if this is the case by talking with the instructor(s), the other students and watching the class to ensure that there are different levels of experience at the academy.
4. Is the school clean and well-kept?  This is extremely important because with jiu-jitsu you are rolling around on the mats and walking without shoes.  With the rise in H1N1, staph and ringworm, make sure the school you are looking at is cleaned at least daily.  Ask this question!!!
5. What is the atmosphere of the BJJ school?  You really need to stop and think about what you are looking for.  Are you looking for a place where professional fighters train, a place that promotes positive learning, a place without egos and attitudes, a family environment, etc.?  You have to figure out what you are looking for and then match an academy with your expectations. 
6. What is the value that the academy offers?  Please note that I am speaking about value, not price.  Most academies in any geographic area will be priced similarly, give or take a few bucks a month.  In the East Bay Area, the prices between academies seems to range within $10 per month of each other if comparing “like” Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs. If there is a huge price discrepancy, you will need to determine what they are offering that the others are not.  The value relates to what comes with your membership- i.e. number of classes and programs included, flexibility in schedule,  convenience (i.e. showers, parking, etc.), belts for promotions (some schools charge upwards of $100 for your “new” belt),  and other perks. 
7. Is there a contract?  Almost all jiu jitsu schools will have some form of contract, most being one year.  Talk with the owner of the school about the school’s policy on getting out of the contract should a financial situation arise or if your job relocates you.   Also, many schools in this area have very negative reviews about charging beyond contract terms and not cancelling upon request. I would suggest visiting the internet and searching for the schools you are looking at and read the good AND bad about each school.  Although I would never suggest basing your decision on internet reviews, this may provide you with some additional questions to ask the prospective school owners.  Contracts are generally standard for jiu jitsu schools because when starting in BJJ, you should really expect to commit yourself for at least a year anyway in order to learn the basics.
8. If the owner is not the instructor, it is important to find out what the turn-over with instructors is like.  A lot of why you choose a school should be based on the actual instruction.  If you have temporary instructors popping in and out, you may get stuck with someone that you don’t mesh well with.  If you are choosing a school for the name that is on the sign outside, I would definitely ask how often, if at all, that person visits and teaches at the academy.  Also, I would ask if that person’s instructors were taught by him and follows the same principles or if they came from a different lineage and school of instruction.
9. Ask what the history of injuries at the academy is.  You may need to ask some of the students at the academy, as well as the instructor.  It is probably best if you ask other beginners or white belts.  Unfortunately, people can get hurt in jiu jitsu, but the instructor should have enough control of the academy and other students so that new students are not put in positions of unnecessary injury. Part of the instructors job is to teach and watch the class in a way that minimizes the risk of injury.
10. Ask if the school has an Intro class or Intro period in which you can actually try the class and interact with the instructor and/or students at the academy.  This is going to be the BEST manner in which to determine if the school has what you are looking for.

We hope that this list will help any new students in their research of local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academies.  Please feel free to contact Alexander Crispim of Crispim BJJ Barra Brothers in Pleasanton should you want more information on our school.

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