Prospecitve Student

[Grei]

Since coming to Budoseek and reading around, then doing independant research, I've recently decided I'd probably like to start BJJ. So far I've been kind of ignoring the grappling divisions of martial arts, and even though I'm only just starting I'd like to round my game a bit.

There are three schools I've picked out so far as potentials... note I haven't actually seen any of them in person yet, simply found through the web, but the first is only 6 miles away from my hourse, and seems fairly small. (from the lack of webpage, as seen here : http://yellowpages.superpages.com/profile.jsp?T=Murrieta&S=CA&LID=Sw6eBs6OutiWrQV07NXisA%3D%3D&SRC=local)

Second has even less of a webpage. (meaning not even an web adress describing it really, but it's in Oceanside where I would probably like to go as I used to live there and have friends who might start it with. Unfortunately about 49 min away.)

Third is about the same distance and area, but seems like a larger organization. (guessing that you can tell a lot from the state of the webpage. But it does have two locations, as well as free intro lessons on appointment.)

So far I'm leaning towards one of the outer two, but I'm not sure exactly what to look for in a BJJ school. So I was hoping someone here could tell me some things that would be definate turn offs or ons to one or another, or just general advice on the subject. What it's like for a beginner and such perhaps.

Thanks in advance.

[Cliff Hargrave]

Find out who the instructors are, their rank, and who they got their rank from and I will give you the run down or find someone who will. Luckily BJJ is still small enough that you can check this stuff out.

As far as your personal choice, take as many free classes from each that you can (or pay a per class fee if allowed), then make up your mind. Instructor quality and atmosphere of the school make a big difference. I know some awesome BJJ black belts that I wouldn't give a nickle to attend their schools because they teach terrible. I have also trained with some lower belts that were awesome instructors.

[Grei]

Ah... knew I forgot something. Third one, I'm leaning most heavily to.

http://armbar.net/

Instructor seems to be named Marcelo Pereira. Overall I think it looks good so far, but I haven't had a chance to actually see the location yet, and I'm rather inexperienced in such matters. Something I'm kind of leary of is I can't find the instructors rank. But he seems to have been taught by a Nelson Monteiro.


So far when I've called the other two by phone(as I needed SOME information, which I couldn't find online) I haven't gotten anyone yet... which is probably a bad sign. But it might just be the wrong hours...


Thanks for the advice Cliff. I've seen you around budoseek in other areas, and I have to admit you were part of my inspiration to look into it...


I'm also kind of worried because he(Marcelo) says it's developed primarily for little guys to handle larger opponents in an interview, but I'm not likely to find many larger opponents. (6'3, 198lbs)

[Cliff Hargrave]

Ah... knew I forgot something. Third one, I'm leaning most heavily to.

http://armbar.net/

Instructor seems to be named Marcelo Pereira. Overall I think it looks good so far, but I haven't had a chance to actually see the location yet, and I'm rather inexperienced in such matters. Something I'm kind of leary of is I can't find the instructors rank. But he seems to have been taught by a Nelson Monteiro.

He is legit. http://www.bjj.org/a/people/pereira-marcelo.html Gracie Barra



So far when I've called the other two by phone(as I needed SOME information, which I couldn't find online) I haven't gotten anyone yet... which is probably a bad sign. But it might just be the wrong hours...


Thanks for the advice Cliff. I've seen you around budoseek in other areas, and I have to admit you were part of my inspiration to look into it...


I'm also kind of worried because he(Marcelo) says it's developed primarily for little guys to handle larger opponents in an interview, but I'm not likely to find many larger opponents. (6'3, 198lbs)

Don't worry about the interview, lots of big guys in BJJ. If you find the names of the other ones you can do a quick check at http://www.bjj.org . Sometimes it's not updated regularly though.

[Erik]

Hi David,

I didn't look at all your links because I'm in a hurry at work, but you're down near San Diego, right?

If you are not too far away, I can recommend Roy Harris (www.royharris.net or .com). I did some FMA and JKD with him 12+ years ago and since then he's gotten his black belt in BJJ, too (no trivial feat). He's a very, very nice and sharp guy - you just can't help but like the dude.

If I still lived in SD I'd be training with him, no question about it.

Good luck with your BJJ! Take it easy at first - you're going to get squished (even if you're big) and your body may not be used to the abuse it will take wrestling. It requires a few months (not just a few classes) for your joints to acclimate. Be patient.

I say this because so many people get started, go balls-out, get hurt or frustrated at feeling so helpless on the mat, and then they quit.

Cliff - if there's something specific missing from www.bjj.org, I can tell Don to get it together and update his site. I'll probably see him tomorrow or Tuesday.

-E

[Cliff Hargrave]

Cliff - if there's something specific missing from www.bjj.org, I can tell Don to get it together and update his site. I'll probably see him tomorrow or Tuesday.

-E

Nothing that I know about, just read people talking about it on other forums. I will let him know when I get my black belt so he can post it. :)

[Erik]

Come on out to California - we'll celebrate - and you can roll with Ralph Gracie and Cameron Earle... ;)

[Tony Dismukes]

I'll second the recommendation for Roy Harris, who is an excellent instructor. However, Google maps show you as being more than an hour away from San Diego, so that might not be a workable commute for you.

[Grei]

Well if I only went maybe once a week it could hopefully work... he looks like he teaches a nice variety of other styles I might be interested also. An hour commute there and back a week doesn't look too bad. At least I say that now before I start trying it...

Should I maybe start with the slightly closer Pereira (or something... I still haven't managed to contact the closest school I was looking at) for the basics, and then after I do that maybe could go down to Roy Harris and start trying his stuff?

Thank you all for your advice. It's helping me a lot, and it's not a light decision to make...

[Erik]

I commute almost an hour some days, depending upon traffic. It sucks and if I didn't like a select few of my training partners so darn much I would change schools. I still might.

You should start at the closest place that you like.

Roy is great but that drive sucks. There are other coaches besides Roy who are a-okay.

And once per week is too little - you should do 2-4 practices per week.

[Archimedes]

If the first is only 6 miles away, I'd go for it:

http://www.temeculajiujitsu.com

[Grei]

Wow... thanks a lot George, that's the place. No wonder the phone wasn't picking up... I have an outdated number.

Actually it's just barely under 6, so this is looking a lot better...

[Archimedes]

Be sure to let us know how it goes...

[John Lucas]

http://www.thehardcoregym.net/instructors.shtml

I have an interest in learning MMA, but I want to focus on BJJ and I was wondering if any of these instructors had any credentials. I have one other option, there is a BJJ school that just opened up. My dad says he met the instructor and that he used to be in the military and that he also teaches karate so I was a little concerned about the school, but I havent had a chance to go by and meet him or get his name yet, so I will have to post info on that later.

[Fletch1]

For MMA, you cannot go wrong with the Singers at the Hardcore Gym. Aside from having outstanding MMA competitors in Rory Singer and Forest Griffin, they are also part of the Straight Blast Gym.

The info on that page is way out of date though. Rory is like a three stripe purple in BJJ by now. It also mentions Matt Thornton as a Brown Belt in BJJ when he has been a Black Belt for three years now.

Totally cool people.

[John Lucas]

I called them on the phone to ask about sitting in on a class and he told me I could come and take a free class this friday at 5:20. My only concern now is how street smart they keep the art. I want to atleast look at the other school first, if he is really ex-military and also a karate instructor than he will probably keep his art pretty combat oriented. But on the other hand I think the conditioning from the MMA training and the experience from competing could overbalance that depending upon whether or not the straight brazillian jujutsu class has enough members for a diverse selection of rolling partners, or how experienced the instructor is, etc.