Frequently Asked Questions
Who teaches classes?
The LOCO Grappling Club is just that, a club, not a school. When it comes to JiuJitsu, our club is a place to share knowledge, practice your craft, and meet people with your interest in physical fitness and the chess-match that is Jiu Jitsu. Most current members of the LOCO GC are long-time martial arts practitioners who are knowledgeable enough to help you through most puzzles and questions, but there are no BJJ instructors. If you're new to the sport, you will find plenty of folks with enough experience to get you well on your way! The club is a place to try your craft, learn new things, and practice what you know.
Is it really free?
Yes! We charge nothing at all to come and practice. Some of our regulars and visitors do choose to offer small donations to help upkeep the space and buy cleaning supplies, but we do not ask for any regular contributions of any kind. If you come regularly and feel like offering something to help, you are welcome to do that, but the Club was built primarily for the enjoyment and comradery that comes from struggling together. Its totally free.
What is a typical Jiu Jitsu open roll like?
If you are a BJJ student, our open-rolls will be super familiar. You'll come in and work at your own pace. Bring your own partner or work in with others who attend. We'll typically have a round-timer set to start and end rounds. We start at 8-minute rounds and work our way down to 5-min as the session moves on. 8 minute rounds are long, but the endurance it builds will help you easily push hard during local 5 or 3 minute round competitions. Our motto is '8's make greats"! You work in at your own pace and tap out when you choose to be done. Its all super low-key and low-pressure. We stress kindness and respect. No one will push you past your limits unless you ask them to! Our open roll sessions last 1.5 - 2 hours depending on the day, but you are free to come and go as you please. When the session is over, we will do a quick wipe-down of the mats and thats it!
What should I wear?
Our typical Jiu Jitsu open rolls are no-gi, that is, we practice without any special uniforms. A t-shirt and shorts is ideal, but you're free to wear any modest workout outfits you would like. I personally wear a wrestling singlet under a t-shirt and shorts. I also never roll without groin protection, but that's a personal preference. Sometimes, rolling for a long time can give you rub burns on your knees too, so I keep a pair of elastic knee protectors on hand as well.
I've never done martial arts before. Can I still come?
Of course! While we have no official instructors, we have many very experienced practitioners that are always eager to help and share knowledge. You wont get a belt or gain rank at our club, but you will learn how to grapple! The key to becoming a great martial artist is consistency. The first few sessions will be hard. You will feel out of your depth and will not feel like you can keep up physically, but once you have 2-3 sessions under your belt, your comfort level will certainly improve and the fun will really begin!
What ages can attend?
Our open rolls are designed for adults. The adults will always get priority on the mat. That said, we do have some kids that sometimes come. Kids will often be allowed to roll during the 5-8 minute breaks between adult rounds. If you have a child that is older than 6, they are welcome to attend under your supervision and as long as they can maintain the respect and kindness we all show each other. Keep in mind that if you bring a child and they are the only ones at any given session, they will not be able to roll.
I practice BJJ. Will I get good rolls?
Its hard to find experienced martial artists in a town as small as ours. While belting systems are useful to track progress, the difference between a blue belt from gym to gym can vary widely. The members of our club travel from areas up to an hour from where we practice. The mix of experience can vary from day-to-day, but we regularly have a mix of folks who's skill levels range from average purple belt down to brand new white belt.
Do club members ever compete in local tournaments?
What ages can attend?
Our open rolls are designed for adults. The adults will always get priority on the mat. That said, we do have some kids that sometimes come. Kids will often be allowed to roll during the 5-8 minute breaks between adult rounds. If you have a child that is older than 6, they are welcome to attend under your supervision and as long as they can maintain the respect and kindness we all show each other. Keep in mind that if you bring a child and they are the only ones at any given session, they will not be able to roll.
Because our club is made up of students from other gyms, we do often see some of our members compete, but typically for their HQ Dojos or schools. While the LOCO Grappling Club has no official school status, there may be a time in the future when you may see LOCO JiuJitsu compete int he area.