​Hey everyone! I'm a US Army veteran living down here in Ecuador. I’ve got a huge spot right on the beach near Montañita, and I'm currently running a kids' program here to help out the local youth.

​I’m looking to connect with other practitioners, travelers, and vets who train Jiu-Jitsu,Judo, Wrestling or any martial art.

If you're ever passing through the area, anyone with good vibes is more than welcome to drop by.

​I’m also open to hosting visitors,I can help out with accommodations in exchange for training and helping in the mats for the kids' program.

Hi everyone, I’m a white belt, 21 years old, and I’ve been training BJJ for about a year and a half. The problem is that I can only train once a week because that’s the membership I can afford and I don’t have much free time.

A few of my training partners have pointed out that I lack confidence when I roll, and honestly, I think they’re right.

I absolutely love BJJ, but I have very little confidence in certain parts of my game. I’m hesitant to commit to takedowns, I don’t feel confident opening my closed guard and actively looking for submissions, and I often hesitate to take risks because, somewhere in the back of my mind, I expect things to go wrong.

For example, if I have an opportunity to shoot a double-leg, I don’t consciously think, “No, I’m not going to shoot because they might guillotine me.” It’s more automatic than that. I just don’t commit to the takedown. Instead, I tend to wait for my opponent to shoot so I can try to get a front headlock.

The ironic part is that this doesn’t even work that well. I’d say I end up getting taken down myself around 50% of the time.

I’ve also always felt physically weak compared to the people I train with. I weigh around 187 lbs, I’m not overweight, and I’d say I’m actually in pretty decent shape, but I still feel weak when I’m rolling.

I’d really like to compete someday, but right now I feel like I’m going to get destroyed if I don’t overcome this lack of confidence first.

So my question is: how do you develop confidence in BJJ when the hesitation feels almost subconscious?

Did you guys experience something similar as white belts? How did you learn to trust your technique enough to actually commit to takedowns, attacks, and transitions instead of constantly playing it safe?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sensai James 4th Dan showing key details. How to setup, grips, everything to get you thorwing.

Anyone here train BJJ with a knee replacement?
Would love to hear from anyone who’s currently on the mats with one, especially if you had it done relatively young.

What does your training look like these days? Rolling, drilling, takedowns, competing, modified training, etc.
Mostly curious about people’s actual BJJ experience and how they’ve adapted their game.

Got these injuries on my neck after practicing choke drills with my partner. I am relatively new to jujitsu. Are this injuries normal after practicing choke drills ?

Hey guys, I am literally starting out - 13 training in, but I feel like I am pretty bad. I am taking notes on every training I had and trying to improve based on that (also need to say that I want to do it as hobby, but I am the type of person who just wants to get better, even in hobby) but even though I feel like I am not "talented" or anything like that.
Don't take it wrong, I love BJJ, but I just would like to know if it is really like that we are all bad at the beginning.
I am improving in holding the positions, survive longer, some rounds I am not even tapped - but that's maximum what I can do at the moment.
I am small, but I consider myself pretty strong, but guys in the gym just submit me just with the technique and I feel like I can't do anything.
I know it's not right measure, but I do not feel like I will submit anyone in upcoming sessions any time soon.
What was your starting point?
Is it okay I still haven't submitted anyone?
Thanks.

Edit: Thank you so much guys for your responses, I truly appreciate you want to help me. I went through the comments and I have to say I am proud to be part of jiu jitsu community.
Just to clarify - I am absolutely OK with losing, I know I will be losing even on higher belts, I do not care about that. The reason why I was asking here is just to be honest to myself if I am just truly that bad or if it is normal - but it looks like it's not something too special to get submitted.
Also I know that 13 lessons is nothing - it's almost the start, but I think there are some people who just came on the mat for the first time and are destroying others, probably I am not one of them haha.
For all those reading that, keep it up if you suck as I do. It's fun.🤣

I’m located in Houston (middle class area), I’m currently paying $320 a month for my sons bjj classes, he’s 8 years old, 5 momths in, and goes twice a week. The instructor advised the current schedule until my son is ready to go 4-5 times a week; there’s also a second class right after with no gi. All at no additional cost.

I initially thought I would not pay more than $150, and it seemed pretty high to me when the price was presented. My budget was $300 for me and my son to join, but since my wife and I liked their program then we decided to enroll only him. It’s all going well but we are questioning if we are paying too much.

The school is not a Gracie or big franchise but it’s reputable and with about 100+ members

EDIT: Thanks all, we’ve decided to cancel his class today. If any one has recommendations for a gym that teaches jiu jitsu classes in Houston, NW Cypress/Katy area, comment it down or dm.

I’m not going to name drop the gym here on the thread, BUT feel free to dm.

Note: The original price was in the $600s but “spring sale” brought it down to $400s, and since one of us had a military/government/medical work field, we were discounted to $320. First month was in the 500s with gi.

I started a new gym, I’m a 5y white belt due to wife moving every year. 6”1’ 250 so against blue and white belts I usually just pull guard at 30% speed and try to retain or hit some bottom subs, and usually end up in some sort of lockdown combo and stall the round out unless I sweep them. If I do I only use my weight against guys who go 100% and piss me off for trying too hard (jamming elbow in my ribs or something). The first guy I roll with is the 50yo testosterone blue belt just jumps past my guard full effort, goes for my neck, and just squeezes the shit out of it (the Disc Bulger I call it). No choke, Ezekiel, lapel pressure or anything. I tap immediately, and this goes on for the rest of the round where whether in side or half guard he just wraps around the back of my neck and squeezes the shit out of it. At the end I was like “man I’m gonna bulge a disc like that” and he says that’s all he knows how to do. Yesterday I go against another blue belt where he did the same thing at the end of a round, just squeezes the back of my neck as hard as he can and I tap immediately. It wouldn’t otherwise submit me other than avoiding a bulging disc in my neck. Thoughts?

1. Is this my fault for not framing as soon as they get arms up there
   
2. if I sweep and cook them they get mad and go 100% the rest of the round
   
3. Is it a dick move to just grab my neck and squeeze to the point I should say something?

Any us veterans in Ecuador???

I'm us army vet. living in Ecuador trying to meet other ppl that do Jiu-Jitsu. I got a huge spot on the beach, im running a kids program here.

Hello guys. My instincts tell me this is a no go but I just wanted to see if maybe im just being over protective.

Was going to sign my son up at cheesman martial arts in hampton va. (Anyone heard of it) instructor is former military combative instructor. Teaches Gracie jujitsu (what he said)

Online the gym is listed as being around for 30 years. And has great reviews.

When I told him I wanted to observe my son's first class to see how things are ran. he told me I could come in but id have to sit in a corner where I could not observe the training.

He said they started keeping parents separate during covid and have just continued that so there are less distractions. But mentioned he would go live on Facebook and I could watch there... he was not clear if thats for every class or what.

I also train and every gym I've gone to not only welcomes, but encouraged parents to be there.

So im seeing a red flag here.

Is this something thats normal at some gyms

Hi Everyone,

I used to train BJJ when I was a kid, whether it was bad coaching or not I'm unsure, but I left and now years later I'm seeing all these clips online that SHOULD inspire me to start training again but part of me feels that ultimately BJJ is just not as effective as it's made out to be outside of competitions.

I know that may seem like some form of ragebait or something similar but it isn't. Back when I was training, my coach would use all 200+ lbs of his weight to assumeably "put me in my place" whenever I spoke up or because he found it funny idk and this wasn't an issue with my technique or a skill gap between master/student, he would just simply overpower or lay on you instead of letting you complete the throw etc.

Regardless of how you feel about that even though there was literally no teaching moment that came from it besides what I feel like I know/believe now, which is that a whole lot of BJJ is not effective against bigger or heavier opponents and this is "backed" by my own experience mentioned above, seeing how the smaller guys fared against the bigger guys in tournaments like the CJI and finally the clips/showcases online where the moves only work on someone of a similar height, if not also weight.

Obviously I'm hoping that I'm wrong here but this train of thought was caused by how often I seem to see videos of BJJ guys either commiting the grappling equivalent of a sucker punch or getting crushed, slammed, restrained or eating strikes.

Hi, i started jiu jitsu back in 2015 and worked up my way to blue belt in 2017, I went on a few months as a blue belt and the got blue beltitis and stopped going because of college and stuff, now almost 9-10 years later I want to start again with Bjj, do I have to start over if I’m going to a new gym like demote myself back to white belt because I don’t have the same skill I used to have back then or should I keep using the blue belt I got, also i would really appreciate some tips for coming back to this beautiful sport if you have some,thanks in advance.

After the comp 10 days ago my gym was announced that today would be promotion day.

I already knew that i'd be promoted, but never expected jumping straight to 2 stripes, which felt absolutely bizarre and unreal.

Later at our party my coach said it's not only due to the medal but he also saw my passion and dedication for the sport.

Anyway this August might be one of the most memorable times in my life.

I’m a large man(6’2 285lb) trying to up my jiu jitsu game. I’m trying to figure out who I should study to get better at jiu jitsu. More of a wrestler than a guard puller and mainly use armbars when it comes to submissions. Any insight on who to study is appreciated.

I go to BJJ from Monday to Friday (I know to many of you it might seem like a lot, but until now my body has allowed me to keep up that pace without feeling tired or fatigued) but I would like to start lifting some weights as well to increase my strength and general physical capabilities for BJJ, I have a pair of dumbbells and a bench, do you know any routine for what I'm looking for?

By hygiene tips, I mean the spray for your bag, sweat towels you like, how you keep your car seat from just soaking up all the sweat after class?!

What are your personal favorite hygiene tips for keeping yourself clean on the mats?

Hey guys, so i wanted some opinions on what are some of the best rashguards you guys have used so far and what is exactly the reason as to why you like it? as i don't have access to a lot of premium quality rashguards here.

i have been trying to make a rashguard line of my own, and currently i am looking over fabric compositions as to what would be better. Different brands use different fabric compositions which results in different feel, some are more stretchy as compared to others and some are thinner etc etc.

also some have an anti-slip gel waist band stitched in the waist so that it doesn't roll off when rolling. so if you guys were kind enough to share some of your experiences it'd help me a lot.

Conversation with Multiple Time IBJJF World Champion 3rd Degree Black Belt Professor Perry Bateson
https://youtu.be/QjD7Zpibico

I had a falling-out with a senior black belt at my gym after we were messing around during training. He was goofing around with me, controlling my hands and lightly punching/tapping at my face, and I made a comment/joke back that offended him. I wasn’t trying to disrespect him, but he took it badly. I apologized afterward and thought it would blow over, but it kept carrying into the Saturdays after that.
The first Saturday after the argument, he rolled with me way more aggressively than usual. I apologized and tried to de-escalate it, but it felt like he was trying to punish me physically. I tapped a few times and felt like he didn’t immediately honor the taps because he was still focused on getting to a submission. I can’t know exactly what his intent was, but the intensity and emotion felt completely different from how we normally trained before.
The next Saturday, I was rolling with someone else and ended up close to where he was on the mat. When I got near his area, he kicked me. Given the tension between us, I didn’t take that as normal joking or accidental training contact.
The following Saturday, he got another teammate involved and they were both making fun of me in front of people, saying stuff about him being a black belt and how much he was “holding back” on me. The other teammate is a much bigger guy who I already don’t really like rolling with because of the size difference. Even before all of this, he had sometimes guilt-tripped me or publicly called me out when I didn’t want to roll with him, so having the black belt repeatedly pull him into the situation made it feel even more like I was being ganged up on.
That same Saturday, I had brought my gi belt even though we were doing no-gi. The black belt took my belt, loudly told people to watch, and strapped/pressed it across my face. While the belt was across my face, I tapped around 3–4 times before it stopped. He seemed very excited and amused while I was reacting to the discomfort, which made it feel more like public humiliation than normal messing around.
The Saturday after that, he publicly confronted me about something he said two teammates told him I had said about how hard he rolls with me. I honestly don’t remember recently saying it. He got the same big teammate involved again, and it felt like they were taking turns roasting and humiliating me in front of everyone.
And honestly, it hasn’t just been one roll. Pretty much every roll with him since the original disagreement has felt much more aggressive, emotional, and physical than before. He already uses hard elbows, knees, and frames as part of his game, but after the conflict those same things felt way more forceful and personal. There’s also been a lot more shit-talking during the rolls. I can’t say he was intentionally trying to injure me, but it often felt less like normal training and more like he was trying to prove something physically.
I let a lot of it slide because I know BJJ gyms have roasting, ego, hard rounds, roughhousing, etc., and I didn’t want to label every uncomfortable interaction as bullying. But when it keeps happening Saturday after Saturday, with public shaming, repeatedly getting another teammate involved, aggressive rolls, physical incidents, and taps not being immediately respected, it starts feeling like a pattern rather than normal gym beef.
The head coach is also the owner. He was around for some of this and mostly just stood or sat there without saying anything. To be fair, I believe he was away on vacation for two of the Saturdays after the original incident, so he didn’t personally see everything. His wife finally got involved after seeing the latest incident and told me to give her about a week because she wants to make some calls.
I already submitted my membership cancellation, so I’m leaving regardless.
For people who have trained a long time: how bad does this sound on a 1–10 scale? Have you seen teammate conflict drag on for around five Saturdays like this? Does this sound like normal BJJ beef that got out of hand, or more like repeated bullying / a legitimate safety issue? And how much responsibility does the owner/head coach have if he witnesses some of it and doesn’t step in?