How To Drop-In At A Jiu-Jitsu School When Traveling - Kama Vlog

[@NoBody-ro3xj]

I love being the bait. My style is relaxed, defend, watch, then submit if I feel like doing so or they fall in place. Anytime i go to a new gym I play defense to prevent injury.

[@rolandmalone5431]

Yup, i usually waive drop in fees especially if u are in town for a night. I require that everyone learn something from the training. I show how the same sport move is derived from the fighting aspect in jiujitsu. Then drill specific, positional roll is 95% of the rolling we do... If my student best the visiting person he/she is obligated to show the guest how they were submitted and swept and vice versa, both partners will learn.

[@jacktaufer6461]

Roland Malone man, I'd love to swing by. Great environment!

[@rolandmalone5431]

Jack Taufer come on by bro

[@bedheadfitness9430]

+Roland Malone That's what I'd call a good culture and coaching. It is atop down thing. Catch and release is what my coach calls your guest roll philosophy. If the person is working the right escape let them move through it even if you can stop it. The sharing aspect of jitz is one the best parts. It is tricky, though. If belt to belt the guest feels like you are teaching him it can feel patronizing. Its why coaches, prof. and sensei's are what they are. There is an art to letting someone know how they made a mistake or how they could clean up a technique.

[@rolandmalone5431]

Bed Head Fitness yup, thx bro

[@bedheadfitness9430]

I think it always pays off to have a good guest culture. A business rule that applies extremely in the case of academies is "you are lucky if a guest shares a good experience with one person. A bad experience is shared with everyone who will listen". Your guest policy sounds great.

[@peteragren7568]

Good tips! I remember when I was travelling and at that time I didn’t have gi and I contacted a local bjj gym and asked if I can train with them no-gi for one time. They welcomed me and I warmed up with the class, with white belts of course, and after some technique drills we started to spar. Aaaand that’s when things changed. They set me up with the Number One guy of the gym to spar with for 2 rounds, I think he was a brown belt, and after he had his way with me they set me up with a purple belt and then with a blue belt. I was so beat up, I can remember that but I had so much fun rolling with the more experienced guys because they were basically playing around and I had to go full steam on them. After the sparring the professor had me and an older purple belt to go through some basics and do some light rolling. BEST TIME EVER! When ever possible, go train to another gym. You won’t be disappointed!

[@deekay1310]

This is a class on how to be humble. Can tell your hawaii/japanese roots from the way you carry yourself. you had good mentors and influences and are one yourself today.

[@matsuwd-emethdaath4002]

Yep ..i trained in MD but came to visit my dad who was sick...Figured why not visit a BJJ in the area ( Pa) ...checked up on the school and called the place ..etc. Went to class and had a place rolling with the guys there...Everyone was welcoming and everything. I do understand Instructor saying follow the rules at another facility...its sad someone has to make that known. One would think If you in someone else's " house" you naturally follow their proceedings as to what they do. That seems like a no- brainer but guess its not to some folks.

[@MrJonathanhidalgo365]

I love this mans content! Am new to jujitsu and these videos have been invaluable to me and my journey! Thanks a bunch man I hope you see this 🙏🏽

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

I saw it, thank you!

[@jiujitsu1129]

I travel all the time and go to other schools. It’s a great way to test yourself, learn new things, and makes appreciate the school you go to. My rules are, if they don’t charge you always tip them 10 or 20 bucks. Alway bring two Gis and a couple rash guards. Invest in a light weight travelers Gis like the origins warrior or a hypnotik. Always practice the way they teach you even if you are not used to it. Also remember that you are a representative of you school alway be polite and respectful to everyone obviously and bring your A game when you roll just don’t be a jerk about it.

[@LJSJIUJITSU]

Excellent advice!! I tell you what I have had some great and a few horrible experiences when visiting schools while on the road for work or on vacation. The best was a Pedro Sauer school in Washington State that welcomed me in with open arms. I e-mailed the instructor a few weeks in advance that I would be visiting family in the area and wanted to train a few times during my stay. He was friendly and his students all trained with me very respectfully. In fact I love the school so much if I ever decide to move into the area that is where I am going to train for sure. As a purple belt at the time there was no "gauntlet" to go through nor any "enforcer" waiting to come out and work me over. It was all smooth and very technical rolling and overall a fun time. The worst experience was at a school in the Houston area where the instructor and students used me as the "bait dog" on that visit. Even though I was friendly and e-mailed the instructor earlier for permission to train while clearly stating my intentions they treated me like I was an enemy from some neighboring school. Being a purple belt at that time the instructor worked me over first while afterwards his "enforcer" brown belt tried to dismantle me with every subsequent lower belt totally taking advantage of my fatigue thereafter. After the bait dog experience I am not so sure I'll be training on anymore business trips. How will I explain an injury to my employer while technically on a paid business trip?

[@marcusweaver9728]

I travel for work and there are a handful of gyms that i train at regularly on the road. The first time I went to each of these cities I located the gym that I wanted to drop in at and called ahead and explained I was in town for work and told them what my home gym was, then asked if it would be ok if I dropped in and trained with them. All of them were totally open to it and very accommodating. They asked for a drop in fee the first time, but usually never charged after the initial time I dropped in. Since I have a set territory for work I have been dropping in at these gyms consistently over the last 5 years. I have made some great friends and also pick up some great techniques that I may not see at my home gym. The best way to approach training at other schools is to be very appreciative and respectful. Don’t ever go into a gym thinking you’re going to walk in and go hard like you’re trying to prove something. Be someone they enjoy training with and you can make some great friends and have a home away from home.

[@randyc750]

These are some great tips. I used to travel for work and would carry the Gi and do drop ins when possible.

[@travisramirez6616]

great video sir! I'm one of those who travels multiple times a month, and ends up training everywhere I go. Most of the time I look up all the BJJ and MMA places in the area, call a couple and set up a drop in. I've found that just communicating openly and not having any expectations gives good results most of the time. I do try and roll or spar a bit more politely with people who don't know me so feelings don't get hurt, but I've had the gym killers coming after me too. I love that though. I get in such great rolls and spars with people who aren't as concerned with taking care of me. I also see the benefit from the school I'm visiting point of view as well, having a drop in with any significant experience is a great measuring stick.

[@sunnykobe3210]

Hahaha I’ve been the bait!! Once they figured out I wasn’t a spaz I had some fun, friendly rolls and conversation. Awesome videos, bud.

[@matthewbrummett3043]

Good information and approach to training at another academy while traveling. Thanks for sharing.

[@cabalofdemons]

Before I go out of town, I ask my prof. if it's cool to train at a gym where ever I am. Usually your coach will be cool with that. I then e-mail the school I'm interested in and ask if I can train. Be sure to tell them who you are, your rank and where you train. This way it won't see random or suspicious and the folks will have an idea of what to expect.

[@jesusjones3014]

When traveling and no time to wash at a laundry mat or you are at the hotel with no washing machines etc I have just rigorously washed my gi in the shower/bathtub at the hotel (I brought some laundry soap knowing that this would be the case) and I also brought a fan in the car for white noise at the hotel to help sleep but also to air blow dry my gi over night since it was winter and not hot or sunny to dry my gi fast enough for the next day. If you are flying you can always buy a cheap $10 fan or if its summer a few hours spread out in the hot rental car parked in the sun and it drys nice. I also suggest bringing a white gi only and you can even use some bleach in the tub wash to help disinfect it/smell cleaner etc. White gis are good for traveling as some schools prefer not to have certain color gis like red/black etc and you dont want to stick out like a sore thumb bc then you for sure will be the "bait." Dont be going for leg locks and other things that has a higher chance of someone getting injured from the school, dont be that guy. Make sure your nails are short and clean. Have fun, expect to pay the fees, try out their style from that position or choke etc and be super polite, respectful and thankful for the opportunity to train at the school. If they dont charge you a fee then buy a shirt or hat from their school and youll be looked upon as more than just a guest next time you are in town and come by to train.

[@jnkoa33]

Your parents raised you right

[@bearstriker1695]

I just make a phone call and read reviews before I show up lol. So far so good : p It's really fun to do it in a foreign country

[@Sebdes23]

Hello Professor, I travel as a long haul cargo pilot. I'm on the road 17+ days a month on average. IF I do not visit other gyms, i won't train. On the road I can average one training day a week at worst, twice at best. And I travel to other countries, mostly. When I am home I can train more. This advice is great and I have used a lot of this device. I would like to add some experience here as well, if you do not mind. If you carry a Gi, bring a white one. Some places are still very traditional.If you travel frequently, try to use a Gi that is not just white. but doesn't have additional patches beyond the brand logo. If you can, make it your dedicated travel Gi. I also have a dedicated travel belt. No stripes. That's just a preference on my part to limit any expectations. I have been using Globetrotters facebook page to search for gyms in other countries. I have had great success with it. Its a community of 10k plus people with travel bjj experience. I usually message or email the instructor or manager and explain my situation. I have not had anyone turn me back yet. I try to develop a relationship with these gyms and make that my dedicated place when I am in that city. I always always ask who the instructor is and introduce myself to them immediately and ask if it ok if I can train with them.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Great advice. Thanks!

[@jerrydearmond2295]

This is a great tip :) ive been wanting to travel to some other schools just for some fun thank you kama

[@barrettokarate]

If traveling I would suggest taking along a (or more than one) gi that doesn't have your home academy's logo on it...unless you're part of an organization (Carlson Gracie, Gracie Barra, Gracie Humaita, Alliance, etc.) and are going to an affiliate school. Being a visitor kind of already puts a bullseye on you, but having a patch might make it even more obvious. Plus, the instructor(s) may prefer that you wear one without any school insignias. When my karate instructor stopped teaching briefly I found another guy who taught my style (over 20 miles away). Because of the distance and my schedule I was going to take private lessons. He made it clear that I couldn't wear any uniform with my old school's patch or logo on it (which mine didn't). My regular karate gi is black with my last name and style embroidered on the back (school patch). If I plan on training while traveling I usually take a plain white one with no embroidery, no nothing. Same with jiu-jitsu. All my gi have the Gracie Academy logo on it. If I'm planning on training somewhere I wear a plain white (clean) uniform with no logos or patches.

[@theadhdpreneur6198]

Thinking Bout making the drive from cali to day to drop by ur gymthis week :) hope I catch you there

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Ryan’s in Texas, but Dave Kama is in Cali! Dave is Ryan’s master. Dave has forgotten more things than most BJJ guys even know! He’s awesome and will truly teach you some great stuff! - Rusty

[@smiley32s]

That’s why I joined a large association.

[@leonte0931]

Thanks!

[@kshinn6032]

You’ll be surprised how many hotels have guest laundry facilities. They may not be advertised and might be hidden. Just ask the front desk.

[@psyience3213]

I've been wondering about this. I dnt even travel much but still. Thanks for the video

[@Learn2DriveNYC]

This is facts. A couple years ago when i was looking for a new dojo. I came across an mma spot and asked to try them out. I told them i had some training but was still a beginner and i only learned muy thai and not jiu jitsu. I wore my muy thai gear from the other school. Big mistake. I did the class and towards the end we did some sparring. My first round was with the instructor. I was decent with my hands but no one at my previous dojo ever threw leg kicks. This guy did. He kicked me so hard in my thigh that i crumpled to the floor. KO. I couldn't even continue. I think i tried to spar against someone else but was limping badly. After sparing we rolled a little. They threw the biggest guy they had at me. He basically just got on top of me, laid there and i could do nothing. Not being able to push off my leg did not help. By the time they finished tuning me up even the smallest person in the gym was asking for a piece of me. 😂 She was way too attractive to be rolling around on the floor in a non sexual way so I respectfully declined. 😂 My thigh hurt for at least six months but i didn't hold it against them. I realized after, that they probably thought i was there to show off but by the time i went back to join, they were no longer at that location.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Did they go out of business? Btw, I got a chuckle out of your post. Thank you for sharing!

[@Learn2DriveNYC]

@KamaJiuJitsu I think they just moved to a different location. The spot they were in was not specifically a Dojo. It was more like a recreation/fitness center that had a lot of other activities going on.

[@karl_rocco]

This is really good to know!

[@ninjamaster7724]

Awesome vid.Perfectly put and something i've been thinking about doing,as i visit Orange County from Australia once or twice a year and would like to train while i'm there.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

come on by! let us know when you are in the area, and we'll make it happen. [e-mail]

[@ninjamaster7724]

@@KamaJiuJitsu thank you.Not sure when this year yet but i will when i do.Thanks heaps.

[@DUARTE99]

Great tips! Thank you.

[@DomenicDatti]

I visited a school in Williamsburg, VA (Studio 360) once. A friend (the one who got me into BJJ) suggested I look to see if there were any gyms near where I was staying, and ask about mat fees for a drop in. They were super nice and let me drop in for free (I brought my own gi). I didn't even know drop-ins were a thing, but it seems like a no brainer to at least contact the gym ahead of time. Are people often this clueless that they don't think to ask first?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Yep

[@chicodecoster]

Great info. Thank You for Sharing.

[@AzUrbanFitcom]

So much hespect! Thank you

[@aleksdofficial8885]

I once visited a local BJJ dojo, Never came back.. Reason? Because the master threw me around whilst wearing a GI that smelled like salmon.. and I don’t even like fish. 😞

[@onyxavatar]

Excellent tips!

[@101airborne07]

I don't know, I mean, I think this may be a little too thought out. Not about bringing your gi's while traveling etc. But just dropping in. I have dropped into Gracie Barra and didn't have any issues at all. At least to my knowledge. I mean, I talked jiu jitsu with them despite not even having done before, it was my first time ever training. I stepped into an advanced class, yeah, I got beat up but that's everybody's experience. Everybody was friendly, fun, was like family. Nobody thought negatively about me being some random stranger coming in. Here is the thing, we all love jiu jitsu, no need to treat anybody different if they come in wanting to train, have fun, know everybody and from white belt to black belt no matter where we come from we are all family in jiu jitsu. Except ! until that person is acting like a total ass and saying he would beat up your best brown bet or black belt and all that silly stuff.

[@falkhammermuller9342]

Great topic.

[@s216674]

Good topic. What are your thoughts on a sterile gi versus one that is all "patched up" with your association/team logo, etc.? I recently bought a gi and am leaving it sterile because I know I am traveling this summer, and thought it would be more respectful to show up in an unadorned gi rather than the ones I wear have our association patches on them. Even though the places I am planning to drop in are in the same lineage, I figured it would be more polite.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

One can never be too polite!

[@YTU37]

I totally agree with your logic. On the other hand if people in the place your dropping in are upset by the patches from schools....do you really want to train there ?? Just a thought

[@AzUrbanFitcom]

s216674 Gracie Baja is like that have a white Attama. It's shows hespect, and that you know what's up! Lol

[@ryansmith9138]

For a Judo player this is weird :/ We can pretty much rock up unannounced at any club and train. you pay the session fee and join in. we always enjoy a fresh face on the mat. It's a sport not some secret sect.

[@Nethezbet]

Strange to me as well, ours has a simple session fee for walk ins. I know some schools are kind of dickish though.

[@mikebowser48]

Great video thanks!

[@Joez86]

Good stuff.

[@mikem1825]

I usually call in advance

[@1234kingconan]

I always wondered whether or not black belts trained for free. I guess not.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Some places don’t charge black belts.

[@theantracist]

This is the one issue I have with bjj. How would you turn someone from out of town away? Too elitist. Just pay the day/dropin fee and done. Be happy to help the community....unless you don't believe in building communities.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

We’ve never turned an out of town visitor away. We do build our community. Maybe it’s just that you don’t fall into our particular community, is all.

[@francoisparker9159]

A plus. 100

[@Severen45]

Hey Ryan, Does the Irvine gym with Prof Dave have a drop in fee? I would like to come to a class and learn from you guys but have no intentions of leaving my current gym. Thanks.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

It does

[@Thecochenour]

What if you have spoke with the gym instead of my own coach. I have been told the drop in fee. I told them the days I would like to attend? I am a planner. Want to make everything easy for them.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

that works, too. what i described is not the ONLY way to do things; only the way I would do them.

[@Thecochenour]

Thank you for the info. I have a question more on travel? I take no gi and I going to drop in at a studio that wear gi. I only been at it for a few months. What should my expectation should I have. This is in Austen TX. Thanks for any information.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Always have a full uniform with you when you travel. That way, you will be able to train at a gi or no gi school.

[@jahipalmer8782]

I wonder why other martial arts don't seem to have as strong of a community as bjj...

[@webherring]

Other arts, especially striking, don't have rules of win-lose as clearly defined as a tap. Eg Did you miss or did you just pull your punch to spare me? Was that a significant strike or just a tag? Much more chance of taking things too far, misunderstandings, hard feelings, etc.

[@halohalos]

LOL at bait dog. so true haha

[@cbrusharmy]

Stand-up guy.

[@morbidblood98]

There is now secret, just don‘t be a dig 💪🏻

[@iamtheai2759]

Here’s one maybe: do you ever allow your students to settle street beefs in the gym? Just curious.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Not a fan. Not to say it can’t or won’t happen. Just not a fan of that.

[@iamtheai2759]

Kama Jiu-Jitsu thanks for the reply, it was just a random thought 😀

[@cesaralvesdemoraes3187]

Lol my instructors are old school, they instigate rivalry to see more fun sparring seshs

[@AzUrbanFitcom]

1) get tapped by everyone first. (save face) tap early..smile allot. Then once you set that playful frame, smile while you work em...NOTE: NO lEG LOCKS unless you agree ahead of time. You are in there home. If you go to gene lebells place gokors guys WILL PUT A Hit ON YOu 😂lol

[@nateperryshootingsports6201]

Gimme that SAXOPHONE

[@Daniel-yo5es]

don't get this at all.... every gym should welcome people with open arms.

[@jenzim3639]

it use to be the normal to just walk in but people are getting up tight about alot latly, it sucks. its 1 of 2 new things in bjj that bothers me.

[@LightlessDimension]

I clean my gi by hand in the bath tub #poorlife

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

cleaning by hand is sometimes better.