BJJ Poll: Do You Deserve the Jiu-Jitsu Belt You Currently Wear?

April 11, 2009

Sometimes people in Brazilian jiu-jitsu may feel like they are not ready to wear the belt that their instructor gave them. Other times someone who trains BJJ may think that their instructor is too slow in promoting them. And of course some people think that their belt suits them perfectly. What about you?

Feel free to speak your mind (anonymously if you want) in the comments below. And many thanks to FightWorks Podcast listener Ross for the suggestion of this week’s BJJ Poll!

Written by Caleb · Filed Under BJJ, Polls 
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Comments

6 Responses to “BJJ Poll: Do You Deserve the Jiu-Jitsu Belt You Currently Wear?”

  1. Jiujitsu365 on April 11th, 2009 12:48 pm

    I wonder how many good people leave the BJJ community due to non-acknowledgement of their progression. I understand the rhetoric that belts shouldn’t matter. But they do.

    Besides, there is a difference in treatment for each belt level, even if it is slight.

  2. radamez85 on April 11th, 2009 4:49 pm

    I think im fine where i am. i trust my instructors judgement in how im promoted.

    Worry about the journey not the color around the waste!
    plus its always cool beating people a rank above yours =D

  3. J on April 11th, 2009 8:26 pm

    I am satisfied with my belt (blue), but know that my next belt is not too far around the corner (time, my level compared with other belts my level and the upper belts). While I’m happy with the belt I have, there is excitement about the prospect of a promotion within the foreseeable future. Jiu-jitsu is not about the belt, but I think very very few people don’t care about it at all. I feel comfortable at my level and continue to try and improve daily. Any recognition of my progress is appreciated but not required.

  4. bjjcailin on April 11th, 2009 9:34 pm

    I think my belt fits me perfectly, frayed ends and all! :)

    I don’t think I should be a lower belt or a higher belt yet. And I disagree with jiujitsu365 that people are treated differently because of the color around their waist. At least, that’s not the case at my school.

    We have a white belt who’s tapped blues, purples, and browns in competition, he gets respect. We have a wrestler who comes in to train with us and will roll some (even though he doesn’t really know BJJ) and he gets mad respect for his skill set. Mostly I think it depends more on what you offer as a training partner then the color around your waist.

    The way I look at it, you have no business complaining about not being promoted faster unless you’ve won the world championships at your belt level…twice.

  5. Jiujitsu365 on April 12th, 2009 6:12 pm

    bjjcallin,

    When I stated that people are treated differently as a result of their belt rank I don’t mean in a negative sense. I have always seen people treated with respect, regardless of rank in every place I have been lucky enough to train.

    What I am talking about is the responsibility and the expectations that are levied on certain ranks, etc. For instance, when I received my blue belt, the next class I attended people immediately begin asking me for help with the techniques taught in drill (with expressions that said I know you know this).

    The second time I attended class as a blue belt I was asked to lead stretches for the first time. Plus, in my academy and in many other schools I have attended, If you happen to be the senior person in a class next to the instructor then he will demonstrate techniques on you. Additionally, Purple and Browns (and sometimes very experience Blues) lead classes.

    Some people like the added responsibility while others may not be quite ready, but responsibility, expectations and sometimes demands are placed on people when they advance in rank. Further, I was told that I would be treated differently because of my rank. White belts also made casual threats after my promotion and my instructor told me he would go harder on me.

    As in other areas of life, promotions and ranks allows people to do different things. I agree it’s about the journey. I grappled no-gi for 3 years and had to spend my time as a white belt when I finally started to train with the gi. But I definitely saw the difference from day one.

  6. B Brazil on July 15th, 2009 5:44 pm

    I’ve been training for over six years and I was just recently promoted to blue belt. I know I deserved it. I like it when I get to lead the warm up. I like it when white belts ask me for help. I decided after I got promoted that I would no longer allow myself to get discouraged. Win or lose, I’m just going to focus on getting better.

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