So generally for a black belt to promote another he needs to be one for six years to get the stripes. But where is the true hierarchy? Is it in the stripes or the time served. Also is there really any difference between someone giving you the stripe or claiming it yourself?

Pretty sure awarding yourself black belt degrees by adding stripes yourself would be heavily frowned upon, even if you’ve served the time in rank; time to go see your Professor who promoted you last, or whom you are training with now. I suspect however their might be people in this community of sufficient rank and willingness to help someone out with a degree stripe if time served was evident with a verified profile on this site, and it was made clear that there was no other access to your previous instructor anymore.

Pretty sure awarding yourself black belt degrees by adding stripes yourself would be heavily frowned upon, even if you’ve served the time in rank; time to go see your Professor who promoted you last, or whom you are training with now.

But if the only criteria for getting another degree added to your belt is to avoid dying for 3 years, why do you need a dude to add the degree for you? Does anybody know any 3rd degree black belts (or higher) who have any criteria at all, other than just staying alive and paying them money, that they would require from a prospective 1st degree black belt?

There is a catch though. The criteria is actually that you have to stay alive AND maintain a relationship with either someone higher in the pyramid OR the IBJJF. That was until Beltchecker was created, of course.

There is a catch though. The criteria is actually that you have to stay alive AND maintain a relationship with either someone higher in the pyramid OR the IBJJF. That was until Beltchecker was created, of course.

And Beltchecker allows stripes by time and tons of verified blackbelts there have claimed it :)

Technically I qualify for my 2nd stripe but I haven't claimed it via Beltchecker. I just realised that I'm in the Resistance :)

Just out of curiosity, what's the holdup?

I suppose the IBJJF just assumes that you've been promoted by said special person?

Technically I qualify for my 2nd stripe but I haven't claimed it via Beltchecker. I just realised that I'm in the Resistance :)

Only need to pay them some money but you already know the ins and out of that, I remember :D

Here yo go

I suppose the IBJJF just assumes that you've been promoted by said special person? What I'm curious about is if anybody has like, a lineage tradition (for lack of a better term) where their promoting 3rd/4th (whatever) black belt actually asks them to do anything other than stay alive and pay/affiliate with (etc) in order to earn that next stripe?

Just out of curiosity, what's the holdup?

Interesting that a background check, as well as a safe sport completion, is not on their list. I feel that these two things are the most important. Maybe they weren't required in 2020?

But if the only criteria for getting another degree added to your belt is to avoid dying for 3 years, why do you need a dude to add the degree for you? Does anybody know any 3rd degree black belts (or higher) who have any criteria at all, other than just staying alive and paying them money, that they would require from a prospective 1st degree black belt?

No the requirement is that you pay them for 3 years.. they only count years you've been an 'active' black belt. (Paid your IBJJF membership) they won't recognize degrees otherwise and therefore won't recognize BB you've given