Why People Hate Belts In jiu Jitsu

[@CervusGreen]

Nicely said. Earning the black belt felt great, and I really don't care what anyone else thinks of it. I am not selling instructionals, opening a gym, or competing at a high level. My belt means my coach thought I had earned it, no more and no less.

[@Jiu-JitsuJourney257]

Pretty much. I’m very proud to be a purple belt under my coach. But honestly it is what it is.

[@David-dw2iq]

Just got mine last weekend! Glad I got it, but yea it didn’t give me super powers

[@mitchperry9003]

Ditto, and well said

[@Minx717]

Agreed. I am me as a 4 stripe brown belt, not anyone else. Jiu Jitsu is so personal, no one feels the same rolling.

[@MartialArtUK]

Coloured belts are from judo for kids rewards now adult money and selling points, iideally not why a martial artist sticks around, we would be better off without them, they do breed some bad characteristics but the industry wouldn't be better off so they are here to stay

[@christoph.d.w]

„Being good at Jiu Jitsu has no impact on how good you are at other aspects of life.“ Amen, brother!

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

That's sad but true for basically every art

[@IrvinLep]

Judo had this belt shit figured out decades ago. Black belt means you kinda know the basics, then it's up to the competitions to determine who is good and who is not so good. But since BJJ does not have the equivalent of a Kodokan, with a standardized curriculum, it will keep being an unregulated mess. Also, judo is basically non profit and tied to the Olympics, while bjj is a money making endeavor

[@m5a1stuart83]

in Bjj, Blackbelt means master while in Judo, Blackbelt means knows the basics and stuff. His/Her journey is started from here.

[@atshabal]

Which mean the équivalent of judo black belt in bjj is purple belt.

[@IrvinLep]

@@atshabal if there is no standard, saying that a belt is 'the equivalent of a judo black belt' makes no sense

[@m5a1stuart83]

@@atshabal not really, some Judo Blackbelt are very good, some are equivalent to BJJ Brownbelt to Blackbelt. Dependz with what style Judo too. Kosen Judo will likely at Purple to Brownbelt, and some even go to Blackbelt level. Some just like reguler Whitebelt or Blue.

[@DeadXManXsXStare]

Lmao this guy thinks judo and bjj have different corporate organization because he feels so

[@sergeipravosud1848]

I came with a significant amount of experience in both sambo and judo from Russia. In judo, I just have brown belt (Candidate to Master of Sport) whereas in sambo I achieved Master of Sport title. And my journey were pretty standardized by Russian Sport Committee: in order to be on a certain level you must win this, or this, or this and certain amount of other competitors during the year. When I entered my BJJ class, I couldn't believe that you can be promoted just by your prof. It leads to inadequacy of skills assessment, as Tyler said.

[@antoniohernandez7171]

Congrats on your achievements

[@jamesmcjamesington631]

Congrats...but there is a significant different between sports that you can get a black belt in a few years, and one that takes on average 10 years.

[@qazmko22]

Belts come from Judo, Jigoro Kano started the belt system in order to track progression of large numbers of students. He didn't even have to know the students name, as long as he saw the color, he knew where the student was in Judo's curriculum.

[@burningknuckle26]

fax

[@thunderkatz4219]

I do okinawan karate and japnese jujitsu but i understand where ur coming from and I like learning from higher and lower ranks

[@Sam-rb1id]

One thing about Judo is that it does have a set curriculum whereas BJJ is a bit more just depends on the coach. Another difference is that in Judo all the major tournaments are only for black belts - there is no blue belt grand slams etc. With that in mind you see that in Judo you get your black belt fairly quickly (it is possible to do it in as little as 3 years and 5-7 is pretty normal) and then we are all basically treated the same. You do get beginner comps but they are just local comps so that lower belts get some experience and practice on the way up, not in anyway taken seriously. It would be very odd (laughable even) for us to have a world yellow belt comp for example.

[@darthroach9057]

I tell people my purple belt just means I'm a 10 stripe white belt that knows how to tap really, really well.

[@noelminor3599]

@@darthroach9057 that’s far from true. You’re nothing like a white belt. Being humble is cool but selling yourself short while trying to be humble is dumb. Know your value dude.

[@randyranderson]

100%

[@tbcstuff3634]

Shitty purple belt here. Belts are critical for safty. I wouldn't grab a heal hook on a white belt because I would be worried they might spazz out and roll the wrong direction and snap there leg. Belts let me know what I can most likely safely do to someone without worrying about hurting them.

[@thepracticaldad]

Finally! Someone talkin sense!!!

[@lprocksyd]

Yeah, but you can also get the same thing by just asking someone how long they've been training, I do it in no-gi all the time "2 weeks" = Do not heel hook "8 years" = Okay to heel hook

[@thepracticaldad]

@@lprocksyd when you show up, brand new, you dont go from guy to guy going, "How long you been training?.... How long you been training?... How bout you, buddy?"... No, you look at a dude in a purple, brown or black belt and ask him if he needs a partner. Obviously after a while this is no longer necessary, but we're talking about how the belts help people who are just starting out.

[@lprocksyd]

@thepracticaldad My point wasn't really about the brand news perspective. its not really the brand new guys responsibility. It's the experienced persons responsibility. If you are about to roll with a new guy you don't know, doesn't hurt to just ask so you know what you're about to get into.

[@thepracticaldad]

@@lprocksyd yeah i feel you, there is certainly a case to be made for both schools of thought, i just find it weird when some guys keep asking "what is the point of belts?!?!?!"... the point is so you have a rough idea of who youre rolling / pressure drilling with just by looking at them (when you may not have time to discuss experience etc.), and to keep with tradition (which I personally like.) I got my blue belt last wednesday and it felt great, but honestly, i will continue to train bjj regardless of any promotions i may or may not receive in the future.

[@martialartsvocationalschoo3319]

Purple Belt after 10 or so years on the mat. Never payed a cent for my belts or stripes. I'm 50 and don't really care or think it matters a lot, but I still teared up when my professor called by name at graduation. BJJ is the only thing in my life that I put this much effort and time in, so getting a belt (I think it could also be a cookie) just introduces something "physical" I can project my pride (Yes, even at 50 I still have an ego) on. As I got my purple last week, next will be a few years of feeling like an imposter... But I know this from getting my blue belt. :)

[@tacticalstrategist3842]

Congrats on the purple belt. When you say that don’t care about belts or think it matters but yet mentioned that you teared up at your promotion, that is essentially saying you do care. Maybe not for the belt itself like “yes, I did it, I’m finally a purple belt”. But for what the belt represents to you, which is how much time and effort you put into it. So yes… even though it may not matter in one way if you think that that the belt represents some clearly defined skill which is universal (because obviously it is subjective and may change depending on the professor that promoted you), it matters in the sense that it represents the years of blood, sweat and tears, and the hard work and sacrifice you made. To your professor it shows the amount of potential that you have fulfilled (potential because this is different for everyone, a 22 year old D1 wrestler, judo black belt and MMA fighter will have a different potential than a 42 year old dad that goes after work a few times a week, because he’s got kids to take care of..) That is not to say that belts have completely no link to skill, because clearly an upper belt should show technical knowledge of the art even if they aren’t able to beat someone of a lower belt. Obviously age, weight and physical capabilities (flexibility, cardio, strength etc) play a part. But what I am saying is, is that belts are highly personal, because everyone’s capabilities and potential is different. But if your professor is a good one, then you should trust his judgement, and be proud to wear that belt, of course it not only shows the skill you have but more than that, dedication and sacrifice you made. Tapping to lower belts doesn’t devalue the belt you hold.

[@JoeyG-o8r]

I just got my second blue belt stripe. I hope to God I'm still two years off from purple at least because there are some days where I just feel like a mediocre white belt lol

[@darrentupman8143]

Craig just did an ama on Reddit and said something good, if a belt can help the average hobbyist to be on a physically and mentally healthy path for 10 years then that is important

[@NoBody-ro3xj]

Skill or no skill Coach likes you ... promotion Coach doesn't like ... no promotion

[@JoeHeine]

nope. My old BJJ instructor has "higher expectations for his friends". And honestly, I'm glad he didn't promote me early. It gave me time to get better without the pressure of having a target on.

[@NoBody-ro3xj]

@JoeHeine sure he does

[@justinR8986]

Tbf Gordon did have a point on that post

[@Jamoni1]

I've trained in several martial arts styles that had belts, and it was fine. The biggest issue with BJJ belts is its all subjective. There is no syllabus, no curriculum, no objective standard. Imagine a college run that way.

[@SeaOrcRonnie]

Indeed.

[@user-qu1xj6mx8p]

I’m Bob from accounting. 45 yo husband and father of 3, and driver of the prestigious minivan. I have no desire to be promoted to blue belt which would make confiscating souls much harder at competition

[@MoshJunkie426]

That's called sandbagging sir

[@Jiu-JitsuJourney257]

Compete where your skill level is. Otherwise what is the point?

[@x-Musashi-x]

I don’t win a lot of matches, not a lot of medals on my wall, so the belt is a visual representation of my progress. I just love Judo and BJJ. So I think it’s cool.

[@JoeyG-o8r]

yea I just love grappling. If my gym only did no-gi and I didn't have to think about belts like that I'd be happy.

[@ChrisIam-007]

I was a white belt for 4 years and a blue belt for 3.5 years. I’m a mid 40 something hobbyist practitioner with a purple belt, and I train for fun and camaraderie. I lost track of the time training after I was awarded my blue belt (which admittedly I wanted badly) and I wasn’t even focused on the purple belt when my professor awarded me mine. That belt to me represents my time on the mat and my understanding of BJJ movement according to the high standards of our gym. I train gi and no gi. I just want to keep training, avoid injuries, and be a good training partner. Keep moving!

[@RictorIAG]

It's not that belts don't matter, it's the curriculum isn't standardized. I'm biased but I think the Gracies have it right with how they structure their curriculum. I know it's not satisfactory for young aggressive guys but even they would benefit from a standardized curriculum. If you're familiar with how the Gracie's do it, then maybe you're also familiar with Boyd Belts. It's how they further classify rank. When going against somebody 20 lbs heavier or 10 years younger, each one is a belt. When you say that gym owners would give a stripe at six weeks, again, I like the Gracie system. It's a stripe every 20 classes. There are 23 lessons. Each lesson must be done at least 3 times, with the addition of at least 12 reflex development classes (total 81 classes minimum) before one can test for their Combatives belt. WTF is a Combatives belt? EXTACTLY. It's basically the half way point for white belts in the system. But it signals that they know enough of the fundamentals to start rolling. Again, probably boring for elite athletes but it's perfect for the rest of us. It's probably one of the main reasons BJJ looks down on the Gracie's these days. They resent that the Gracie's have created a system where anybody can learn how to do jiu jitsu. It hurts the ego of other school owners since they want themselves to be the center of knowledge at their school, rather than developing a logical curriculum as has been done by the family that started all of this. We agree on fees for stripes are dumb. The way the Gracie's do testing is that there's a testing fee. That's for a black belt to review your film. Oh yeah, every belt is verified by a black belt at Gracie University. Gracie CTCs don't have to be owned/taught by black belts. But belt promotions are only given by black belts. They can be done in person or through video. The test is known ahead of time (you can find people's videos to test for their Combatives belt on KZbin). The fee is nominal. $50 or something like that. I don't mind it because it's a 3rd party objective observer. If it was my buddy who owns the gym, I might feel different about it. Let's address the Combatives belt because I don't want that to get lumped in with the other "intermediary" belts that you mentioned. The reason the Combatives belt was developed is because the Gracies f'd up originally by letting people pass a test after watching videos to earn their blue belt. Recognizing that this wasn't the solution, they created the Combatives belt. This signifies the completion and functional use of the 36 techniques they teach in the white belt course. This can be done online or at a Certified Training Center. Either way, once the Combatives belt has been achieved, all future training MUST happen at a Gracie CTC to continue to progress in their system. This makes the belt mean something - the successful completion and testing of the 36 initial techniques, and also signifies that in the Gracie system, students are ready to start sparring.

[@zacharyryan1325]

8 year black belt aka 2nd degree here, coming from a guy on the opposite side of a beginner of bjj being a bb and coach if the belt system were to be revamped I think it should be 3 belts. White purple black. Beginner, intermitted advanced. As he said it’s about belts to have retention of students.

[@yew2oob954]

That is the original system...White, Blue, and Navy (dark blue). Beginner, Student, Instructor.

[@SeaOrcRonnie]

Dude, I have been saying this for a while now, it’s nice to hear it echoed. To me there’s really just 3 levels and that’s it. Either drop blue or purple, and brown, no need for those two.

[@eamonob84]

I think judo used to only use white, brown, and black.

[@Confessingjesuschrist]

They don't care until you rank at the top. I took 8 years for my brown belt and now I'm satisfied to focus on regular life a bit more. It's something people feel they want to justify their time.

[@Kent-2168]

I hear it all the time in the gym people say they can’t wait to get the next belt or the Black Belt. My comment is I can’t wait to get the skills those guys with those belts have.

[@LongJumpERC20]

Being a brown belt with 4 stripes for 16 years in BJJ but I focused on MMA and Grappling more. People said you are a black belt but I am not going to promote myself and I teach for one 4 school with big classes and we do not do belts... I need to get my fighters ready for the cage or ring ... a belt is nog going to help them. Only their skills.

[@MJV312]

20yrs at black (5th degree, which just means I’m old now). The biggest discrepancy in skill level is at white and black belt. At white belt you can have a day one beginner all the way to someone with wrestling and judo experience who is going to get their blue belt that day. At black belt you can have the 20yr old that has been training since they were 5 and the guy who started at 55 and is now 65. Belts don’t matter.

[@TeamDNABJJ]

Belts are important so you know how to roll with people and the rules set for safety. Also how to push them. Also what you'd like to work.

[@drewm4914]

I earned my blue belt back in May after 5 years as a white belt trying a few different gyms. The current gym I am at, which I earned my blue belt under, has been the chillest and most fair gym. I left my last gym because I fought a guy for a stripe that I won by points and still did not get that stripe. It was a spit in teh face to me. I feel like belts don't matter, but coaches still need to be fair and even when they give promotions. I feel like some belt promotions are a result of favoritism and that hurts gym culture.

[@trooperjoe73]

Belts are fine. You can't expect every gym to be identical - it won't happen. Every belt from across various academies are not built the same and that's ok. Professionals, competitors, hobbyists, and everything in between. People in the exact same gym are not equal - how are people from different gyms going to be equal? That being said - sandbagging does occur for competitions. That's a fact.

[@kumai77]

Once you've realized you get on the mat for your fun/pleasure/own benefits, none of this matters anymore. At my purple graduation speech, I said it out loud. What I'm grateful about is my training partners, more than a color belt.

[@herbertph8879]

Empty speech that people do to show humbleness

[@kumai77]

@herbertph8879 You sound like one of those haters hungry for trolls. There's nothing wrong to be humble anyway.

[@Menstral]

Absurdly generic ending, but the only way it could end since it was contradicted by your own personal feelings

[@daniels4669]

Out of all the things you could have called Gordon out for, why "the Republic for which it stands?" That's a normal opinion people have lol. Lots of people don't like to think of USA as a (direct) democracy, and it's really not a democracy in the strict sense of the word.

[@khaledbejdoughJiuJitsu]

Hi , I just left a Jiu Jitsu gym, the Instructor threw me under the bus, wasn’t being treated fairly.

[@UpTownPuddle]

I stopped focusing on the belts but now I’m hyper focused on getting way better fast which also leads to burnout haha

[@Haraldo-l7w]

BJJ is now being taught far more efficiently than in past, and techniques have advanced. Therefore, athletes are developing at a much faster pace than before. Therefore today’s purple is arguably better than yesterday’s black belt… Likewise many purples coming up now, are on par with people who got black years back. SO, if BJJ wants to be taken seriously how wrestling and judo are, it’s time to black (purple) should be same as judo.

[@sotiriosnovatsis4529]

Belts are a very important way of focusing your energy and mind on attaining new levels of proficiency. They give you a goal to work towards. While I’m not consumed by my goals, having them certainly brings out my best. Belts also allow you to judge your progress by how well you grapple with your peers, as well as giving you an indication about who to go to for advice on more advanced jiujitsu.

[@KarlKarsnark]

Do boxers, wrestlers, runners, etc....get "belts"? No, you can either beat the person in front of you, or you can't. There is no "rank" in sport. That's a legacy of Japanese teaching methods and cultural traditions. As it stands, the belt system is being exploited by absurd amounts of sandbagging. The entire point of MA/BJJ is that a small person can beat a big person, so lets see it.

[@malachiowens3423]

You just named a bunch of sports where a belt system isn't needed. Also, in wrestling, there's JV Varsity A, and most of your average person wouldn't beat a college wrestling worth a damn.

[@Reflectionmaterial]

@@malachiowens3423 why is a belt system needed??

[@thepracticaldad]

​@@ReflectionmaterialI found it helpful as a beginner. I wanted to avoid spazzy beginners at BJJ, so I knew I needed to roll with more experienced people. How was I able to tell who they are? By the colour of their belt!

[@user-vc6]

Why are you needed ?? No offense but I’m serious… Appeal to triviality is a informal fallacy , we are discussing why the belt system is useful. Justifying somethings existence is definitely not what we’re doing. Actually think what that entail and if it’s even possible? The belt System has many uses and it’s just the same as wrestling divisions, hockey divisions ie house league a , aa, aaa, junior etc it’s great for separating skill or experience levels for training competition and coaching…. Except it’s neat way of doing so by uniform change. I just think people place so much expectation on higher belt levels and when you see one fat old hobbyist black belt lose to beginner here n there. All the hype n excitement expectation turns into criticism n distain - a bit too much of it … the belt system isn’t anywhere near perfect, if people didn’t vastly overestimate it because of movies n culture

[@malachiowens3423]

@@Reflectionmaterial It's a measurement of someone's skill level

[@judosailor610]

It's a classic case of over correction. I think it's obvious that there have been certain times when belts were considered too important. And there are still some people for whom belts are too important. But it's an over correction to say they don't matter AT ALL. The truth is, they are not the end all and be all, but they do, or at least can, matter. And they can be a helpful tool in training as long as you don't make training all about the belt.

[@todd2324]

The problem with belts today is that there is disorganization within schools. Student progression is based on opinion rather than objective knowledge and skill. Some schools have a strict curriculum, others don't. Some schools focus on self-defense and less on sport, while for other schools, it's the opposite. In addition, I couldn't tell you the difference in practical skill between a competitive purple belt and an average black belt. This is why belts don't matter.

[@stepheninczech]

Suspenders is where it’s at

[@baudopl1]

Im on this for like 4 years and still white belt because I dont want to pay anything to graduate

[@MontyQueues]

i honestly think there's no point of training at a gym for a chunk of your life and not getting promoted

[@DavidKrstic-w1o]

I’m a thirty year Jiu Jitsu veteran. I don’t disagree on any particular point. Whilst I do think that grade is a terrible metric for performance. It is good for the room to recognise the effort expended and the understanding that their peers have acquired, when it comes to the recreational enthusiast. There is no easy answer to a cultural accident that is at odds with a results based paradigm.

[@abediaz6707]

I was giving a green belt as an adult….. I left that school a few months later.

[@Jiu-JitsuJourney257]

Ouch lol

[@Mr.MomPodcast]

An ad to sell merch to keep the channel going while complaining about gym owners using belts to keep the lights on feels ironic

[@joshbeambjj]

I was once a white-blue belt (a white belt with a horizontal blue stripe all the way around it) 😂I felt more insulted than just staying at white belt... lol. Good video!

[@TylerSpangler]

Didn’t even know that was a thing! Crazy how they just add it because why not

[@user-vc6]

The belt System has many uses and it’s just the same as wrestling divisions, hockey divisions ie house league a , aa, aaa, junior etc it’s great for separating skill or experience levels for training competition and coaching…. Except it’s neat way of doing so by uniform change. I just think people place so much expectation on higher belt levels and when you see one fat old hobbyist black belt lose to beginner here n there. All the hype n excitement expectation turns into criticism n disgust - … the belt system isn’t anywhere near perfect, but don’t pretend it's not useful in many different ways

[@CAPIVAN]

I’ll be honest belt ranks are only relative to your specific gym some hand out blue and purple like nothing and then get whoop by whit belt

[@user-vc6]

@@CAPIVAN while i think your right like in some small gyms who aren't competitive will have suspect purples ( i think shaky bluebelts are very common but by purple you shouldn't be losing to whitebelts unless they're some ncaa wrestler or some unique case), usually big competition gyms in all the metro's will have 70-80% solid purples. they have competition standards to meet .... most purples who'll lose to whitebelts are hobbyists who hardly compete or leave gym n the coach promotes them due to mat time. the coach knows the dude is gonna be trying to win and he'll just stay in that gym rolling for fun .. i think in gi with all the gi chokes lasso guard to slow do athletic passing its much easier for even lazy hobbyists to beat 230 lbs savage whitebelt spazz energy...from my 12 years experience i think the belt helps estimate a skill range of like 65% of people but im never surprised if it goes below or beyond

[@ryanyates570]

It’s depressing always having another belt above your head.

[@CoachMattybarz]

I’ve wanted to be in a Tyler Spangler video for a while now but I didn’t think this is how it would happen still a privilege tho 😂 I’m on the Xmartial ad at 5:40

[@action_man389]

easy to say after you've got your Black belt

[@cheeks7050]

I know so many 'Black Belts' that got their belt for business or participation reasons, rather than skill and or knowledge.

[@ryanscottnix]

Great breakdown of the topic, Tyler!

[@rolotomase1440]

The problem with belts comes from this seemingly focus on "competition." You have schools holding back promotions (sandbagging) so their guy can win a 2 dollar medal in Masters Blue. Another issue is the advent of the "hobbyist." Which is funny to think its "just a hobby" at multiple nights a week. But you literally have middle aged dads that want to fight back heart disease going against JC wrestlers that want to be the next Gordon Ryan. You can have fat dad knowing everything and doing very well against similar sized and aged opponents - only to see them struggle against much younger athletic people. They ought to just give everyone a white belt with a number for hours you've trained. Every quarter you put on the new number.

[@hubriswonk]

I agree....I hate the term "hobbyist" and it has been used to describe me. I train 3-6 times a week for 10 years and was recently awarded Black Belt. I do compete, but not enough to be a "competitor"..........I also train guns, knives and weapons retention and take away using bjj techniques and the term does not apply to me. I have been racking my brain trying to think of a different name for "hobbyist" but it has not come to me yet.

[@808BJJ_Black_Belt]

The most ridiculous one is the PINK BELT which in BJJ ranks mean nothing. It’s all about making money.

[@metrolinamartialarts]

I "make" students wear the pink belt when they leave their belt at home 😅😂

[@DoYouKnowYourJudoWell]

@@metrolinamartialarts I've seen this too. The _Pink Belt of Shame._ lol

[@hubriswonk]

In 10 years I have never once forgotten my belt, but if I did I would wear that pink with pride! hahahaha! At least the first time!

[@metrolinamartialarts]

@hubriswonk 🤣🤣🤣

[@JoeHeine]

It should be a reflection of skill and experience. Nothing is perfect in life. There are college graduates who aren't very competent, but, like a belt color should be a reflection of relative skill. The worst thing you can do to a person is promote them early.

[@dereknueveuno]

Yea belts are super variant. I been training since 2018. Just got my purple recently. I’ve tappped someone from every belt. I mainly did nogi after the first 3 years. And had gym changes. So everywhere on their own time and skill growth

[@rafaelcarrera9436]

I have only been to schools here in Florida and I have never seen or even heard mentioned of any bjj organizations actually adding new belts. Is this really a thing that has started?

[@WilliamJackson-i9r]

Competition wasn't mentioned and that is somewhere its invaluable to sort people out and communicate fair/similar skilled matchups.

[@LeopardonTheMat]

I agree! In ancient Asia, there were all white belts and it turned dark due to time in training

[@jacksondurand9833]

Belts is Jiu Jitsu don't matter because they're not based on a curriculum like in Judo or Karate. In those marital arts there is a defined set of skills to master in order to progress. There are a few jiu jitsu schools that offer curriculum with their training, but the majority do not. Promotions are more a popularity contest rather than based on obtained skills. The real issue with Jiu Jitsu is not the belts... it's that is not a martial art anymore, it's a sport. People aren't training to defend themselves, they're training to play a sport. There are only a handful of techniques worth doing in a street fight, the rest are just elaborate moves only useful for jiu jitsu practioners. There's a reason why most MMA fights are standing based nowadays, no one stays on the ground anymore.

[@thepracticaldad]

I think that has more to do with the fact that all fighters have ground skills these days. When Couture fought Toney, he knew Toney had zero ground skills so immediately took him down and crushed him.

[@eliasabreu5169]

what you talking about? in these days in mma if you dont have any base of grappling you gonna have big troubles, look Robelis Despaigne last 2 figths, looks what kamzat, or charles or islam gonna do if you dont at least a good base of grapping.

[@wanabisufi8843]

Grappling in MMA is mostly folkstyle wrestling​@@eliasabreu5169 the submissions are bjj but the "position" work and strategy is more wrestling based.

[@CAPIVAN]

@@eliasabreu5169yeah idk what this guy is talking about just because pure bjj is being overtaken by wrestling

[@RJAmos]

Well said sir 👍

[@gonzalosanchez6387]

Great video. I'm brown belt. I like gyms that do stripe for white belts only, then no stripes for color belts

[@jacquedegatineau9037]

There should be two belts. Novice and standard. Instructors should get a badge or some mark that shows they have the expertise and character to lead a class. This would really help the tournament brackets which are too chopped up.

[@1deaver]

Every black belt says belts don't matter. Symbolism. Testing fees are for mcdojos. Just charge monthly profitable rates.

[@Gottiline_Ace]

We don't do stripes at our school. We have 5 belts and thats it. That being said, we have some really good blue belts and some amazing teachers. So it isn't hard to stay motivated and learning constantly.

[@yolcujiujitsummasporsalonu4779]

In judo they dont have this problem. Because you get the black belt before competing. But in bjj, people be like 'I am the world champion' turns out they sandbagged the white belt worlds division. the only champions should be the black belts. The rest should not even be a thing.

[@pd7439]

Belts really matter, to gym owners. #1 student retention tool. That’s why kids have so many.

[@Brandon-ob9rg]

Belts matter to gym owners. It helps keep retention.

[@boneyfun]

I was a white belt for almost 2 years, a blue belt for 6.5 years, a purple for 6.5 years, brown for over three years. All under the same instructor except the first two years. I trained 3-5 times a week for the first ten years. I was also running the kids program for several years…. I refuse to test for Black Belt because gun and knife disarm techniques are required. I think that is ridiculous and dangerous. It imparts a false sense of confidence and capability and in reality can get you killed. I think my (prior) instructor can require and test however he thinks is right. He doesn’t charge for test. He has been teaching for probably 25 years and has promoted 4 to black. They are all elite athletes. I started BJJ at age 42 and will be 62 this year. When I see modern “BJJ/grappling” competition today, I don’t think I would want to learn that, if I were looking to train a “martial art.” -- 1) plop on to butt 2) scoot on but for leg entanglement and heel hooks. Yeah, I get its a tournament and it is a lot of skill. It’s just not any form of reality, and that’s the truth.

[@hubriswonk]

I have no idea why you think weapons training is ridiculous and dangerous. Especially basic weapon techniques that use White Belt level jiu jitsu. At the very least a higher belt should know the concepts if that is required to be awarded a Black Belt. Oddly, I cannot convince any of my training partners regardless of belt degree to train with rubber weapons! They are too lazy.

[@lorikislack1504]

I've never tested or been charged for my belt. But I'm old school. My coach would just tell me he was giving me a belt, and I'd try and give it back. Never even got a single stripe until my black.

[@PaTrick-cf6ev]

I have been training at SAS Jiu Jitsu for a while, and we have a pretty standardized belt system, and we have to pass exams for stripes and belts. I just had 3 years on my blue, gotten my 4th stripe. Also, we have so many great profs. BTW this was my 2nd time being Uke for a guy that was doing the exam for black :)

[@Komodokhan148]

As recently promoted black belt, belt colors don't mean anything to me. It's a piece of fabric at the end of the day. Only thing that matters is that you keep training, developing your skills and never stop evolving. I stopped caring about belts after brown belt.

[@hubriswonk]

I am a newly minted Black Belt as well and I think you are 100% right! Personally I did not get enough time at Purple and Brown is my favorite color, but it is up to the Professor not me. Ha!

[@AA-to3tv]

12 year, white belt, 3 stripes, the journey continues.

[@themurz6576]

I understand both sides. I like the feeling of a hard earned belt. Yes, business models and strategy, benefit from belts, yes some people become entitled or toxic due to belts, but it’s a system that can be great if implemented correctly. Don’t promote based on time, should be skill, application, technique, and if you compete belts are important. Personally, I feel like only recently have people been arguing that belts don’t mean shit, and it’s just my opinion but I feel like it’s all the brand new students who do nogi, and it’s because they don’t want the shame of having to wear a white belt. 😂

[@reeseexplains8935]

I feel tremendous imposter syndrome because of my belt.

[@Justahumbletalonmain]

Yo new Tyler Spangler video!

[@BOBBOB-tx7ox]

I am a blue belt that has rolled with many black and brown belts, and I wonder how they got this belt, who on earth promoted them. There are way too many Brown and Black belts. So I started to ask myself what is a Black belt? and if I work really hard for 6 or 7 more years I am only going to be as good as them. So, what is a black belt. I have also rolled with some Black belts that completely destroyed me, but most don't. I consider myself to be a little above average. I totally discount all belts

[@mitchperry9003]

I've always said just keep training to get better. The belt will take care of itself

[@hubriswonk]

Best post on this thread! Trust your Professor and keep training. I was recently awarded Black Belt and the very next day I was on the mat drilling a basic triangle from seatbelt......a Blue Belt move..........how about that? Maybe I should have been drilling a more fancy technique? Like you said, just keep training!

[@ryanharris687]

Oh well! Hurt feelings is part of life. I like the fact of having a belt in front of me to work towards. It’s motivating to me.

[@joecoronado7938]

*5:48* Live Laugh Leglocks That's a fucking awesome shirt 😂💯👌

[@julesverne5072]

In bjj the belts are beautiful because they represent your path and your merits. only grappling guys can think that they are useless because, after all, they don't use them. and this may indeed be a typically American drift given that it is a place where grappling is becoming more popular than kimono due to its proximity to wrestling and the widespread diffusion of wrestling as a sport. More kimono, please..!

[@Hfd678vcdg]

belts matter when you start to compete

[@thelastchimp]

great video tyler

[@alexandercochrane637]

I always think belts matter only for the gym you are in - and there is use in that - outside of that theyre impossible to standardise. And that is fine!

[@dylanstrickland2379]

I think belts are fine people just put too much thought into it and sometimes when I feeling down and you get that stripe it can help morale (as long as they aren’t cash grabs or time based should always be skill based)

[@jsnuka]

Belt promotions are extremely subjective

[@auto7judoka]

Sambo doesn't have a belt system but it relates to judo and some techniques aren't in judo but I feel like in general.i did Japanese ju jutsu but when it came to stripes i was like I don't want stripes i rather focus on training but usually do some arts stripes are progression of skill and knowledge.in Japan u may see a brown belt wear a white belt and the instructor knows your rank.I even see Grandmasters in judo which is red and white throw on a instructor rank which is a black belt.I feel like as a white belts progression the belt warned should be white as progression goes these just test.belt system is good and also bad if a student needs to test out of a rank and get bored and doing the same stuff for months and doing the same techniques repetitive and held back when they should move up and have way beating up higher ranks and not being challenged enough and so ways u would loss interest.

[@really2k1]

I think the attitude against belts is an indirect product of milennials all getting participation trophies and not liking rank. The newer generations specialize in the disrespect and deconstruction of history. I'm sure the no gi popularity has much to do with it too. That being said, belts represent hard work, time, dedication and consistency. They can be something newer students look to as an example and inspiration.

[@TGSTATIC]

Belts are toxic, my belt verbally abuses me every day

[@MU-uo6mm]

You just had to Show a clip of Ben when you said „that guy totally doesn't deserve his belt!“, hugh! 😂❤

[@nerosfiddle472]

I'm just happy to have my blue so I can add "bjj" into all my social handles and start prepping for brands!

[@hapyharyhard0n581]

never done the belt thing. I've rolled for more than 15yrs and never worn a belt unless it was gi and then it's always been white.

[@TimpeTuyt]

'Belts dont matter' - black belts

[@andrewmc2445]

Having been in a gym where blues and purples have won nationals, worlds, euros and brasilieros - as a 50 year old, i would be a white belt for ever if the standard was to be as good as all the orher white / blue / purples etc.......

[@thunderkatz4219]

I do okinawan karate and japnese jujitsu but i understand where ur coming from and I like learning from higher and lower ranks

[@kevinpitts22able]

Funny how all these Black Belts are the ones saying belts don’t matter after they already have theirs. Just like a rich person saying money doesn’t matter. But I don’t see these Black Belts or rich people in a hurry to give up their belt or cash lol

[@stephenroach8033]

I see young people getting promoted before me even though I'm tapping these guys, and I'm 54. I'm so over it. 18 months, 1 stripe white and tapping even the occasional purple belt. Ridiculous..

[@LH74]

Wrestling and Boxing don’t have belts and their practitioners have way more realistic and applicable combat skills than BJJ practitioners. In my opinion jiujitsu would be more fun and rewarding without belt systems. Helio Gracie himself didn’t like belts and basically wore a blue belt for most of his life. He literally stopped wearing a black belt and started wearing a blue belt until the day he died.

[@BMO_Creative]

With today's society of HUGE lack of attention, the belts help the "gamification" of the martial arts... so people stay in it... LOL... weird I know!

[@William.H.Bonney]

They really don’t. I’m a 44 year old purple belt. I’m lucky if I can submit a 20 something year old, strong athletic blue belt. I’m usually just surviving with those guys

[@sammyjiujitsu]

I tell people belts are mile stones and not a direct reflection of skill. When I see a purple belt I think “That guys been at it for a while” The pool is so vast. I have gotten worked by teenagers and dominated black belts in the same room. I don’t think about the belts really outside of helping students with rulesets.

[@hubriswonk]

Good point!

[@shotokankaratedude89]

I had to tap to a white belt in class (I'm a bleu belt) turned out he was a black belt in judo...so belts are not always accurate anymore

[@alexdrastico7840]

Belts are ok What is stupid is ibjjf giving out 100's of "world title" to people who pay $170 to participate, without money prizes whatsoever. What's even more ridiculous is having European championship, or American or whatever and having all nationalities participating. That's not how it works in any other sport

[@TrayCaddyyy]

I got my blue belt last month. Super happy about it, but it’s not magical. I’m the same person with the same skills.

[@ivorc8957]

Let's be honest about it. Belts dont mean shit, nowadays. There is no consistency, with belts. Money talk's and merit walks. The sport is being watered down.