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How Strict Should BJJ Class Be–Chill or Like Military Training?

How Strict Should BJJ Class Be–Chill or Like Military Training?

When it comes to how strict a class should be, what do you think is reasonable?

How strict should the instructor be in your bjj class? Does your own academy present a laid back atmosphere or is it like being in military basic training? Maybe, it’s somewhere in between. How should a class, which teaches self-defense or a combative sport be conducted? If the military puts its recruits through an intense course of basic training, especially since they are trying to prepare recruits for possible combat, then shouldn’t martial arts classes seek to do the same? Why or why not?

Here you can see a competition at University of Jiu-Jitsu (Ribeiro) in San Diego, As you can see it’s quite military like:

But wait, what if people actually learn better in a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere?

If it’s true that people do learn better in a chilled-out setting, and since there is a plethora of information to study and digest in bjj and judo, then maybe a laid back teaching class is the place to be. Having said that, what if some people would be more likely to excel in a strict and militaristic atmosphere, while others would flourish in a more relaxed teaching environment? For example, assuming the technical instruction is good, would you attend an academy that forbid its students to talk or take a water break?



Here is an example of a laid back BJJ academy without too much emphasis on formalities. BJJ in Guam is linked with the laid back culture of Surfing. Students and instructors are sitting back laid back, sometimes shirtless, not much bowing and formalities:

When it comes to how strict a class should be, what do you think is reasonable?