The Dark Truth Behind Open Mats

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

For more information on Semper Fortis Jiu Jitsu www.texasbjj.com

[@tonyclemente5815]

I absolutely understand your point of view for open mats. The gym I just came from treated it differently. Full disclosure, the gym gets lots of visitors due to the instructor's "other life" outside the gym. So open mat is not a recruiting session for the gym. There is an upper belt (usually a black belt) assigned to run the open mat and ensure safety and standards are maintained. The local gym ecosystem has multiple schools cross training and open mat is where they meet, not for death matches...but to get a slightly different look than they normally see. Lots of drilling occurs as well, it's not a pure spar session. The vibe was very positive and in 6 years there, only minor scuffs or bruises occurred during those sessions. Maybe we were lucky or in a somewhat unique situation, don't know. In another academy the head instructor hosted all the black belts to his academy one night a week. Of course students came to those nights, some to watch higher level belts train together. The lower belts that showed up unfortunately would push a bit harder to the point of almost reckless at times. I believe it was because they didn't want to "look bad" in front of the black belts or were bucking for a promotion. I didn't enjoy those sessions very much, as I was too green to appreciate the black belts technique watching their rolls. Getting on the mat was a suckfest. With those two and others to compare, I see the benefits and detractors of an open mat. I use them for what I believe they are designed for, a training and learning opportunity. Anything other than that misses the boat. Just my ramblings. Smash and Smile Uncle Tony

[@240Subhunter]

Insecure

[@MrBeenReadyy]

Respectfully, never once have I ever been talked to about joining a gym I was visiting for an open mat, I view going to an open mat as the same thing as cross training; I visit as many as I possibly can cause I'd like to train with as many people with as many diffrent styles as possible. I reguarly crosstrain with people in my city and scene because cross training only serves to make you better, especially speaking as a heavyweight in a gym where I'm the only person my size, I cant even get roles close to competetion pace without traveling. The terrortorial bickering, student poaching, and creonte talk have held the sport back in my opinion. I understand your points and I empathize with your history and you can run your school however you like but just speaking from my own POV I wouldnt want to be with a professor or academy that I felt like might not be cool with me going to train somewhere else on a saturday. Thats the kind of behavior that makes people go to the school that does offer the open mat with the nice welcoming culture and ends up reinforcing the paranoid nature of so many instructors who only one two things, Mat fees and "Loyalty"

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

As I said in the video not every school uses this underhand tactic but it is pretty common. For my school my students are welcome to train at any school or association that they feel comfortable training. Best wishes on your Jiu Jiitsu journey.

[@jerryt-800]

I have lost students to other schools that were recruited by other instructors at open mat.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

@jerryt-800 unfortunately this happens.

[@zerotoguitarhero5023]

​@@jerryt-800Nobody was "recruited". An adult who earns their own money decided to spend it somewhere else

[@Mus4shi15]

@@zerotoguitarhero5023this

[@mr.saturn7833]

Taking care of your students is the number one priority. An excellent way to make your business grow and bring Jiu Jitsu to more people. Grappling sometimes can be intense, but it helps when you know the person you’re rolling with won’t satisfy their ego at the expense of your health. I’ve been training for seven years, and I’ve had bad experiences along the way, luckily I’m in quality place now.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Great points and I am glad to hear that you are at a good school now. Wishing you all the best in your journey.

[@blackstormflow3881]

Dude I really appreciate your demeanor. Great point too. I hate the guy that tries to smash every open mat like it’s competition. Bro I am to old to be blowing it out like that 🤣

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thanks for the feedback! Crazy that after making this video one of my older black belts who is in his 50s was cross training at another school in town. He was rolling with a young purple belt who tried to do a cartwheel to pass his open guard and kneed him in the eye instead. This required an ER visit and several stitches.

[@jooyoungleephd]

great points! The head instructor's first job is to make sure students keep each other safe. Too many people sleep on this approach and don't realize that it takes a lot of intention to have longevity.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Excellent point! Thank you for watching.

[@breadman5048]

Open mats are dangerous lol.. great take from professor Saad.. to many unknowns.. I think it's cool to have cross gym events but the participants need to be on the same page

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I appreciate your feedback! Thanks for watching!

[@bradlopez3681]

I love open mats they get new people to come out but also it’s a great time to cross train and test what your learning against people who don’t know your patterns without the pressure of competition

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

That's definitely a positive aspect of a well run open mat. Thank you for watching.

[@AcesJiuJitsuClub]

If students want to test their game then they should compete, right?

[@bradlopez3681]

@@AcesJiuJitsuClub That's one way but cross training has the benefit of not having the extra pressures of competition. For example you can roll with out fear of getting knocked out of a bracket and you don't need to make weight.

[@AcesJiuJitsuClub]

@@bradlopez3681 perhaps learning to deal with that fear and anxiety is what will make us better and more resilient martial artists. Running from growth opportunities doesn’t seem like the lesson we should be pushing, right?

[@erikwhitaker6387]

I was in your town for work for a few weeks and was able to attend just a couple classes of yours do to scheduling before coming home to ca. My name is Erik I was / am an erik paulson student (blue belt) I had a really good time and just wanted to say thank you again to you and your students for hosting me . 🤙

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thanks for the kind words. It is great to hear from you and look forward to training with you again on your next visit to San Antonio. All the best to you my friend.

[@bmiliten]

One common reason I’ve heard from gym owners is the liability factor. All it takes is one catastrophic injury to occur. Especially when a bunch of randoms come in.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

That's true. I should have listed that as a reason too. Thanks for watching!

[@monkikobytes]

You release this on the day a visiting brown belt almost took my arm home with him at the Labor Day open mat? Insane timing....

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I am sorry to hear this. Who invited the visiting brown belt?

[@monkikobytes]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu I honestly dont think it was malicious but just a strong dude seeing a big physical specimen (me) and figured he'd need the strength. I think I was more surprised and didn't defend enough. I think he had trained at the gym before as he already signed a waiver btw.

[@damonrambo3244]

I respect this. Definitely some good points. Only thing Id say- as an older practitioner, I like the dedicated open mat, where I can roll fresh. Sometimes after an hour or more of drilling and stuff in class, I just dont have a lot left. Especially if Im teaching (I teach TKD) earlier that day.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Very good point and I can definitely relate. I think cross training and open mats can be a very good thing if it is a group of good people.

[@nicholasnj3778]

I’ve been to a few in NJ, ( I know the people) , never had anything like this happen, I just go to train with different people every once and a while

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I definitely believe there is a tremendous benefit in training with people outside your school/association.

[@adamabbas1487]

If you are a good coach and your students are pleased with their training. Then they aren't going to leave apart from if life circumstances makes it difficult to go to training.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Everyone loses students for a variety of reasons. Just like divorce happens in marriage. Doesn't mean that they are not good people. However if you are constantly losing students the instructor is the problem.

[@furunaki]

My old friend Saad. I'm glad to see you're doing well.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Great to hear from you.

[@furunaki]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu its Frank (Ny) from when Josh had the spot on mainland rd. We were both blue belts. I still talk to John W. Josh and I email each other every once in a while. We share "Jiu jitsu horror stories" 🤣

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

So good to hear from you Frank! I still chat with Josh from time to time and see him at different local tournaments. Wishing you all the best! Have a great weekend my friend!

[@talesfromthegripz]

Love the videos, keep em coming! I train at Luiz gym in Jax, Fla. I heard nothing but good things about you and hope to get the opportunity to train at your gym one day.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Luiz and Pedro Palhares are dear friends and of course Luiz is my teacher. My wife and I miss living in Jacksonville. Looking forward to meeting you on our next visit to Jacksonville.

[@georgevancil7032]

Awesome Saad! Once again, you crushed it. I love your number 1 objective, btw. This leads into a suggested future question of the week. How do you approach visitors wanting to train while in town for short periods of time. And, advice you give your students about visiting gyms while traveling. Keep it up my brother.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Great suggestion George! I will make that a video of the week. Always great to hear from you.

[@tededo]

In the last decade I've been rolling, my learning curved got up and jacked cause of private classes, regular classes drilling portion, and the before/after classes moves. Open mat offered me slim window of learning options, so I usually go to open mats to shark tank my grappling game. Recently, a purple belt took me under his wing and decided to teach me deeper techniques during the open mat, other than that, many students waste their time, its like they goin to a night club of after job gathering for a beer kind of thing.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Good insights! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@fronielopez7744]

Interesting point of view Thank you for sharing your thoughts I enjoyed this one even more than the Self Defense one

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback and thanks for watching.

[@brazilianjiujitsuincorporated]

Great topic 👏 I completely agree on all accounts 👍 Especially when one goes to open mat to get back into it from time away... and another is there in " competition mode" 🙄😏 Awesome video 📹

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thanks my friend. Always great to hear from you.

[@dr.fistingstein1566]

Just found out that I love the gi Asmr. Great points btw.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!

[@lordsneed9418]

I wish my school did open mat after class but in the evenings there's usually another class using hte mats right after us or they need to start cleaning and closing the gym so there's only a few minutes to stretch and work through positions that happened during sparring. If I went to morning or lunch classes I guess it would be like that

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I really like doing open mat after class and it has been working well for my school. Thanks for watching!

[@MikeEHY]

I agree. My only criticism is that this really isn’t a, “DARK” truth.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I definitely could have named it better. Thanks for watching.

[@lordsneed9418]

our school does open mat but doesn't advertise it at all. A few people turn up with a classmate and just work through and practice a couple of positions and what-if scenarios in much more detail than they'd be able to during an actual class, and some people do a bit of sparring , but mainly people appreciate the chance to practice or drill stuff in detail. At my gym I think members can use the mats to do this whenever the gym is open and a class isn't on, but the sunday open mat is just a specified time to do this and you know some other people will probably be there. I don't think it would be good if our open mat was busy or had a lot of people from other schools . you can't really trust people from oother schools that you don't know. But you are allowed to invite non-members to open mat, I've done it before to introduce bjj to friends who are complete beginners. I'd only do it if I knew their personality and knew they wouldn't go crazy and spazzy though.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I appreciate your feedback and it sounds like you are at a great school. Thanks for watching!

[@codybouscaren6492]

I've never been 'sold to' after attending an open mat.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Not every open mat does this, but unfortunately it happens.

[@Aymeric-f1y]

I feel this video shows the difference between traditional Gi rooms and high level wrestling and/or no gi rooms.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Very interesting observation. Thanks for watching.

[@retroghidora6767]

I think being upfront in the case of in person invites and social media posts (how people learn about open mats in large part) about the rules of the gym would address a lot of your concerns. Giving a little speech about etiquette before "opening" the mats to rounds might even vet bad actors in and of itself.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Good point. Thank you for watching.

[@positivetradingofficial500]

Open mats are fun. I mostly disagree with what you are saying.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Different views make the world more interesting. Thanks for watching!

[@lordsneed9418]

Yeah I agree with this video I wouldn't really like strangers from other gyms coming to roll at our sunday open mat, but I do like having the sunday open mat session that members of the gym to use to drill or work through and practice positions. I think our gym allows non-members to turn up to open mat especially if they email asking permission ahead of time , but it just rarely happens which I think is a good thing for the reasons you stated. I don't think our gym advertises it. You'd need to go onto the gym website and look up the timetable to find out it exists.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I run my gym the same way. It has worked well for me over the years. Wishing you well on your jiu jitsu journey. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffreyluffman3850]

100% concur

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I appreciate the feedback! Thanks for watching!

[@slowdown3415]

Open mat is great to meet new people and exchange techniques and have fun. Only insecure teachers dont like student's cross training.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Had you payed attention to the video you would know that I support cross training, but I don't open my school up to just anybody. Thanks for watching.

[@slowdown3415]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu I'm a bot

[@brojitsu]

I've been training at open mats for YEARs in the Metro Atlanta area and I've never been recruited. Always invited if I'd like to but never recruited.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I have lived in San Antonio, Texas for years and have never been car jacked. Doesn't mean car jacking does not happen.

[@brojitsu]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu very true

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

@@brojitsu have a great weekend my friend. If you are ever in the San Antonio area please stop in and train with me. No mat fee.

[@brojitsu]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu I will do that. Appreciate it brother 🙏🏻

[@nanwvwat9540]

We just do open mat because we’re obsessed and want more mat time to just roll around and troubleshoot stuff 😂

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I definitely understand and can relate to that.

[@bryanjohnson8162]

Cross training is very important Sorry you lost a person in that process but depending on that guy's journey maybe he'll end up right back where he started... Every gym I've crossed trained that has never tried to recruit me maybe I just suck😂😂 especially once you tell them you already have a gym.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I agree 100% that cross training is very important and losing a person to another gym is just part of the business. No matter what you do as a school owner you are going to lose students to other schools for various reason. I have no problem with my students attending other schools open mats. I am not interested in hosting an open mat where the entire community is invited and am selective in who I allow to train in my school. Thanks for watching and all the best to you in your Jiu jitsu journey.

[@bundy4prez462]

Your house, your rules.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I agree. Have a great weekend and thank you for watching.

[@bundy4prez462]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu Godspeed!

[@anonymous-rz6zj]

What happens if they don't shower and smell bad?

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

That's definitely a problem.

[@rickywoods3101]

I think open mats are a good thing, and i don't know any gym around my area that does so to recruit people. Its good for your students that choose to participate. It also keeps mcdojos from popping up and leading people down the wrong path. Super sad to see people loose years to not learn anything useful..

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I appreciate your feedback. Best wishes to you on your Jiu Jitsu journey.

[@MrPauloAmf]

I respectfully disagree with your general stance on open mats, but I completely acknowledge that in your school, you are the authority. You know what's best for your business. That said, I believe a well-structured open mat can be a true celebration of jiu-jitsu-filled with excitement and enjoyment. I’m confident that open mats help retain practitioners who might otherwise leave the sport, offering them renewed motivation. However, I strongly agree that children and adults should never share the same mat, for obvious safety reasons. As for the crossface, I’d tell the blue belt: use it confidently and never hesitate again. It's a perfectly valid technique, and you're free to apply it against anyone. When mastered, the crossface can be applied gently or with intensity. In higher-level jiu-jitsu, it's often essential, and no one should shy away from using it. Great video, by the way-I appreciate your honesty on the subject!

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I really appreciate your feedback and it is always good to share ideas with fellow BJJ black belts. Thanks for watching! Have a great weekend!

[@MrPauloAmf]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu oss

[@mortonguerrero2249]

No disrespect, Professor....this has never been my experience. Ever! I have traveled the east coast, and I never had anything like this happen. Cross training is encouraged in the academies in my area. GA has a diverse number of BJJ teams. Again, all do respect, but not my experience.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

We all have different experiences and beliefs. Wishing you all the best in your Jiu Jiitsu journey. Thanks for watching.

[@DevineKnowledge28]

This guy is a business man more than a jujitsu instructor.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

You must have Devine Knowledge since we have never met. Anyways thanks for watching!

[@78Banned]

Who hurt you? I have never once been recruited at someone else’s open that nor have I tried to recruit anyone to my school. You’re old school and that’s cool. Not my bag though

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

No one hurt me, but thanks for asking. I have never been carjacked, but I realize many people have so just because you have not personally experienced something doesn't mean it does not happen and it is not a problem. We all have different opinions, experiences and views of the world and that is cool to me. Thanks for watching.

[@78Banned]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu fair enough. I wouldn’t go as far as assuming that I’ve never had anything violent happen to me. Bjj literally saved my life. I am a full-time teacher at my Academy. I have an amazing relationship with all of the gyms in my area where we all promote cross training. Jiu Jitsu has evolved more in the last 20 yrs than it has in the previous hundred. I truly believe that this is from promoted cross training and access to information. No secrets anymore. Just good vibes and Jiu Jitsu. Join us

[@lucashennessey6203]

You say that your intermediate student left because you were "holding him back" and then the next sentence said you focus your resources on new white belts...think about that for a moment. Sounds like it just wasn't working out so he found a new home

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I focus my marketing on the prospective white belt. I have over 10 BJJ black Belts and 6 Judo black belts that train at my school regularly, so high level belts are getting plenty of development, but no one gets fast tracked promotion. I promote people when I think they are ready for promotion based on my observation of them along with the recommendation of the other black belts at my school. If a student does not like the speed of my promotions and wants to go somewhere else then I wish them well.

[@capicornboss]

Oss 🤙🏿

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thanks for watching! Have a great weekend!

[@AntoineFabri]

So you don't do open mats because of unethical recruitment, safety (you don't know their instructor), and freeloaders. Why don't you do open mats without recruiting, with only students from instructors you know, and with a mat fee ? This video seems like a criticisms on other open mats but not really good reasons not to have yours. My gym doesn't do them either and i regret it very much, usually gyms that do them seem to have a great culture AFAICT.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I do open mat training at my school and we invite other schools to train with us that we know with no fee. What I don't do is open my school to anyone that wants to come by and train. My students are welcome to visit other schools open mats, but I tried to explain in the video the reasons why I am not interested in providing a free open mat to the BJJ community.

[@AntoineFabri]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu Ah, this makes sense, thanks for sharing your POV and all the best!

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

@AntoineFabri thank you for watching and I hope you have a great weekend.

[@ScottPalangi]

Did not watch the video... But I'm reminded of Thomas Clifford, a Royler rep at the time, using the analogy of "some guys just wanna learn how to fly the plane". Thankfully, Renzo Gracie can spot such domestic lunatics and knew if I was in class, I have the humanity to shelter someone's private Jiu-Jitsu Jihad from the other participants who intend on showing up to class more than once that week. Miss my teachers, all of them.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thanks for your insights.

[@trenthatt4924]

With all due respect, I believe your approach to be a bit uptight. However you are looking out for your students and I totally understand that and respect it.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I should have mentioned the strong possibility of the schools business insurance, which may exclude coverage for open mat. I appreciate the feedback, and thanks for watching.

[@josieinnocent4151]

It’s jiu jitsu the sport is dangerous

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

That's true, but we should do everything possible to minimize injuries. Car accidents happen, but we can minimize them with speed limits and dui enforcement.

[@scarred10]

Its very low risk compared to kickboxing, judo or wrestling.

[@ASISEEITPODCAST]

I’m a 46 year old brand new white belt. I attended my first open mat at a neighboring school on Sunday and it was an awesome experience. The host school students were inviting, helpful and nice, but I never felt like they were recruiting me. The open gym is extremely beneficial for guys like me because when you’re going through fundamentals you don’t get the opportunity to really put what you lean into actual practice. The school I visited was really upfront with their expectation of my attitude and rolling style, and there were a large number of higher belts that made their way to me early on to “feel” me out and instill “coaching”. I think that’s the key. A strong culture of respect and accountability across the board. Great video.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I am glad to hear that you had a great experience. There are a lot of great people in the Jiu Jiitsu community. Wishing you tremendous success on your Jiu Jiitsu journey.

[@ploq]

This is weirdly passive aggressive.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thanks for watching.

[@jjang8195]

this video gives serious "holier-than-thou" vibes

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Interesting perspective. Thanks for watching.

[@Speciation]

I didn't get those vibes at all. It seems to me that he wants to protect his business and students. Also open mats are a headache with business insurance.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

@@Speciation thanks! I totally forgot to mention the business insurance factor on the open mats. Definitely would make the insurance policy more expensive.

[@germanicusternus1982]

He seems pretty reasonable. You sound butt hurt. Maybe see a doctor. I think they can get you stitches from your last open mat session.

[@ijustwannaleaveacommentony6511]

meh this vid is way too long and talkie

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Yeah fair enough. I'm old and I ramble on sometimes. Thanks for watching.

[@jimmymcelree2366]

Wrong get outa your head

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Don't understand your comment, but I appreciate you watching. Have a great weekend!