So to continue keeping this place alive with controversial topics. Students of Todd Nathanson have joined beltchecker. There's controversy around Mr. Nathanson. I don't have any specific information nor personal stake in the matter beyond having Googled it and found out there's controversy. Chime in folks :) https://www.bjj-spot.com/[...]-red-belt/

Bottom line, it's all just quite amusing business about some white tape strips or red striping on a piece of black fabric.

I think we should dispense with the belts altogether and adopt golden sashes. :-P

But, I am not going to lose any sleep over it.

To be fair, one of the weird circus hélio-only BJJ belts does have gold on it. We’re almost there.

“Posted 3:34 AM”

I have a question. Who is allowed to promote to blue-black belt? I have always been promoted by a black belt. How do you all feel about colour belts promoting students to colour belts. No answer is a wrong answer, just looking for others views on the subject. Cheers Dave

My own feeling is all promotions must occur with the permission of a black belt. If a black belt give a purple or brown belt permission to promote his students to blue belt, perhaps in a satellite academy, that is between the black belt and his students. However, I would also suggest that a two rank difference is better than a one rank difference in such cases. But again, that is between the black belt and his students.

My own feeling is all promotions must occur with the permission of a black belt. If a black belt gives a purple or brown belt permission to promote his students to blue belt, perhaps in a satellite academy, that is between the black belt and his students. However, I would also suggest that a two rank difference is better than a one rank difference in such cases. But again, that is between the black belt and his students.

My own feeling is all promotions must occur with the permission of a black belt. If a black belt gives a purple or brown belt permission to promote his students to blue belt, perhaps in a satellite academy, that is between the black belt and his students. However, I would also suggest that a two rank difference is better than a one rank difference in such cases. But again, that is between the black belt and his students.

How about a ronin type colour belt that has no black belt instructor and just wants to run a program?

I have three conflicting views on that. First, as a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and Judo black belt, I feel obligated to make the statement that those are not Gracie Jiu-Jitsu belts, nor Judo belts. They are in house dojo belts. Second, I feel all ranks belts, especially for adults are silly, so if the entire premise is somewhat absurd, the scenario you describe is just additional absurdity, no more nor less. So, I shouldn't care. Third, if the belted people in question can technically and competitively perform, and are not sex predators, then I feel that black belts with proper ranks, should wave their hands or squiggle their pens, preferably at no charge, to correct the situation as a service obligation. If they cannot technically or competitively perform this will be obvious in tournaments and open mats, or visit rolls.

Well said

If they cannot technically or competitively perform this will be obvious in tournaments and open mats, or visit rolls.

However, it does make one question the person’s overall state of mind & judgement, which can affect how people look at those promotions.

They've gotta be nuts to do this or so narcissistic that they are out of control.

sadly many of these personalities are attracted to martial arts for these very reasons

My own feeling is all promotions must occur with the permission of a black belt. If a black belt gives a purple or brown belt permission to promote his students to blue belt, perhaps in a satellite academy, that is between the black belt and his students. However, I would also suggest that a two rank difference is better than a one rank difference in such cases. But again, that is between the black belt and his students.

I'd like to see it changed to another criteria, like maybe you get a stripe every time you raise someone from White belt all the way through Black Belt. Make it mean something, real contribution to community. Just an idea, haha.