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Black Belt Degree Promotion - Time in Service or Awarded?
5 year(s) ago • 4713 views • 20 replies
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Just a question to the bb's on the board and apologies in advance if this has been asked before. How did you get your stripes?
I ask because I received my bb in May of 2015. I'm still a 'zero' degree and even though I train infrequently with higher degree bb's, I still have yet to receive any promotions from them (not that I'm really expecting that).
For those asking why I wasn't degree promoted by the instructor who belted me, I was promoted and then shortly afterwards the gym folded and my instructor (Sean Bansfield) moved to Florida.
Normally I don't really give a shit about rank but there is an individual who I promoted to brown a while ago that teaches/trains with his own unaffiliated group and I'd like to eventually award him a black belt for his hard work and perseverance (he actually started training a few years before I did).
As I understand it, IBJJF requires a 2nd degree to promote to bb and although I realize they are kind of the 'enemy', I want my brown belt friend's promotion to be a legitimate as possible.
Interested to hear your thoughts on this matter.
Note to mods: If this topic belongs on another forum, please feel free to move or delete altogether.
I ask because I received my bb in May of 2015. I'm still a 'zero' degree and even though I train infrequently with higher degree bb's, I still have yet to receive any promotions from them (not that I'm really expecting that).
For those asking why I wasn't degree promoted by the instructor who belted me, I was promoted and then shortly afterwards the gym folded and my instructor (Sean Bansfield) moved to Florida.
Normally I don't really give a shit about rank but there is an individual who I promoted to brown a while ago that teaches/trains with his own unaffiliated group and I'd like to eventually award him a black belt for his hard work and perseverance (he actually started training a few years before I did).
As I understand it, IBJJF requires a 2nd degree to promote to bb and although I realize they are kind of the 'enemy', I want my brown belt friend's promotion to be a legitimate as possible.
Interested to hear your thoughts on this matter.
Note to mods: If this topic belongs on another forum, please feel free to move or delete altogether.
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I think this is less a matter of rivalry and more a matter of intent. The standards for the IBJJF are only relevant if your student intends to take part in IBJJF competitions.
Having said that, I understand that rank evaluations are done at Globetrotters Camps. Can't say what the process is, though.
Personally, I think the general idea of a council doing an evaluation at something like a camp to be the fairest version. If you roll with 5 black belts and beat them all, who can really argue that you're not at black belt level?
Having said that, I understand that rank evaluations are done at Globetrotters Camps. Can't say what the process is, though.
Personally, I think the general idea of a council doing an evaluation at something like a camp to be the fairest version. If you roll with 5 black belts and beat them all, who can really argue that you're not at black belt level?
BSBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I think this is less a matter of rivalry and more a matter of intent. The standards for the IBJJF are only relevant if your student intends to take part in IBJJF competitions. Having said that, I understand that rank evaluations are done at Globetrotters Camps. Can't say what the process is, though. Personally, I think the general idea of a council doing an evaluation at something like a camp to be the fairest version. If you roll with 5 black belts and beat them all, who can really argue that you're not at black belt level?
Sounds like that judo promotion by shiai where if you randori and beat 10 black belts in a row you can get a black belt
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
You know, that would actually be a pretty cool function for Beltchecker. Basically adding an additional button so we can not just validate someone's current rank, but recommend their promotion as well.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
How did you get your stripes?
My coach awarded mine back in the day. I can see your predicament about the stripes and brown belt student. Do you keep in touch with your coach or ? That would be the easiest. If not then your affiliation (if any) higher up the ranks could also stripe you I guess. Alternatively if you are of the unaffiliated team then attend a globetrotter training camp and see what the attending black belts think about your situation.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Beltchecker has an option to claim your black belt degrees based on time. Current statistics say: "Time served" black belt degrees claimed by verified profiles: 125.
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Chris - Yes, 'enemy' may have been a bit harsh and exaggerated, and I agree with almost everything you stated except maybe 'if I beat x black belts then that is proof of my legitimacy'. Since I'm a bit older and my style is highly defensive, I would prefer something along the lines of 'If I roll with x black belts and they can't submit me then that is proof of my legitimacy'.
Vince - I lost touch with him over the years but I have recently heard from a mutual acquaintance that he comes back to MI once a month, so said mutual acquaintance is going to message me next time he's in town and I plan to pop over and surprise him.
Christian - Thanks for posting that. For the Beltchecker option, how would that hypothetically work in my case? Since I have six years time served as a bb, would I add one strip or two? I'm guessing it's the first option - as the IBJJF rules for promotion state:
• The first degree can only be requested after a minimum of three (3) years of the black belt graduation.
• The second and third grades can be requested only after a minimum period of three (3) years from the previous graduation
Emphasis on the 'from the previous graduation' from the second bullet point. Of course, that's IBJJF and not Beltchecker, which may handle time served differently.
Thanks for the great replies!
Vince - I lost touch with him over the years but I have recently heard from a mutual acquaintance that he comes back to MI once a month, so said mutual acquaintance is going to message me next time he's in town and I plan to pop over and surprise him.
Christian - Thanks for posting that. For the Beltchecker option, how would that hypothetically work in my case? Since I have six years time served as a bb, would I add one strip or two? I'm guessing it's the first option - as the IBJJF rules for promotion state:
• The first degree can only be requested after a minimum of three (3) years of the black belt graduation.
• The second and third grades can be requested only after a minimum period of three (3) years from the previous graduation
Emphasis on the 'from the previous graduation' from the second bullet point. Of course, that's IBJJF and not Beltchecker, which may handle time served differently.
Thanks for the great replies!
Edited 5 year(s) ago
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Hi Adam,
I actually agree with you here. I was admitted not being very nuanced, but my point was when multiple black belts agree that you are at black belt level, then that's really the only thing that should matter. Who you are or are not paying membership fees to shouldn't matter.
I actually agree with you here. I was admitted not being very nuanced, but my point was when multiple black belts agree that you are at black belt level, then that's really the only thing that should matter. Who you are or are not paying membership fees to shouldn't matter.
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Christian - Thanks for posting that. For the Beltchecker option, how would that hypothetically work in my case? Since I have six years time served as a bb, would I add one strip or two? I'm guessing it's the first option - as the IBJJF rules for promotion state:
Just go edit promotion history on your profile and you can see there which degrees you can claim
BBBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
600$ for the !st degree. Plus academy fees. LOL, what a racket. I have registered with IBJJF but Im not doing the certificate.
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
That certificate crap is nonsense with the IBJJF.
As to the stripes honestly I think of them as survival awards. I got a plaque in Vegas at a purple strides event a couple years ago as the longest living pancreatic cancer survivor in the city and it just felt weird to get something for surviving and the stripes kind of feel the same way
As to the stripes honestly I think of them as survival awards. I got a plaque in Vegas at a purple strides event a couple years ago as the longest living pancreatic cancer survivor in the city and it just felt weird to get something for surviving and the stripes kind of feel the same way
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
IBJJF is a scam. Their ranking system only applies from the date your register.
So if you've been a black belt a few years but never registered or did not keep up regularly with their dues, they do not recognize that time in grade.
I know plenty of 4th degrees that are only 2nds with the ibjjf and so forth.
Of course it's their organization so you have to play by their rules.
So if you've been a black belt a few years but never registered or did not keep up regularly with their dues, they do not recognize that time in grade.
I know plenty of 4th degrees that are only 2nds with the ibjjf and so forth.
Of course it's their organization so you have to play by their rules.
AMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Excellent replies.
I'll do that, Christian.
Thanks, all!
I'll do that, Christian.
Thanks, all!
SBBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
That certificate crap is nonsense with the IBJJF. As to the stripes honestly I think of them as survival awards. I got a plaque in Vegas at a purple strides event a couple years ago as the longest living pancreatic cancer survivor in the city and it just felt weird to get something for surviving and the stripes kind of feel the same way
I just lost a training partner to pancreatic cancer last night. He fought for a year and a half after his stage 4 diagnosis. Take the plaque and hang it in a place of honor. Every day is a privilege. Having said that, f*ck the IBJJF and their money extorting scheme. I've never been one that loved the stripes anyways.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I just lost a training partner to pancreatic cancer last night. He fought for a year and a half after his stage 4 diagnosis. Take the plaque and hang it in a place of honor. Every day is a privilege. Having said that, f*ck the IBJJF and their money extorting scheme. I've never been one that loved the stripes anyways.
Sorry to hear that. It's always heartbreaking to lose loved ones and friends
JABlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I just lost a training partner to pancreatic cancer last night. He fought for a year and a half after his stage 4 diagnosis. Take the plaque and hang it in a place of honor. Every day is a privilege. Having said that, f*ck the IBJJF and their money extorting scheme. I've never been one that loved the stripes anyways.
Sorry for your loss sir. and agreed on living in the moment and cherishing each day.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I just lost a training partner to pancreatic cancer last night. He fought for a year and a half after his stage 4 diagnosis. Take the plaque and hang it in a place of honor. Every day is a privilege. Having said that, f*ck the IBJJF and their money extorting scheme. I've never been one that loved the stripes anyways.
Deepest condolences on your loss Sir.
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I just lost a training partner to pancreatic cancer last night. He fought for a year and a half after his stage 4 diagnosis. Take the plaque and hang it in a place of honor. Every day is a privilege. Having said that, f*ck the IBJJF and their money extorting scheme. I've never been one that loved the stripes anyways.
I am sorry to hear of your friend's passing.
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I just lost a training partner to pancreatic cancer last night. He fought for a year and a half after his stage 4 diagnosis. Take the plaque and hang it in a place of honor. Every day is a privilege. Having said that, f*ck the IBJJF and their money extorting scheme. I've never been one that loved the stripes anyways.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Pancreatic cancer sucks and the chemo damn near killed me hair fell out in clumps and I dropped to 158. Actually was told I would be dead in 6 months if my wife had not found a Dr. in Mexico that had a non-approved treatment I would be dead. Preface that with the fact my form of pancreatic cancer was actually a rare form that was easy for him to target responded unusually well
Pancreatic cancer sucks and the chemo damn near killed me hair fell out in clumps and I dropped to 158. Actually was told I would be dead in 6 months if my wife had not found a Dr. in Mexico that had a non-approved treatment I would be dead. Preface that with the fact my form of pancreatic cancer was actually a rare form that was easy for him to target responded unusually well
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I am so sorry for your loss. Pancreatic cancer sucks and the chemo damn near killed me hair fell out in clumps and I dropped to 158. Actually was told I would be dead in 6 months if my wife had not found a Dr. in Mexico that had a non-approved treatment I would be dead. Preface that with the fact my form of pancreatic cancer was actually a rare form that was easy for him to target responded unusually well
Holy shit, my cancer survivor brother.
That is a rare and wonderful story, when it comes to Pancreatic cancer.
I was Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, from prolonged radiation exposure, myself.
That is a rare and wonderful story, when it comes to Pancreatic cancer.
I was Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, from prolonged radiation exposure, myself.
PDBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Holy shit, my cancer survivor brother. That is a rare and wonderful story, when it comes to Pancreatic cancer. I was Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, from prolonged radiation exposure, myself.
I seriously feel like the luckiest man alive and truly try and take advantage of the second chance. It put a lot of things in a new perspective
