BJJ Instructor Agenda: The Problem of Holding Back or Pushing Belt Promotions - Kama Vlog

WANT TO LEARN FROM KAMA? - Try our new Patreon page! We upload regular tutorial/technique videos for you to study and up your game!
- patreon.com/kamajiujitsu -
WANT TO LEARN RICKSON GRACIE'S JIU-JITSU FROM THE GRANDMASTER HIMSELF? Pick up his Self Defense Unit here!
- www.gallerr.com/academy/ricks... -
Need advice or tips on Jiu-Jitsu or running a martial arts school? Visit this link below to be able to talk directly with Ryan!
- clarity.fm/ryanyoung -
Wanna try our Jiu Jitsu in person? We service the Orange County, CA and Dallas/Fort Worth areas teaching adult, children, women, and advanced classes. Contact us today for more info!
- kamajiujitsu.com/ -
- AFFILIATE LINKS -
Try these great belts from KAATARO! Strong and great looking
www.kataaro.com/default.aspx?...
Need some more Jiu-Jitsu Gis or apparel? - amzn.to/2CVDdxl
Check out these Jiu-jitsu books! KJJ Approved!
Gracie Jiu-jitsu Master Text Book by Helio Gracie -amzn.to/2j6gNVk
The Canon of Judo: Classic Teachings on Principles and Techniques - amzn.to/2ybnpV6
Mind Over Muscle: Writings from the Founder of Judo -amzn.to/2ybrdWq
GEAR USED FOR THE VIDEOS:
Panasonic GH5 Camera - amzn.to/2Fa2WaF
Zoom H1 Audio recorder (it's really good) - amzn.to/2oGxtmt
Osmo Mobile Phone Gimble - amzn.to/2FhSIEu
Sony FDR-X3000R amzn.to/2LSMZoL
Sony a6500 - amzn.to/2LBkcZ1
Kama Jiu-Jitsu is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.
Music by:
Ehrling - "Breeze"
open.spotify.com/artist/5wo7d...
/ @ehrlingofficial
/ ehrling

[@bono894]

Sandbagging is a big problem as well. It's nothing more than the instructor engaging in self-masturbatory behavior. It's better to just promote people rather than trying to create some kind of illusion that the school is somehow producing prodigies left and right.

[@RosaHernandez-hn7be]

Masturbatory behavior, interesting. Could not have come up with a better word. Tried the sport for a whole month. The sport is amazing, Loved it. I wish there was a guarenteed I could learn technique without getting hurt. But don't think that's realistic. Even in a gentle setting "I" think things could still go wrong in such a high contact sport. Unfortunately my experiance of this Art was short lived and mudded. One of the senior belts used excessive force then called me egotistic for getting upset over it. A different senior belt let me know right away he wanted to sleep with me. In the process of training with different mates, my taps were either "not felt" or not "heard". I think masturbatory behavior just about sums it up. Thank you for helping me find a descriptive word to what I encountered.

[@maukasmauno]

@@RosaHernandez-hn7be sorry to hear you went into a shit school.

[@lightray9573]

@@RosaHernandez-hn7be what the fuck

[@RosaHernandez-hn7be]

@@maukasmauno Thank you. A few rotton apples for sure. I have zero point of reference and eventhough I would not return to that school, those two bad apples did no soil the Art for me.

[@maukasmauno]

@@RosaHernandez-hn7be I wish people who end up having these bad experiences could somehow get their experiences heard and just call the schools and instructors out. In the end bjj is a small community and these bad apples would get tossed away from the good batch. It sure takes some balls from the victim, but it would be good for the community in the end. Maybe somehow getting in touch with the matburn podcast could be the awnser🤔 I've heard Josh Hinger calling our bjj schools ran by scam artists before As a male, its hard for me to relate to you or some other woman(?) Rolling around with an instructor who is a low key creep, but I know for sure its a big problem in the sport.

[@John_Greek]

I gave up on thinking about belts and colours. I do jiu jitsu for the mental and physical cleansing that I get from learning, rolling and improving. It gives me time away from the ‘real world’ and puts things into perspective.

[@grapplingbuddy2418]

@nyc king I think of it like wrestling or boxing. Belts dont really give a good representation of fighting skills

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

but they're supposed to in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

[@rdeloges7957]

Yep. I believe I am "street ready" (not necessarily street proficient--maybe), based upon my combatives training experience (and prior wrestling), now I just no-gi roll to stay in shape and as a hobby. Keeps the mindset and skills sharp.

[@danieldomingues4253]

Excelent insight

[@treroney4720]

The Ian Lev Experience to me there’s not much of a difference between brown and black belt

[@ADAM_CAMMA]

A belt is not powerful, it’s cloth, the power, skill and knowledge are within the wearer.

[@St1cKnGoJuGgAlO]

Tell that to Ken shamrock, got choked out on TV with an obi

[@carritohmc]

Yeah, but you also have the issues of trying to compete, because I had to constantly move, my stripes would not be recognized, which I didn't care, but what ended up happening was me having to compete as a white belt against other white belts who had no experience and I had nearly two years of experience (I would normally compete intermediate in no gi) and then having to deal with "sandbagging" accusations, so then I started competing against blue belts, and some schools get pissed off as well because the instructors see it as you're trying to promote yourself, so then, what the hell am I supposed to do?

[@twalker2048]

I am a purple belt two stripes after 8 years and 6 months and former BJJ competitor. I am the de facto head instructor at a school in Muncie, IN. I had a guy that came to my school, who was a white belt two stripes after doing BJJ ever since 2006. He fought MMA and he was a infantry veteran. I rolled with him and he was great! I gave him his blue belt, because I could relate to how he was treated by a bad BJJ black belt promoter. I say all of this because I am fed up with the terrible promotion system in BJJ. We need a central governing body to promote the students and we need it to be done in an urgent way!

[@patrickwhite8144]

I absolutely agree with you. I left my last club because of their inconsistent grading standards. I trained my arse off for two years (5 days a week) and saw people who trained about once every two weeks, and who I could tap whenever I wanted, and who were younger than me, promoted to blue belt whilst I was kept at white. When I questioned why a particular student was promoted to blue belt the message I received indirectly was that they wanted to encourage that student to train more!!! What the actual fuck!!! (Also, I wasn't regarded as being a difficult student. I was awarded the student of the year award by my club...which I later ripped up and threw in the bin).

[@psyience3213]

Blue belt isn't even that serious. It just means you don't suck balls. Crazy.

[@camilomontoya7412]

@@psyience3213 LOL right,

[@psyience3213]

@@camilomontoya7412 lol I'm a blue belt so it is what it is 😆

[@ayurvology7537]

can purple belts promote people? I thought only black belts can do that

[@amplifymysound]

I know many people who have been held back and it made them train less, killed their momentum. It's a real shame.

[@sliderx1897]

Floyd Money Mayweather 50-0 GOAT well heres the thing. I am a black belt. Not in bjj but in another style with a instructor that is very hard to get black belts and degrees with. So i get it i do. Unfortunately it took me to get a black belt to realize its not about the fabric. Its avout what u learn. Yes everyone wants to be able to say and wear the coveted black belt. But what is it really. Like prof Ryan says. Some black belts arent up to the standard of what some believe a black belt should be. Its like high school some ppl graduate top of their class with honors and scholarship, while others barely skate by doing just barely enought to get that diploma (black belt) its a high school diploma doesn't mean u know everything just means u should know a certain amount of stuff at a certain level

[@jims512]

+Slider - I get what you’re saying. It has merit, but the BEST answer is to promote students objectively and when truly ready...not holding back nor pushing them along too quickly. This is what Prof Ryan is proposing. As an aside, doing away with belts doesn’t address the problem and lets lazy or selfish professors (holding students back to stack talent at a given belt level to produce more competition wins) off the hook.

[@sliderx1897]

Jim S correct! Forgive me for not making myself clear and also referring to past videos. Im not saying the belt has no place because it does. As an instructor i use belts to promote my students and have recently made some changes to my schools belt system. It is a great tool to reward a students progress and also for a grading system of a sort like any school. But i feel that one should not quit over a belt if they really love the art, But i can understand the frustration if a student is held back by the teacher. For many including myself at a time the belt is a goal somethi g to reach for. But do u stop if u get the belt? No u keep going cuz u love it. If u love it just keep going cuz u love the art and eventually the belt will be there. I guess thats what i meant. So it matters but it shouldnt be the main reason u do what u do.

[@jims512]

+ Slider - I read ya and agree. Thanks.

[@samsamo720]

@@sliderx1897 That's true man We can give blak belt to not exactly for the bjj World champion. But for some gays Who traîned for enouph years to représente more than 50% of bjj World skills

[@HansDavidian]

CMIIW, I think Caio Terra was not promoted to black belt when he became the world champion at brown belt. A year later, he lost in the final but his professor then promoted him to black belt on the podium.

[@iamalpharius9483]

My professor got his black belt from Caio. Caio was a black belt in 3 years and kept it. His small man JJ style is pretty amazing.

[@zeke1eod]

I agree it should be a checklist type deal where once the student has a REAL grasp of the concepts you're teaching and can actually do the moves then and only then promote idc if it's 6 months or 6 years between belts as long as they know the material

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

That was a great way of explaining it.

[@vinigoalkeeper3009]

Bj penn got his black belt in 3 years 4 months then won the bjj black belt world championship 3 weeks later and was the first non Brazilian to win the bjj black belt world championship………. Truly a prodigy

[@theman2017inc]

6+ years @blue belt? Testament to that individual pushing pass the prejudice of his former instructor and his blue belt blues not to give up to getting his purple promotion and ultimately black belt That’s inspiration for me on my BJJ journey Many thanks for this vid, Mr Young 🙏🏿

[@jessemarin5044]

I'm a wrestler and was able to roll but I didn't know the proper grip and wasn't able to choke my opponents out but won by points most of the time. I won the revolution in white belt and took 2nd and 3rd in blue belt diving but was never promoted. I'm a 5 year plus white belt lol...

[@joehiggs4349]

I’m from sports traditions without belts. I tell my boys not to pay attention to belts. You know who is good at bjj the same as basketball: by how good they are. The belts obscure at least as much as they clarify, probably more.

[@ramblr5900]

I dont know how I missed this video butI feel like this speaks to me. Thanks Ryan.

[@joeburr709]

Got my purple belt two weeks ago. 2 years at white belt, 4.5 years at blue. 6.5 years total. I am early 40’s and 145 lbs. I appreciate that my professor didn’t give me my purple belt earlier.

[@nathanmann3565]

Is there somewhere to see your criteria or curriculum?

[@ChristianWarrior76]

Good video, Ryan! Keep "em comin'!

[@zeehutt7876]

I was in my first school and I saw some people who never won a tournament get promotions because the instructor liked them. Some of us who won and proved our worth were slept on. A belt is a belt I know and it doesn’t make me better but if the instructor doesn’t want to invest in me long term and honestly train me honestly it’s like a job you bust your rear for and you are getting the same pay despite going above and beyond.

[@blitzthekraken9832]

I agree. Belt promotions in BJJ are a bit wonky. I noticed this with my child. His game was lacking in top control and takedowns, but they were progressing fast because they could submit from the bottom well enough. With great reluctance from my child, I immediately put him in Judo to cover the gaps and slow the BJJ belt progression down. My son threw for his first O Goshi in a BJJ tournament and used scarf hold to control for the transition position on top. He worked bottom game from triangle to armbar back to the triangle. Though he does not know Del Riva and x guard, and bierembolo, as well, which are taught at his level, I opted for an all-around game instead that could work within sport and self-defense, Judo or BJJ. If Sport BJJ ignores the top game and takedown, for trophies, I think parents will need to start taking into considerations alternatives. I might be wrong, but I believe they are important.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

don't worry about those different guard games. once he has a better understanding of base and core concepts, they are relatively easy to stop.

[@sliderx1897]

That purple belt with red bar looks pretty sweet!🥋👍

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

For KJJ purple belt instructors.

[@timetter7062]

instructors/professors like this are the real deal!!!! old school always wins!!!!!!!!

[@coyoteclone]

What will be involved in the online thing? How much will that be? Is it different or supplemental to Patreon? I bought the Rickson videos on your recommendation. I was an early bird Patreon member and dropped off. I'd like to get back on board. I love your videos.

[@rod1960]

First of all, I love your videos! They give great insight and advice. I would like to know why that blue belt got held back? Did anyone ever find out? Thanks

[@darkavenger234]

Love your videos man

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Thank you

[@psyience3213]

Just an interesting note, it seems like it's harder to get a blue belt at a gym without a curriculum/gracie jiu jitsu (generally). I've rolled with new gracie blue belts as a white belt and just been amazed at how little rolling experience they had. But that definitely smooths out, especially as you get to purple belt it seems. Out place doesn't really have a curriculum but I set one for myself, in that at first I sought out 1 technique for every position, then 2 techniques for every position, 3... 4... so on. That works as a pretty damn good rough guide for yourself.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

That’s great to do. Keep it up!

[@JamaaLS]

That gi is 🔥

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

We have them for sale 😉

[@conradswadling8495]

agreed. i have been held back or allowed up grades depending on teacher

[@batjackjohnson252]

Thanks sir

[@danielhomes7023]

A short story: Iam white belt and I had been in Rio for a three week trainingcamp when I start BJJ at the beginning of 2020. So I rolled with a blackbelt girl. She was very kind to me;) So, after we rolled I said, "wow cool, you are blackbelt" she said "yes I was promoted last Dec" I said, "oh good, congrats" Her answer was "Thank you, but its a very big responsibility" What I want to say with that little story is, I was highly impressed, because she wasn´t pointing herself out and act proud to became a black belt. She seemed very humbled and repectful carry that belt. (sorry for my english, Iam german;))

[@LuisCruz-io1wu]

Thank you very much for this video, it is fascinating to put the truth on the table. I was 8 years as a white belt doing techniques that blue belts could not do. and the most I loved, loved and loved is that I left Jiu Jitsu as what I am and I am a white belt with a very good understanding of GRACIE JIU-JITSU. 👍

[@michaelchamp3093]

Gordon Ryan got his Black belt in 6 years and he dominated everyone he faced. So belt rankings and promotions depends on how good the person is and how much they practice. Not based on time.

[@djengbdjsjx]

my experience some country based on time they dont care your skill level how good you are if you not pay gym enough no promote 😂

[@Psichlo1]

I have been training for just over 5 years and I have been a blue belt for three of those years, and I have seen people that I thought shouldn't have been promoted get promoted and people that should have that didn't. I think that gyms should have a clear set of expectations for their promotions, if for nothing else, to prevent the appearance of favoritism. There are also gyms out there that intentionally hold their students back so that they can dominate competitions. I know a gym that had a guy as a purple belt for almost five years and it wasn't because he wasn't ready for promotion, it was because he was doing well at competitions and inflating his ego as well as the rep of the gym. He outright avoided promotion because he didn't like the idea of having to grow.. I have never been interested in belts, or honestly even worried about it; the way I see it, the longer it takes me to get to the next rank, the better I will be when I get there, hopefully. I feel a certain level of comfort being where I am now, but I know that that can also be detrimental to your BJJ journey. I also don't think that competitions should play a part in promotions to the extent that it "shows their skill". Competitions display, in my humble opinion, a very small fraction of what the competitor actually knows. Some people do jiu jitsu because they enjoy it and some people compete for the same reason; more and more, it seems you're seeing gyms try to force people into competition and use it as a barrier to promotion, and I don't get that.

[@jimmysmash1]

Maybe a stupid question? Do all the self-defence Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academes teach the same curriculum? If not how are they different? Rickson style vs Gracie U style vs Royce style .... etc? A video maybe?

[@SpodyOdy]

Besides Rickson Dave and urself who are some of the best teachers of jiu jitsu not competitors but purely best teachers in your opinion?

[@kellyokamoto1604]

I know I've commented on this in other vids, but my sister went to a particular school to enroll her two teen daughters, my nieces, in a self-defense-based Jiu-Jitsu school after attending one of the Gracie (Torrance, CA) free Women Empowered Seminars I invited them to and absolutely loving it. They went to a local "Gracie"-"named" school and enrolled BEFORE asking me. Her ONLY question was, "do you do women's self-defense?" They assured her they do, took her money for a year's worth of classes, and found out they were a competition-based school that rhymes with Ha-Ha. She asked for her money back after the girls attended ONE class and were NOT happy with the direction-they told her-LITERALLY, too bad, so sad, you signed and there are NO refunds. I was quite angry with that disingenuous school and kinda my sister for being a bit hasty and NOT consulting me. Oh, I'm NOT afraid of hurting feelings so I'll tell say the location of the school that did her wrong is in Orange County, CA. Moral of the story, IF you're looking for self-defense based Jiu-Jitsu-as Ryan said, DO YOUR RESEARCH, but be wary as some schools will flat out lie to your face. Venting done. Off my soapbox now.

[@deric819]

A lot of sport jiu-jitsu schools do this shameful practice.

[@returnfreedom]

AOJ in Costa Mesa (mendes bros gym) is known for that bullshit.

[@kayakarakaya4819]

CheckMaHa?

[@charlesherbe2589]

How does age factor into the thought process. 59 yrs old here, 4 strip white belt, just shy of 2 years, zero complaints. But because of my age, if i ever did receive a promotion i often feel it would not be legit just because younger same level would be faster, stronger, etc...I go to a great gym, they would not promote til very ready which is greatly appreciated and no rush or expectations from me. But feeling like belts can be legit ay my age is my own thoughts and tough sometimes overwhelming..thanks

[@thecombatengineer7069]

Activity helps the channel so I’ll ask a question: From a defensive perspective only, wouldn’t a Blue belt, who competes with and survives (doesn’t get pts scores on him, and doesn’t get subbed himself) against a well known black belt, in a major tournament, actual prove the point of “BJJ for self defense” and in that way alone have earned an advancement? Right? If your defense is so good (as a Blue Belt) that a former world champ at black belt, can’t tap or score on you, do you believe a promotion to purple is wrong?

[@anthonysicily5768]

For kids, belts and certificates are very important motivators For adults, it should be about knowledge and ability. So pleased to here that the presenter agrees with this, belts should not be time based. Some students train multiple times a week, some students practice at home or offsite, and.... some students just turn up, work out, and do nothing until their next class. Belts and gradings should be skill based.

[@johnnycage2746]

I have been training for 3 years. I am still only a 3 stripe white belt. I have been considering quitting for a few months now. I submit blue belts regularly and have good rounds with color belts. My coach just doesn't want me to be one it seems. White belts that started after me have been promoted despite me veing someone that trains 5 days a week and multiple times a day often as well as dropping in at other gyms.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Dunno what to tell you.

[@johnnycage2746]

@@KamaJiuJitsu Kind of just agreeing with your premise and venting my frustration.

[@benjamindelfs2718]

It’s because you’re training at other gyms and doing it 5 days a week. You undoubtedly have the worst attitude of all the white belts. Your professor knows you’re just belt hunting, and likely a gym bully due to frustration. Go to a gym that goes gradings instead of ceremonies for progressions.

[@josemartin1727]

I started my Jiu Jitsu journey at a Royce Gracie affiliated academy here in Texas on February of 2012. 16 months later on August of 2013 I received my blue belt from Tony Torres-Aponte out of Urban Jungle in Houston. 5 years later I received my purple belt in October of 2018. Almost 2 1/2 years later in March of 2021 I received my brown belt from my instructor. It took me 9 years to receive my brown belt but to be honest I was in no rush to get it. I was enjoying my ride as a purple belt until my instructor surprised me one night after class and had everyone line up and then bam, he just pulled it right out of his gi and gave me my brown belt. The point that i'm trying to make is that if you are patient and stick with it your time will come. If I can offer a small piece of advice it is to look out for your training partner. Tap early and tap often because you will get submitted. Don't risk injury, trust me I know about being injured. And let go of your ego.

[@SummerOf1987]

❤

[@lewissimonds8819]

Or coach refused his black belt over 4 years ago, and is only getting it this year sometime. I was kept at blue because of this. we had to wait until the black belt instructor was in the country for a lot of us blues to get promoted.

[@ColinMcRaeVIT]

Two years later and 272 comments prior to this but I’ll just say that maybe the promotion on the podium occurred because the professor had already planned it in advance, regardless of the matches outcome. Even if the match results were rather unsatisfying.

[@victorthai250]

I was a blue belt for 6 years, Purple coming up on 4 now (trained at a few schools) but also I dont really want my black belt anytime soon. I like being a killer Purple Belt.

[@sabigujjar9164]

Hi Victor I made the bjj belt please give me some order

[@sabigujjar9164]

I am so poor man please give me a chance

[@victorthai250]

@@sabigujjar9164 I dont know wtf you are talking about dude

[@10albertw]

9:20 is the best part, imo

[@agile006]

Serious question: I’m a no stripe blue belt so this is probably ignorance. “I don’t fear the man who practices 10,000 kicks one time, but the man who practices one kick 10,000 times.“ How do you master a technique unless consistently repeating that technique with an actual submission? I say this because my son would finish off people with an Americana. After a while I told him to work on other submissions like a mounted triangle a triangle from the bottom as well as other submissions. When he did that he did lose some proficiency in his americana. And would not submit people as much with it. What is a good balance between the two?

[@tommy2days]

Hi Professor Ryan. Does self defense continue into the intermediate and advanced classes at Kama Jiu-Jitsu? Just curious because where I train we train self defense but only in our fundamentals program. Its usually the first part of class after the warmups. We don’t spend too much time on it but we do link it into the sport part of the training. Thank you!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

It’s done in every class, including when the class is consisting of black belts.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Warmup, hard warmup, partner exercises, self-defense lesson, self-defense sequence into ground lesson, ground lesson, hard position drills, free sparring.

[@techsenseionline4567]

Shogun Rua got a black belt in 4 years and he's Brazilian is what not right?

[@bogdansakhnyuk586]

My goal is to survive a roll with my teacher. Promotions are great and all but don’t compare to holding my own with a solid black belt

[@Seegie16]

Curious. Does Kama have any affiliates in MA or New England?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Not yet. We need one, thought...

[@Jiu-JitsuJourney257]

Man I feel for the guy who got a promotion after his comp. He just got shit on badly. That being said, I just got my purple belt and I feel like I don’t deserve it. Imposter syndrome maybe?

[@duncansutherland47]

There was a beast at our school. He is a great guy. I like him a lot. However, he came from an extensive wrestling background. He caught on quick as a two stipe white belt. In competitions he ate everyone alive. He was, perhaps he still is, ranked 3rd in the world for his division. He thought he deserved a blue belt. My school is very old school in its criteria for promotion. Our head instructor said he wasn’t ready yet. He told him he was relying too much on his physical prowess and wrestling. He wasn’t, to your point, well rounded enough for a belt promotion. He ended up quitting. I was disappointed to hear that he did. If he’d hung in there a little longer he would have earned his promotion along with some invaluable humility. 🙏😊

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

He’d have been better off in a BJJ gym or club. He wasn’t there to learn. He was there to grapple.

[@sliderx1897]

I guess realistically if someone cones in that got a belt from a legitimate instructor, particularly a self defense lineage then it shouldnt take them long to adjust to ur curriculum and get rid of the white bar. Plus a white bar is better than having to go back to white belt.

[@elijahchristopher3755]

So I just got my Blue-White, the new phenomena. Been playing BJJ for nearly a year. I just see it as the cloth I tie my gi on with. I'm here to learn. That's what I enjoy about it. Promotions will come people. Just set your own goals and go for those in my opinion.

[@elijahchristopher3755]

@GregLurik Official Nah, I could’ve been but I haven’t shown up consistently enough. Still a 2nd degree Blue-White

[@elijahchristopher3755]

@GregLurik Official Yeah I guess they added a belt in between white and blue called Blue-White. It's fairly new compared to the history of BJJ, but it's been a thing for awhile. I'm still a "white belt" though. I guess they made it so people would feel more encouraged to keep training because it takes such a long time to progress in rank in this art. And yes they stripe the combative belts. We're under Carlson Gracie, so it's more tournament oriented training, but my instructor has multiple disciplines, so we incorporate Gracie Jiu-Jitsu when we aren't training for tourney. Or kickboxing, other random stuff.

[@successfulinternetpsycholo7685]

All this fuss about belts. I cared about them when I was a white belt. Then when I got my blue belt I stopped giving a shit about belts or stripes. I would be more than happy being a blue belt for the next 10 years as long as my skill level keeps going up and up. What matters is the skill level you develop and the mentality you develop. Belts do not matter. We have no gi classes in which there are no belts. Its much better and simpler. People just have respect for your skill there rather than what belt you are wearing. IMO belts were the worst thing to have been invented for bjj. But I get why they are there. Cannot deny it is something that motivates most people.

[@duncansutherland47]

I agree. I got to blue and now I’m trying to simply run my own race. I’m looking forward to some kind of steady improvement, limited or no injuries and an improved attitude all around.

[@fabiolito28]

Meh I see it as my earned rank. I put in the work, pay a membership, follow the curriculum, I'm tapping everyone out, winning tournament's and helping out with the kids, give me my shit.

[@dan8085]

Just keep wearing white until you're good enough for black.

[@joeschmoe9154]

Another good video. Thing is, no matter how much people harp about it, there is no set standard other than what the individual instructor comes up with . Some schools basically live in an echo chamber, if you rise to the top there, they consider you ready. Meanwhile they are Schools the next city over where a Blue belt could come over and wreck Brown Belts and down, Withholding promotions is hard to fathom. The only thing I can think of is sandbagging for competition, some weird pride in knowing "his" white belt could tap out other gym's blue belts or plain personal animosity. As far as the time spent getting to black belt, I would think it took so long originally was there wasn't a lot of instructors available and lessons were far less frequent. Perhaps you would know, in the 80s and 90s how often a week could guys get legit training?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

the Gracies have/had standards. the popularity has bred more players, and many used the belts as a way to attract team members. withholding promotions are sometimes warranted, sometimes not. each situation is different. but as a general rule, blues couldn't tap purples, etc. but a D-1 wrestler could manhandle many blue belts. doesn't make him a blue belt. when you think about it, given the above notes, it's pretty easy to "fathom." no, the time it took to get to black then vs now has everything to do with the proliferation of tournaments. if the "purple" belt in my example earns his brown and black belt the same exact way (i also mentioned this in another video), is he "legit?" if he is, how exactly is he legit? is it because his instructor was a so-called legit BB, that makes him a legit BB?

[@joeschmoe9154]

@@KamaJiuJitsu Sounds like a solid Philosophy. There isn't a whole lot of uniformity in standards. I think the BJJ community is pretty good in calling out outright frauds though, If you are some lump that puts on a Black Belt and goes to a School you will be asked to prove yourself pretty quick. As far as people coming in with little experience and wrecking higher belts you once put up a video that said Technique + Physicality = Game.... Someone who is a physical beast can master a few techniques and because they are flexible, strong and fast they can use them to beat a person who has mastered 100 techniques. The "new" guy can "win" a match, but he is far less knowledgeable and not really equal to the experienced guy.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

oh, there are outright frauds who have received their black belts from legit black belts. the community does have a couple examples on video of someone calling out the person who lies about who their professor is, but what about the one who is telling the truth, but is no better (knowledgewise and in execution) than a good blue belt? many grapplers from other arts don't come in to learn the new art; they come in to see how they'd do.

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

I've seen it both ways and been on the receiving end of some of this. I got my blue belt from Royce in 2001 after a year of training 3 days per week. Then didn't get purple for another 15 years...lol I also knew a guy who was tapping all the blues, purples and browns around here but the instructor (same guy I used to train under) kept him at 4 stripe white belt. He got blue after leaving that school and within a year was purple then a few months brown under Pedro Sauer. The reason being he competed in blue belt division and under 10 min rounds he would only defend until the last 1 min and his girl friend would yell "one minute!" and he would proceed to destroy the other guy from whatever position he was in. He did the exact same thing to all the purple belts. He now runs a school about 45 mins from mine. At the same time I've seen 1-4 stripe blues that couldn't umpa or do a shrimp escape. In a completely different matter, one of my blues stabbed me in the back and left last year. The black belt that took him in (says something about him considering he knew what the blue had done) immediately promoted him two more stripes. I guess it was his "gift" for leaving and being a Creonte.

[@returnfreedom]

Your first paragraph deals with sand bagging, which is complete garbage. I don't know if you were sand bagging but it sounds like it. Your part is funny because your students have a right to leave your gym. They don't owe you anything, maybe they left for a reason that you are not seeing. Stop making assumptions and man up as an instructor.

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

@@returnfreedom It had nothing to do with sandbagging. If the instructor didn't like you , you didn't get promoted not matter what you could do. As for my student leaving: He left because I told him he was no longer welcome at my academy after catching him teaching his own little class behind my back. Using a key he was not supposed to have to let himself in. Yes you have a right to go anywhere you like and train. You don't have a right to do shit like he did.

[@returnfreedom]

@@dragonballjiujitsu Your story doesn't make sense, you say he stabbed you in the back and left, but then you say he was teaching a class behind your back and using a key he wasn't suppose to have. WHich is it, did he fuck up and you kicked him out or did he leave on his own accord? Maybe you should have talked to him about his teaching, maybe you could have tried to foster more of a leadership role from. Maybe your whole story is bogus. bye.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Dragonballjiujitsu - PM me when you have a chance. Looking to do a road trip, and may be passing by near you. [e-mail] or FB: Kama Jiu Jitsu or IG: @KamaJiuJitsuDFW

[@MACSX7]

I’m glad a had an instructor that didn’t just promote bad Jiu-Jitsu os! Thank you master Cortez and Machado!

[@gianantonamor1559]

What is your opinion on schools that charge for stripes/belt test for promotion?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

We don’t do it.

[@SurvivalBayArea]

is anyone gonna ask the important question? why ryan is wearing his gi on the street?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

That’s how I roll.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

The door opening and closing behind me is our studio.

[@sliderx1897]

SurvivalBayArea wait u mean u dont?

[@unconcernedcitizen4092]

I do no-gi, and I wear my gi on the streets. You don’t?!

[@anthonysicily5768]

Did you watch the video? 😂

[@gracieyoutube909]

Prof , Should colored belt's who teach wear a special rank bar, or red bar? What's your opinion ?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Ours wear a red instructor bar instead of a black (or white) bar.

[@gracieyoutube909]

@@KamaJiuJitsu thank you Sir

[@spaniardprince]

Appreciate your thoughts on the matter. Question, how young is too young to start training in your discipline?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Define “train.”

[@spaniardprince]

@@KamaJiuJitsu Taking a class to learn the basics.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

We have them as young as five, but they’re a challenge, if your expectations are too high. My kids, I played Jiujitsu with them younger than that.

[@onerider808]

What's the hurry? I'd rather be a great white belt than a poor blue belt (and etc, up the chain).

[@Joez86]

Getting your black belt should be like finding your true love. Just do your best and it should happen when you least expect it. Some little guy once said, ... “Don’t focus on the finger, or you will miss all that heavenly glory.” 😊👍

[@christianhunt8009]

Seems like a way of putting it 😂😂

[@JCBPARISPARIS]

My young son practices judo : he owns his judo passport from the french judo federation; this "passport" indicates for each belt color, the technique you have to know. I think it's a simple way to know the curriculum. In comparison bjj instructionals looks messy, and should be inspired by judo federations. note: for black belt in judo you also have to get results in competitions.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

BJJ can learn a lot from Judo. Problem is, there are many people who "rule" their own groups/associations and keep separate from other associations. I understand GM Rickson was trying to create a collaboration among the major associations, but the biggest one, declined his invitation.

[@maukasmauno]

Knowing a set of techniques should never be a reason for a belt promotion like in judo

[@asepulveda1202]

How do you rate? Mat and Jiujitsu maturity, and how does it reflect your decision when it comes time for promotion?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Who’re you asking, Master Sergeant?

[@asepulveda1202]

Kama Jiu-Jitsu you?! Lol

[@asepulveda1202]

The reason why I ask is because I was just recently presented with an opportunity to promote and it felt that the only thing that metered were what sport techniques I knew not how well I performed them.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

every professor is different, unfortunately. make sure the one who promotes you, is the one you WANT to receive the promotion from.

[@asepulveda1202]

Hope all is well, aloha

[@andrewjenk1]

Would you agree winning tournaments doesn't mean you understand BJJ? I haven't started to understand bjj until I started to decipher Ricksons JJ

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Wholeheartedly.

[@raph808rolls5]

I have a question. I’ve been watching the channel for sometime and every time competition promotion gets brought up your argument is whether they submitted or won by points. Is there an argument for these two guys being the top of the top and scoring at such a high level becomes harder and harder? Look at wrestling, judo almost any grappling sport at the highest levels scoring even the smallest points can be the difference between winning and losing. Jordan Burroughs has matches he barely scores and is he not the best or is he not a high level wrestler? I also don’t agree with some self defense I see gun takes and all kinds of stuff that is ridiculous. To be honest if you pressure tested your gun takes and the dude wants to kill you he’s shooting you dead 99.9% of the time. Every time people demo self defense somehow the attacker is always this dope that is clueless and lets you grab him and take his gun rather than robbing you from distance finger on the trigger ready to fire. I think we all need to be honest about some of the bullshido that is self defense. Headlock escapes and everything else is fine but gun takes I’ve seen at Gracie self defense is crazy.

[@KikoSanchez-he3jp]

Had this happen not to long ago. I was a bjj white belt for two and a half years. Mind you I was on and off. But, became more consistent toward the end of the time frame. I was going to a school where it was only gi promotion and realized I wouldn't get promoted. Then, went to a non GI school and still wouldn't get promoted. The instructor also didn't enjoy myself crosstraining another art form. Then I switched and as soon as I rolled the first day with the guys class the guy promoted me to blue belt. Guys find a new gym that respects your ethic and time. There are instructors who will demolished your credibility.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Unfortunately, there is no Uniform standard for proficiency in Jiu-jitsu therefore, “blue belt“ in one school, may be a purple belt in another school and even, a white belt in another school. That’s what happens when promotion becomes purely subjective. It’s subject to the mood and the mindset of whoever’s responsibility it is to rank you.

[@KikoSanchez-he3jp]

@@KamaJiuJitsu True, I won't disagree with you there. From a personal opinion I do believe certain skills that you have will subject to a certain level of criteria in BJJ.

[@KikoSanchez-he3jp]

Also, how do you reciprocate to someone responsible over your rank that seems to have bitter ways when you cross train?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

🤷‍♂️. I let my students drop in anywhere they want, so long as they wear their KJJ gi/rashguard. But even if they don’t, whatever.

[@evanmcphee3176]

4:17 did he mean to say red bar instead of “black” ?

[@ruggerREL]

Been a blue since 2013 since 2016 I got into Muay Thai and mma and cut my gi training 1 time a week it’s put a strain on my relationship with my professor

[@sliderx1897]

ARIEL GOLD maybe balance ur time a lil differently and make his classes more often?

[@ruggerREL]

Slider X that’s the common sense solution but Where the strain started was in summer 2016 I got swindled into teaching a 7am class 3 times a week for 3 months and didn’t get a stripe or any sign of gratitude for that personal sacrifice

[@sliderx1897]

ARIEL GOLD i understand.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

He took advantage of you, since you fee he “swindled” you into doing it. But if you only did it expecting a promotion, prolly wasn’t the right reason in the first place. If you were expecting some sort of attitude of gratitude, that which you seek never comes. 48 Laws of Power

[@0fryguy0]

I don't think that belt advancement should be a matter of tick boxes on a checklist. BJJ is unique from other combat sports in that it's more than willing and able to evolve (ex. the whole leg lock debate). Making checklists for belt promos probably won't kill the creativity required to evolve in this way, but it certainly ain't helping.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

You don’t know what you’re talking about.

[@0fryguy0]

@@KamaJiuJitsu ok boomer

[@yamazaki997]

is being complete a goal or being good a goal? you can know 1000 techniques but not be able to use them in high stress situation on equaly skilled opponent-what is a point in that ?its like bjj in mma- they dont know all the techniques - only ones that work and work withing restriction of the mma ring....its all just what iffing at this point

[@hectorerquiaga8853]

Well said professor

[@BM-of6dg]

I’ve been a white belt for 3.5 years. I’ve moved gym a couple of times due to moving countries. So I find myself starting from the bottom again at a new gym however no white belts taps me, no blue belt taps me, I’ve been training religiously and I just don’t feel like a white belt anymore and it’s a little frustrating. A good thing is I get underestimated a lot.. and people get pissed when they tapped by a white belt.. I’ve kinda accepted this is how it was in the old school days and my father as a martial artists always said , “belts mean nothing son, it’s the practitioner that you should fear”.....Any advice ?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

You’ll get your belt once your instructor knows you enough to “claim” you as his own, so to speak. No instructor worth his salt will give a belt to a new guy who happens to be really good. What will possibly happen, is that once you get your blue belt, you will run through the belt and onto purple belt in no time. Unless you keep moving, then you’ll be a 10-year white belt (who is the best white belt in the world by then).

[@BM-of6dg]

@@KamaJiuJitsu I really appreciate the response. Thank you for that.. well I’m gonna keep going and stay motivated.. thank you sir ! OSS

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

It’s not a matter of being “motivated.” If you have to be “motivated” to train, then it’s like chores, and you’re only training because “you have to.” If you truly enjoy training, no motivation is required. Like anything else, if you do what you truly enjoy, the rewards of that activity will automatically come.

[@BM-of6dg]

@@KamaJiuJitsu absolutely and I really enjoy what I do.. I don’t consider it working out as such.. I feel alive when I train. Hope to visit your gym one day !

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Anytime!

[@NateAmado]

I'm also realizing that, like anything else, there's levels to this. But, unfortunately, not enough people have sound metrics to grade their students like you do (and not nearly enough people train Rickson Gracie style Jiu Jitsu). So someone can be a 'purple belt' at one gym, and not know any better until they try another school. In that school they might be a 'high-level blue belt', until they try an even better school, where at most they're a 'blue belt'. It's a shame. My best recommendations are to try out many schools before committing to one, pick one with Self Defense at their core, and study Invisible Jiu Jitsu if your school doesn't teach it directly.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

instructors have many different reasons to promote students, unfortunately. but the difficult thing is, while one instructor may be "hard core" in their grading, another may not be, even if they're evaluating on the same thing. although we haven't decided what to do here at KJJ regarding these, some instructors give an easier path to groups of people vs "a typical practitioner." such groups could be kids, women, seniors, the disabled, or someone with physical/mental challenges, but who shows up for classes, day in and day out. so within a single school, you might have 10 blue belts, all with widely differing abilities and understandings of jiu-jitsu. having a more objective criteria is MUCH better for overall standards and consistency, but it can be outright BRUTAL for many, many others. so here we are at the end of the day, a black belt is not equal to a black belt is not equal to a black belt. i still don't know what the solution is going forward.

[@NateAmado]

@@KamaJiuJitsu Agreed. I think objectivity is best for grading students, and a reminder that it's about the process not the goal. To value the progress over the belt color.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Exactly right.

[@TheByrdHouse]

“Period of time” is redundant

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Time period?

[@TheByrdHouse]

Kama Jiu-Jitsu I’m just giving you a hard time. Much respect professor. It just jumps out at me when I hear it. The phrase “period of time” is redundant because a period is a function of time. “A long period” or “a long time”. A period of sadness, period of turmoil, period of years. Watch out for “very unique”, it is also redundant, things are not more unique than other things they are simply unique or not. Unique does not need a qualifier. I am not a know it all by a long stretch, just sharing some things I have picked up along my learning journey. You sir are a true master, always learning.

[@TheBjjninja]

As a data scientist I will say no it is definitely not. “Duration” could be used also.

[@jwenz01]

People get better a lot faster now than in the past so people get promoted faster. I guess that all depends on the professor being a new black belt or a much more experienced one. I disagree with with your opinion about being promoted on the podium. What if that was a major goal for him or her and the professor knew how hard he or she had been working leading up to the tournament?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

I don’t agree people are getting better, faster. They’re certainly getting belted faster, but not better. I get about promoting on the podium, but at least wait until he gets a REAL win (I.e. submission). Ref’s decision and advantage wins are 10x more BS than winning by points. IMHO...

[@William.H.Bonney]

I saw a guy on Instagram go from white belt no stripes to blue 3 stripes in six months. I'm not judging the guy but it really seems strange to me but I'm just a old chunk of coal.

[@m5a1stuart83]

Perhaps he was a Blackbelt in Judo, a Blackbelt Judo especially under Kosen rules tend to go to Purple/Brownbelt in a short time. IJF Judo perhaps at Bluebelt.

[@William.H.Bonney]

@@m5a1stuart83 maybe but I doubt he's a Judo black belt. But, like I said I'm just a old chunk of coal, what do I know?

[@phuckfumassters]

I don't know how 'stripes' work(so I can't comment on that) but going from white to blue belt in a few months is not uncommon and not a big of deal, honestly imo. Guys who are prior athletes, in good shape, trained martial arts before tend to become blue belts quickly, heck some already posses skills of blue belts coming in. It's the normal, average Joe types like me who should take 2 to 3 years to get to blue because I never had martial arts or sport training before.

[@matsuwd-emethdaath4002]

Got my bluebelt in 9 months...then again i had been training 10x a week

[@robodwyer4115]

A blue belt shouldn’t be able to tap black belts. That’s criminal he was kept there for 6 years imo

[@mark6115]

The belts are the carrots for the gyms ......I'd prefer to have stayed a white belt forever and be underestimated :)

[@rightyouareken7587]

My 2 boys 11 and 8 have been doing bjj for 18 months and their instructor passed them up for promotions this week. Belt promotions are done once at the end of the year, so they are going to be white belts for 2 1/2 years! I find that ridiculous and I'm super disappointed. They would be getting a grey with white stripe, not a flipping blue. They are both sweet kids, try hard, follow rules, don't disrupt class at all, athletic and do really well. Having a hard time understanding why they were passed up.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Don’t make it an issue. If you get pissed they’re not getting the “trophy,” they’ll be pissed, as well. No one is entitled to a new belt. If you’re really looking to get them “belt candy,” the school down the street will give them what you want for the price of your tuition payments.

[@Thixico]

wanna know whats even harder? Living in New York where theres great BJJ schools everywhere

[@justinkongglang7080]

That blue belt are you taking about Jocko

[@patrickwhite8144]

I trained for 2 years five times a week, and was not promoted to blue belt, despite reaching the stage where I was routinely submitting blue belts. I would submit 4 out of the 5 blue belts at the club nearly every time I rolled with them, and I was not rolling with full-power. I was recognised as having an excellent grasp of technique and the underlying principles. Basically, I was the star white belt for those two years, because I was absolutely fucking single-minded and obsessive about BJJ, and I’m quite big, and pretty athletic. One guy was promoted ahead of me despite only doing one private lesson every two weeks. He did privates because he didn’t like losing to lower ranking students, which he did almost every time he did turn up to the group class. When I asked why he was promoted I was told that it was because they wanted to encourage him to train more. Guess what: after being promoted to blue he didn’t train again, because it just intensified the humiliation of being submitted by less experienced people. When I confronted my coach about it he said he would back me to beat every blue belt in the club, and that my understanding was above many other people’s, but grading was a totally personal thing, which to me makes no sense whatsoever.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

while you may shine in the "objective" criteria to be a blue belt, your professor must feel you have not met his "subjective" criteria to be awarded the blue belt. might want to ask him, "Professor, what would you like me to work on this month?" do that every month (check off all the boxes, so to speak), and at some point, you'll have fulfilled his criteria to wear a blue belt in his school. remember, being a white belt who can beat blue belts doesn't necessarily "make" you a blue belt, just like being able to outswim a shark doesn't make you a shark (assuming you could actually be one). there's something else you're not doing...

[@patrickwhite8144]

Thanks professor. I wasn’t expecting a response. I did try that and I was told that I needed to tick all the boxes. I was never told what the boxes where though, and when I pressed my instructor he just said “just stay on the mats”. I can only conclude that there wasn’t really a standard. The whole experience basically devastated me as a person, as ridiculous as that sounds.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

It’s ridiculous. Look at it this way, if you’re as good as you say you are, you’ll blow through your blue or purple belt. I know a guy who was a 6yr blue bet, then 1yr purple, 1yr brown. Master Fabio Santos was a 6yr purple belt, 1yr brown belt.

[@jamesbarthelemy5926]

SBG birmingham alabama!!

[@Silverbackpumphrey]

I got my Black Belt in Pankration in 1999-2000 since that time I have trained and competed a lot. I have 2 Pancrase National titles, 2 Pankration National titles, 2 World Pankration titles, 2 God's of Grappling titles and competed in the ADCC in 2005.I wanted to get ranked in BJJ since Pankration is very similar when it comes to grappling. I trained under a 3rd degree Black Belt in BJJ where I tapped out all of his Black Belts including him ! this is also including a Black Belt from Brazil whom HIS instructor brought in to spar with me who was 300-0 (OK??) well he's 300-1 now so needless to say I did this for several months. I never got ranked and I still don't have rank in BJJ....I'm sorry but that's ridiculous!!I have since moved on.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

There’s undoubtedly a LOT of overlap in your knowledge and BJJ. I think your “instructors” just didn’t give you any credit for what you already knew. Shoot, your practical knowledge is WAY more than sufficient. The fact of the matter, BJJ is simply a system. A system that has overlap with a ton of other arts. Great technique is great technique, no matter what it’s called. You’re good. Eff them.

[@Silverbackpumphrey]

Thanks a lot, it just sucks being lost between the cracks. Love your videos!!

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

People like me are not concerned about people like you. Your life experiences puts you at the “tippy top” 1/1000th of 1% (one out of a million, maybe one of just 10,000 worldwide?) of the food chain of self defense knowledge vs the rest of the population. You’re good. I worry about those in the remaining 99% of the world who are looking for something to help them deal successfully against the others who prey on them while going about their everyday lives. Forget about “falling through the cracks in a system you have no need to be in.” It’s not a big deal for you.

[@Silverbackpumphrey]

That's very true. While I'm not concerned about the rank issue because my skills and background says otherwise, it is offensive. It's like going to college where you spend so much time, effort and money but your never given your degree. So it's like a two edged sword, on one hand I don't care but on the other side it sucks to never get your degree.My name is Craig Pumphrey feel free to search me, I've been around. It does bother me because I know there are many out there with the same complaint. Since BJJ has become such a popular style it really is a disservice to the art for there not to be a curriculum (in most schools) or any kind of time requirements.I appreciate everything your doing. I got to work beside Rickson on a show we were on together called Fight Science and he's a good man. Thanks for responding.God bless

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

fight science, huh? so you met Master Dave Kama? as far as being offended... in my old(er) age (i'm 51 now), i've come to realize that me being offended is my choice. today, i choose to not be offended. i hate the negative feeling i have that comes with it. all i can do and be concerned with is what i can directly control.

[@thuglincoln7699]

Travis Stevens got BJJ Blackbelt super quick, but again, special case.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

extremely special case. plus, he's a MUCH harder worker than even the best athletes.

[@thuglincoln7699]

@@KamaJiuJitsu I went to the same Judo school as him, while he was there, for about a year (Jason Morris Judo) - I had the opportunity to play him a few times in randori, and I came to realize just how large the gulf between us was, and this was like 2007 ish - i know that because he got gold at the Pan Am games that year. i literally could do nothing to him - I was completely and utterly outmatched.

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

since jiu-jitsu and judo come from the same "root" art, someone as good as Travis at judo will be a "natural" at jiu-jitsu, as well. so him getting a jiu-jitsu black belt in the blink of an eye makes total sense.

[@tommybrewer9911]

I got my blackbelt in Judo after 14 years on and off due to injuries. 6 weeks after I did a Judo for Jiu-Jitsu seminar with Travis. At the end of the weekend we got to randori abit so I stepped up first being the only other Judo blackbelt there. I was the first of 30 people to hit the mats needless to say. Completely different levels in grappling period.... Great experience and cool to say I've been ipponed by an Olypian!!!!

[@chadbrambers8346]

For me, it’s this simple. I don’t need a ceremony. I don’t need anyone cheering for me. You could just walk up and hand it to me or add a stripe. If a guy deserves the promotion, give it to him. I’m 39. I don’t need the clout. But if I’m a year in to white belt and I’m smoking every white belt that’s bigger than me, then we should cut the crap or I’m dippin out. That’s the qualification to my understanding. A blue belt is a guy who can beat all the new students that are bigger than him. It’s not that complicated. Leave me at blue as long as you want but a white belt with no stripes is becoming unacceptable to me. I’m getting tired of people wearing black belts telling me not to worry about it. It’s the coaches job to pay attention. Communicate anything…

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Don’t worry about it. If you don’t trust your instructor to make the call at the right time, you need to find an instructor you’ll actually trust

[@General_Mal]

I’m trying to figure out how arguably Dave Kama is one of the best black belts ever produced. Did he compete in tournaments or something or you just going off that he’s Ricksons first?

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

If you ever met him...

[@General_Mal]

It was just a question. I’m sure he’s great but what about his other black belts Henry for one is a great also would you agree?

[@jackmccaleb7628]

So he’s saying time is more important than performance.

[@williecooper6165]

if your skill is good

[@TheNovice305]

I just suck at rolling with my injury. I’ll be a white belt for life.

[@e.h.2265]

It should be like at Judo. They should be an exam date and the candidates should show their holds and throws and then they should get their belts. It should not depend on the whims and good nature of the coach to get a highter belt. You don't get ahead at all if you depend on the whims of the trainer. The Trainer is a Trainer and not a Professor. Point !!!

[@thelurker9472]

I like you method of a white bar. They earned a certain level, but until they meet your criteria for the next level then they will not progress. I don't see the issue there. It's better than starting over from square one.

[@westjr5085]

Theres a couple of indications in this video that for some schools the primary focus is money - private lessons prompt promotions, and professors promoting early so they can teach less. This is bad practice

[@KamaJiuJitsu]

Yep. Some instructors open schools and don’t actually like teaching OR, they realize running the school takes a LOT of energy away from their teaching. So, I can see the incentive to blast students through the ranks so they can take over their classes so they can run the business. Very bad for the poor student who gets over belted, though.

[@ruggerREL]

There’s a certain euphoria about getting promoted I miss it

[@sliderx1897]

ARIEL GOLD i agree

[@1fibster630]

you know what this is me personally but i dont give a shit wat coulor belt i am,wat matters to me is that i am training and that i can get down with who ever challenges me and be able to look after my self and survive well or submit you if possible.just being able to do it is enouthg for me what is the belt REALLY when you think about it,when you come from a enviroment ive grew up in just being able to hold your shit is wat matters and thats the way i look at it,and if some one wants to say hey i wanna give you this peice of cloth to recignise you can defend your self then cool ill take it but i dont think people should get to wraped up on belt colour just focous on wat your doing and making it effective as possible then the belts will come i think if you prioritize it in your mind that way you will get there.

[@thomaskral8777]

years ago me and several others were given blue belts after 1 year at a Gracie Barra academy.

[@dkorobov]

Why do people chase belts anyways? I enjoyed training white to brown. Never had belt for a goal.

[@theundead1600]

Depends on the instructor i think. Thoes guys present a belt like a badge of honor and play up importance of it. Especially kids, lits of mc dojos use belts to keep kids intrested which makes adults kinda the same.

[@realitywithmj4334]

bj penn got his black belt in 3 years

[@WhereThereDude]

And got submitted in seconds by Ryan Hall...

[@highsoflyify]

Beeing tapped out by great grappler Ryan Hall isn't a shame. Especially not when you are old and waaaay after you're prime. BJ Penn was a beast at his prime. Just look at his record and who he beat in MMA and BJJ

[@NARDHQ]

after 6 years on blue belt I just stopped thinking about it... I know where I stand, I just chase better technique and enjoy my training