What is a BJJ affiliation?

Major affiliations often have standardized curricula, regular seminars with high-level instructors, and organized competition teams. Belonging to an affiliation means your instructor has been recognized by the larger organization and typically must maintain certain standards. Some affiliations charge fees that are passed on to students, while others have minimal overhead. Independent gyms can be just as good as affiliated ones but may lack the structured support system. When choosing between an affiliated and independent gym, consider the instructor quality, class schedule, and gym culture over the name on the sign. Some of the best BJJ instruction happens at small, unaffiliated academies run by passionate instructors.