Have you ever thought how many hats your coach wears?

Probably not.

Running an Academy is a hard thing to do, it's very time consuming and those that take the big step in running something like this full time have very little time for themselves. More often than not athletes or parents of athletes don't give any thought or consideration to these people and what they encounter each day.

Quite often the main person that runs your Academy is not just the head coach but they are also;

• book keeper
• mentor/friend
• cleaner
• maintenance 
• reception
• mediator
• and a whole lot more!

If you're at a good Academy, what you'll find is that the owner is spending in excess of 10 hours a day to ensure that the running of the facility and classes are what the consumer would expect to receive.

But what's a good Academy?

To define what a good Academy you need to ask yourself;

• is it clean
• is it open on time
• are the classes structured
• is it a safe and welcoming environment
• is it comfortable (not just for the athlete)
• does the Academy communicate (not just personally but by newsletters, texts, etc)

If all these boxes are checked then you are in a good place, trust me. I've trained at places where

• the mats were only cleaned once weekly for an hour 
• the head coach asked me after I'd trained for three months one day if this was my first class
• only invited select people to 'functions'

What many Academy owners don't appreciate, is how lazy people are becoming, specifically with regards to information or how poorly they treat the facility (such as furniture). 

With the amount of technology out there, it's not hard to go on the web and look at your Academy's website to see what's going on or even reading their newsletter (if they have one). Some Academies have an app that can provide information as to what's going on, but more often than not the parents or athletes disregard this information claiming they didn't know.

Nothing is more disheartening when cleaning the facility to find shoe prints on furniture, rubbish or food left on the ground or the place left in a real mess. It doesn't happen at home so why let your kids jump on the couch or spill food everywhere? 

It's pretty disrespectful.

Whilst many BJJ Academy owners are typically the main coach, they also have 'normal' jobs outside of the Academy.  Not only does an Academy owner have the stressors of the BJJ school, their lives outside the academy requires attention like;

• immediate family and friends
• mortgage 
• their main job
• home maintenance

Their working week would well and truly exceed 80 hours a week.

Many Academy owners do this whilst they try to get their Academy up and running to a point where they may be able to take a wage. But this takes years as they need a consistent number members for it to be lucrative, and I'm talking over 200, even then they are probably taking a wage cut.

Whilst Academy owners want to share their passion of the sport with the local community, they never look to be a peace keeper or clean up after a child has made a mess whilst the parent/guardian could have cleaned it.

So the next time you see your main coach at the Academy, why not thank them for what they do for you or your child that trains. After all they are just trying to share their passion and make an already tough sport an enjoyable one.

Reg Peters
2nd degree black belt

Over the years I have had several ‘conversations’ with ‘school principals’ over the rights of a child to legally (and ethically) be able to defend themselves from physical assault …

Sure - I get it that schools have a ZERO FIGHTING/BULLYING POLICY - but there needs to be a clear distinction made between that and a ZERO SELF DEFENCE POLICY! The fact is that a ZERO SELF DEFENCE policy is a breach of human rights - as well as a policy that would stand clearly outside the scope of the law. The simple fact is that common law and legal defence trumps school policy.

If the assault was an emergent event, there is simply no time to go and call a teacher - if it was as easy as that, all assaults in the world could be prevented by just politely asking the criminal to wait, while we call the local police and solicit their assistance. The bottom line is this - we all have a legal and intrinsic human right to be able to ‘defend ourselves’ from physical violence.

The school policy of ‘zero tolerance for physical assault’ has already been breached when a child is assaulted by a bully - and that is where the civil right of being able to defend ourselves kicks in.

For those few school principles who do not understand this basic legal right, I ask the following: if they themselves were physically assaulted in their workplace, or in their own house, would they simply lay down and accept the assault or would they try to defend themselves? Any reasonable person already knows the answer to this question

The school has a duty of care to protect our children from physical assault on their premises. When they have neglected to take appropriate action, and students are forced to defend themselves, it raises certain legal questions? For this reason, it is good for parents of victims of bullying to keep records (written email to principles, etc) that show a history of what their child has had to deal with. This can be useful if it ever comes to charges being laid (against the school for example).
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When a child does need to defend themselves against physical assault, the best possible strategies are grappling-based strategies. When the bully can be physically controlled without the need to resort to striking, this offers the best all-round solution. The two most salient reasons are these:

1. that the bully is less likely to want to physically assault the victim again after they have been physically controlled to the point of helplessness
2. through grappling and control-based strategies, the minimal amount of damage is inflicted upon the perpetrator (unlike striking-based strategies)

Simple questions for principles:

Are they saying it is against their policy for students to defend themselves?

Let’s be very very clear on this?

Because the answer might raise several legal arguments. All Australian citizens have a legal right to be able to defend themselves from physical assault.

Are they training all students in situational awareness to the point of providing the kind of capability that would allow students to report impending incidents? Because if they are not, how can they reasonably expect a student to report something that is ‘evolving’ so that a teacher can prevent the assault before it occurs?

The school might well have a zero tolerance for bullying policy, but so should each and every child. A clear distinction needs to be made between Zero Tolerance for Physical Assault - and Physical Strategies for Self Defence.

In my view, a principle who is incapable of making such a simple distinction , isn’t equipped to do his or her job.

John B Will
BJJ 6th Degree Black Belt

For this to be answered, we have to look at the different age groups and how it works in each demographic.

But before we do, I just want to let you know that more often than not, stripe promotions are awarded so that the COACH knows where the individual is in their training.

So, without further adieu lets get into it!

Every human likes their couple of minutes of fame. It doesn't matter what the individual is doing everyone likes recognition. Some will go out of their way to get it, others aren't bothered by it.

Like life, if you want to be good at anything you have to put in the hard work. I like to tell people that if they want to be a good runner, run. A good golfer, time on the course as well as driving range will help. Want to be good at BJJ, time on the mat, end of story.

Pee Wees are awarded their stripes typically by the amount of classes they attend although, sometimes we use the stripe as a way to motivate positive behavior. When the child can participate in a warm up without any difficulties (such as not listening or reluctance to participate like lying on the mat) then they would be considered more favourable and in some respects may receive a stripe earlier.

Second and third stripes (attendance based) are typically awarded when the athlete can identify the different positions with little to no prompting, and they start to understand how the positions work in a wrestle.

By the time they have their fourth stripe, they are actually ready for the next belt, grey. From here it is simply time on the mat by way of attendance, level of participation and ability.

Belt rank for Pee Wees is White, Grey/White, Grey, Grey/Black.

Juniors when they can tie their belt and pants is a good start! The other aspect is their ability to have an understanding of and be able to conduct primary movements such as shrimping and rolling (not wrestling), their level of participation and attitude all contribute to the first stripe.

After the first stripe, the athletes level of participation and attendance plays a major contribution towards each and every stripe. However, they must also have an understanding of the position that they work on each term.

There are four major positions in the sport and they are; guard, mount, side control and back control.

Each child will learn in the Juniors these four positions in attack, defence and escape. Once they have completed a four school terms they will be more than eligible for the coveted yellow belt.

Any Pee Wee that moves up into this group with a grey belt will remain at this belt for a period of time until they have assimilated to the group and are performing at that groups level, no longer a Pee Wee.

Belt rank for Juniors is White, Yellow/White, Yellow, Yellow Black.

Please note that all Pee Wees and Juniors are awarded coloured belts with a white or black band (or the belt is a solid colour). This does two things; 1 - differentiates the level of experience for the coaches and, 2 - places the child in a position of hierarchy in terms of training length, expected knowledge and expected behavior. 

Teens are graded very similarly with stripes. The biggest aspect of their training as a white belt is understanding the four main positions (as per Juniors) and attending class regularly. Yellow is the first coloured belt to be awarded.

Belt promotions in the Teens is a hard and long process. Many will quit because of external influences or lack of passion for the sport. 

Stripes are awarded based on their regular attendance but there is a considerable time difference between each stripe and belt. Other factors include their ability to learn and execute technique that is considered advanced, to take a risk and learn from the mistakes. This is where the true philosophy of Jiu Jitsu comes into play (as with advanced belts in the Juvenile and Adult categories).

Another reason why there is such a considerable space between stripes and belts is due to the fact that once they are 16 years old they are awarded their blue belt and they will be challenged by all Juveniles (16/17yrs) and Adults in the team when they wrestle. By now many Teens at the Orange/Green belt level would certainly place the adults on notice with their skill set.

The belt structure for our Teens is White, Yellow, Orange and Green.

Juvenile and Adult stripe promotions are based on attendance and required knowledge. All Juvenile/Adults participate in our 12 week white belt program which covers the four basic positions (along with techniques that enhance the main four). They must complete a full cycle prior to be eligible for a stripe, and complete four full cycles prior to being awarded their blue belt.

Blue belt is a hard belt for this demographic. They will be there quite possibly longer than any other belt in the system. This is because the blue belt is about learning their own game. Learning about their attacks and how to maintain a dominant position. 

A blue belt should expect to be at that belt for at least two and a half years. As such, more people leave the sport at this belt than any other belt.

At de Been Wodonga, purple and brown belts won't be awarded stripes. Now it is about their dedication to the sport, sharing knowledge and researching technique for themselves along with continual improvement.

Belt colours for this demographic are White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black.

In closing, stripes are primarily a way for the coach to view the athlete. Whilst it is gratifying to be awarded a stripe, all athletes should focus on their own journey not the end state as this will make the best athlete.

Signing up your child for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be a positive life changing experience and provides lifelong benefits. Children learn essential life skills like discipline, perseverance, and dedication, which often stay with them for the rest of their lives. 

BJJ classes also help to improve your child’s confidence and can reduce the risk of them becoming victims to bullies as martial arts like BJJ also teach kids non-violent ways to stick up for themselves and stand up to bullies. 

So lets look at some of the ways learning BJJ gives your child skills that promote healthy development during their young and adult years. 

1) Teaches important life lessons
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It’s easy to tell a child hard work pays off, but there’s a good chance that goes in one of their ears and out the other as soon as you say it. Children respond better when you show things to them. 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches children the importance of hard work as they develop into martial artists. Every child starts as a white belt, and they might find themselves struggling with some techniques. Over time, many of these techniques become as easy as walking for the child, and they realize the countless times they drilled the technique paid off. 

Over time, the child’s arsenal of techniques grows, and they might even get promoted to a higher belt. Martial art belt ranking systems are an effective way to show children the rewards of all their training. It provides a visual representation of all the work the child has put in with their training. 

The importance of hard work isn’t the only life lesson BJJ teaches kids. Perseverance is essential to excel at martial arts since you have to be willing to drill techniques hundreds of times before they become part of your muscle memory. 

Training also improves a child’s ability to pay attention in learning environments. Training requires the child to sit still and be quiet as the instructor explains techniques and drills. 

2) Protects against bullies

A good BJJ kids program also teaches children helpful ways to stand up to bullies without getting into a physical confrontation.

Study a few bullies, and a clear pattern begins to emerge.

Bullies tend to be cowards who pick on weak or socially isolated children. That’s why you rarely hear about the kid who is the football team captain getting bullied.

That kid is likely in great shape, and probably has lots of teammates who back them up if they confront a bully. 

Bullies like things easy, so they typically look for the path of least resistance. 

Martial arts can make a child more confident, and it helps to develop their social skills. That on its own helps to protect children against bullies. A good BJJ kids program also teaches children helpful ways to stand up to bullies without getting into a physical confrontation. 

BJJ is like a super power and children that participate in BJJ quite often look the most unassuming of people. They may be quirky and 'different', but they are the most confident of individuals based on the fact that they are tested every time they step on the mat to wrestle. This is where their confidence comes from. 

3) Pulls them away from their electronic devices

Martial arts like BJJ can provide a fun, engaging physical activity a child enjoys more than playing with electronic toys.

One of the biggest complaints modern parents have is how challenging it can be to get their children off their smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. Nowadays, children are bombarded with so much technology it can lead to them developing unhealthy habits early on in life.  A babysitter that you don't have to pay for.

Physical activity has always been good for kids, but you have to pull them away from their devices first. 

Martial arts like BJJ can provide a fun, engaging physical activity a child enjoys more than playing with electronic toys. As the child develops a passion for BJJ, they may be less inclined to spend on unproductive activities like browsing their phones.  

But every child is different.

4) Improved social skills

BJJ helps to improve a child’s social skills.

Some children struggle with learning how to socialize, and BJJ classes can help them overcome that hurdle.

BJJ classes give children an opportunity to mingle with kids of all ages outside of school or extra-curricular activities. 

That can be the difference-maker for a child who struggles with forming friendships with their peers due to issues like shyness. 

Martial arts like BJJ provide a fun learning environment that allows even the most timid of children to come out of their shells. The improved social skills they learn during classes will carry over to other activities, and it will remain helpful as they grow into adulthood. 

Children who lack social skills have a higher risk of being the target of bullies. That can cause mental issues that stay with the child for the rest of their lives, like low self-esteem. 

5) Keeps their bodies and minds healthy

BJJ gives your child something productive to do that’s great for their mental and physical health.

You probably heard this old saying a few times before, “A healthy body leads to a healthy mind.” This isn’t something older people tell children to get them to engage in more physical activities. It’s backed by science. 

Exercise leads to feel-good hormones like dopamine being secreted in the brain, improving a child’s mood and protecting them against mental disorders. 

BJJ is one of the most touted martial arts when it comes to how much it works the body. Training burns lots of calories, helping your child to maintain a healthy weight.

It gives them something productive to do that’s great for their mental health, so they don’t spend all day on their phones doing bad things for their mental health like excessive social media use. 

6) Teaches personal responsibility

A child who learns BJJ is more likely to grow into an adult that takes responsibility for their actions and learns from their mistakes.

Learning BJJ teaches children they are responsible for the outcomes they get in life.

If they train hard and commit to their training, they might notice themselves improving faster than kids who seem to be more naturally gifted.  

When the child loses while rolling (sparring) or competing, they are taught to take personal responsibility for their outcome by going over things they could have done differently and working on their weaknesses.

As a result, the child is more likely to grow into an adult that takes responsibility for their actions and learns from their mistakes. 

So the next time you're having a conversation with a parent about BJJ, these are some points that might further convince them about trying this out for their child.

I remember once upon a time, my ears were pierced. I had three, one in each lobe and the third was high on the ear. 

Unfortunately they didn't last very long as they were pretty much ripped out through training. I accepted that it was my fault as I didn't allow them to heal and I thought I was smarter than my coach at the time.

So lets look at jewellery and why you don't want to wear them at training.

Irrespective of your cultural heritage, religious beliefs or expressing yourself with your jewellery it's about looking after your teammates.

Wearing jewellery increases the chances of injuring them by way of cuts, abrasions even puncture wounds. If you injure your teammates, are you prepared to pay their mat fees whilst they are having the time off as well as your own? 

Earing's - Hoops collapse and studs can pierce either your teammate or yourself.
Just imaging playing someone and they are applying pressure through the 'cross face' or you are in a triangle. Your ear is pretty much being squashed into your head.

Maybe your Gi has been pulled up high and its over your ear when a choke is being applied, when the gi gets pulled back into position and you're wearing studs the chances of them getting caught are pretty high. If you're wearing studs the back might come off and you'll lose the earing, worse you end up having a nice puncture wound in the side of the head.

Athletes that have the 'fleshy' earrings take them out and tape up the holes just in case they get caught!

Watches - Sometimes we forget we are wearing one and it's something that will hurt your teammate, gouge or even tear the mats surface. The worst part about wearing a watch in some respects is the small embarrassment when you are reminded to take it off. Just make sure you have a joke about time ready to go.

Necklaces - Like the watch, we forget we wear one most occasions. Hopefully your coach or teammate will help identify that you are wearing one before you start drilling. Although, I dare say you'd identify it pretty quickly when you are in the warm up as it jiggles with your body movement.

Bangles and anklets - Yeah, naaa, these have to be removed, no questions asked. Even if they are made of cotton. The potential for these to hurt your teammate are way too high, plus they can almost be used as a weapon.

Fingers and toes have the potential to either get caught in them or fingernails can get torn by them.

Body piercings - Although they may be hidden under a rashie or gi, you are taking a risk in having one. Some athletes even tape them up so that the friction of the material doesn't catch on the jewellery and tear the skin.

If you hurt yourself, that's on you. But when you hurt your teammate, that's when you really need to review what it means to wear your jewellery on the mat. It's no fashion parade, it's a grappling based sport and there is too much at stake.

So what do you do if you see someone wearing something?

Ask them to remove it, if they don't, don't partner up with them and tell your coach.

At the end of the day, ​you can't compete wearing jewellery so why train with it on?

To save you the heart ache of losing your jewellery or injuring someone, it's best to just to remove them altogether. Just don't get shitty if your teammate or coach asks you to remove them otherwise you might just not get to train that day.

One of the questions hated by most coaches in BJJ is something like this; Hey coach, where's the first aid station?  I need a band aid because I cut myself at work. Or, do you have nail clippers? I need to cut my nails!

First things first. First aid stations are for first aid, not your cut or blister that you got at home or at work. If we handed out items from our first aid kit, we wouldn't have anything for a real first aid situation.
Nail clippers, hell I don't share mine purely for the fact that I don't know what fungus resides in your nails or on your skin.
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One of the main things that is needed by all Jiu Jitsu athletes is a simple first aid kit.

Now, I'm not talking about carrying something that resembles the back of an ambulance, or resides on the wall at the workplace. That's just plain ridiculous. I'm talking about something as simple as a Tupperware container with some items that will help you stay on the right side of your coach and teammates, and prepare you for any mishaps on the mat.

Item 1 - Nail Clippers
If you can scratch your own arm with your fingernails or your leg with your toenails, chances are you will inadvertently so the same to your teammates. 
Keep them trim and you won't have to share your first aid kit with someone you've cut.
Don't share them, be selfish. Heck, I am.

Item 2 - Band Aids
These come in super handy if you've just wrestled someone that resembles a wedgetail egal or a crocodile (aka has got long fingernails), or you have split the skin somehow prior to or at training.
Don't get plastic latex ones, get the tough durable material ones. They seem to work really well in conjunction with strapping tape.

Item 3 - Fixmol Tape
This stuff is amazing for wounds such as blisters or abrasions of the skin. 
When I was in the Army either out field or on operation, this stuff was used for open blisters, cuts and abrasions.
you stick it straight on a clean wound and leave it. The wound will heal naturally even though you have this tape directly on it. This tape helps reduce the bacteria from entering the wound.
Allow the tape to come away from the wound over time otherwise if you take if off, you may just take the scab off.

Item 4 - Rigid Strapping Tape
For people that know who Andrew Carey was back when he played AFL for the Roos, you would have seen his shoulders taped right up with this stuff.
Rigid strapping tape is used for taping ankles, thumbs, shoulders, the list goes on. 
What it does is help with keeping a joint stable through its normal range of motion, and eliminates any excess movement. But that's only good for about 30 or so minutes as it does stretch (not much) and it will give way.
I personally like to purchase a 1 1/2 inch - 2 inch roll as I can tear it to make my own finger tape or use it to strap parts of my body that need support.
The BEST part about this tape, is to use it if you have a band aid on. Wrap the band aid once maybe twice and your band aid will not come off.

Item 5 - Kinesiology Tape (Rock Tape)
This stuff is expensive and I don't really use much of it.
The premise behind this tape is to tape your body or limb so that as you get into a 'range of motion' it starts to become tight and in turn help you identify the limit of your current injury/restriction.
I have this tape pre cut into squares and I only use it for my elbows. There's a long story there but I acquired some injuries during my time in the military and this tape has helped me over time.
Cross fitters love the stuff, probably because of the funky colours it comes in, and maybe the odd injury here or there.
If this hasn't been prescribed by a physio or sports therapist, don't go and buy it.

Item 6 - Panadol/Disprin
I use panadol or disprin more prior to competition than training.
I might chew the prescribed amount as I find it helps take the edge off any niggling pain sensations I might already have.
It's also good if I'm starting to get a headache prior or during training as well.

Item 7 - Nasal Spray
The same stuff that's used for a cold or flu.
I use this when I'm competing. A couple of squirts up the nose and I'm good to breath through my nose just like a set of extractors on a good car.

Item 8 - Chap Stick
These are great for your lips especially if you wear a mouth guard. Taking your mouth guard in and out all the time dries your lips out. Even if you don't wear a mouth guard, this is still something that will help keep your lips moist!

Item 9 - IBJJF or AFBJJ Cards
When competing you are required to provide some form of identification. When competing at these specific tournaments keep them as a part of your first aid container with you, That way you'll never forget them.

So there you have it team, your very own first aid kit to help you for the future regardless of whether you are a competitive athlete or not.

Just remember, your cuts and abrasion (along with your nails) are yours and you should look after them yourself prior to getting on the mat. Don't be lazy and ask your coach or admin staff for stuff because really it's your problem, and if we keep handing it out then we'll never have anything for the times we need it.

Reading into the current restrictions and regulations for a small business owner is very difficult. In fact, it's like watching a really bad horror movie where you can tell exactly what's going to happen about five minutes before it actually happens.

Not only that, it has become so confusing that you might as well add comedy to the horror movie.

To say it's frustrating is an understatement.

Irrespective of your personal view regarding the restrictions, regulations and vaccinations, we are a small business that just wants to share our passion with the community. As such we will follow the rules and regulations as mandated by the Victorian government in order to ensure first and foremost the health and well being of our athletes and members. Secondly, to ensure that we can stay in business.

Please do not post on social media or share your opinion of how we are managing the current situation as it is very embarrassing and uncomfortable for both parties especially if you only follow the rhetoric on social media.

As you read on, all links to this literature are available by using your thumb.

The Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan sets out how we can safely reopen, while also supporting our health system to ensure Victorians can still get the healthcare they need, when they need it most.
The Roadmap has been developed based on expert modelling from the Burnet Institute and is set against COVID-19 thresholds including hospitalisation rates, and the vaccination targets already set out in the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID-19 Response. 

Victoria's Roadmap can be read HERE

People who are considered fully vaccinated.
You are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the purposes of attending a venue if:

• you have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or
• you have a valid medical exemption to COVID-19 vaccination issued by an authorised medical practitioner, or
• you are under the age of 18 years.

If you can show evidence of any of the above, you can enter a venue as if you are fully vaccinated. See below for how you will be permitted to show your vaccination status.

Getting asked about your vaccination status
People working at venues that are open for fully vaccinated people are required to check your vaccination status, which they will usually do on entry to the venue through the Service Victoria app.
If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have been refused entry to a venue for this reason, please be aware that these workers are doing their job and following the laws in place in Victoria to keep you and others safe.
Any incidents of violent, abusive and aggressive behaviour towards workers - including damage to property - will not be tolerated. 
How we live: Vaccination status can be read HERE.

Physical recreational facilities  
Open – a density quotient does not apply.  
 Notes
A COVID Check-in Marshal must ensure patrons check-in via the Service Victoria app and that customers over 18 years show evidence of their vaccination status or valid medical exemption.
For more information regarding Physical Recreational Facilities can be read HERE.

As we are NOT a community sport all applicable rules and regulations dictate the manner in which we are available to the Vaccinated community.

I hope you enjoyed reading all this information as we have (not) and look forward to seeing you on the mat next.

I remember some time ago when I was discussing with a parent how expensive BJJ is and to gain some perspective I asked them to compare the sport with another that their child was training in. The comparison was against AFL.

I asked how they perceived BJJ to be 'expensive' and they began to tell me that the mat fees each week was a deterrent and the uniform, that was 'expensive'. 

Now this family had only been participating in the sport for approximately two months and had not yet grasped the competition side of the sport.

To make the comparison clearer against AFL I started with the uniform.

Now I just want to make it clear that there is a big difference in value between a child's uniform and an adult's one and dependent on the size of the athlete, well that will determine price difference. 

So I asked about the boots, the socks, the shorts the t-shirt, the jumper. In most cases the child 'rents' the jersey so it can be recycled for the following year.  Not only this, the athlete will more than likely go to footy training in clothing that is not conducive to the sport and will see jumpers, t-shirts and shorts get torn and stained.

In comparison, the BJJ uniform Vs the footy uniform one.

Fees for the year. This was considerably cheaper for AFL than BJJ as it covered registration and insurance (insurance for the footy club not the athlete as most people don't realise this).

The score between BJJ and AFL is 1 each.

Comfort for the athlete. We are very lucky as we have air conditioning and heating (not that we need the heater when we are training). Leading up to summer we have the AC on as it can get pretty hot and stuffy. The spectator that comes with the athlete can sit in comfort in all types of weather, not get wet when it rains, not freeze in the winter, and find it comfortable in the air-conditioning. 

Looking at this I'd say BJJ wins making the score 2-1.

Competitions. If the athlete is competitive there are registration fees (AFBJJ and IBJJF), and as the IBJJF only has one tournament in Melbourne a year (PanPacs) for most athletes it's just not worth it. The AFBJJ registration can be purchased for a single or multiple years and is quite cheap. Unfortunately competitions can become a little costly as we are not in the city the purchase of fuel, food and accommodation needs to be factored in.

Footy on the other hand is competed for almost six months of the year. Depending on the league that the athlete plays, travel maybe two hours away every second weekend. So obviously fuel is required more, after the game there's always the hot dog or meat pie (don't forget the drink and maybe a lollie). Then the rest of the family that has gone along to watch are also looking for a bite to eat and drink. So the cost now has gone up.

You could now say that they are even on that one and we'll make the score 3-2. But, what if your child isn't competitive, then the score is 3-1.

Training availability. BJJ is all year round (except school holidays), AFL only for a portion of the year.

So, I'll be bias and say the BJJ is the winner and give it a score of 4-1.

But parents forget what BJJ does for the athlete that AFL won't is that BJJ teaches the child athlete so much more. Resilience, confidence, decision making under pressure and stress inoculation. These are just some of the things your child will learn irrespective of what BJJ Academy or club they participate in. Not only this they learn self control, self discipline and self defence. 

Anyone that knows how to fight very rarely gets into a fight as they know how some fights can end up.

In conclusion, the parent is the one that ultimately makes the decision but the next time you think that BJJ is expensive you have to ask yourself, is it really?

All my life, I’ve operated under the unspoken (and often unrecognized) rule for myself that if I’m not immediately good at something, I just don’t do it.

When I was younger, I was considered “very smart.” I got straight A’s without ever having to study. I was in the gifted program at school. I read well above my grade level. But as I entered high school and encountered tougher subjects like physics and calculus, I started to struggle.

I wasn’t immediately good at these subjects, and I didn’t know how to study because, well, I never had to learn how to study. My teachers would pull me aside about my declining grades, telling me, “I know you’re smarter than this,” and I didn’t know what to tell them.

The feeling of disappointing people who expected more from me over the years got to me. I felt like I was being asked, “Why aren’t you taller?” and I was terrified to walk on stilts and fall on my face anyway. So instead of learning to try, I just accepted what I was good at and rejected what I was bad at.

This pattern continued into my career — I’m not a writer because I studied hard and pushed myself in college. In fact, I dropped out of college after a year. I’m a writer because I’ve always been good at it.

But jiu-jitsu… well, I’m not good at jiu-jitsu.

Techniques go in one ear and then leave out the other the moment I walk out of the gym. I half-joke that my greatest struggle is figuring out the difference between my left arm and my right arm. And just like in school, my instincts are good, but my knowledge is lacking — I regularly find myself landing cool submissions or escaping from tight spaces, and when someone asks how I did it, I can’t give them an answer.

That said, six years after I started jiu-jitsu, I’m still here, and more importantly, I’m still trying. Of course, it’s not easy, and the struggles I endure during every class are just as much mental as they are physical. My poor (but wonderful) coach has to regularly reassure me that I’m doing fine when that voice in my head tells me, “You’re a purple belt. You should already know this,” whenever I struggle with a new (or old) technique. And as much as I have tried to kill my ego, it still rises from the dead when I get clobbered by someone I “should” be able to dominate.

The emotional and physical struggles I encounter every time I train should have pushed me to just quit and try something easier, given my track record. But instead, they’ve taught me how to keep going. The small daily challenges that arise in each class have prepared me for larger challenges, like matches in sub-only tournaments that have gone on for over an hour straight or, more significantly, my intense desire to quit when I was a blue belt. Jiu-jitsu has essentially trained my brain to let go of my need to be immediately good at something and find fulfillment in the success of continuing even when it’s easier to give up.

I don’t know why jiu-jitsu has helped me push past this. Maybe it’s because the satisfaction of small improvements adding up over time is greater than the disappointment of repeated failure. Maybe it’s because I see so many other “nerds” like me struggle and then succeed in the sport. Maybe it’s because, for whatever reason, I just love it so much that I can’t let it go. I don’t know the “why” of it all, but I sure am grateful for it.

This personal battle I fight with myself hasn’t abated completely. I still rely heavily on my guard (which I’m good at) and want to throw a tantrum when I have to drill takedowns (which I suck at). I still have a small existential crisis every time an editor offers polite, constructive criticism on something I write. And if someone handed me a physics worksheet, I’d probably just vomit all over it instead of actually attempting to do it. But I’m trying to be better about trying, and in this case, jiu-jitsu is the teacher I never knew I needed.

Article by Averi Clements of Jiu Jitsu Times