For a chill person both on and off the BJJ mats, having only 5 pet peeves is good I think...
For someone who has been doing jiu-jitsu for a long time, I can safely say that most jiu-jitsu people are not uptight and are generally chill. I can most certainly say this about myself. But there are some things in jiu-jitsu that I cannot forgo especially when it comes to my health, safety, and sanity.
That being said, here are my top 5 BJJ pet peeves. If you agree with any of these or you have more to add, be sure to connect with me on Instagram @blackgirlwhitegi_bjj
Pet Peeve 1: Walking into the Jiu-Jitsu Gym with Your Gi (and other training clothes) On
I always write in many of my jiu-jitsu posts that you and your face will be mopped all over the mat floor. Because of this, I believe that you should keep anything that you’ll be wearing extra clean. This means that your gi, your belt, and your rashguard and spats on no-gi days should not be worn walking into the gym.
You might think that your home and your form of transportation are clean (especially if you drive a car) but what about everything that you encounter between putting on your gi and entering the gym? Also, in Shanghai, where I lived for seven years, most people take public transportation which is not clean. When I see someone walk into the gym fully dressed to get right onto the mat, it makes me not want to roll with them.
Minimize the amount of contact that your gi has with the outside world by putting your gi and training clothes in a bag and changing when you get to the gym.
For no-gi days, if you don’t want to change at the gym, wear clothes over your rashguards, shorts, and spats.
Pet Peeve 2: Making Comments on How Men Roll vs. How Women Roll
There is the age-old tale about how men and women are different and how our mannerisms differ in life and jiu-jitsu. But nothing grinds my gears more than when men make comments about how women train or how a specific woman is training. We all have specific ways of doing things and it doesn’t matter if you’re a woman or man. Comments about how someone is training are not necessary or warranted unless that person is injuring you.
Also, you can do whatever you want but I think open conversations in front of other training partners in the gym where everyone can hear you is disrespectful. Save those conversations for outside of the gym or in a private chat.
Pet peeve 3: White Belts Coaching and Giving Wrong Techniques/Tips
Everyone has their way of learning and absorbing information to get better. Sometimes even if you’re a lower belt or have been training less time than someone else, you can have some insights to offer while training with someone so you can help your partner get better.
What I can’t stand though is when someone is offering unsolicited advice while training or while someone is rolling, especially when it’s the wrong advice. I’ve trained with white belts who tell me that I should do something when it’s the opposite of what the coach (or BJJ logic) says. Or when they see other white belts roll, they feel like they have the authority to coach even though they are telling them the wrong things.
Pet peeve 4: Long Nails
As someone who loves to get her nails done, I can understand the desire to have long nails with fancy designs. But, although having nails can be seen as something pretty and feminine, there is a limit to the length of the nails you should have while doing jiu-jitsu. You can still have pretty nails and keep them short.
This isn’t only limited to people who love getting their nails done. While someone is rolling with you, they shouldn’t come out of the roll with multiple scratches all over their face and body. I have been scratched in the face by someone’s toenail which is very gross.
Please keep your nails on your hands and feet short.
Pet Peeve 5: People with Poor Hygiene on the BJJ Mats
Poor hygiene is a pet peeve that most people have when it comes to doing jiu-jitsu. Jiu-jitsu is a close-contact sport so people will smell you if you’re not clean. In addition, not maintaining good hygiene can result in diseases such as STAPH infections and ringworm. Showering regularly both before and after class, cutting nails, and properly washing your training gear are some of the easiest ways you can maintain good hygiene.
Making the BJJ Mats Comfortable for All
As stated before, I am a stress-free and chill person who doesn’t let much bother me. But, when it comes to these pet peeves, I can’t help but to be grossed out and speak my mind. Everyone has things that bother them, but these pet peeves express my desire to train in a healthy and happy environment.
Question: What are some of your jiu-jitsu pet peeves? Tell me in the comments or on my Instagram @blackgirlwhitegi_bjj
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