What it takes to be a Blue Belt in BJJ

What it takes to be a Blue Belt in BJJ
Skill Development Over Belt Rank: Giancarlo Bodoni's BJJ Perspective
Discover the profound insights of ADCC Champion Giancarlo Bodoni as he reveals the true essence of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in this eye-opening video. While belt ranks are significant milestones in one's BJJ journey, Giancarlo passionately advocates the paramount importance of skill development above all else.
Unveiling the Core Principle: Skill Development First
Join us as Giancarlo Bodoni takes us on a journey that goes beyond mere belt colors. In this video, we delve into the core principle that drives success in BJJ: skill development. Giancarlo brilliantly articulates how focusing on honing techniques, understanding principles, and mastering positions ultimately elevates one's proficiency in the art.
Your Journey, Your Pace: Let Skill be the Compass
Giancarlo Bodoni shares his invaluable wisdom on the individualized nature of the BJJ journey. While belt ranks serve as guideposts of progress, he encourages viewers to embrace their unique paths and focus on personal growth through skill development. Giancarlo's own journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, discipline, and a dedication to continuous learning.
Why Skill Trumps Belt
In this thought-provoking discussion, Giancarlo unveils the reasons why skill should always take precedence over the allure of belt ranks. He sheds light on how one can remain humble, open-minded, and constantly evolving by placing emphasis on learning and refining techniques rather than fixating on external recognition.
Expanding Your Arsenal: Techniques for Every Belt Level
Regardless of your belt rank, Giancarlo shares a treasure trove of techniques suitable for practitioners at every stage of their BJJ journey. From white belts to purple belts and beyond, this video offers valuable insights into effective techniques that empower practitioners to make significant strides in their skill development.
Join us in this transformational exploration of the true essence of BJJ, as Giancarlo Bodoni inspires us to embrace skill development as the primary goal in our martial arts endeavors. Together, let's redefine our approach to BJJ, empower ourselves with knowledge, and unleash the potential that lies within.
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#BJJ #GiancarloBodoni #SkillDevelopment #BJJJourney #BrazilianJiuJitsu #BJJTechniques #BJKBeltRank #MartialArts #ADCCChampion
BJJ Basics, BJJ Techniques for Beginners, BJJ Submissions for White Belts, White Belt Tips, BJJ Training for Novices.
BJJ Blue Belt Requirements, Advancing from White to Blue Belt, Blue Belt Rolling Tips, Blue Belt Submissions, BJJ Progression at Blue Belt.
BJJ Purple Belt Challenges, Purple Belt Competitions, Mastering BJJ at Purple Belt Level, Purple Belt Submission Chains, BJJ Flow Rolling at Purple Belt.

[@oldercloudify]

Earned my blue in 1.25 years, training 4-5 days per week. Earned my purple in 4 years, after trading 5-6 days per week. I was in my 40s; I have no children, and a supportive wife. I’ve remained at purple for six years. I’m closing in on 48 and training 4 days per week. I no longer compete; I’m at a tough school run by a Danaher black belt. The standards are pretty darn high, which is tough for an aging hobbyist. I hope to remain healthy enough to earn my brown and black in a few years. I can’t believe that a decade had passed so quickly.

[@AidanRKelly]

Stick with it brotha!!

[@easyglot6944]

congratulations and good luck for the rest

[@crazyratpors]

10 years bjj and purple belt lol jeez you are blackbelt level

[@oldercloudify]

@@crazyratporsTakes a long time, man - especially at a school with VERY high standards. I’m injured right now, too, so it will take a bit longer.

[@crazyratpors]

@@oldercloudify yeah man. Belts don’t really matter anyways, the skills are more important. Wrestler bros can have trained bjj for 1 year but been on the mats for 5 years in total

[@edmonddantes563]

Got promoted to blue belt last night, bought your instructionals and really helped Giancarlo 💯

[@Benjiko]

How would it help if you just bought it last night?

[@bo_kandar]

​@@Benjikohe said he got promoted last night, not bought his instructional last night

[@alen7648]

I did not buy them, i am a almost 3 year white belt...

[@brendanhutchinson1042]

Convenient timing..

[@edmonddantes563]

@@brendanhutchinson1042 lol I could care less just happy I finally got my blue belt 😂

[@derrickrobinson7269]

Hold on brother, we need more details on your 20yr whitebelt friend and 3 month whitebelt friend 😂

[@hubriswonk]

hahahaha!!! Exactly what I said! 20 year white belt.............take up bowling or something! hahahahaha!

[@davidque3776]

White belt ..1 month into BJJ .. looking forward to learning the fundamentals of alignment , frames, structure, levers ,base … escapes , guard passing, guard retention … so I can earn my blue belt

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

It will carry you a long way

[@hard.aground]

I'm new as well, about 3 months. My focus right now is breathing and staying relaxed. Those two things have really helped. I'm surviving the sparring sessions suffering fewer and fewer subs and chokes. Since I only know about 5 submissions that I'm confident in, the breathing and relaxing has given me patience to wait for the opportunity to get something when presented. Good luck, and I hope you're enjoying your journey as much as I am.

[@algierssolja]

I am a 1 stripe white belt making 1 solid/complete/full year this week! OSS! I don't really care about rank. Im mid 40s, but the shock on these kids face when they find out Im a white belt at the end of class is priceless(nogi).

[@paulbjj7073]

100% agree with this. Strengthening your basics / fundamentals is crucial not only because it strengthens core skills required for Jiu Jitsu at the blue belt level but it also sets up your foundation for learning more complex skills later in your journey. As Mr Bodoni indicates “POSITIONAL DRILLING” every lesson. It’s Hard to find gyms that do this now days because it sucks starting in shitty positions but it makes your Jiu Jitsu exponentially better than others. Also try keep a theme for a week or so - you’re not going to retain anything or develop if you only do it once. Thanks again Mr Bodoni!!

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

Thank you sir

[@swollacademy3103]

A healthy combination of attendance and skill is the way. No matter how talented you are, being belted is a representation of that instructor. You need to have the skillset to represent the belt level, but you need the presence to represent the instructor who gives it to you.

[@joeguillaume296]

This is the general template of skill acquisition for every belt. Very well thought out. Excellent!

[@schenksteven1]

This was a very helpful way of framing the goals of training for a white belt. As a blue belt watching this I was encouraged to realize that this is a pretty good description of the journey I took from white to blue (it made me appreciate my coaches). I am looking forward to your video for blue-to-purple!

[@modaya7078]

I can literally hear JD in the way he's working through everything. Must be a huge influence. One very lucky man. Thanks so much for the simple breakdown. I'm a third stripe white belt and making my way to blue. I skipped a step and have hit a bump in the road recently realising that I had no guard game so went back to the Gi and have worked on that the last month or so. It has taught me the value of patience, slowing down and gaining control.

[@thefilmpoets]

Nice! Please do purple for us struggling blue belts.

[@greengreensio]

Thank you. This is so true. I used to been scared of getting pin and sweeps. Now i learn a few pin escape, i improve my bjj alot

[@stevenkissi8432]

That was the best breakdown I have seen for the fundamentals of jiu-jitsu

[@nufufu5558]

Awesome video and explanations! Love the channel! Keep the content coming!

[@ziapsp4167]

how he summed it up at the end is 💯

[@timschmidt5469]

Fantastic breakdown! As a white belt of 4 months, I love this overview of things to focus on. Thanks!

[@JIMMY_HOUSE]

My favorite video of yours so far Man! You’re killing it on camera !

[@joonbug808]

Just got promoted tonight to blue belch, I had to test for it (train @ alliance). Been training all my life (I’m 26) mainly doing Muay Thai(7 years) but before I started Thai I did MMA in high school, while doing MMA I learned some no gi jits. So a mix of me being young, athletic somewhat haha, and training martial arts my whole life it only took me 6 months. I love this life ♥️🟦

[@TaintedNate]

Giancarlo, I met you when you were training at Dante’s gym in Toledo. Appreciate how you showed everyone respect. Happy for your success.

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

Thank you sir

[@nerdobject5351]

Your best video yet!

[@VaptorIV]

Great job, thanks for the video. I'm a white belt trying to focus on building a very strong defense.

[@bepratt]

An excellent way to finish up the video. I've only recently started my BJJ journey. I'm learning so much right now it's great, and at times overwhelming. Thank you for explaining what to focus on (defense and a basic offensive concepts).

[@richardcohen9040]

My way of deciding what belt you deserve is as follows: If you regularly tap 70 percent of blue belts your size and age, you are a real blue belt. If you are regularly tapping purple, you are a purple. Etc

[@wm6549]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@williamclayton6597]

Fantastic content. Really good sound and video quality too! Thanks champ

[@benjthewhite]

Completely agree, a belt colour is only good for being able to identify people of similar skill to grapple with and a bit of an ego boost. Otherwise it’s so much more important to focus on improving rather than focusing on getting the belt

[@vincentcapaccio2033]

I think he is absolutely 100% correct...I just started getting into learning about jiu-jitsu..very interested...59 yrs now though..but like a 40 yr old shape...grew up fighting, unfortunitly, had to, but I would love to start up jiu-jitsu...thanks for your knowledge on the sport...

[@cychau3628]

last statement is the gold

[@menelikmesfin277]

My favorite athlete! Keep up the great work.

[@hardworkpays1929]

I got my blue belt in 7 months dont feel ready but this helps. Ive been told my defense is one of the best in the gym and can get out of most situations.

[@dopeboyvid8988]

how often do you go a week? congrats btw

[@hardworkpays1929]

@@dopeboyvid8988 Thank you, Im going 3-4 times a week but also do cardio 4 times a week on my own.

[@robcubed9557]

Kudos to you! 7 months is impressive. It took me almost 2 years to get blue. Also, I also train maximum 2x per week and occasionally miss a week at a time due to work/family obligations.

[@mustafasaed7766]

Well done

[@machinegunpreacher2469]

I've been a brown belt for 5 years, 13 years total in jiu jitsu. I feel the same about promotions. I don't care for "tests," nor, like you, do I care for promotion based solely on TiG. The skills you laid out are exactly what white belts need to work on in my opinion. Great video, man. I'm going to send some of our white belts to watch it because I preach almost the exact same thing every week. You guys who are just starting or have only been in up to a year or so: Just keep the mindset of showing up for *jiu jitsu* and not for stripes or belts. Remember, a white belt outranks the guy sitting on the couch. Good luck to you guys and STAY WITH IT! -Coach Kaleb.

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

Awesome! Keep it up. Basically it’s about building a culture in the training room based around skill development. This should be the goal. Take care.

[@user-md2fm7ik2z]

13 years and you’re still not a black belt?

[@machinegunpreacher2469]

The team I *was* on pretty much doesn't promote anyone who doesn't go to the IBJJF World's. I competed plenty in all sorts of other competitions and proved myself plenty I think. And it doesn't matter that I can smash 80% of the black belts on that team, I never went to Vegas/Cali, so, no promotion. I'm on a new team now and have been assured I will have my black belt before the summer is out. I didn't really want it before, as I said above, I'm here for jiu jitsu, not belts. But now I feel I've 100% earned it and I'm chasing it with a vengeance.@@user-md2fm7ik2z

[@mikesummer670]

@@machinegunpreacher2469 How old are you?

[@machinegunpreacher2469]

34. Started jiu jitsu at 21@@mikesummer670

[@melbobadilla5996]

Just wanted to say that I am a new sub. You articulate points very well. Great points to help even the older players. Great job on the vids. I will certainly promote this channel.

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

Thanks for the sub. My goal to is to add as much value as I can to people all across bjj community.

[@baristatraveler8038]

Great video! This is like a free seminar.

[@TommyTadeo]

I really appreciate this video, thank you!

[@bobbydabutcha]

I am a solid believer in your opinions about skills/rank/promotion. I am only a Blue belt ( almost two years), but I see way too many people that are great at what they're great at, but everything else sucks (they don't fully understand the pins, their guard retention/passing is "meh", they don't like playing off their back, their sweeps need work etc.) I understand no one is perfect and everyone is developing their game, but all they focus on is what they're good at and that's it. They don't try anything new and they end up not learning.

[@gabrielventer493]

tf are they great then lol

[@Drwcorner]

"Make yourself difficult to pin and pass!" Said perfectly!

[@AABBULLAH511]

What a great video! Thank you

[@tpharo34]

Right on with this 👍

[@KazzArie]

I don't know why I'm watching this video. Been training 1.5yrs, most of that has been 4-6 days a week, and I'll be 41 in a couple months for reference. I used to want a blue belt til I competed - now I don't mind waiting. But it would be nice if the expectations and standards at each level are more known.

[@ilialotov7775]

Great video!

[@kevinc2821]

Thanks for posting. I have to do my blue belt test as soon as I tell me Instructor I am ready.

[@AverageFloridiann]

Got promoted two weeks ago to blue thanks for the videos Also can’t wait to see you at roguewave !

[@Luckybjj614]

What I really like about this video is. Generally speaking gyms are subjective I think in the promotions. I feel like this is a more practical approach for being a higher lever blue. I feel like danaher blue belt requirements are almost completely opposite to the general school system. Excellent job on the video. You have become a force in the Bjj world and from what I can see a very good teacher.

[@joe_jitsu_mma]

Great video bro 🙌

[@soundsidecolour]

It took me about 18 months to get my BB. I trained for a while after and COVID hit so I've only been back at it a year now. It's true want you say, I don't even think about belts now. Set simpler goals for yourself. For example I want to be able to survive against everyone in the room. I want to be able to keep my guard against everyone in the room. I want to be able to pass everyone in the room. It's obviously impossible if your a beginner and there's upper belts there, but it's a mindset you should get used to to continue to improve. Having a belt around your waist doesn't improve your bjj.

[@strizzle1029]

Great video! Side note, been sweeping people to the moon from back body lock since your seminar at Impact ABQ

[@billhudson2196]

Thanks great video

[@tomobjjchannel6529]

Awesome video thanks so much.🙏🏻

[@kingchief4038]

Well said Champ

[@kenw30]

Subbed! Old school bjj is awesome and fun

[@rdeloges7957]

the requirements for Blue have gone WAY up in many, if not most gyms, by time at white belt, as well as techniques required. It used to be, essentially "master" the fundamentals, have some time (6-12 months), be able to beat most of the other white belts and be able to survive blue and purples (at least for a while).

[@MarcosFerreira-io7sk]

Graduate a student is the hard part. The way you’ve putted was very good.👏🏻

[@MoshJunkie426]

My school promotes by belt testing but i love the idea of surprise promotions and individual performances. I feel like at this point in my weight class at my level im sandbagging, havent graded yet though

[@DBowTX]

Started 2017 for 4 months and got a stripe. Unfortunately, that was my last day for years. Started again in May, feel like I'm close to where I was before. Slower, weaker, smaller, hurt more but about the same capabilities. So for me 8 months of total training, about a 1 stripe white belt. My current coach I've never seen him award a belt.

[@unitedwestand126]

In the beginning I was doing well. I've taken some time off and have come back to it. I started late in the game and I'm a much older guy. It's taken me 4 yrs to get to blue belt. I absolutely enjoy doing this but my body doesn't agree with the aches and pains..lol. Thanks for the video cuz it helps understand where I need to be.

[@achunable]

How old were u when y started?

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

Absolutely- the time frame is irrelevant really, just be as consistent as YOU can be and your body allows. If that’s 2x a week for you, that’s fine. Just stay consistent and focus on learning and you will improve. The rate of improvement is different for everyone so focus on your own. That’s what matters.

[@richarddangler7596]

In my gym people just don’t really get promoted too often, it was annoying at first but now I don’t care about belts, just getting better.

[@echols2010]

Feel little better after just receiving my blue belt, i dont feel in there yet, definitely have imposter syndrome as im just a 3 day a week guy, but since receiving it , it has pushed me to do cardio outside the gym, eat healthier try to lean out a bit to live up to the belt!!

[@ghgghhggghhh]

Someone should show my coach this

[@dadanny661]

Got promoted to blue belt after exactly 1 year, and feel like I don't really deserve it. This will help

[@GQ-jr5ro]

Let me Guess Gracie Barra

[@ReadRollReflect]

❤ Awesome directions

[@andreasviken2949]

I’m very fortunate. Higher belts at my gym have told me that my professor is old school and that he doesn’t exactly give away the belts. I want to be promoted but I don’t want to not have earned it. I’ve almost trained for two years now but there have been periods of little to no training. Everything in its time.

[@MartlRS]

Exactly the way I see it with my guys 🤙🏻

[@MachielSchrijver]

Getting promoted to blue belt takes about 4 years where I train...

[@KaninTuzi]

On the flip side, it means that blue belt really means something then 💪

[@assassin7250]

That mean you should be better than most of these McDojo blue belt who got their belt based on attendance… which is wack.. if they ain’t got no skill for that particular belt they aren’t deserving..

[@codyrod]

No one gives a #### what belt you are if you're terrible. Perfect recap!

[@kevinmillington8132]

Great video would really love a blue to purple video🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@RitzCaraldo]

With my work i can usually only train once or twice a month. Its almost impossible to improve. But i still have fun. Im glad i found this video.

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

Sure the improvements will be slower but as long as you stay consistent. Try maybe studying the sport when you’re not training - watch videos, instructionals, study different players etc.

[@RitzCaraldo]

@@giancarlobodonibjj I've been taking notes off of some @bjjfanatics tutorials and doing some visualization. Thanks for the response.

[@JimeJitsu]

Hi! Do you think breakfalls might be added to this list? I think this is also a skill that will take your total carreer to master, but has to be started early as well.

[@DeeCee1411]

I agree. Honestly happy for my son to just practice break falling and shrimping for now (five weeks in). Movement is so important.

[@model84]

would add basic understanding of stand up and at least one takedown (can be fancy, but effective; no need for wrestling/judo hl throw), you want to be expert on the ground, but can't get there? all fights start on feet

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

Sure.

[@Kapauhawaii]

You can really tell a persons level by how they behave, how they act on and off the mat. Along with the moves and forms attitude is a tell tail sign of ones level.

[@DrDaveTetlow]

Very good video

[@concon83]

Promotion is next week. I'm hopeful that I'll finally get my blue belt. Been very consistent (5-6 times a week) and won my first comp 2 weeks ago. I'm ready

[@BeardedAddiction]

did you get promoted??? .....the suspense

[@virgilbradford4375]

I think one of the biggest overlooked things about all martial arts is that it's not a very cheap gear club/dojo membership alone can cost more than a gym membership

[@clarkaprosperi]

parabens !!! you have an excellent way to explain things ! you should have your own school .... I'm a almost bluebelt with Ricardo Almeida RABJJ. Have no knowlage enough to know all these things but now I do. Thanks

[@mixxeerr]

osssss well put

[@ah64Dcoming4U]

That's a really great breakdown thank you. And that last comment about being terrible sounded just like Gordon 😂

[@blackiechanx7]

My biggest takeaway is, it is a big pet peeve of Giancarlo when schools promote based on attendance 😂

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

I have to be honest lol

[@MeetJohnnyNg]

I don’t want to get blue belt until my Professor feels like I’m ready for purple belt 😂😅

[@alexneville8168]

I'm getting my brown belt in a week and I'm kinda dreading it.

[@derrickrobinson7269]

@@alexneville8168 How do you know??

[@alexneville8168]

@@derrickrobinson7269 normally, our gym will hold off on promoting people and they will do several promotions on a Saturday. Make a whole afternoon of it and hang out afterward.. My instructor doesn't make it much of a secret. If he plans on promoting you he will tell you. Basically, promotions throughout the year but a couple larger ones.

[@Sidecontrol1234]

Been a 4 stripe white belt for 3.5 years now lol. (2 year hiatus inbetween due to covid/lockdowns). I pretty much tick all the areas that were mentioned in the video, the waiting continues lol. Edit: Got my Blue belt in November.

[@Myrte07H]

Exact same here for me too. I started to not care about my belt color anymore 😅

[@robbie31580]

Just keep training and learning. The belt is a nice milestone but the process is what matters more

[@Sidecontrol1234]

@@robbie31580 oh I did, I made the return to training after 1.5 years of non contact sports in my country due to covid. many people I used to train with previously never made that return.

[@Sidecontrol1234]

I got my Blue belt in November :))@@robbie31580

[@Sidecontrol1234]

Got my blue belt in November :)@@Myrte07H

[@H20Jonez]

My current WB goals: Escapes Guard Retention Guardpassing Kimura, americana, omoplata

[@ajmjl9102]

Focus on armbars it’s probably the #1 submission you can get it from top or bottom and it’s the same in gi and nogi so many ways to get it or finish and can be used by beginners or even at the highest level

[@Merked.]

I don’t know about y’all but I want to be a white belt forever 😂 I’ve been training for about 4 months now and I love it and it’s super addictive. Signed up for 3 tourneys all within the next couple months. I feel super confident in my skills that I have learned and know and I’m just ready to smash other people (hopefully)

[@elijahgreen7747]

Curious about your take on the rest of the ranks, as well as hobbyists and competitors in each rank. Should a hobbyist be a black belt?

[@navajo2293]

Blue belt of almost 6 years here, my thing has been not having a solid professor I was mainly focusing on Mma and wrestled for years so i was a blue belt in no-gi for years but I never picked up the gi..I finally picked up the GI 2 years ago so I gave up my blue belt for a white belt because I realized I didn’t know a thing about actual BJJ I had a wrestling smash style didn’t know grips didn’t know X guard didn’t know single X etc..I entered the Naga expert division and won both absolute and division cool experience being the only blue belt who submitted black belts an brown belts but this was No-gi .. i know if it was Gi I’d have a much more difficult time getting past certain grips it showed me it’s time for me to find a coach who identifies my level as an athlete and level me up

[@wendymarshall2132]

Preach!!!!!

[@sebastianpalmay]

Yeh agree with this system, my very first club they have a belt promotion 2x a year in that they have certain moves and skills to show, I mean you can learn just those moves within a week literally, its like learning a verse. In my new club our Professor actually cares about us all and really watches his students and gets promoted individually (Most of the time). Yeh attendance and based on time to be promoted is a bit tricky. (but im only blue belt, its only my opinion too so far what i know) Each to their own. :)

[@levishepard3696]

Without "picking a side" or any "bashing" i think it would be fun to hear some comparisons/pros and cons about training with new wave vs lepri. And if you see yourself in a gi again or just stick to no-gi and why like financial reasons or just more fun.

[@Aaron-id8ue]

The "fun stuff" for me is the defense. Nothing really beats being able to shut down higher ranks or getting them to breathe harder than me. The more you shut them down, the harder they breathe... lol. My favorite BJJ technique of all time is T&R4L!!!!

[@uncircumcisedcircus]

This video is actually showing why belts really aren't a good idea anymore.

[@lj2official882]

Got my blue belt last week now I’m binging videos. Felt like I got superpowers right after I got promoted for some reason lol. * btw it took me 4 years and some change to get mine had 2 surgeries

[@mon0theist_tv]

New blue belt, gonna see how many of these I'm missing 🤔🥲

[@pumkinmuscles1104]

When i first started it was always trying to force a submission to happen. Took me to long to understand proper defense opens up your offense. Once i stopped hunting for subs and just worked on defensive positioning all of the sudden necks and arms just started magically appearing 😂 listen to coaches and this video is spot on.

[@Philip-dy3ww]

Promoting based on progress and development is 👍🏻 good

[@christophersmith3695]

When it's my time, it's my time. Focus on improving and the belt will come.

[@ryanrpggamer3902]

I’ve been to one jiu jitsu school it was so different then another school to get blue belt you had to go a curriculum present all the moves then roll after the roll you wear fight gear try to take him like mma sparring

[@erickleos2994]

I've been a white belt for two years and it feels good to submit people who is blue belt and even some purple belt during open mats 🙏 and I still don't feel ready for blue belt 😅

[@MrJrhzues]

I respect your blue belt range of time

[@colin6702]

Can you do the same video for purple belts? Love the channel btw. Big fan of yours!

[@giancarlobodonibjj]

Maybe one day…

[@matarleon7128]

Truth!

[@stevereedatx]

This was really good. I'm glad to see that you focus more on the actual skills being learned rather than just awarding someone for showing up. I mean, showing up is great, but if you aren't progressing that's a problem. I'm 43, and only about 7 months into my BJJ journey, and I'm at a stage of life where all I care about is possessing the skills to the greatest degree that I'm able. I doubt I'll ever compete, I've never cared for medals or awards, but I do care about possessing skills. Your advice is in my head every class: Unpassable, Unpinnable, Untappable. While that doesn't always happen, like you said, I feel like my defense is improving and it seems really wise to have a strong defense. I know you say that you hate talking about this, but to a new guy, this perspective is very valuable and I like how simple you make it because at first everything is overwhelming so having a simple vision helps me to know what I should be working towards without feeling lost. I can't speak for other new people but it's kind of weird that some of this stuff isn't openly discussed. When you're new, you don't know the rules, you don't know what you should be working towards, you just come to class, drill, roll, and spend a lot of time wondering about how to know that you're progressing, what you should be working towards, etc. It may seem obvious to people who've been in it a while, but I've had to get most of my info online just searching around and everyone out there has different opinions. So for me, this type of content is really valuable, I'd like to see more of these philosophical-based videos because it's nice to have that mental framework to build upon.

[@patrickchapman9881]

As someone with a background in boxing and Muay Thai, I feel the same way now that I'm starting my BJJ journey. It's very overwhelming to come into an entirely new area of fighting and to suddenly be a beginner again after 16 years in other styles. This man's instructionals have been beyond helpful to me as well. I'm only 2 months in at the moment, so I'm still very much at the point where I feel like I'm drinking through a fire hose with all the new information. Just wanted to say I share your sentiment. Best of luck to you!

[@calmwater2529]

Coach….thank you. Very simply stated. I learned a lot. 2 stripe white belt here. And that’s my spirit about it….I wouldn’t want to have a belt and not be respected by my training partners and school. “Nobody gives a fuck… if you’re terrible.” absolutely correct. Basics always. Plus you’ll get your butt trashed running the gauntlet. That would be embarrassing.

[@dnguyen51980]

Great tips champ! Are you doing 1 for purple & brown belt?

[@TheeFitnessEnthusiast]

Can you do this for purple too?

[@vincentcapaccio2033]

Just looking to get in better shape..and be able to defend, and defuse a bad situation before it esclates...recently was assaulted by 4 people..1 i handled, but 4 on 1 was too much to handle...realized that i can taken out in a situation like this...perhaps if i could have made a better example of one , the rest would have been more deterred...