How about rejigging /simplify the belt system White belt + 0 stripes = noob White belt + 1 stripe = equivalent to Blue belt (Beginner) White belt + 2 stripes = equivalent to Purple belt (Intermediate) White belt + 3 stripes = equivalent to Brown belt (Advanced) Black belt (plain) = Black Belt student/competitor Black Belt + red bar = Academy owner Black Belt + red bar with Professor stripes = Teacher This means you only have 2 belts = White or Black unless you own an academy and/or teach White belt stripes would carry a lot more weight and operationally it will be more cost effective and less wastage

I think green belts are a cash grab. They also come from the “everybody gets a trophy” mindset we have in MERICA. There is 5 belts, and 5 divisions of skill: beginner, novice, intermediate, advanced, and expert Anymore is just overkill.

So are stripes. I once attended an academy that charged for each stripe you received during the 'promotion ceremony. ' each stripe could run you as much as $25. It was ridiculous, and people paid it.

Now let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. Stripes are good, they help the instructor keep track of everyone’s progress and how to match people up for rolling. They shouldn’t necessarily be charging for them though.

My Professor uses the Green Belt for Adults in his academy, and while I respect him immensely, I have chosen not to in the academies I own. Coming from a Taekwondo Background and watching what it became over 30 years of my involvement... I just have a hard time adding anything honestly. Also, my bigger issue is there is no comparison between a youth and adult green belt in these manners. Using this system, an adult Green Belt would have maybe a years training on this belt, but a youth would have 5x times that at our academy. I like the ranking system as is, with the separation of youth and adult colors. To me, it is amply sufficient.

Green belts for adults. Or for what it matters, any kind of intermediate graduation between white and blue belt for adults. For example if I'm not wrong, SBGi Kavanagh uses white - white with a blue line - blue with a white line before the blue belts for adults. Certain schools have them, certain schools have them not. What are your ideas about? I confess sometimes I play in my mind with the idea of introducing them in my gym.

So are stripes. I once attended an academy that charged for each stripe you received during the 'promotion ceremony. ' each stripe could run you as much as $25. It was ridiculous, and people paid it.

Yeah there was the white belt 1-4 stripes, then two stepping stone belts which were only used internally. All were based on a set fundamental criteria. There was no charge for these belts or stripes. Once you met the criteria, you got the belt or stripe. I witnessed the process. Make no mistake, you were still a white belt, but there was a visual indicator as to what stage of that journey the student was at. Once you got to stripe 4 on the blue/white belt you were eligible to test for blue. There was no guarantee you would get the blue. If you did not pass the test you remained a white belt, or internally the blue/white belt. I certainly witnessed it motivate students and possibly have some stay on with the goal of getting that next belt or stripe. Some of these would leave, but I feel like it got a small number through the uncertain period at the start where they wonder if jiu jitsu is for them. I can see the perception of making internal belts as a negative, but I do think it kept some people on passed the hump and they are still on the mats today, not caring what belt they are.

Yeah there was the white belt 1-4 stripes, then two stepping stone belts which were only used internally. All were based on a set fundamental criteria. There was no charge for these belts or stripes. Once you met the criteria, you got the belt or stripe. I witnessed the process. Make no mistake, you were still a white belt, but there was a visual indicator as to what stage of that journey the student was at. Once you got to stripe 4 on the blue/white belt you were eligible to test for blue. There was no guarantee you would get the blue. If you did not pass the test you remained a white belt, or internally the blue/white belt. I certainly witnessed it motivate students and possibly have some stay on with the goal of getting that next belt or stripe. Some of these would leave, but I feel like it got a small number through the uncertain period at the start where they wonder if jiu jitsu is for them. I can see the perception of making internal belts as a negative, but I do think it kept some people on passed the hump and they are still on the mats today, not caring what belt they are.

I think that a belt in between white and blue can be leveraged well, as a benefit to the instructor of the class (quick way to see who is brand new, versus who has some understanding of movement).

I fail to see what function this would serve that stripes don't already cover.

As an instructor I’m responsible for the safety of my students. One way we accomplish this is by not letting brand new white belts roll together “doing Jiu Jitsu”. With our half-white and half-blue intermediary belt, I can see at a glance in a room of 40-50 people training that matchups are safe.

Why aren't stripes enough still? Is it just for your wellbeing?

In a room where 40-50 people are rolling around I’m not going to take the time to count stripes. Our current methods work great. We have minimal injuries due to smart, safe practices, and we create fantastic grapplers. Nobody benefits from 2 brand new students “doing Jiu Jitsu” together, and we solved that problem for us. So when there’s literally no negative aspect to having an intermediary belt (other than the fact that it angers people that don’t understand it). I see no reason why we wouldn’t.

What are your ideas about?

Imagine going to competition and realising there's no green belt division and most people at the competition have no idea what rank you think you are

Exactly why our students are all well aware that outside of our walls, they wear a white belt. Comps, seminars, visiting other gyms, etc….