should we cross train or let the instructor do it?

[kiddbjj]

do you think BJJ students should crosstrain in arts like judo, sambo etc or just let the instructors filter down the various techniques from these styles to us the students?

[Jiu-fu fighter]

Not any one martial art is best,

Every martial art has something you can learn from it

I say cross train,

[DJColdfusion]

You have to cross train.

One of my favorite quotes from Rigan goes something like "wrestling, judo, greco roman, catch, Jiu-Jitsu, its all grappling, it will all improve your game and why wouldn't you want to improve your game?"

[aseepish]

Definitely cross train!

Unless you're fortunate to train under someone who is expert in all those disciplines.

It's important to be patient and humble when you are training with a different coach/style. You'll hear a lot of style-bashing, our way is the best/only way kinds of comments, and instructions to never do various techniques that you've been taught elsewhere (that you know work for you).

[kiddbjj]

don't get me wrong i'm not anti crosstraining, but i just think too many people spread themselves too thinly in the name of crosstraining and don't spend enough time in a primary art.

my original thread topic (which admittedly was worded poorly) was just that for a person with only 2-3 days to train per week (due to money/work/family/whatever other reason) they are probably better off spending that time doing just one style and getting good at that. the instructors in many bjj schools train/teach full time so they have the time and occupational imperative to broaden their knowledge (like the machado example someone mentioned) and then they can filter down the most appropriate and effective tecniques for their students.

sure its good to be comfortable in all ranges, but why be crap at all of them. if you only train 3 days personally i'd rather train 3 days in say bjj or judo or sambo or whatever rather than 1 day bjj, 1 day style 'x', 1 day style 'y'.
you would effectively be tripling the amount of time it takes to become proficient because their is not enough continuity in your learning.

back in the day people who trained 3 days a week were considered 'hard core'! now days there are so many full time gyms and mma role models that train everyday twice a day that regular folks that don't fight/train/teach for a living are probably selling themselves short by overdoing the crosstrainig thing.

hope that clarifies. just my opinion based on my own experience.

[aseepish]

That's a very good point. It is important to have a decent foundation before exploring other avenues.

My own experience in cross-training came from moving from city to city/country to country a lot over the past decade. I had no choice but to train in a variety of styles. I don't think everyone should follow my blueprint though - too much time where I was unable to train for long periods.