Should I Keep My BJJ Rank At A New School?

[@ChasenHill]

Have you ever thought about giving up your rank?

[@japspec96]

So I'm in a very similar situation to the one you spoke about in this video. I'm in the military and will be moving at the beginning of June. I have been training for right around 2.5 - 3 years now and am a white belt. Not sure how many stripes I would be as the school I train at doesn't do stripes. I had originally anticipated testing and earning my blue belt prior to my move but not sure if that will happen. In the case that it does, whenever I find my next instructor, I will want to have a conversation with them about taking their blue belt test and ensuring that I'm on par with what they expect or if I should go back to white belt and whatever stripes they see fit. If I don't promote where I currently am, then I guess I won't have that issue but then who knows how much longer I'll be a white belt lol.

[@radicaleyemag]

I'm only a white belt, but I gave up a stripe the first time I moved gym (due to moving to a new city) as I wanted a fresh start. The instructor identified this and promoted me 2 stripes a little faster than I had expected. It was good to know that I was at least training at a solid level and not being promoted purely based on mat time. I've recently moved to Portugal and started at a Gracie gym. I decided to keep my stripes. I'm loving training (after initially struggling a little with the language barrier), but I've found the level of Gi players here really high 😅 Kinda wish I had given up my stripes again as the curriculum seems very different to my previous school haha.

[@espin7795]

I gave up my blue belt when I started a new school. It was totally my decision. I had to shelve jiu-jitsu for 3 years because of work, and when I had the time to pick it back up again, I felt like starting all over again with the new curriculum. It just felt right for me given the circumstances I had going on at the time.

[@nghinguyen875]

i was promoted to blue at my old school that was heavily focused on sports bjj. however i was asked to leave the school and this left me heartbroken. i got the okay to give up my blue at a new school (gracie jj, more self defense focused) restarting as a white belt and learned their curriculum. Being a white belt for the second time was very memorable and it took that target off my back from people being overly aggressive. I only defended, played guard, and explored different positions (no submissions) and this allowed me to fall in love with bjj again. It allowed me to be playful and taught me the importance of always having the white mentality of continually learning (and belts shouldn’t be too important)

[@JustinColletti]

Why were you asked to leave? I haven’t heard of that kind of thing happening much before.

[@reginaldanglin4264]

Thank you man

[@reginaldanglin4264]

You mean white belt mentality not white mentality. Hope so otherwise you will be training with different ethics people.

[@reggieskillman1469]

Purple belt here. Hell no , i bled for this experience and i wouldnt degrade myself based on someone elses metrics. Ill grow to the standard if im lacking.

[@vorel12]

This demotion thing is a completely alien concept to me. I think the instructor is there to lead / teach / promote. I don't think it is in his competence to demote a student that has been legitimately promoted by another instructor. If an instructor does not want you to train at his school at your current level he is free to make that decision and the student is free to not train there. I would go as far as to say it would be disrespectful to the previous instructor if a student gave up his belt. But most importantly, people are free to make their choices regardless of what I think:)

[@ChasenHill]

100% agree!

[@reginaldanglin4264]

Yes I felt that way. Thanks

[@CarMad97ci]

Haven’t watched it yet, but I’m going to move and become a white belt after 7+ years of training… it’s gonna be awesome 😅😅😅😅

[@TacticalMartialArts]

I started grappling for MMA about 8 years ago and have never really trained in gi. I trained at 3 different places that didnt promote rank unless you trained in the gi under the instructor. After the pandemic I joined a new gym that does exclusive no gi starting as a white belt. After a few months promoted to blue. I do feel like obviously my skill level might be more advanced from most hobbyist blue belts but I can totally understand as a coach not wanting to just give someone advanced ranks before you really know them and are sure they are the kind of person worthy of representing their lineage.

[@frankygreen1572]

You hear coaches preach belts and stripes dont matter If thats the case why demote or promote students

[@BrubMan]

I went white to black all under 1 instructor so I can't relate

[@ChasenHill]

Never been through it my-self, but have coached several students who have had this happen. It's weird when it does.

[@Delamthedestroyer]

That's pretty cool. I've jumped around all over the place for a few different reasons.

[@vincechanhealthy6373]

"they might be absolutely correct about their ability but them as a general person". I full agree with this. A person's character matters

[@tededo]

In dying need of your thought. Been in this since 2002, 50 yo old bastard grappler. Is Dean Lister style not a style, or can I pattern my game like similar to his. My instructor told me I was a tough m&th$r f%$/ck%r to submit. Example, go watch Lister vs Xandes, Lister vs Keenan and Lister vs Barnett. Thats about my style since the last few years, I feel VERY comfortable and white belts cant catch me, blue belt are frustrated. Only purple and brown have fun grinding their subs on me. Is my style considered a style ? (Yes I do sub attempt from time to time), thanks in advance.

[@tinkywinky3680]

So question for ya, I'm a 48yr old 2 stripe Blue, been training about 4 years. I just had an anterior hip replacement, was training up to the week before my surgery. When I go back, I will be starting with some real basic moves to get my range of motion back. Should I give up my rank as I will be no where the same level as I was before the surgery?

[@ChasenHill]

Lol....absolutely not

[@tinkywinky3680]

@@ChasenHill 🙏👍 Thank you!

[@reginaldanglin4264]

No no no!!!!! You have legitimate medical reasons not to train that much!! Hip surgery. U have to tain differently now. Take time to heal and don't go balls out. You want to be in jiu-jitsu for the long term. Don't worry about strip or how good u where. Everything will come back mentally. Good. Get back on the mats.

[@NextScamdemic]

Heck no. You earned that belt no matter your physical challenges

[@reginaldanglin4264]

No don't not give up your belt Brother. Ketchup time ! Lol you got this man. Just heal for now. Your going to be more hungry, 😆😆😆💯