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

[Chris Odell (Datsusara)]

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.

[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!

[Micah Giron]

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.

[Chris Odell (Datsusara)]

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.

[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.

[Chris Odell (Datsusara)]

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.

that's very cool, good to hear that

[Sam Sales]

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

[Jason 'J-Faz' Farren]

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!

I dig this

[FRANK BARCA]

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

All for it!!!

Be proud!

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!

[Jonrivello]

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