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Giving stripes
2 year(s) ago • 2655 views • 59 replies
MKBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Question instructors. How difficult is it to deal with giving stripes for adults? Can you just be a white belt until you are a blue belt? I know the whole "it's for motivation purposes." 10th Planets school technically do it that way. I would love to hear your thoughts.
JCPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
IMHO stripes are more important for white belts than they are for the other belts. If you're rolling with a blue belt you know they should know what's going on. With a white belt you have no idea. I approach a roll with a no stripe white belt much differently than I do with a 4 stripe white belt.
JBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Not very common, but we actually have two lists with techniques that we require everyone to know before blue belt and which are also central criteria for the stripes (although sparring skills are also weighed in, especially competition experience). So very clear for the students what is expected and we have students with colored belts help with one on one checking of the techniques, which also develops them as possible assistant instructors. Works for us and our colored belts are often complimented on having very good basics when visiting other academies. So not very difficult to deal with giving the stripes but quite a lot of workload involved and perhaps the threshold for the first stripe is a bit high.
For the colored belts, it's just an estimated "progression bar" up to the next belt, with one semester of frequent and focused training where they show good progress as roughly equivalent of one stripe. While also doing an estimation on if they are 20%*number of stripes on their way from their colored belt to the next. And we usually discuss it among us instructors. If just a single of us has doubts, we tend to wait. But I usually think it's quite easy to feel and see some ones belt level along the colored belts. Other colored belts, especially those competing regularly, are also good referense points.
I think it's both good for motivating students and helping you as an instructor keep track.
For the colored belts, it's just an estimated "progression bar" up to the next belt, with one semester of frequent and focused training where they show good progress as roughly equivalent of one stripe. While also doing an estimation on if they are 20%*number of stripes on their way from their colored belt to the next. And we usually discuss it among us instructors. If just a single of us has doubts, we tend to wait. But I usually think it's quite easy to feel and see some ones belt level along the colored belts. Other colored belts, especially those competing regularly, are also good referense points.
I think it's both good for motivating students and helping you as an instructor keep track.
EHBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Yes I'd say it's good for motivational purposes we have several white belt not feel like there getting it or advancing because they roll with higher belts, but as a coach you can roll or just watch that they have picked up the progress and techniques. So then we reassure them of that by a stripe just to show that they have stepping stones of progress. Especially with teens and younger adults seems to help keep them wanting a goal.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Question instructors. How difficult is it to deal with giving stripes for adults? Can you just be a white belt until you are a blue belt? I know the whole 'it's for motivation purposes.' 10th Planets school technically do it that way. I would love to hear your thoughts.
How difficult is it to deal with giving stripes for adults? - Not difficult. Just stick some white tape on their belts when they have demonstrated consistent improvement.
Can you just be a white belt until you are a blue belt? - Yes, that's the usual belt progression, however; I have also seen some academies awarding GREEN belts after White but before Blue.
I know the whole 'it's for motivation purposes.' - Motivation, inspiration, aspiration, bragging rights, etc. and stepping stones towards more challenging goals. Ref: the plentiful Insta posts when white belts earn their first stripe
10th Planets school technically do it that way - As there is no universal right or wrong in this regard I think do whatever that makes sense to you and your students.
Can you just be a white belt until you are a blue belt? - Yes, that's the usual belt progression, however; I have also seen some academies awarding GREEN belts after White but before Blue.
I know the whole 'it's for motivation purposes.' - Motivation, inspiration, aspiration, bragging rights, etc. and stepping stones towards more challenging goals. Ref: the plentiful Insta posts when white belts earn their first stripe
10th Planets school technically do it that way - As there is no universal right or wrong in this regard I think do whatever that makes sense to you and your students.
BVBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
We didnt do stripes way back in the days. I did lose some students because of it. Even if they were close to blue belt they didnt feel like it and the stripes give a good indication. Also now that i have a bigger group of people the stripes help us deter if some one is close or not. (i dont see all the students a lot since i dont teach all the classes anymore). Before graduation we discuss the names of candidates for the next belt 4 stripes are always in that mix.
CHBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
I think that stripes are very beneficial. With any goal that takes an extended time, it is nice to have shorter achievable goals to strive for to keep motivated. Stripes are simply an affirmation that you are moving forward. Regardless of what people may say, that affirmation is just as important for adults as it is for kids.
My gym does not award stripes to adults, and I think it is a missed opportunity to acknowledge the students and the work they are putting in. It has not stopped people from training but stripes are a recognized part of BJJ culture that should not be overlooked.
My gym does not award stripes to adults, and I think it is a missed opportunity to acknowledge the students and the work they are putting in. It has not stopped people from training but stripes are a recognized part of BJJ culture that should not be overlooked.
RBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Learner motivation is a hugely important element of the learning process. If you feel like stripes are motivating for your student(s) then give them when fitting. If your student(s) don't care about stripes, they become less important. It also depends on how large your roster is, because I know some instructors use stripes to help them keep tabs (no pun intended) on how far along their people are.
When I got my blue belt I didn't even own my own white belt...I was borrowing one and never gave it back until I got promoted because the person I borrowed it from was a blue belt. No stripes on the white belt, obviously.
When I got my blue belt I didn't even own my own white belt...I was borrowing one and never gave it back until I got promoted because the person I borrowed it from was a blue belt. No stripes on the white belt, obviously.
Edited 2 year(s) ago
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Another topic about stripes?
Personally, I'd only give stripes to kids and white belt adults.
It is a good way to keep track of progress if the gym has a lot of students, though. A
Personally, I'd only give stripes to kids and white belt adults.
It is a good way to keep track of progress if the gym has a lot of students, though. A
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SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Question instructors. How difficult is it to deal with giving stripes for adults? Can you just be a white belt until you are a blue belt? I know the whole 'it's for motivation purposes.' 10th Planets school technically do it that way. I would love to hear your thoughts.
I don't like stripes, so I've never given any. IMO, they make people focused on getting promoted, which is something I try to downplay as much as possible. I want people to focus on getting better, not a bit of tape (or indeed a belt, ideally).
Saying that, I can understand the arguments in their favour, it can make business sense, help retention etc. People like getting regular pats on the head. I just think a belt every few years is regular enough, so I have no plans to ever give out stripes.
Saying that, I can understand the arguments in their favour, it can make business sense, help retention etc. People like getting regular pats on the head. I just think a belt every few years is regular enough, so I have no plans to ever give out stripes.
JBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
IMO, they make people focused on getting promoted, which is something I try to downplay as much as possible. I want people to focus on getting better, not a bit of tape (or indeed a belt, ideally).
As a striper, I can't remember ever having had a student more interested in stripes or belts than in getting better. Sometimes they themselves don't realize that they're actually getting better as their benchmark persons are getting better as well and the more experienced people aren't holding back any longer. So a stripe can also serve as encouragement and acknowledgement that they are actually moving forward, even if it's more clear from an instructor's perspective than their own.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
It's possible, but I have certainly seen "well I'm a three stripe, so I must be better than that two stripe" etc stuff. I've also had people try to convince me they need a stripe (having seen other people online get them), despite not focusing enough on simply showing up.
When I calmly explained I don't give out stripes and why, their attendance improved and they stopped asking. That is just one person, though.
I can respect other people choose to use them, but I think there are more than enough promotions in BJJ already. I prefer to encourage people by telling them exactly how they've gotten better, but I can see how stripes work for some schools.
When I calmly explained I don't give out stripes and why, their attendance improved and they stopped asking. That is just one person, though.
I can respect other people choose to use them, but I think there are more than enough promotions in BJJ already. I prefer to encourage people by telling them exactly how they've gotten better, but I can see how stripes work for some schools.
DUBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
My thoughts:
If stripes didn’t matter, black belts wouldn’t get stripes.
My gyms approach is to forget to hand them out, then randomly give some out, then skip some and promote to next belt. This causes much mirth and most of us just accept that we all love stripes but they don’t really represent where we are at the present moment.
If stripes didn’t matter, black belts wouldn’t get stripes.
My gyms approach is to forget to hand them out, then randomly give some out, then skip some and promote to next belt. This causes much mirth and most of us just accept that we all love stripes but they don’t really represent where we are at the present moment.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
My thoughts: If stripes didn’t matter, black belts wouldn’t get stripes. My gyms approach is to forget to hand them out, then randomly give some out, then skip some and promote to next belt. This causes much mirth and most of us just accept that we all love stripes but they don’t really represent where we are at the present moment.
Stripes on a black belt are even sillier. "Hooray, you stayed alive another three years."
JCPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Stripes on a black belt are even sillier. 'Hooray, you stayed alive another three years.'
You say "stayed alive another three years" like it's an insignificant accomplishment.
BVBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Old man stripes. I call em that.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Stripes on a black belt are even sillier. 'Hooray, you stayed alive another three years.'
No less silly than grown men wearing colourful, patched up clothing depicting childhood cartoon heros and "rolling around on the floor" silly :) celebrate life and it's small joys! pieces of white electrical tape are in that bundle :)
HCBrown beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Bjj is very much a business and those stripes help many people stick to the grind. I think it is a practical business tool if nothing else. How many social media posts do you see of people posting stripe promotions? Tons all day everyday. (Paying for any stripe test would be bs)
DKBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
My thoughts: If stripes didn’t matter, black belts wouldn’t get stripes. My gyms approach is to forget to hand them out, then randomly give some out, then skip some and promote to next belt. This causes much mirth and most of us just accept that we all love stripes but they don’t really represent where we are at the present moment.
Until I see tournaments create divisions by rank and stripe count, then I will say what I have always said: stripes don't matter.
More power to those who put stock in the finger tape wrapped around your belt.
More power to those who put stock in the finger tape wrapped around your belt.
MBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Until I see tournaments create divisions by rank and stripe count, then I will say what I have always said: stripes don't matter. More power to those who put stock in the finger tape wrapped around your belt.
So why add stripes to your profile here on BeltChecker?
HCBrown beltVerified
MBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
No less silly than grown men wearing colourful, patched up clothing depicting childhood cartoon heros and 'rolling around on the floor' silly :) celebrate life and it's small joys! pieces of white electrical tape are in that bundle :)
I enjoy the way you think.
My boss would always ask every morning how we were doing, my answer is always Fabulous! because of the fact my feet hit the floor and I am alive to enjoy life. In the same way I enjoy seeing those crazy rashgaurds or peoples faces when they earn a stripe.
I know the conversation was about "giving" stripes, but I see it as earning the stripe. Let's face it, if you are a professor, coach or instructor that puts stripes on student's belts, you are showing recognition of that student making some sort of progress, therefore they earned it. If acknowledgement of progression was not a thing we would just ditch the whole belt system. In that case Johan would lose his part-time job of verifying people's belts!
My boss would always ask every morning how we were doing, my answer is always Fabulous! because of the fact my feet hit the floor and I am alive to enjoy life. In the same way I enjoy seeing those crazy rashgaurds or peoples faces when they earn a stripe.
I know the conversation was about "giving" stripes, but I see it as earning the stripe. Let's face it, if you are a professor, coach or instructor that puts stripes on student's belts, you are showing recognition of that student making some sort of progress, therefore they earned it. If acknowledgement of progression was not a thing we would just ditch the whole belt system. In that case Johan would lose his part-time job of verifying people's belts!
TRBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
My gym gave stripes until our current coach started teaching there. He had been with another gym for 20 years or so and that gym never gave stripes. He tried it, but it was so awkward that he gave up on it.
I can respect both ways, but the most important thing is how good the coach is. If someone leaves because the gym don't give stripes then maybe that person is there for the wrong reasons.
I can respect both ways, but the most important thing is how good the coach is. If someone leaves because the gym don't give stripes then maybe that person is there for the wrong reasons.
JCPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
(Paying for any stripe test would be bs)
Paying for any test is bs. For that matter, testing is bs. If all else being equal you're beating the crap out of the other blue belts, holding your own against purple belts, and occasionally getting the best of higher belts, you are a purple belt. No test needed. But I may be slightly jaded from doing TKD tests every two months whether I was ready for them or not and getting promoted every time whether I passed the test or not.
DKBlack beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
So why add stripes to your profile here on BeltChecker?
Out of respect for my coach who is on here. Otherwise, I wouldn't add them.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
PSA: Denying stripes is the gateway to go full-on dad bod red speedos in your local high school gym comp. You've been advised!
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
No less silly than grown men wearing colourful, patched up clothing depicting childhood cartoon heros and "rolling around on the floor" silly
Yep, agreed! Jiu jitsu is a very, very silly sport. I enjoy the silliness in terms of ridiculous colours, patches, the fact we're all just wearing pyjamas and cuddling each other, etc. Stripes, not so much. ;)
CBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Stripes and belts….indont understand why people get soo bent out of shape about them.
Just like the military, we have a system of visual identification of someone’s rank, skills and accomplishments. What is wrong with acknowledgment?
Martial art means arts of war, and is based off of the military. If a soldier puts in work they get certain signifiers. Same with firemen and cops, so why not MA’s?
Also just like in the military or whatever, people can achieve rank and not have earned it properly or know what they are talking about, those people are always identified within their communities by the people in know.
Just like the military, we have a system of visual identification of someone’s rank, skills and accomplishments. What is wrong with acknowledgment?
Martial art means arts of war, and is based off of the military. If a soldier puts in work they get certain signifiers. Same with firemen and cops, so why not MA’s?
Also just like in the military or whatever, people can achieve rank and not have earned it properly or know what they are talking about, those people are always identified within their communities by the people in know.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
2 year(s) ago
Stripes and belts….indont understand why people get soo bent out of shape about them. Just like the military, we have a system of visual identification of someone’s rank, skills and accomplishments. What is wrong with acknowledgment? Martial art means arts of war, and is based off of the military. If a soldier puts in work they get certain signifiers. Same with firemen and cops, so why not MA’s? Also just like in the military or whatever, people can achieve rank and not have earned it properly or know what they are talking about, those people are always identified within their communities by the people in know.
I'm not in the military, nor would I want to be. Far too regimented. Which makes a lot of sense in the military, not so much for something I do for fun. But to each their own. ;)
JCPurple beltVerified
2 year(s) ago
Stripes and belts….indont understand why people get soo bent out of shape about them. Just like the military, we have a system of visual identification of someone’s rank, skills and accomplishments. What is wrong with acknowledgment? Martial art means arts of war, and is based off of the military. If a soldier puts in work they get certain signifiers. Same with firemen and cops, so why not MA’s? Also just like in the military or whatever, people can achieve rank and not have earned it properly or know what they are talking about, those people are always identified within their communities by the people in know.
I appreciate the sentiment, but rank in the military also corresponds to your position in a management hierarchy and implies authority. That isn't the case in BJJ. A blue belt has no real authority over a white belt, nor a purple belt over a blue. Belts and stripes are purely a signifier of boxes checked along the way. It's like wearing a ribbon rack on your utilities.
