Many different Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms and academies allow their students to visit other programs and partake in events like “open mats” and to drop in to other places for training. There are, however, some leaders that do not allow their students to do such things.

Cross-training is either outright condemned or it is at the least recommended against in some cases, and it’s a subject I have scratched my head on for quite some time. After some pondering and considering, I have decided to write a case for cross-training.

First, I would like to extend an olive branch and give my take on why an academy owner might want their students to root themselves in their own program exclusively. In my mind I can think of 2 main reasons:

1. Liability – Let’s say you, a student, go to another gym and incur an injury that requires surgery. In my experience, students in this boat get back on the mats after around 6 months. This means that you’ll likely be putting a freeze on your account for that time, and that means a student lost at least temporarily for your home gym.
2. Pride – This is a blanketed term, and I understand that, but it is more of an opinion. I’ll back it up with some examples. I have heard of instructors who have kicked their students out of gyms because they went to train somewhere else for a day or two. The reason? They want to have the sole control and authority over their student’s learning and progress. I wouldn’t have used this example if I hadn’t been met with this testimony, and I imagine this can go hand-in-hand with the point on liability.

Now, I want it to be understood that this is just my thoughts on the topic. I want to open this up for community engagement and I would really appreciate hearing some other takes on this matter. Now, here is why I think cross-training is absolutely a great thing for every student, gym owner, and for the growth of BJJ as a whole.

It’s Not About You.

One thing is for sure in my mind: Coaches are not the main character of their academy. The job of a coach, from what I can see, is to provide an environment fit for the goals of their students. This varies between the hobbyist (most of the people partaking in BJJ fall into this category) and the competitor. It differs even between adults and children.

A coach has goals for their students, sure, but the coach is rooted in their own academy by nature. Students are rooted by their day-to-day choice to be there. I see a similar relationship between business owner and client – the business owner must cater to the desires of his clientele in some respects, otherwise they will not see growth or improvement in their business.

Now, I understand there is a chance of liability. However, is there not a level of liability in every class? I have seen students get injured to the point where they outright quit BJJ just drilling technique! Here is what I will say – there is always a chance of injury in BJJ, like in almost any sport, but I don’t think there is a strong case to say that the probability of injury is increased simply because you drop-in at another academy.

Here is one caveat I will add: It is the responsibility of a gym owner receiving a drop-in to protect the students under their umbrella. Here’s what I mean: If there is a Super-Heavyweight Adult Purple Belt competitor dropping-in, don’t allow them to go with anyone other than other competitors, or at least Masters competitors who are formidable, close to the same weight, not-injured, etc. If a student gets injured because of managerial negligence, it is not the fault of the drop-in, but of the manager, in my opinion.

Similarly, for the coach that encourages their students to cross-train, give them insight on the best partners to look for, teach them to be respectful of other academies practices and etiquette, and they will represent your academy well on foreign mats.

Community > Exclusivity

Here’s the thing: BJJ is growing, and fast. There are gyms popping up all around the world as people seek to engage in this thing we love so much. I understand that as a business owner you want to protect your clients and preserve your monthly income on the basis of your student body, but it’s also important to foster an environment that students want to be in rather than one they have to be in.

Let me explain: If a student is absolutely not allowed to train anywhere else or feels some sort of pressure not to from their instructor, they will either fall in line in reverent obedience and trust in the direction or they will resort to cross-training anyways either secretly or defiantly.

By both allowing students the freedom to cross-train and interact with their local community of participants, I personally believe it will have a positive impact on their learning, how they approach BJJ, and how they much they enjoy it.

I relate it very much to the church. You have your home church, where you receive instruction from your pastor and develop a tight-knit community with fellow Christians. When you meet with other Christians from other churches, you engage in fellowship with them, regardless of age, race, or anything like that. I believe that jiu-jitsu academies function more similarly to churches (Especially in America, I’m thinking) for the good and for the ugly, and I could go into a whole article on that.

The ugly? Just like there are churches in this world that become seduced into functioning in an incredibly cultish fashion, so too are there gyms that produce this same kind of environment and attitude.

I want to conclude by mentioning that this is purely an opinion piece, and I want to hear thoughts on the topic. I am not subliminally calling anyone out, I just want to give my thoughts on what I feel continues to be a topic of discussion in our still-budding sport.

Thank you!