What are the major differences between a BJJ academy Rio de Janeiro and one back home?

1: The Sheer Number of Black Belts
Outside of Brazil it’s common for most BJJ academies to have one or two black belts, some higher belts and a lot of coloured belts. In Brazil, when you walk into a BJJ gym it’s more likely you will see anywhere from 10-15 black belts, a large number of higher belts and only a handful of white and blues. But people of all levels are welcome. If you’re new to the sport, a black belt will usually work with you until you’re ready to join in the main class, and many gyms are now introducing dedicated classes for beginners.

2: Less Instruction, A LOT More Rolling
In Rio de Janeiro it’s common to only drill one or two techniques before sparring starts. People are often shocked by how little instruction there is. Instead, you’ll likely go through round after round of king of the mat and rolling. Some large academies, such as Nova Uniao and De la Riva, will only teach one move before sparring starts, whereas others (inc Terere and Carlson Gracie Academy) will teach up to three inter-connected moves.

3: Things Are A LOT More Laid Back
If there’s one piece of advice we can give you, it is this: don’t expect anyone or anything to be on time. Sure, the class will start at the scheduled time, but there may only be two or three people in it. People will filter in for the next 20 minutes or so, conveniently time enough to skip any warm-ups or technique, so they can get right to the sparring! Cheeky, but nobody bats an eyelid.

Article written by Hywel Teague for TrainBJJinRio.com
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If you’re travelling to Rio to train BJJ, then you should choose carefully which academy to train at depending on your goals.

Some people are looking to take home the latest technical developments, some want to prepare for an upcoming tournament, some are visiting their master to get promoted, but the truth is most just want somewhere to roll between hanging out on the beach.

But it’s difficult to judge what kind of person a gym caters for until you actually step on the mat, which involves the possibility of wasting time and money. Read on for some advice on choosing the right BJJ gym in Rio for you.

You Want To Be Up On The Latest Technical Developments

With the explosion of online training resources, such as the popular MGinAction or Mendes Bros Online, it’s easier than ever to get cutting-edge material from world-class coaches. But there’s still plenty of world class jiu-jitsu in Rio de Janeiro.

Gyms such as Checkmat, Terere’s new academy and Alliance in Leblon are among some of the trend leaders in sport jiu-jitsu. It’s true that Nova Uniao and Gracie Humaita enjoy plenty of success in tournaments but many see the styles of instructors such as Rico Vieira and Terere as being more modern, creative and dynamic.

There are many highly technical, modern BJJ coaches to train with in Rio

In cases such as this, it may be worth checking out some of the more old school masters such as Jose Henrique ‘Leao’ Teixeira of Escola de Jiu-Jitsu, as the gym receives 5th, 6th and even 7th degree black belts on a daily basis. Though the attitude of the gym is less directed toward competition, the level of insight and technical detail is off the charts, though it would probably suit someone with an already solid foundation looking to refine their skills rather than someone looking to ‘take home’ the latest techniques.

You Want to Prepare For an Upcoming Tournament

If you plan on competing in Brazil there’s no better way to get ready for an upcoming tournament than to spend a week or two in a competitive BJJ academy to finish your preparations. In cases such as this, it’s imperative you find an academy that is like-minded, as you’ll need everyone to be willing to train at the same level of intensity.

Right before big competitions the training always picks up a gear, but more so in academies such as Carlson Gracie, Nova Uniao, Gordo Jiu-Jitsu and of course GFTeam.

Get tournament ready by heading to one of the many BJJ gyms in Rio that focuses on competition

GFTeam, Carlson Gracie and Nova Uniao historically have always produced huge teams of competitors and so it goes without saying that training is spirited during competition season, but the gyms are more inclined to receive grapplers from within their own associations during these periods so as to avoid any political problems.

Somewhere to roll between hanging out on the beach

Not everybody wants to come to Rio and go balls to the wall. Many are here on vacation and simply want to experience jiu-jitsu direct from the source. In cases such as this, it’s obviously best to find a gym that welcomes visitors, but the vibe of the gym is probably more important. You don’t want to find yourself in the middle of a tough roll after a week of drinking beer on the beach!

Where you’ll likely be when you’re not in the gym

Summary

Whatever level grappler you are, there is a place for you to train here in Rio. From white belt to black belt, hobbyist to professional, you can find a BJJ gym in Rio to suit your needs.

Article written by Hywel Teague
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Terere’s competition career peaked around 2003 and he fell away from the scene when he sadly suffered a series of personal problems. An incident on a plane in America saw him briefly jailed and the stressful experience saw him turn to drugs. He spent a number of years suffering with his addiction and various efforts were made to rehabilitate him, yet it wasn’t until an undiagnosed mental illness was finally given the correct treatment did he achieve balance.

After a period spent in Europe teaching at various academies and giving seminars and even a return to competition (including a silver medal at the 2013 European Championships) Terere has returned to Rio de Janeiro and worked hard to open an academy. Though new, it already boasts a strong team and is sought-after by visiting grapplers due to it’s ideal location in Rio’s south zone, close to the nearby tourist hotels of Ipanema and Copacabana.

A Typical Class
After a standard warm-up Terere will usually show around 3 connected techniques. His detailed instruction brings new light to old positions, and while he is comes from the ‘old school’ generation he is very much a modern grappler as evidenced by his recent use of techniques such as the reverse berimbolo in competition. You’ll be given around 5 minutes to drill each position he shows.

Rolling is competitive and spirited. Terere’s reputation as a former champion and high-level grappler has drawn hungry competitors from humble backgrounds keen to experience a similar level of success. He is building a strong team of highly competitive young guys, with extremely sharp and technical teenagers at white and blue belt, yet you will find belts of all colours on the mat including his friends from other academies.

The guys at Terere’s academy are versatile players and fight well from top and bottom, with grip fighting an important part of their toolbox. Though the gym is not large there is enough space for 4 pairs to roll comfortably at the same time.

During competition season the training becomes much more intense, with the team led through high-paced conditioning exercises and takedown drills at the beginning of each session. The team will also do a lot of supplemental training by swimming in the ocean and running on Ipanema beach and up the nearby hills.

Our thoughts
Healthy and happy, Terere has returned to the Rio de Janeiro community in which he was raised and he has opened a BJJ gym in Ipanema. The newly-opened academy is fast becoming a popular spot for visitors and in one session at his gym there were grapplers from France, Italy, Holland and Poland.

Following their leader’s example, everyone at Terere’s gym is extremely friendly and he warmly receives guests to his gym.

Academy Fact File:
Head instructor: Fernando ‘Terere’ plus 2 assistants.
Price: R$180 / month, drop-in fee R$35 for one class
Matspace: Approx 60sqm
Facilities: Matted room, shower, drinking fountain.
Av number of people per class: 12-20
Speak English?: Some
Location: Ipanema
Suggested transport: Bus stop within 5 min walk, General Osorio subway station within 10
MMA / no-gi: No
Other martial arts: No
Years open: Less than one. Opened late 2012.
Titles / champions / championships: Aside from Terere’s own accomplishments, he has Rio state champions at coloured belts training and assisting him with instruction.

Address:
Rua Alberto de Campos
Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

Google maps link

Location:
A short walk from Visconde de Piraja, the main street running through Ipanema. Walk along Farme de Amoedo away from the beach, turn right on Rua Alberto de Campos and walk to the large concrete tower that houses the elevator up to Favela Cantagalo. The academy is just above the entrance and visible from the street.

Website:
www.facebook.com/AcademiaFernandoTerere

Timetable:
Mon-Fri: 9.00 / 10.30 / 8.00 / 10.00

Videos:

Links:
Fernando ‘Terere’ BJJ Heroes profile

The post Terere Academy appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Located right on the central avenue and main thoroughfare of Copacabana, Fabricio Jiu-Jitsu is easy to spot thanks to it’s large yellow signs, just one floor up from street level. In a city where many jiu-jitsu gyms are tucked away and often difficult to locate, Fabricio’s gym is incredibly easy to find.

Fabricio Martins, 7th degree BJJ master

The mat space is ample for the number of people in a class, and the matted walls allow for almost non-stop rolling. The two rooms allow for multiple classes to run at the same time, though unusually they are actually separated by a hairdressing salon! Each studio has it’s own changing area and toilet.

A Typical Class
Warm-ups are your usual mix of bodyweight exercises and some partner drills, done in reps of 10-20 and directed by the teacher. The pace is higher than some gyms, but doesn’t quite stray into conditioning territory.

The technical instruction is detailed and you will be shown a position or technique multiple times, before being partnered up to get a feel for it. Instructors roam the room correcting any details or mistakes. Usually you will be shown between one to three techniques before being partnered up to roll. Techniques range from basic fundamentals through to modern competition-effective tactics.

Rolling is competitive yet not crazy. The instructor will match up partners to roll based on size, grade etc. The high number of black belts means sparring is of a good level, though most of the black belts are part-timers with dayjobs, so it is not a room of high-level competitors. There are fewer coloured belts on the mat, but they appeared to be of a higher level on average than you might find in some other gyms. During a 7.30pm class, there was only one white belt (a visiting foreigner).

Our thoughts
It’s said you can find jiu-jitsu on almost every street corner in Rio de Janeiro. It is worth remembering how deep the talent runs here in Rio. With a team of experienced black belts and many years of history, Fabricio Jiu-Jitsu warmly welcomes visitors.

Academy fact file:
Head instructor: Fabricio Martins, supported by Onofre Ribeiro, Emanoel Morreira, Joaquim Malta,
Price: R$180 / month
Matspace: Room 1: 60sqm, Room 2: 120sqm.
Facilities: Two rooms matted wall-to-wall, small changing area / shower.
Average numbers of BB’s at training: 10
Av number of people per class: 20-25
Speak English?: Enough
Location: One floor above ground level, located on and directly facing main street in Copacabana
Suggested transport: Walk / bus / subway
MMA / no-gi: MMA
Other martial arts: Karate, female MMA
Years open: 21
Titles / champions / championships: Black belt adult state champions

Address:
Av. Nossa Senhora 1017 (201-203)
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro RJ
22060-000

Tel: 21-2247-3452
Email: contato@equipefabricio.com.br

Google Maps link

Location
Highly visible from the street, just two blocks back from Copacabana beach. Enter through the glass door, pass the porter and go up the stairs to the left.

Facebook page:
Equipe Fabrício Jiu Jitsu

Timetable:

Mon: 8am-10am, 10-11.30am, 4pm-6pm, 7.30pm-10pm.
Tue: 8am-10am, 6pm-7.30pm, 7.30pm-10pm.
Wed: 8am-10am, 10-11.30am, 4pm-6pm, 7.30pm-10pm.
Thur: 8am-10am, 6pm-7.30pm, 7.30pm-10pm.
Fri: 8am-10am, 10-11.30am, 7.30pm-10pm.
Sat: 10pm-12.30pm.

Video:

Video by Hywel Teague / BJJHacks for Connection Rio

Links:
Fabricio Martins BJJ Heroes profile
Facebook page

The post Fabricio Jiu-Jitsu appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Located deep in the North Zone of Rio in the neighbourhood of Méier the GFTeam headquarters is a modest academy with few facilities, yet it boasts a huge team of competitors. Few foreigners ever venture there, as it is far from the well-trodden tourist areas of the South Zone (Zona Sul). To get to the academy in Méier from Zona Sul requires either multiple bus rides, a local train service, or sometimes a combination of both. It is an area of the city not exactly friendly to tourists – the local population are mostly lower-income working class, and there are many favelas nearby (some as yet unreached by the growing pacification program).

The academy is best left to those who either speak Portuguese or have strong local connections, preferably with transport. A few outsiders have made numerous trips there, including Canadian black belt competitor Jake MacKenzie, who spends seven months in Rio every year based at that academy. Aside from Jake, who is happy to help visitors, few people based full-time at the academy speak English.

A Typical Class
Classes are always well-attended. Warm-ups vary depending on the day. Some days will see standard bodyweight exercises mixed with stretching, whereas on other days the emphasis is placed on sports-specific movements. On these days, the class will perform sets of entries to judo throws, moving onto armbars, sweeps and other jiu-jitsu movements. During these warm-ups the pace is kept high.

The instructor will show 2-3 moves, giving about 10 mins to work each position time before sparring commences. As mat space is limited, around 6 pairs will roll at the same time while the rest of the class line the walls and watch the space.

Rolling is, as to expected, very competitive. Due to their strong reputation and excellent results in competition, many athletes from other teams have decamped to GFTeam in the hope of also tasting success.

Competition team training sessions are only for brown and black belts (with some purples, but by invitation only).

There is a strong camaraderie in the gym, with a number of the team living in the academy in a small space above the mat. Conditions and facilities are basic and below what a tourist would expect; one English visitor who thought he might save money by staying there left after 36 hours as it was not what he expected at all.

Our thoughts
One of the best-known teams in BJJ, the competitive powerhouse that is GFTeam is not exactly a hotbed for visitors due to it’s remote location and relative inaccessibility to foreigners. But it still has the power to attract brave and dedicated souls who wish to experience one of the best training environments Rio has to offer.

There are a number of satellite GFTeam academies closer to the areas of Rio more popular with visitors, including one in Ipanema and one in Recreio. TrainBJJinRio recommends visitors to consider checking these out before attempting to visit the main academy in Méier.

Academy Fact File:
Head instructor: Julio Cesar Pereira
Price: TBD
Matspace: Approx 70 sqm
Facilities: Basic (mat, punchbag, small changing area)
Av number of people per class: 40
Av number of BB’s at training: Up to 20-25
Speak English?: Some of the guys in the gym may speak limited English, but not many
Location: Méier, Zona Norte
Suggested transport: Bus / train
MMA / no-gi: Yes, both
Other martial arts: No.
Years open: 10+
Titles / champions / championships: IBJJF Brazilian national and state team titles, numerous individual IBJJF titles.

Address:
GFTeam
Rua Arquias Cordeiro, 478
Méier, Rio de Janeiro

Google maps link

Contact:
0055 21 3497 0478
gfteam.diretoria@gmail.com

Location:
The gym is an anonymous blue building next door to a mechanic. There is a small sign on the outside of the academy next to the entrance. The gym sits next to the train tracks from the nearby station Méier.

Website:
www.gfteamglobal.com

Timetable:

Coming soon

VIDEO:

An inside look into GFTeam by BJJPix.com

LINKS:

BJJ Heroes team profile

The post GFTeam HQ (Meier, Rio) appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

For those with jobs, two weeks is usually the maximum amount of time it’s possible to duck out of work. For those leaving college or university or between opportunities, a couple of months in Rio suddenly becomes feasible.

But how much time you spend in Rio can affect your jiu-jitsu in different ways, so what’s right for someone might not be right for you.

How long should I stay in Rio?

First off, what are you looking for?

• Do you want to sharpen up your skills for an upcoming tournament?
• Do you want to sample the jiu-jitsu lifestyle in the cradle of the arte suave?
• Or are you looking to get promoted?

.
The Short Stay: sub-2 weeks / The Quick Fix to Your Game
People come to Rio to train BJJ for anything from a few days to a few months. Most short stay trips fall in the 10-day to two-week range. For those with responsibilities back home, this is about the maximum possible time they can get away.

If you’re here for two weeks, you’ll want to train twice a day to really make the most of your time in Rio. An AM and a PM session with a trip to the beach in-between sounds like a dream, right? The only problem is, training at a level double of what you’re used to back home for a sustained period of time isn’t realistic. After about two to three weeks, your body will start to give up on you.

A two-week stay is perfect for someone who wants to drop into Rio, hit it hard for a short period of time, then go back home and kick ass. A few weeks among the sharks in Rio will do a lot to tighten up your game. The guys back home won’t know what hit them when you return. Their pressure will feel like nothing in comparison, and they’ll be moving in slow motion.

Guys who come to Rio usually train hard and party hard while dashing around the city checking out all the sights before disappearing home in a cloud of dust. If you’re going to be here for 2 weeks or less, be prepared to make the most of it – it’s a big city and there’s lots to see and do.

Medium Stay: 2-4 weeks / The Full Rio Experience
Lucky you, you managed to wrangle a few weeks away! Great, you can use the time to dive completely into the whole Rio experience, right?

Woah there a second – not so fast, amigo. You one-monthers are going to need to pace yourselves. I can’t tell you the amount of times we’ve seen guys arrive in Rio full of energy and enthusiasm only to get chewed up and spat out two and a half weeks into their trip. The spend the rest of their time broken, sick, or just burnt out and plain fed up, and go home with an overall bad taste in their mouths.

The problem is they try to match the short-termers, training session for training session and all-night party for all-night party.

If you’re here for about a month, then ease off the throttle a bit. Don’t be afraid to take a day off when you feel sore. Missing one training session is not as bad as missing a week because you’ve ignored the signs of over-training or you tried to train around an inconvenient injury that blossomed into a chronic ailment.

Use your time to get to know the place, a month is a long time and you don’t need to spend it all in a smelly gym. Hit the beach, see the sights and unwind – after all that training, you’ll need to.

Medium stay: 1-3 months / Becoming A Local
This is about the perfect length of time to really get the feel for the jiu-jitsu lifestyle. You’ll be able to fully experience the way of life in Rio, BUT this actually doesn’t mean you’ll see or do more…

What you’ll probably notice is that the longer you stay in Rio, the more you’ll find yourself slowing down. The pace of life in the city is infectious. Brazil is general is very laid back in comparison to life elsewhere, and Rio is an extreme example of this.

If you’re not careful your training will slow down, you’ll settle into a routine that means you’ll miss out on what’s happening in the city, and you’ll end up seeing less than someone who is here for two weeks and full of motivation.

Take care not to sack off those morning training sessions because you can “always make up for it in the evening class”. Keep doing that and your training will likely unravel and you’ll be on the mat no more than you were back home, spending the rest of your time on Facebook. Urgh.

Long term: 3-6 months / Getting Promoted
Of course, not everybody has got the funds to come out for such a long time but if you do then a long-term stay in Rio has many different benefits than a short trip. You’re better positioned to learn the language, make friends and get a look at the ‘real’ Rio de Janeiro.

A three-month stint is about the minimum you should put in if you’re serious about getting promoted, as that’s how long any self-respecting coach will want to take a look at your and see how your game is progressing.

Don’t make the mistake of just coming out here looking to tap everyone and prove how good you are – this won’t exactly endear you to your training partners, as it’ll only prove you’re an overly-competitive egomaniac.

Getting promoted in Brazil isn’t just about your performance on the mat. Consistency and attitude are more important. A coach will want to see you in the gym on a regular basis, and he’ll want to see you doing more than just collecting arms. Helping out your fellow grapplers is high on their list of expectations, so be prepared to be a contributing member of your gym if you really want to get promoted.

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Teixeira started jiu-jitsu as a student of the legendary Rolls Gracie in the late 70s. He would later go on to become one of the co-founders of Gracie Barra, helping open the famous academy as a brown belt in 1984. A former teacher of physical education to children, he opened his own academy in 1992. Carlos Gracie Jr gave him permission to use the Gracie Barra name, but after 10 years of partnership Teixeira felt that it was the right time for him to name his own academy, preferring to call it Escola de Jiu-Jitsu Leāo Teixeira (School of Jiu-Jitsu).

He is widely regarded as the best teacher of jiu-jitsu to children in Rio and many black belts from other teams send their children there to train. Ze also runs courses where he trains jiu-jitsu practitioners to become teachers of BJJ to children.

The Escola da Jiu-Jitsu association has representatives throughout Brazil and the UK (headed by Felipe Souza, the team is called BJJ School). Teixeira also serves as a technical director for the IBJJF.

A well-presented space that shares a building with a ballet school, the gym is modestly sized yet class numbers are such that the mat is never crowded. The blue and white matted room is air-conditioned and contain many historic photos on the walls.

The children’s classes are closely supervised with lots of hands-on instruction but the adult classes are much more informal. You warm up by yourself, allowing you to address any individual needs.

The technical instruction is very detailed and the emphasis is on fundamental concepts of control, pressure and leverage. Teixeira teaches in Portuguese but speaks some English so will translate if needed. There are almost always English speakers present.

Sparring is technical. Teixeira’s status and time in the sport mean he has close friendships with many other masters his age, so it’s not unusual to see 4th and 5th degree black belts on the mat, and even a couple of 7th degree red and black belts, including Mauricio Gomes (better known as Roger Gracie’s father).

Though you will encounter veteran grapplers here, there are plenty of competitive youngsters also, including teenage blue and purple belts who are a product of Teixeira’s kids program.

Our thoughts
Though he isn’t particularly well-known outside of Brazil, Jose Henrique ‘Leão’ Teixeira is a true master and an excellent instructor respected by all. He is a teacher’s teacher and training at his academy could benefit any aspiring jiu-jitsu coach.

Fact file
Main instructor: Jose Henrique Leão Teixeira.
Price: Class fee: R$60 / lesson. Pay for 5 lessons and you can train the whole month for free (updated May 2015)
Matspace: Approx 70sqm
Facilities: A plain matted room with matted walls, changing rooms with shower.
Average number of BB’s at training: Around 5-6.
Av number of people per class: 6-12.
Speak English?: Yes
Suggested transport: Bus stop within 3 minutes walk.
MMA / no-gi: No-gi
Other martial arts: No.
Years open: 20+

Address:
Rua dos Oitis, 20
Gávea
Rio de Janeiro
22451-050

Location
Situated on a residential street in the upscale neighbourhood of Gavea, specifically in the area known as ‘Baixo Gavea’, the gym is only a short walk from a main road that runs from Leblon toward Jardim Botanico and Humaita. Thanks to the large circular sign on the outside wall, it is easy to find. Many buses pass along this route. Less than a block away are many bars and restaurants, walk a few minutes further and you will find a mall, supermarket, and many other stores.

Website:
http://www.escoladejiujitsu.com.br/

Timetable:

COMING SOON

VIDEOS

Video by Hywel Teague / BJJHacks for Real Rio Show

External Links:
Jose Henrique ‘Leão’ Teixeira BJJ Heroes profile

The post Escola de jiu-jitsu appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

In this guest blog Jeremy provides some excellent advice for the travelling jiujitsu practitioner, stuff that’s applicable to both on and off the mat.

Tips for Visiting and Training in Brazil

So you’ve made the decision to go to Brazil. You’ve got your passport, your visa and you’ve packed your luggage. You have searched the internet and checked out the travel section at your local book store, but oddly you still feel unprepared. Don’t worry, I’ve been in your shoes before and I’ve taken the time to write down the eight most important things about traveling to Brazil.

Tip 1- Beware the Jet Lag
You have been waiting weeks, months, even years to go to Brazil. When you arrive you’re going to be overwhelmed and if you’re anything like I am, you’re going to want to train as soon as you step off the plane. If you can stifle this urge, wait until you’ve had a good nights sleep.

If waiting is not an option then keep in mind that you are not going to be at the top of your game. At the very least your timing will be off, your blood sugar will be wacko (compliments of airplane food) and you’ll probably be sleep deprived because you’ve been traveling across the world. But don’t stress, because you wont feel any of it. You’ll still be on that adrenaline high of making one of your life dreams come true.

As much as I would like to think you will heed my advice and skip the very first training session, I know better. Just keep in mind that it’s going to take some time to get adjusted to the intensity, high tempo and the climate. The heat and humidity in Rio has a way of trashing your cardio (even if you do P90X).

Tip 2- Buy an English to Portuguese Dictionary
When I arrived in Brazil I did not speak a single world of Portuguese. The plan was to learn through immersion. I’m not exactly sure how I envisioned my lack of Portuguese working out but when the Brazilian Federal Agent at immigration laughed at me I should have taken it as a clue. I was in over my head.

Every time I tried to communicate with someone I became frustrated. I would flip through my phrase books looking for the words that I needed, but could never find them when I needed them. At restaurants I resorted to ordering from my phrase book (via the “food” section) instead of from the menu. I quickly learned the words for “chicken” “rice” and “beans”.

Directions were impossible and at one point I even tried charades. In the end I resigned to looking pitiful and saying “gringo” (foreigner). It’s amazing how much success you can have with looking pitiful and pointing at objects. That’s right folks, I had reverted back to the basics, to my origins, a 2 year old toddler.

The answer to this problem is simple. Get an English to Portuguese Dictionary (or a dictionary that corresponds to your native language). I have found, through much trial and error, that one single word (as long as it’s the right word) can get the job done.

When the waiter is standing in front of you and you want some more ice in your drink you look up the word ice. When you have a headache and you need some medicine you go to the counter at the pharmacy and look up the word “pain” and then point at your head. Really the possibilities are endless and infinitely helpful. I can not tell you how much use my dictionary got.

Tip 3- Listen to Your Body
No one knows your body as well as you do. You’re going to have to return to work, school or at the very least go back to your life. Be real with yourself and plan your training according to how long you’re going to be staying. If you are only in Brazil for a week then try to make as many classes as you can. Drag yourself even when you’re tired, sore, or don’t have a dry kimono, even if it’s to watch, because you’re on a limited time table.

The people staying longer than a week should pace themselves. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re going to stay for two weeks and on day three you’re sore and have trouble moving around it’s time to do a little cost-to-benefit analysis. If you go to class and you injure yourself then you’re out of another whole week of training in Brazil. Sometimes it’s better to take that day off! Remember pain is part of the game but injury is not.

Jeremy training as a brown belt in Brazil

Tip 4- Bring Your Sunscreen
You will find out quickly that space is limited when packing for Brazil. There will be a 1,000 things that you will want to bring and only enough space for half. Some things like the camera and kimonos will be non negotiable, but other objects will seem easy to replace once you get to Brazil. One of those objects that usually doesn’t make the cut is sunscreen.

The Brazilian economy is extremely bizarre. Some things in Brazil are dirt cheap. Juice, for example, is INSANELY cheap. You can get a litre of freshly made juice for less than $2. If you’re a meat eater you can get a package of six filet mignon for $10. If you like fresh produce, a tomato is like 5 or 10 cents.

Now if you want anything that is electronic and that could be considered a luxury item the price is outrageous. Shoes can cost three or four times as much as they would in your home country, computers are at least twice as expensive and for reasons unknown to me things like sunscreen are crazy expensive.

Regardless of what you decide to bring and what you decide to buy upon your arrival there will be some instances where you will be left scratching your head in wonder. Just realize that it usually works out in your favour in the long run. From my experience it is extremely cheap to survive but extremely expensive to thrive.

Tip 5- Get Private Lessons
This is one of the best tips I can give anyone going to Brazil to train. Set this aside into your budget. Typically the cost is about R$100 per lesson, although I’m sure you can get them for less if you buy in bulk. Check the exchange rate and make sure to negotiate.

If you’re only going for a week I highly recommend getting one every day you train. Allow it to replace one of the training sessions in the day. This can be a way to still get in great training while saving something in the tank for later.

Do not limit yourself to the same instructor for every private. Vary it up and try to have the instructor show you things that they are good at. If you have a favourite position or just want to know a specific technique look around the academy during roll time and see if anyone is doing it. If you cant find someone it’s a good idea to ask around.

Do not limit yourself to only black belt instruction. There will be some amazing talent that is a bit young. There were three or four brown belts that I would take classes from (and I’m a black belt). You need to remember that some of those guys that are wearing brown belts are in their late teens and early twenties and have been training for 13-15 years. As an added bonus when you ask one of the brown belts to teach you a private they often will give you a discounted price, give you extra attention and are more enthusiastic to do it.

Tip 6- Make Friends
Wether you’re going to Brazil to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or just taking the family on vacation, it is important to become friends with someone that knows their way around and can show you the real Brazil. As much fun as the beach in Copacabana is, it is nice to get away from the touristy parts of Brazil and enjoy some of the more cultural experiences that Brazil has to offer. Some of my fondest memories were made possible because of my Brazilian friends. These things would never have been possible as a gringo because I wouldn’t have even known they existed.

Remember that foreigners are exotic by definition and people are drawn to exotic things. People will want to be your friend, they will want to talk with you (even if you only speak cave man Portuguese) and they will want to introduce you to their friends. Immersion is easy, just be light hearted, smile a lot and don’t be afraid to get involved.

Just about everything is in your favour. It is almost impossible to say something stupid (or at least get held accountable for saying something stupid). Not only is it amusing to a Brazilian when you cant say something, it’s hysterical when you say the wrong thing. Play it to your advantage, if you don’t get it right they’ll laugh, feel sorry for you and then help you out.

Tip 7- Take Notes
You are going to experience so much BJJ in such a short period of time that it can easily slip your mind what you worked on yesterday morning never mind last week. After you return home everyone is going to ask you what you learned and it would be a shame to show them one or two techniques and then say “well, we rolled a lot”.

Every day when you get home from class write down what you did. Don’t be afraid to ask the other people that you’re staying with (if they train BJJ) what you guys went over in class. When taking notes write down key words in your description that can help you recall the technique when you return home. Do your best to record everything because when you go home and you don’t have a classroom with 15 black belts in it you will want to rep out the techniques.

I can not stress this enough, write it down!

Tip 8- Take Photos of Everything
Buy a digital digital camera, maybe even two (in case you lose one or one breaks) and take photos of everything. The time you spend in Brazil is going to be a memory that you have forever and the photos you have will be very important to you.

I have close to 3,000 photos of the time that I spent in Brazil (although in my defence I was there a long time) and I constantly look at them. Aside from Brazil being beautiful and wanting the photos, I have a terrible memory and when I look through the photos it instantly transports me back to that time. And in case you didn’t know there is a huge difference between looking at a photo of a monkey and looking at a photo YOU took of a monkey. If you don’t believe me…well you probably never took a picture of a monkey.

Jeremy is a black belt in jiu-jitsu and the head instructor at Great Grappling in Charlotte, NC and Fort Mill, SC.

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The post Training BJJ in Brazil: A Black Belt’s Advice appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Here is a list of five of the most commonly seen mistakes people make when they’re here to train BJJ in Rio.

Expecting different? Jiu-jitsu is jiu-jitsu wherever you go.

1: Expecting it to be amazingly different

Alright, let’s just put this one to bed right now. No, you will not be taught mind-boggling secret techniques the Brazilians have been keeping to themselves for decades. You won’t encounter revolutionary training methodologies that make your own efforts seem half-hearted in comparison.

In fact, what you will find is actually very, very similar to what you already know back home: a big group of people rolling around on a mat trying to choke each other out.

If you’re expecting something magical, then the truth is that you’re in for a disappointment. The way the Brazilians teach has been rolled out as the standard practice in gym across the world, so classes follow almost exactly the same format: warm up, technique, drilling, sparring.

What you will find is many grapplers with years of experience, more black belts on one mat than are in some cities elsewhere, and a depth of knowledge unlike anywhere else in the world.

Always work what you’re shown, even if it seems boring.

2: Writing off the techniques as ‘boring’

When people arrive to train jiu-jitsu in Rio they expect to be exposed to techniques they’ve never seen before. Everyone secretly hopes to see some techniques that have until now been guarded from the eyes of curious gringos, but again, the reality is very different.

Almost without exception, the techniques that are taught in BJJ gyms in Rio are almost always fundamental moves and positions. You won’t see the teachers demonstrating a flying reverse berimbolo or an upside-down X-guard back take, but instead you will be taught core positions and submissions that work for everyone, regardless of skill level, size or age. After all, this is the BJJ that works.

That’s not to say you won’t see guys in the gym busting out slick moves in sparring, but these are techniques they’ll have picked up and developed by themselves or with a small group of like-minded training partners.

Regardless of your level, suck up your ego and treat this as a back-to-basics exercise. You may think you’ve seen that mount escape before, but look closely and you’ll probably find subtle details of pressure and movement that could completely change your game. More than once we’ve been blown away by minutiae that we’ve never seen before. Keep an open mind at all times.

Knowing when to take a break can save you much agony in the long run

3: Not knowing when to back off

When you first arrive to train jiu-jitsu in Rio you’ll be pumped up, full of enthusiasm and raring to go. “Training twice a day? Why not three times a day?” is a common battle-cry of those fresh off the plane, and is by far the most common cause of scuppering training plans of eager grapplers.

If you normally train a few times a week back home, or even as much as once a day, upping the volume of your training by over 200% in the space of a week isn’t exactly a recipe for success.

Let’s say you normally do five 90-minute classes a week. That’s seven and a half hours of training. If you suddenly jump to doing two sessions a day Mon to Fri, with another session on a Saturday morning, then you’ll have spent 16 and a half hours on the mat.

How long can your body hold out under such an increased demand? Barring injuries or illness, the average is about two to three weeks. We’ve seen this happen again and again. Guys come out here and charge into their new training schedule, only to end up destroyed when their body crumbles under the pressure.

Pace yourself, don’t be afraid to take a day off if necessary and above all listen to your body. What’s worse than coming to Brazil and not making the most of your training? Coming to Brazil and being unable to train at all. Listen to people who learned this lesson the hard way.

Train competitively but always be respectful

4: Trying to take home trophy taps

You’ve been paired up with an older black belt who’s tired after a few rounds of sparring. Though you’re only a blue belt, your youth and athleticism mean you’ve got him on the run. You go after him, hell for leather, trying your hardest to get that tap – because if you do, that means you’re one step closer to black belt, right? Wrong!

The only thing this will get you is a subsequent beatdown from the rest of the black belts. Be warned, they notice everything, and if you’re going after higher grades in an effort to show off or prove something, they’ll be more than happy to put you in your place.

Be respectful when you roll and remember that to tap is training is no big deal – it’s not a competition and it’s all a learning experience. And just because you caught a higher grade on an off day doesn’t mean the same thing can’t happen to you. Forget trying to take home trophies.

Drilling your weak areas is important, but especially so when training jiu-jitsu in Rio

5: Not drilling by yourself

One thing you will find in Rio jiu-jitsu gyms is that not much time is given to the drilling of techniques. You’ll be given time to try the move out with a partner but few gyms run rounds of specific drilling, leaving you little time to get in quality reps against a resisting partner.

That’s why getting to class early or staying late is so important. Instead of just going straight home after rolling, stay for a few rounds and put in some work on specific positions. The effort will be likely noticed by others in the gym and they’ll usually be happy to offer advice or feedback, which can go a long way to plugging those holes in your game.

Taking responsibility for your own training is important in a laid-back culture like the one you’ll find in Rio de Janeiro. The teachers and coaches will never force you to put in any extra work than necessary, but they will always reward those who display a genuine desire to improve by giving you important advice.

Make the most of your time training jiu-jitsu in Rio and you’ll be amazed at what you can get back out of it.

Photos by Train BJJ in Rio, Connection Rio and BJJ Pix.

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The post 5 BIGGEST Mistakes People Make When Training BJJ in Brazil appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Checkmat is one of the most prolific teams on the competition scene right now, thanks to their massive association of worldwide affiliates and elite level black belts. As a result, their Rio-based academy is high on the list of places many visitors wish to train at. Located right in the heart of the south zone of Rio de Janeiro, the area most popular with tourists, it is close to many hotels and hostels and the attractions of the city are never far away.

Formed in 2008 by brothers Leo and Rico Vieira, both multiple time world champions, the Checkmat team grew rapidly and expanded across the world, yet they retain a strong presence in Brazil. Leozinho lives and teaches in Sao Paulo, while Ricardinho remains in Rio not far from where the two brothers grew up. They both travel extensively, teaching and going to tournaments, but Rico can almost always be found on the familiar red mats of FightZone.

The gym is set at the back of a nondescript building sandwiched between a shoe store and a mini-market. The green gates and tiny faded sign give little indication of the jiu-jitsu powerhouse within. Walk up 2 or 3 steps and to the end of the long corridor to find the front door of the gym.

You will always find many visitors from around the world training at Checkmat. It’s not unusual to see people from the US, the UK, Canada, European countries and even Japan. There is a open-door policy to people from other gyms. Ricardo leads almost all of the classes himself. The techniques are taught in both Portuguese and English.

The warm-ups are your usual mix of running, breakfalls and bodyweight exercises. There is a strong conceptual bias to the tuition, and plenty of rounds of positional sparring. C Classes last for 2 hours.

‘King of the mat’ drills are popular and used frequently. There is rolling every class, yet Wednesday is known as ‘sparring day’, as Rico will match the partners (instead of just grabbing someone to roll with, as happens on the other days).

The attitude at Checkmat is casual yet the training is spirited and the sparring is competitive. Rico is a strong leader yet can often be found on the mats rolling, or joking around with the guys.

Our Thoughts
Probably one of the top 3 most competitive BJJ gyms in Rio de Janeiro Checkmat is full of young guys eager to become tournament winners, but it is also suitable for those who don’t wish to compete. The training is innovative and you’ll see positions and techniques popular on today’s competition scene. There is a strong camaraderie in the gym and this bond explains much of the team’s success.

Academy Fact File:
Head instructor: Ricardo Vieira, supported by Sandro Vieira (no relation).
Price: 1 class = R$350 / month (updated May 2015)
Matspace: Approx 100sqm
Facilities: Matted floors and walls, shower and changing rooms for both sexes.
Average number of BB’s at training: Between 5-8, 30 blacks belts training there regularly (not all at the same time)
Av number of people per class: 20-30
Speak English?: Just enough.
Location: Copacabana, 2 blocks from the beach, less than 5 min walk from Ipanema.
Suggested transport: Multiple bus stops within one block.
MMA / no-gi: No-gi.
Years open: 10.
Titles / champions / championships:
1st Place Europeans Adult (2009);
1st Place Europeans Female (2011);
1st Place No-Gi World Champions (2008, 2009, 2011);
1st Place Europeans Master & Senior (2010, 2011);
2nd Place World Championship (2011)
3rd Place World Championship (2010, 2009)
Notable students: Based at Checkmat Rio, Yuri Simoes, Marina Ribeiro.

Address:
36 Rua Francisco Sa
Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro

Location:
Well positioned in the southern end of Copacabana on Rua Francisco Sa, Checkmat is two blocks from Copacabana beach near the historic Posto 6. Only 5 minutes walk away in Ipanema is the subway station General Osorio, which has major bus links to Barra da Tijuca and subway to the rest of the South Zone. The location is difficult to spot first time due to the lack of an external sign.

Website:

http://www.checkmatbjj.com

Timetable:

Video:

External links:

Ricardo Vieira BJJ Heroes profile

Checkmat team profile BJJ Heroes

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