Why your coach doesn't let you cross train?

If you've ever asked your coach about cross-training at other jiu-jitsu gyms and been discouraged, you may have sensed that it’s more about protecting their business than supporting your development. While coaches may claim it’s about your progress or team loyalty, the truth often lies in protecting their interests. Here’s why your coach might be holding you back from cross-training—and how it could be hurting your growth.

1. They Don’t Want to Lose Business

At the end of the day, many jiu-jitsu gyms are businesses. The more you train at your home gym, the more you’re financially and emotionally invested. Coaches might discourage cross-training because they fear you’ll discover another gym you prefer or, worse yet, leave their program. This concern is more about retaining your membership fees than ensuring your personal development through cross-training at other BJJ classes.

When you’re searching for “jiu-jitsu classes near me,” it can feel like you’re threatening the financial foundation of your current gym rather than taking steps toward your own growth.

2. They Want to Control Your Learning

Some coaches may argue that cross-training will slow your progress, suggesting that other schools’ methods could confuse you. While consistency is important, limiting yourself to one instructor and set of techniques can stifle your growth. Training with a variety of coaches offers fresh insights and perspectives that accelerate your development in ways a single gym might not provide.

Restricting your exposure to other jiu-jitsu classes may be more about maintaining control than ensuring you reach your full potential as a well-rounded martial artist.

3. Your Success Might Threaten Their Reputation

In competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, gyms pride themselves on producing high-performing students. If you cross-train and start outperforming their regular students, it might reflect poorly on your coach’s methods. The reality is, coaches who genuinely care about your success will welcome external success as a reflection of your dedication—not see it as a threat to their reputation.

If your coach truly prioritizes your progress, they’ll encourage you to explore every possible avenue of learning, even if it means training outside their system.

4. They’re Worried About “Gym Secrets”

Some gyms treat their techniques like proprietary secrets, fearing that students who cross-train will share them with competitors. However, this often comes from insecurity rather than innovation. Consider Gordon Ryan, the best no-gi grappler in the world, who openly shares his techniques with the public. Despite this openness, he remains dominant in his division. If a world champion like Ryan has no problem showing his techniques, why should your coach?

The truth is, cross-training exposes you to more ideas, and the fear of "leaking secrets" is rarely valid. Coaches who limit your cross-training opportunities might be more concerned about their competitive edge than your growth.

5. Keeping You Dependent on Their Program

By discouraging cross-training, some coaches keep you reliant on their program. The more you train exclusively at their gym, the more dependent you become on their teaching methods and overall structure. While they might claim this is for your benefit, it often restricts your ability to develop broader knowledge and experience, keeping you boxed into one style of jiu-jitsu.

6. A Good Coach Encourages Cross-Training and Growth Opportunities

A great coach doesn’t fear cross-training—they encourage it. When I was training in professional judo, my coach would invite the best people in the country to our gym and set up opportunities for us to attend open mats at the best schools. That, in my opinion, was the best strategy for producing high-level athletes. By exposing us to different techniques and training partners, our growth was exponential.

At Lucas Lepri Charlotte

During my jiu-jitsu journey, I’ve been fortunate to train at some of the best schools in the country. I’ve trained at Gracie Brandon under Robby Donofrio, Miami Fight Sports under Roberto Abreu (Cyborg), VRMA under Vagner Rocha, Gracie Barra with Samuel Braga, Lucas Lepri, 10th Planet in Savannah, GA, Triangle Academy under Clay Mayfield, and Carlson Gracie in Corbin, KY, and Winter Haven, FL. I’ve also visited gyms across the U.S. and internationally. Every time I travel, I make a point to visit a new gym because I truly believe it expedites your progress. The techniques you learn at visiting gyms tend to stick better and last longer, helping you grow as a more well-rounded martial artist.

A good coach will even arrange cross-training events and invite high-level guests to visit their academy, showing that they care more about your development than the business.

Conclusion

While some coaches claim they’re protecting your progress by discouraging cross-training, the reality often revolves around maintaining control, retaining students, and securing financial stability. A coach who truly prioritizes your success will not only encourage cross-training but actively facilitate it, just like my judo coach did by inviting top-level practitioners and setting up open mats with the best schools. Tampa Gracie network has reciprocity policy for their students, who can inter train 3-4 times per week with out drop in fees!

If champions like Gordon Ryan aren’t afraid of sharing their techniques openly, there’s no reason your coach should be. In fact, the best coaches recognize that cross-training will make you a better athlete, not a liability to their gym. So if you’re being held back from cross-training, it’s time for an honest conversation with your coach. Your journey is about your personal growth, not just their business interests.