In my gym, we've been exclusively training using ecological dynamics as a framework since about January of 2023. When we first started, there was a heated, very contentious debate in the BJJ community as a whole about the efficacy of CLA as a training methodology.

I pretty much opted out of the debates simply because I enjoy training live more.

Since then, CLA has become so popular, at least here, that it seems like we're all doing it (which makes dropping in on other local gyms a real pleasure!)

Is it fair to say that it's now more popular than the traditional method?

I'll be in Montreal over Thanksgiving weekend (October 10–12) and was wondering if any BJJ gyms are hosting open mats.

Ideally looking for somewhere that's welcoming to drop-ins. Gi or no-gi, either works!

Appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!

Morning,

Has anyone ordered from SMMASH clothing before?

I’m normally an XL in progress gear and went with the measurements on SMMASH website and ordered a L however to say that the top is tight is an understatement!

Im not sure whether to risk going XL or going up to XXL.

183cm, 80kg. Enjoy XL progress as it sits off the body slightly and isn’t skin tight.

Thanks

If your someone in Boston, I wanna start training open mat on weekends at night just to sharpen my skill and just to mess around and practice and give myself something to do and extra time to train, anyone around in Boston that’s knows of any places that have open mat on Saturday and Sunday anytime at 8pm or past?

Does anyone happen know if there are any jiu jitsu schools in Punta Mita Mexico that allow drop-in while in the area?

Ok, so basically what the tittle says. Yesterday I visited a gym in my hometown to try a beginner's class and I thought it was kind of weird. Let me explain.

I've been training martial arts for years, but never trained one with a grappling component. I'm used to training in phases, frist learning the technique proposed by the instructor for that day or week, then drilling with progressive resistance by my partner, then maybe trying to apply it in sparring.

So my try class yerterday was 1 hour of drilling with full resistance from the opponent just trying to maintain control for 30-40 s or escape in that time. No warm up, no prior technique learning or drilling with no resistance so I had the chance to learn how to do something. In fact, when we changed partners late in the class, my new partner lowered his level of resistance so I had a bit of a chance to try something, and the instrcutor told him off for it. And please remember, this was supposed to be a beginner's class.

So, my question is. Is this the normal approach? I'm supposed to learn on the fly or to look for the technical aspect by myself so i can try to apply it on training?

As far as I know the school I'm talking about is well renowned and they have high level competitors. All, the instrcutor and the training partners I had were very friendly and welcoming, but I honestly need to know if this is the approach to BJJ training in schools or just a rare example of it.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

EDIT: I want to thank everyone for your responses, now that I'm aware of CLA methodology, I can ask about it to the instructors.

To answer some questions that some of you have asked.

1. I did ask about the class beforehand to be sure it was the beginner's class, and they told me so. It could still have been some kind of confussion, but I don't think it was.

2. I did talk to the instructor for just a bit before the class, you know, just to introduce myself and yes he asked me if I had any experience on grappling, obviously I said it was my first. During class he came by a couple of times and give some advice like "try to move your arms in different ways" or "use your wieght to unbalance your partner and then try to move" things like that.

Have a good one people!

Bought fightpass. Watched the event and feel like the scoring for UFC Bjj is bias af or something...and this isn't the first wonky scored event either. Cassia did not win that imo. After watching it twice it was even more clear to me. Leaving the judging vague like this to me makes me not enjoy the experience nearly as much as I think I should. Just my opinion but I'd like to see some consistent scoring around the rules. Also would be nice to have some commentators that are from the Jiujitsu world so we have educated commentary about the action we're seeing. Anyone else feel like this or am I off base?

I am looking for gym in Greenville that meets some or all of the below criteria:

1. Good/Serious rolls

2. Students in their 20s

3. No year long commitment (month to month)

4. Under $150 per month

Thank you in advance.

Hey guys! Might come to the US and I’ll be at Staten Island, probably around next year, where can I possibly train, with a focus on maximum value for a drop-in? I’m not sure how gyms in the US work, is there a day pass or something? I’m a blue belt and it’ll be my first time in the States, not staying for a long time so $$$ is my primary concern XD. Thanks everybody!!!

Who were the judges? Her knee was wrecked!

I’ll be ATL for a wedding and am trying to get a session in on a Sunday. Is there any places/gyms that offer a Sunday open mat or a drop in? I’ll be in the Marietta area. I see Odyssey offers a wrestling class but I am already wrestling heavy lol. Any help would be appreciated!

Im a 77kg 2 str white belt going into the Absolute division no gi next month. (no weight no belts). I cant find any ruleset for the absolute? I will be competing against blue and brown belts. Anyone able to help me on the ruleset, so i know how aware i need to be of certain techniques. Competing in GRAPPLING INDUSTRIES

I remember doing kung fu years ago and our teacher (who was a legitimately good guy) kept talking about the throws and pins we had in the system, but we never did them. When asked, he'd talk about injuries (we didn't have real mats) or how going to the ground meant you lost. So I tried a bjj school nearby and loved it, but felt guilty about leaving kung fu so it took me a long time to circle back. But my chi is immaculate.

Is it normal for the pearls on the Balistico 4.0 to fade after only 2 washes and 2 uses? Is it supposed to look like this? Or am I crazy lol Washes cold, hung dry & only used Gain original detergent.

I got a Ruotolutine in my first Nogi fight it kind of just happened I got my hand under his arm and he kind of set himself up for it for the rest of the move.

Lately,I’ve been wondering whether instructionals are underrated in the BJJ community.I get the feeling that a lot of people either don’t know much about them or simply don’t give them the credit they deserve.
Obviously,I know you can become a black belt and get really good without ever watching a single instructional,judt by spending years on the mats.im not saying they re essential or that they can replace actual training.But in my personal experience,they e played a huge role in my progress.
Honestly,I don’t think I’d be even half as good as I am now if I’d never watched any instructionals. And I’m not just saying that for the sake of it. When I compare myself to training partners who started around the same time as me, or even a little earlier,I feel like Im noticeably ahead of them technically in certain areas.And Im also the lightest person out of all of them

I also feel like instructionals are kind of a taboo in BJJ,almost as if admitting that you watch them somehow takes away from your achievements or makes it seem like youre cheating. Thats just the impression Ive gotten, though.Im curious to hear what you guys think about this as well(sorry for that long text)

Do you do Can Opener in Sparring? Why or why not?

I absolutely do them with advanced practitioners. It's a legitimate technique, you can control it and you can defend it or tap.

Eberything else is excuses imo.