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Purple belts promoting blue belts, thoughts?
6 year(s) ago • 19344 views • 121 replies
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Thought I would follow up on this interesting topic given the recent debate on this wall:
https://beltchecker.com/p[...]hp?id=3341
IBJJF approves that purple+ belts can promote one belt below themselves if there is no black belt around. Personally I have always followed the (unwritten) rule that a black belt can "ok" a non-black belt to promote their own students. Seasoned black belts have given me this approval myself both as purple and brown belt and I think this is a totally fine way of doing things when black belts are not readily available (as is the case many, many places in the world).
I have likewise passed on that approval to non-black belt friends who run gyms/training groups. They can promote "in my name" if anyone asks.
Thoughts?
PS. The promotion of Alex debated on his wall is a no-brainer imo; approved by overseeing black belt, pandemic travel restrictions, seasoned competitor etc. etc. Let's not discuss that case in particular, but the overall promotion guidelines.
https://beltchecker.com/p[...]hp?id=3341
IBJJF approves that purple+ belts can promote one belt below themselves if there is no black belt around. Personally I have always followed the (unwritten) rule that a black belt can "ok" a non-black belt to promote their own students. Seasoned black belts have given me this approval myself both as purple and brown belt and I think this is a totally fine way of doing things when black belts are not readily available (as is the case many, many places in the world).
I have likewise passed on that approval to non-black belt friends who run gyms/training groups. They can promote "in my name" if anyone asks.
Thoughts?
PS. The promotion of Alex debated on his wall is a no-brainer imo; approved by overseeing black belt, pandemic travel restrictions, seasoned competitor etc. etc. Let's not discuss that case in particular, but the overall promotion guidelines.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
JJBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Purple is an advanced rank.
Blue is an intermediate rank.
An advanced rank such as a purple belt would be a black belt in most other martial arts and should be able to promote a student to an intermediate rank without having to ask or bring someone in for a seminar or promotion when they don't even take the time to roll with the students in question the majority of times anyways.
Blue is an intermediate rank.
An advanced rank such as a purple belt would be a black belt in most other martial arts and should be able to promote a student to an intermediate rank without having to ask or bring someone in for a seminar or promotion when they don't even take the time to roll with the students in question the majority of times anyways.
JJBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
The other issue is even if a black belt watched a student roll they are judging what they see or have heard and not what they feel from rolling.
I much prefer to flow and catch and release and work on my weaknesses making myself worse in order to get better and not trying to win or impress anyone.
But if someone desires for me to go full ricky bobby to prove any useless points I can.
But to me my goal isn't to go full speed and beat someone else going full speed. My goal is to beat someone going full speed while I'm going less then half speed.
I much prefer to flow and catch and release and work on my weaknesses making myself worse in order to get better and not trying to win or impress anyone.
But if someone desires for me to go full ricky bobby to prove any useless points I can.
But to me my goal isn't to go full speed and beat someone else going full speed. My goal is to beat someone going full speed while I'm going less then half speed.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
A few random points:
1. Many gyms are run by purple and brown belts with an affiliation to a non-resident black belt, i think it's a really bad idea to jump in with a strong opinion when you don't know the setup and the reasons behind it. Men don't generally take kindly to having their source of income questioned. There are also gyms with a nominally resident black belt but in reality, teaching is delegated to purple belts day in, day out.
2. Some gyms, have tests for belts, some don't. I don't really care what other people do at other gyms, nobody owns BJJ. Train at a gym that suits your values. Personally i'm not having my promotion (or not) determined by 1 day of a journey that lasts years. I will be judged by the person who has seen my development week in, week out and the fact that i back up everything in competition. I've done Gi, NoGi, MMA, been up weight classes, down age categories, i'm not interested in fake hierarchy from peoples opinions. In fact 5/6 of my losses came when i was up a weight category or down an age category.
3. Nobody owns BJJ to make such rules and i really don't give a shit what the IBJJF thinks about anything, they've never had a penny out of me and never will. I think they are an embarrassment of an organisation. I don't even really care about having a blue belt, it only became a problem for me in March when i was told i couldn't compete up at a tournament. There have been people promoted straight to black belt having quote "never trained 1 day of jiu jitsu", ultimately it's the choice of the person who promoted them to do that in accordance with their lineage.
4. A purple belt is not some standard unit of measurement that everyone agrees upon. A wrestler / judoka with a purple belt has a big advantage over someone who has only ever trained BJJ. In my case, my instructor has 3 black belts in other martial arts.
5. There are many cases where a competitive brown belt would annihilate a non-competitive black belt. The mats are supposed to do the talking, not the belt. The fake validation from hierarchy is something that puts a lot of people off martial arts. I also cross-train under a brown belt by the way.
6. I know of gyms where blue belts were rushed to purple so they could teach classes and browns were rushed to black because certain affiliations decided they only wanted black belts running their gyms, that's the true meaning of watering something down in my opinion.
7. I don't need beltchecker for anything, all i need is a blue belt and lineage to get into competitions. Beltchecker is just some optional thing that sounded like a good idea at the time. But if it's going to become a place where people use petty forum squabbles to question legitimacy then i'll just delete my profile because my energy needs to be directed at establishing myself in a higher division.
1. Many gyms are run by purple and brown belts with an affiliation to a non-resident black belt, i think it's a really bad idea to jump in with a strong opinion when you don't know the setup and the reasons behind it. Men don't generally take kindly to having their source of income questioned. There are also gyms with a nominally resident black belt but in reality, teaching is delegated to purple belts day in, day out.
2. Some gyms, have tests for belts, some don't. I don't really care what other people do at other gyms, nobody owns BJJ. Train at a gym that suits your values. Personally i'm not having my promotion (or not) determined by 1 day of a journey that lasts years. I will be judged by the person who has seen my development week in, week out and the fact that i back up everything in competition. I've done Gi, NoGi, MMA, been up weight classes, down age categories, i'm not interested in fake hierarchy from peoples opinions. In fact 5/6 of my losses came when i was up a weight category or down an age category.
3. Nobody owns BJJ to make such rules and i really don't give a shit what the IBJJF thinks about anything, they've never had a penny out of me and never will. I think they are an embarrassment of an organisation. I don't even really care about having a blue belt, it only became a problem for me in March when i was told i couldn't compete up at a tournament. There have been people promoted straight to black belt having quote "never trained 1 day of jiu jitsu", ultimately it's the choice of the person who promoted them to do that in accordance with their lineage.
4. A purple belt is not some standard unit of measurement that everyone agrees upon. A wrestler / judoka with a purple belt has a big advantage over someone who has only ever trained BJJ. In my case, my instructor has 3 black belts in other martial arts.
5. There are many cases where a competitive brown belt would annihilate a non-competitive black belt. The mats are supposed to do the talking, not the belt. The fake validation from hierarchy is something that puts a lot of people off martial arts. I also cross-train under a brown belt by the way.
6. I know of gyms where blue belts were rushed to purple so they could teach classes and browns were rushed to black because certain affiliations decided they only wanted black belts running their gyms, that's the true meaning of watering something down in my opinion.
7. I don't need beltchecker for anything, all i need is a blue belt and lineage to get into competitions. Beltchecker is just some optional thing that sounded like a good idea at the time. But if it's going to become a place where people use petty forum squabbles to question legitimacy then i'll just delete my profile because my energy needs to be directed at establishing myself in a higher division.
JJBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
The most annoying thing to me is that a piece of fabric is preventing me from competing at most tournaments to improve my jiujitsu with actual challenging matches. A piece of fabric shouldn't be able to slow down my jiujitsu journey and take away opportunities for me to improve.
I personally learn the most from competing. It's how I learn to fix my weaknesses. If I win I'll have something offensive to work on and if I lose I'll have something defensive to work on. And I can't stand when I win every match as I learn more from losing.
Last tournament I won both my blue belt and a purple belt division in gi and never really felt challenged. Competition is random...but competition against white belts is just a waste of my time controlling chaos instead of playing a strategic game. My next tournament is this weekend and competing up in rank again and who knows I might lose every match this time but at least it will help me get better.
Grappling Industries and ibjjf for example won't let me compete up. I have lifetime membership to grappling Industries and they have tournaments in September and October that I can't even sign up for because they won't let me compete up and I refuse to compete at white belt. A waste of my time and the last 3 times I did over half a year ago all I heard was jokes of sandbagging.
Also everytime I go to an open mat where people dont know me if I let a blue belt work they might get disheartened or a purple belt might feel Challenged and get ultra aggressive. I think black belts forget or maybe never experienced what some people actually have to deal with because of a piece of fabric.
I personally learn the most from competing. It's how I learn to fix my weaknesses. If I win I'll have something offensive to work on and if I lose I'll have something defensive to work on. And I can't stand when I win every match as I learn more from losing.
Last tournament I won both my blue belt and a purple belt division in gi and never really felt challenged. Competition is random...but competition against white belts is just a waste of my time controlling chaos instead of playing a strategic game. My next tournament is this weekend and competing up in rank again and who knows I might lose every match this time but at least it will help me get better.
Grappling Industries and ibjjf for example won't let me compete up. I have lifetime membership to grappling Industries and they have tournaments in September and October that I can't even sign up for because they won't let me compete up and I refuse to compete at white belt. A waste of my time and the last 3 times I did over half a year ago all I heard was jokes of sandbagging.
Also everytime I go to an open mat where people dont know me if I let a blue belt work they might get disheartened or a purple belt might feel Challenged and get ultra aggressive. I think black belts forget or maybe never experienced what some people actually have to deal with because of a piece of fabric.
BNPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
My thoughts are as follows... I don't think there is any danger of "ruining" jiu jitsu with a purple belt promoting someone to blue belt. I think people are a little too precious about the belt system to a large degree. In rural/remote areas where there aren't necessarily black belts around there are loads of clubs built around garage gyms who "get after it" in a big way that might be run by blue and purple belts. Obviously, the rigidity of the IBJJF system exposes issues in terms of that.
Also, black belts are not magical beasts that make people that much "better" when they go from what to blue. If I had $5 for any time I heard a recently promoted blue belt wonder why they still are getting their tail kicked in sparring I'd be retired... I can recall spending the first 3-4 months wondering what the hell I was doing. Part of that is obvious that everyone else in the training environment feels that it is more apt to "turn it up" since... hey, they're a blue belt now.
I also think that the topic of having an overseeing black belt to sign off on the promotion is more than legit, there are many affiliations that started off that way. Additionally, as my professor often says you will learn more from each other than the coach itself. Consistent, dedicated training in an environment where techniques are pressure tested in live sparring means much more than the belt color of the promoting instructor.
Also, black belts are not magical beasts that make people that much "better" when they go from what to blue. If I had $5 for any time I heard a recently promoted blue belt wonder why they still are getting their tail kicked in sparring I'd be retired... I can recall spending the first 3-4 months wondering what the hell I was doing. Part of that is obvious that everyone else in the training environment feels that it is more apt to "turn it up" since... hey, they're a blue belt now.
I also think that the topic of having an overseeing black belt to sign off on the promotion is more than legit, there are many affiliations that started off that way. Additionally, as my professor often says you will learn more from each other than the coach itself. Consistent, dedicated training in an environment where techniques are pressure tested in live sparring means much more than the belt color of the promoting instructor.
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Purple is an advanced rank. Blue is an intermediate rank. An advanced rank such as a purple belt would be a black belt in most other martial arts and should be able to promote a student to an intermediate rank without having to ask or bring someone in for a seminar or promotion when they don't even take the time to roll with the students in question the majority of times anyways.
Firas Zahabi agrees: https://youtu.be/UXRstwdZ4Fo
JJBlack beltVerified
DBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
It's a blue belt. Back in the day when there were only one or two blues in the area it was a big deal. Today, given the variation in blue belts I have come across, this should absolutely be a non issue. Yes a purple should be able to promote to blue, not ideal, but I have no issues with that. Should the purple be allowed to give stripes on the blue and if so how many?
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I don't think anybody should be promoting anybody without at least an OK from a black belt. It's bad juju for you and the BJJ gods will not smile down favorably upon you.
As a non-BB coach, I don't promote anybody without a BB present. I think that since you can expect to be at your next belt for a couple years then why not try to make the promotion experience special? If I have students who are ready for their next belt then they deal with it until a BB roles through. There's never really any rush.
Besides, who wants to tell all their Gracie Barra friends that they're a blue belt under *Random-Ass-Purple-Belt-Guy*?
With all due respect, of course. This is just my slightly sarcastic opinion.
As a non-BB coach, I don't promote anybody without a BB present. I think that since you can expect to be at your next belt for a couple years then why not try to make the promotion experience special? If I have students who are ready for their next belt then they deal with it until a BB roles through. There's never really any rush.
Besides, who wants to tell all their Gracie Barra friends that they're a blue belt under *Random-Ass-Purple-Belt-Guy*?
With all due respect, of course. This is just my slightly sarcastic opinion.
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Finland has it stricter than many places, in what I believe our Federation requires a black belt be named for all color belt promotions. It's not an issue anymore since practically all gyms either have a black belt, or are closely affiliated with (a Finnish) one.
But in practice it has largely been that the brown/purple belt head coach has been given the mandate to promote the lower ranks independently on their own judgement by the affiliated black belt. (And the "supervising" black belt is named as the promoter officially.)
I much prefer this to the system where smaller gyms have to organize camps/seminars to bring in an affiliated black belt to promote the students in person, and to collect hefty fees for doing so. And I also prefer naming the actual coach as the promoter (on here in Beltchecker and other places too) vs. the affiliate black belt who doesn't even remember the name of the student in question.
But in practice it has largely been that the brown/purple belt head coach has been given the mandate to promote the lower ranks independently on their own judgement by the affiliated black belt. (And the "supervising" black belt is named as the promoter officially.)
I much prefer this to the system where smaller gyms have to organize camps/seminars to bring in an affiliated black belt to promote the students in person, and to collect hefty fees for doing so. And I also prefer naming the actual coach as the promoter (on here in Beltchecker and other places too) vs. the affiliate black belt who doesn't even remember the name of the student in question.
JJBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I don't think anybody should be promoting anybody without at least an OK from a black belt. It's bad juju for you and the BJJ gods will not smile down favorably upon you. As a non-BB coach, I don't promote anybody without a BB present. I think that since you can expect to be at your next belt for a couple years then why not try to make the promotion experience special? If I have students who are ready for their next belt then they deal with it until a BB roles through. There's never really any rush. Besides, who wants to tell all their Gracie Barra friends that they're a blue belt under *Random-Ass-Purple-Belt-Guy*? With all due respect, of course. This is just my slightly sarcastic opinion.
I respectfully disagree. I don't want to know when someone is coming in to give me his approval that I don't know or have any relationship with.
The idea of special is subjective.
A random unexpected moment from someone I've actually been training with is more special to me.
The gracie barra friend was our teammate that could of stayed that way if someone had listened.
And your right a random ass black belt would sound better.
With all due respect of course this also my sarcastic opinion. Communication has never been your best attribute nor mine. I am slightly but not completely stubborn for saying what I think.
But anyways you guys sincerely do a great job of creating a welcoming environment for all wishing to learn jiujitsu. Possibly the safest and nicest environment I have ever seen. With a real passion of creating a good community that even those in other states remember the name of the gym from the white belt tournaments and the quality of the former Sunday open mats that would bring everyone together. Quite an accomplishment against the normal cult like behaviors of places.
One that I wish to continue to support. But my desire for improving myself is unmanageable.
The idea of special is subjective.
A random unexpected moment from someone I've actually been training with is more special to me.
The gracie barra friend was our teammate that could of stayed that way if someone had listened.
And your right a random ass black belt would sound better.
With all due respect of course this also my sarcastic opinion. Communication has never been your best attribute nor mine. I am slightly but not completely stubborn for saying what I think.
But anyways you guys sincerely do a great job of creating a welcoming environment for all wishing to learn jiujitsu. Possibly the safest and nicest environment I have ever seen. With a real passion of creating a good community that even those in other states remember the name of the gym from the white belt tournaments and the quality of the former Sunday open mats that would bring everyone together. Quite an accomplishment against the normal cult like behaviors of places.
One that I wish to continue to support. But my desire for improving myself is unmanageable.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I respectfully disagree. I don't want to know when someone is coming in to give me his approval that I don't know or have any relationship with. The idea of special is subjective. A random unexpected moment from someone I've actually been training with is more special to me. The gracie barra friend was our teammate that could of stayed that way if someone had listened. And your right a random ass black belt would sound better. With all due respect of course this also my sarcastic opinion. Communication has never been your best attribute nor mine. I am slightly but not completely stubborn for saying what I think. But anyways you guys sincerely do a great job of creating a welcoming environment for all wishing to learn jiujitsu. Possibly the safest and nicest environment I have ever seen. With a real passion of creating a good community that even those in other states remember the name of the gym from the white belt tournaments and the quality of the former Sunday open mats that would bring everyone together. Quite an accomplishment against the normal cult like behaviors of places. One that I wish to continue to support. But my desire for improving myself is unmanageable.
Lol dude, it took me a minute to figure out what the hell you were even talking about. I didn't even realize you had posted on this thread prior to my comment, so it definitely wasn't directed at you or your GB friend.
I'm glad you dig the vibe of the gym! We definitely try and create an open and welcoming atmosphere for everyone, regardless of their affiliation or lack thereof. And we definitely wouldn't want anybody training with us who feels like they don't fit in.
But I think we should stick to the topic!
Another reason I like our promotions policy also has something to do with the fact that we're such a weird, out-of-place gym, being that we're completely unaffiliated and run by a non-BB. So requiring that a BB be present also adds a certain flavor of legitimacy to those receiving promotions.
I'm glad you dig the vibe of the gym! We definitely try and create an open and welcoming atmosphere for everyone, regardless of their affiliation or lack thereof. And we definitely wouldn't want anybody training with us who feels like they don't fit in.
But I think we should stick to the topic!
Another reason I like our promotions policy also has something to do with the fact that we're such a weird, out-of-place gym, being that we're completely unaffiliated and run by a non-BB. So requiring that a BB be present also adds a certain flavor of legitimacy to those receiving promotions.
BNPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Grappling Industries and ibjjf for example won't let me compete up. I have lifetime membership to grappling Industries and they have tournaments in September and October that I can't even sign up for because they won't let me compete up and I refuse to compete at white belt.
I understand the IBJJF being rigid with not letting people "compete up" but how can Grappling Industries hold you back? Just sign up as a blue belt and show up. GI isn't a governing body. I've seen people "compete up" at GI in the past and just borrow a belt of whichever color they were using.
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I understand the IBJJF being rigid with not letting people 'compete up' but how can Grappling Industries hold you back? Just sign up as a blue belt and show up. GI isn't a governing body. I've seen people 'compete up' at GI in the past and just borrow a belt of whichever color they were using.
They used to allow it at one time and then David changed his mind. His company, his rules i suppose. Personally I wouldn't want to be photographed wearing a belt that wasn't my actual rank. In March, i wanted to compete in the blue belt division wearing my 4 stripe white belt.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I don't understand why anyone would charge a fee to promote someone. That sounds sketchy to me.
I don't get paid to teach bjj and do it for free at a teammates academy. I like to do all promotions unless one of the other Blkblts want to do it.
I don't have a problem with lower belts doing promotions with the ok from a blk blt who know them.
I would not green light anyone to promote someone I haven't been on the mat with.
Of course, I don't care what happens outside our team. Everyone can do what they like.
If belts do not mean anything then why be a member on a site that is based on belts? Kind of odd isn't it? Lol
I don't get paid to teach bjj and do it for free at a teammates academy. I like to do all promotions unless one of the other Blkblts want to do it.
I don't have a problem with lower belts doing promotions with the ok from a blk blt who know them.
I would not green light anyone to promote someone I haven't been on the mat with.
Of course, I don't care what happens outside our team. Everyone can do what they like.
If belts do not mean anything then why be a member on a site that is based on belts? Kind of odd isn't it? Lol
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I don't understand why anyone would charge a fee to promote someone. That sounds sketchy to me. I don't get paid to teach bjj and do it for free at a teammates academy. I like to do all promotions unless one of the other Blkblts want to do it. I don't have a problem with lower belts doing promotions with the ok from a blk blt who know them. I would not green light anyone to promote someone I haven't been on the mat with. Of course, I don't care what happens outside our team. Everyone can do what they like. If belts do not mean anything then why be a member on a site that is based on belts? Kind of odd isn't it? Lol
Where did anyone say "belts don't mean anything"?
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Where did anyone say 'belts don't mean anything'?
I may be reading into some of the comments on here too much. I have seen it posted in other threads since I've been a member on here.
Since they do mean something, and you practice an art where belts are awarded by qualified instructors, why would anyone be surprised that most practitioners feel that black belts should at least give the green light to lower belts in order to promote. I don't understand what the big deal is on here. As practitioners we adhere to the hierarchy that we are subject to. I don't see it as a bad thing. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
Since they do mean something, and you practice an art where belts are awarded by qualified instructors, why would anyone be surprised that most practitioners feel that black belts should at least give the green light to lower belts in order to promote. I don't understand what the big deal is on here. As practitioners we adhere to the hierarchy that we are subject to. I don't see it as a bad thing. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I may be reading into some of the comments on here too much. I have seen it posted in other threads since I've been a member on here. Since they do mean something, and you practice an art where belts are awarded by qualified instructors, why would anyone be surprised that most practitioners feel that black belts should at least give the green light to lower belts in order to promote. I don't understand what the big deal is on here. As practitioners we adhere to the hierarchy that we are subject to. I don't see it as a bad thing. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
I am not of the opinion that belts mean nothing, there's a link above to Firas Zahabi talking about what he thinks each belt means and i agree with him.
Objectively, nobody owns BJJ. BJJ is not like Rugby where all clubs subscribe the Rugby Football Union (RFU) or Football where every team agrees to the authority of the Football Association (FA). BJJ is like MMA, Bodybuilding or Powerlifting, an assortment of voluntary organisations - some of which are more formal than others. I have absolutely nothing to do with the IBJJF and never will, i am not subject to their hierarchy. If i wanted to compete at their tournaments, i would be, but i don't. I like heel hooks and knee reaping.
Fun fact: Grappling Industries now run more tournaments per year than the IBJJF.
Objectively, nobody owns BJJ. BJJ is not like Rugby where all clubs subscribe the Rugby Football Union (RFU) or Football where every team agrees to the authority of the Football Association (FA). BJJ is like MMA, Bodybuilding or Powerlifting, an assortment of voluntary organisations - some of which are more formal than others. I have absolutely nothing to do with the IBJJF and never will, i am not subject to their hierarchy. If i wanted to compete at their tournaments, i would be, but i don't. I like heel hooks and knee reaping.
Fun fact: Grappling Industries now run more tournaments per year than the IBJJF.
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Should the purple be allowed to give stripes on the blue and if so how many?
My overarching belief is that nobody actually has the authority to be that specific. We can agree on a few basics, like people shouldn't promote themselves because you do have a lineage that traces your belt back to Mitsuo Maeda / Carlos Gracie / Helio Gracie. So if i gave myself a blue belt then i'd be breaking that. But beyond that, i feel you should be acting in a way that doesn't disgrace the person next up the chain in your lineage. I have an opinion on what reasonable standards would be, but it's just my opinion and i wouldn't try to push them on other people. Lineage matters in so far as we don't want the Steven Seagal's of the world claiming a black belt that nobody can trace, as he does with Judo, but clearly some BJJ lineages are more prestigious than others and some clubs have higher standards for promotion than others. If you care a lot about having a prestigious lineage then you probably need to be prepared to drive a lot more than i do, unless you hit the postcode lottery.
Plenty of clubs don't even stripe blue belts, some have green belts between white and blue! Personally i expect to be a blue belt for a long time so i haven't even thought about getting stripes much, plus i'm more NoGi anyway so i'll progress to the next division in that over time regardless of my belt. I'm 34 now so competing above purple belt in BJJ doesn't feature in my plans at all. The potential to get matches at my weight and age above blue is very limited anyway, I'd like to get one of those NAGA belts before i'm done though.
Plenty of clubs don't even stripe blue belts, some have green belts between white and blue! Personally i expect to be a blue belt for a long time so i haven't even thought about getting stripes much, plus i'm more NoGi anyway so i'll progress to the next division in that over time regardless of my belt. I'm 34 now so competing above purple belt in BJJ doesn't feature in my plans at all. The potential to get matches at my weight and age above blue is very limited anyway, I'd like to get one of those NAGA belts before i'm done though.
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Should the purple be allowed to give stripes on the blue and if so how many?
Nobody should be ever allowed to give stripes to any color belt :D
AKPurple beltVerified
BNPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Nobody should be ever allowed to give stripes to any color belt :D
Yea, stripes are dumb unless you're a black belt.
SBBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
It seems like the more years you’ve put into Jiu Jitsu the more likely you are to believe an expert in the field should judge the level of achievement of those underneath them. Those that have some number of months in the sport feel like their performance on the mats confers rank. If I beat all the other white belts then I’m ready for the next level. It’s the white belt that tends to ask for promotion. I’ve never heard of a brown belt ask his or her instructor when they are getting their black belt. The longer you’re involved in Jiu Jitsu the more likely you are to want a black belt to confer the next level of achievement.
I have no thought on whether or not a purple should promote a blue. I have no thought on anything white or blue. It means next to nothing either way in Jiu Jitsu. It isn’t until purple that any expertise is expected so until then it’s just a belt with no expectations.
I have no thought on whether or not a purple should promote a blue. I have no thought on anything white or blue. It means next to nothing either way in Jiu Jitsu. It isn’t until purple that any expertise is expected so until then it’s just a belt with no expectations.
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
We can agree on a few basics, like people shouldn't promote themselves because you do have a lineage that traces your belt back to Mitsuo Maeda / Carlos Gracie / Helio Gracie. So if i gave myself a blue belt then i'd be breaking that.
Probably you'd also agree that you shouldn't promote above you?
So it's just all arbitrary rules... And like you said, without a proper world organization (having that comes with pros and cons) it's kinda collective consensus thing subject to change and anyone can at any time say f that I'm going to do it my way now with blackjack and hookers... And then anyone else can call them a fake or whatever and then they can say that people are being petty etc etc...
So it's just all arbitrary rules... And like you said, without a proper world organization (having that comes with pros and cons) it's kinda collective consensus thing subject to change and anyone can at any time say f that I'm going to do it my way now with blackjack and hookers... And then anyone else can call them a fake or whatever and then they can say that people are being petty etc etc...
Edited 6 year(s) ago
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Probably you'd also agree that you shouldn't promote above you? So it's just all arbitrary rules... And like you said, without a proper world organization (having that comes with pros and cons) it's kinda collective consensus thing subject to change and anyone can at any time say f that I'm going to do it my way now with blackjack and hookers... And then anyone else can call them a fake or whatever and then they can say that people are being petty etc etc...
Yes, promoting above you wouldn't make sense nor would a blue belt promoting a white to blue, as purple belt has always been the instructor grade belt.
You have your right to an opinion and to ask questions. But as with anything, the way you ask the question has a lot to do with the answer you'll get back and your opinion may not be well received outside of your own social circle. Just like if you told Rigan Machado that maybe Josh Barnett should have spent some time at each belt level, rather than going straight to black. You're welcome to your opinion, but it might not go down well there.
You have your right to an opinion and to ask questions. But as with anything, the way you ask the question has a lot to do with the answer you'll get back and your opinion may not be well received outside of your own social circle. Just like if you told Rigan Machado that maybe Josh Barnett should have spent some time at each belt level, rather than going straight to black. You're welcome to your opinion, but it might not go down well there.
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
It seems like the more years you’ve put into Jiu Jitsu the more likely you are to believe an expert in the field should judge the level of achievement of those underneath them. Those that have some number of months in the sport feel like their performance on the mats confers rank. If I beat all the other white belts then I’m ready for the next level. It’s the white belt that tends to ask for promotion. I’ve never heard of a brown belt ask his or her instructor when they are getting their black belt. The longer you’re involved in Jiu Jitsu the more likely you are to want a black belt to confer the next level of achievement. I have no thought on whether or not a purple should promote a blue. I have no thought on anything white or blue. It means next to nothing either way in Jiu Jitsu. It isn’t until purple that any expertise is expected so until then it’s just a belt with no expectations.
I'd say it's more about culture. If you come from a sport like MMA, boxing, wrestling, rugby, american football etc where there are no belts and opinions aren't highly valued, then you are more likely to believe that the mats don't lie.
If you're into the 'martial artist' culture then you are more likely to believe that the mats don't lie, but only an expert knows what they are saying.
There is also no universal definition of what each belt means, but if you agree with what Firas Zahabi says, then the criteria for blue is quiet easy to test and doesn't require an expert to judge.
If you're into the 'martial artist' culture then you are more likely to believe that the mats don't lie, but only an expert knows what they are saying.
There is also no universal definition of what each belt means, but if you agree with what Firas Zahabi says, then the criteria for blue is quiet easy to test and doesn't require an expert to judge.
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
You're welcome to your opinion, but it might not go down well there.
Exactly :)
Btw, I think noone doubts Barnett's grappling ability. But I know a lot of people indeed do think that maybe one shouldn't give a BB to someone that says they have never trained BJJ because what else that is than a publicity stunt then?
Btw, I think noone doubts Barnett's grappling ability. But I know a lot of people indeed do think that maybe one shouldn't give a BB to someone that says they have never trained BJJ because what else that is than a publicity stunt then?
DBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Nobody should be ever allowed to give stripes to any color belt :D
lol, agreed. I never had one still don't. Stripes are good for business though, I can't deny that.
AKPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
what else that is than a publicity stunt then?
A convenient way to explain why a white belt can win the world championship?
