Competition etiquette in regards to patches and non 10th P gyms

I have a competition etiquette question for you gym heads on here or people that have run into my situation before. I'm trying not to be rude by even asking my current head coach about this, so I thought I'd post here.

I'm considering competing, which I know my current coach would like to see, but I would like to wear patches from each gym that I feel is part of what got me to where I'm at. For me that would be SBGI, 10th Planet and then my latest gym SCMBJJ. Is that odd? When people compete is it expected that they only wear patches from their current gym?

On another related question, have any of you ever been at a non 10th P gym that ask you to stop using RG, lockdown, etc.? I'm sure my coach has my best interests in mind and it has improved my game not to rely on those moves so much, but I'm thinking in competition I don't want to be limited in any way. I'm wondering if I pull a RG to Oma for a win if he'll be freaking out because it's not an Alliance style technique. In the past I would not have given a fuck but I'm trying to suppress all my rebellious urges and get belted finally so making less waves is good for as long as I can stand it.

Thoughts on either would be appreciated.

This is how I feel. 1, this is your journey in the gentle art, and not theirs. you make your decisions, then find a dojo and instructor with the same mindset. 2, instructors that are in good control over their ego, and are secure in themselves and their techniques are very open minded. I personally train with both Master Eddie Bravo, and Master Rubens Cobrinha Charles. I see them wearing other teams rashguards, they dont have an issue with good technique, no matter where it comes from. Now do you want to disrespect someone in their own academy, no, so maybe its just not the dojo for you. I know I travel 100 miles, one way, just to train with these open minded, very talented individuals... and thats why... they let me be me, and help me become a better me!

Yes, it is expected that you only wear a patch from your current school. Wearing patches from former schools sends a message that you still have ties to them; based on your post, I'm assuming you don't. You left those schools for a reason. Why do you want to acknowledge them and give them credit for improving your jiu jitsu if you didn't think highly enough of them to stick around? Perhaps you changed schools because you moved; if so, you are sending the message that you would have preferred to stay at your previous school, but your current one is what's available so you'll just have to make due. Not really the kind of thing any coach would appreciate. I would be interested to hear why you left your previous schools. If you were training at two schools at once, that might change my opinion of the situation.

On the topic of playing a 10th Planet-style game while training at a non-10th Planet school: this topic has been done to death. Play the game you like. If your coach is trying to force you to play a certain game, that suggests that his knowledge of jiu jitsu is shallow and narrow, and shows a lack of confidence on his part IMO.

I agree with both of you and I appreciate the response. It really comes down to me being too lazy to drive an hour to get to a gym where I might fit in better. Plus my new school is very good overall, it's just they don't respect much of the 10th P system, which sucks and I had thought of not going just because of that but I want to learn and train as much as possible for now. So if letting go of a few techniques for awhile will make it easier I'm just going to do it, plus I like the guys even if we don't see eye to eye on jits (I still pull all my techniques on open mat days anyway).

They do have an open door policy and I have worn my 10th P rash guard there with only an minor amount of teasing so it's not like they have an issue with where I train.

As for why I left my other schools, moving has always been the primary reason although with my first gym Modern Combatives (SBGI affiliate) I had differences with the head instructor there but I still respect and I'm very thankful to the organization on the whole. I hardly ever get by 10th Planet anymore since I moved from LA and not only is Denny's place about 100 miles but I also really dislike going to the city for any reason.

My point is that I still consider SBGI and 10th Planet as part of what got me to where I am now and I'd like to be able to proudly represent them as well as my current guys. But I'll probably take Micah's advice and try not to piss off my current guys by even asking about this, at least for competition, normal gym days I'm wearing it all.

We are kind of in the same shoes. I'm very grateful at both Team Tooke and 10thplanet and master Eddie for helping my daughter to be where she is at today. We love them both and when she does competition, we tried to rep both as much as we can and the hardest is to find the balance. Her coach doesn't mind her doing 10thplanet stuff and its basically depend on the situation, if they are in her guard, she rubber guard them to death... if they stand up, that's all Team Tooke's spider guard, de la riva, and all the stuff that her coach teach her. This way she is so much more rounded. But just in case someone don't know 10thplanet techniques, I have sewed a 10thplanet patch on he Gi pant leg the same spot as Master Eddie's. Like I said, we love both team and there isn't anyone that can tell us to chose only one. It's impossible, her coach knows what 10thplanet means to us, all he ask is to make it fair and try to find a balance. We are just so grateful that we have 2 teams behind us.

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Originally Posted by Cora Sek

We are kind of in the same shoes. I'm very grateful at both Team Tooke and 10thplanet and master Eddie for helping my daughter to be where she is at today. We love them both and when she does competition, we tried to rep both as much as we can and the hardest is to find the balance. Her coach doesn't mind her doing 10thplanet stuff and its basically depend on the situation, if they are in her guard, she rubber guard them to death... if they stand up, that's all Team Tooke's spider guard, de la riva, and all the stuff that her coach teach her. This way she is so much more rounded. But just in case someone don't know 10thplanet techniques, I have sewed a 10thplanet patch on he Gi pant leg the same spot as Master Eddie's. Like I said, we love both team and there isn't anyone that can tell us to chose only one. It's impossible, her coach knows what 10thplanet means to us, all he ask is to make it fair and try to find a balance. We are just so grateful that we have 2 teams behind us.

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that's very cool, good to hear that :)

Personally I like to keep things separate. If in a gi comp just repping my bjj team. In no-gi repping 10p :)

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Originally Posted by Ryan fortiN

This is how I feel. 1, this is your journey in the gentle art, and not theirs. you make your decisions, then find a dojo and instructor with the same mindset. 2, instructors that are in good control over their ego, and are secure in themselves and their techniques are very open minded. I personally train with both Master Eddie Bravo, and Master Rubens Cobrinha Charles. I see them wearing other teams rashguards, they dont have an issue with good technique, no matter where it comes from. Now do you want to disrespect someone in their own academy, no, so maybe its just not the dojo for you. I know I travel 100 miles, one way, just to train with these open minded, very talented individuals... and thats why... they let me be me, and help me become a better me!

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I dig this :)

agreed!
Hey theres enough love to go round so spread the shit out of it.

All for it!!!

Be proud!

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Originally Posted by Ryan fortiN

This is how I feel. 1, this is your journey in the gentle art, and not theirs. you make your decisions, then find a dojo and instructor with the same mindset. 2, instructors that are in good control over their ego, and are secure in themselves and their techniques are very open minded. I personally train with both Master Eddie Bravo, and Master Rubens Cobrinha Charles. I see them wearing other teams rashguards, they dont have an issue with good technique, no matter where it comes from. Now do you want to disrespect someone in their own academy, no, so maybe its just not the dojo for you. I know I travel 100 miles, one way, just to train with these open minded, very talented individuals... and thats why... they let me be me, and help me become a better me!

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You got to give cred where cred is due, Kev Gibbs Rocks his daniel gracie and 10p gear in his medal photos, and i see lots of others who do as well

As a Ronin i rep 10p on my comp. shorts. My gym has become a Rigan Machado affiliate. But i will still rep 10p in nogi. If some one says i have to stop, well they will lose that monthly due and grappling partner. But like others have said here, so far every one is still open to 10p technique.

A level-headed coach shouldn't have a problem with it as long as you're being fair and showing the same love to his school (making his patch just as visible and repping him equally). As far as techniques and coaches having problems with what you use, I think Ryan hit the nail on the head. Be respectful, but if he still wants to put limits on your game and seems unrelenting from that view, then maybe it would be best to find another gym.

When you register to compete, put yourself down as a competitor from your current school. Then put whatever patches you want on. I recently brought my MABJJ gi to a judo tournament, and I'm getting a Seahawks patch on my new blue gi.

Im getting ready to compete for the first time. I came back to the art after a 10 year lay-off . . . I will be wearing 10th planet patch, Marcello Monteiro patch and am disappointed I cant find a CSW patch. I will also wear my school patch on my back. My school does all three and they are a huge part of my game. But I come from an open minded school. One of the reasons I quit was I wasn't learning anything from my old school and started watching Erik Paulson tapes . . .. once I would catch blue belts in submissions I was told I couldn't use the techniques because they weren't jiu jitsu. I agree you shouldn't wear an old school's patch . . . fortunately we have all three so no insult to anyone.

Good seeing you at the fit expo Chris

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Originally Posted by AKRhino

When you register to compete, put yourself down as a competitor from your current school. Then put whatever patches you want on. I recently brought my MABJJ gi to a judo tournament, and I'm getting a Seahawks patch on my new blue gi.

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This. The school gets your victory. When somebody asks you where you train, you also state your current school. I'm not down with any dress code, so long as its not just stupid. You rep what you want. It's his job to win you over and make you proud to rep his gym. If he's not doing that, and trying to force you too, that's his problem. I wouldn't be down.

Ryan is spot on.

I would just rep my gym. You switched gyms right? Then show dedication to your gym rep your current gym.

I don't know wht I would do if someone/a coach told me I couldn't play rubberguard. We've had different people come in that moved close to our area that had already trained some 10th planet or went to a school previously, but they had went to the gyms closer to them first and been told 10th planet moves weren't allowed and that rubberguard will mess your knees up, etc, etc.. It's common, I think, for more traditional schools to not dig the 10p style. I don't blame them, clenching sucks, but hey it works! We have people tht drive 1-2 hours regularly. Do what suites you in that area. :)

It's respectful to show your school some love. I can completely understand that. I would just do whatever felt best. If you want to rep everyone, do it. If you care more about your coaches feelings, then wear his patch. It's your decision in the end man.

Bobby is right about it being his job to make you want to support him.

I couldnt have said it better

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Originally Posted by Ryan fortiN

This is how I feel. 1, this is your journey in the gentle art, and not theirs. you make your decisions, then find a dojo and instructor with the same mindset. 2, instructors that are in good control over their ego, and are secure in themselves and their techniques are very open minded. I personally train with both Master Eddie Bravo, and Master Rubens Cobrinha Charles. I see them wearing other teams rashguards, they dont have an issue with good technique, no matter where it comes from. Now do you want to disrespect someone in their own academy, no, so maybe its just not the dojo for you. I know I travel 100 miles, one way, just to train with these open minded, very talented individuals... and thats why... they let me be me, and help me become a better me!

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If a coach wouldn't promote me because I was using Rubber guard, I would use it even more. Sooner or later, he's gonna have to explain how a white belt is tearing up all his guys using 10P techniques.

I say rep the teams that are truly in your heart and game. If the team is not in your heart and game don't rep. #allyallsthatrep10pthatdontgoto10pschoolsaredeepin myheart :-)

If I ever roll in a Gi I doubt I will ever put a 10P patch on it. So far I don't even own a Gi, but that could change because we have also affiliated with TROOP BJJ under Richard Nankoo. If I ever get a Gi because of that, and put patches on it, they would be TROOP patches.
I wear 10P rashies for NoGi rollin.

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Originally Posted by DUANEBANG

Good seeing you at the fit expo Chris

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Likewise Duane, always a pleasure.

Thanks all again for the input. Seems the answer isn't entirely clear so i'll have to think this over. But I feel Eddie's comment about repping what's in your heart. I''ll have to just do the direct route and ask my coach after all, might be a good time to find out where we stand on things like this anyway.