Fixed number of classes for a belt?

[ProTaekwondo]

I'm looking into a school for BJJ because it really interests me andI came across a school around me that is fairly reputable (I won't mention the name out of respect for them) yet while looking through their brazilian jiu-jitsu section I noticed it says "When a student demonstrates that he or she has reached a certain amount of classes they will be evaluated for a promotion. As a general rule, white belts can expect to advance approximately every 30 classes attended." Does this sound fishy to you? Assuming someone trained 5 times a week-and from what I hear that's not uncommon-they would reach a blue belt in 6 weeks. I frequently hear that 1 1/2 years is the minimum for the most part.

[Nolerama]

do you have a link?

[ProTaekwondo]

do you have a link?

Yeah I do but I'm not sure if I should post it because that isn't fair to them. If I get more people asking I suppose I'll post it.

[arnisador]

It depends what "evaluated" means. If it just means minimal eligibility, that's fine.

[jks9199]

It depends what "evaluated" means. If it just means minimal eligibility, that's fine.
I agree...

There's also a difference between training 5 times a week, and attending a class five times a week. They may have only 2 classes a week -- but open mat times the other days for those who want to practice some more.

One more thought... How many belts/promotions do they have? They might have several sub-grades between white and blue belt.

[jarrod]

I frequently hear that 1 1/2 years is the minimum for the most part.

this is kind of the catch. i know one guy who trained for over two years & took 2nd in the arnold nationals white belt division which had 18 competitors. he still didn't get his blue for another year. i've also talked to guys who train in brazil & say they get their blue in about 6 months. 6 weeks does seem quick, but it all depends on what the blue belt is supposed to mean.

also, as jks9199 hinted at, it may be 6 weeks to your first stripe, which does seem reasonable.

jf

[arnisador]

There's also a difference between training 5 times a week, and attending a class five times a week. They may have only 2 classes a week -- but open mat times the other days for those who want to practice some more.

One more thought... How many belts/promotions do they have? They might have several sub-grades between white and blue belt.

Both good points! Where I trained they used four stripes per belt because the time between promotions was so long.


this is kind of the catch. i know one guy who trained for over two years & took 2nd in the arnold nationals white belt division which had 18 competitors. he still didn't get his blue for another year. i've also talked to guys who train in brazil & say they get their blue in about 6 months.

I too have heard it's more like 6 months in Brazil. The person who took 2nd in the Arnold Nationals white belt division may have been "sandbagging"--intentionally hanging out at a lower belt level to better his odds of winning.

[tshadowchaser]

I dislike the idea of any martial art saying you will get your belt in X number of months, weeks, or classes. This to me is selling or buying of the belt not achieving the knowledge and proficency to earn it

[Drac]

I dislike the idea of any martial art saying you will get your belt in X number of months, weeks, or classes. This to me is selling or buying of the belt not achieving the knowledge and proficency to earn it

In every dojo/ dojang I ever visited or trained the amount of classes meant nothing.Advancement was based on how well you learned the techniques and applied them..I trained with one guy who picked thing up so fast it was scary, even the Sensei was amazed..

[Fiendlover]

In every dojo/ dojang I ever visited or trained the amount of classes meant nothing.Advancement was based on how well you learned the techniques and applied them..I trained with one guy who picked thing up so fast it was scary, even the Sensei was amazed..
I agree. I also knew a guy that caught on fast as well and amazed everyone.

[Brian R. VanCise]

I dislike the idea of any martial art saying you will get your belt in X number of months, weeks, or classes. This to me is selling or buying of the belt not achieving the knowledge and proficency to earn it

You and I are in absolute agreement on this! http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif Back in the day in BJJ it took quite a long time to advance. Times are a changing a little bit as money is coming into play more and more.

[jks9199]

Both good points! Where I trained they used four stripes per belt because the time between promotions was so long.



I too have heard it's more like 6 months in Brazil. The person who took 2nd in the Arnold Nationals white belt division may have been "sandbagging"--intentionally hanging out at a lower belt level to better his odds of winning.
Y'know... in a competition setting, when I catch someone clearly sandbagging like that, I'll either disqualify them or move them to the appropriate category. Or maybe even the next category up...

[Fiendlover]

Y'know... in a competition setting, when I catch someone clearly sandbagging like that, I'll either disqualify them or move them to the appropriate category. Or maybe even the next category up...
Ya would do the same.

[jarrod]

Both good points! Where I trained they used four stripes per belt because the time between promotions was so long.



I too have heard it's more like 6 months in Brazil. The person who took 2nd in the Arnold Nationals white belt division may have been "sandbagging"--intentionally hanging out at a lower belt level to better his odds of winning.

sandbagging is a huge problem, but in this guy's case he wanted his blue & didn't know why his instructor held him back so long. IIRC, that was the only bjj tournament he ever did.

[D Dempsey]

As a general rule, white belts can expect to advance approximately every 30 classes attended." Does this sound fishy to you? It depends what they mean by advance. If they mean possibly getting a strip, then that seems sensible. If they mean a new belt than yeah that sounds a little strange.


You and I are in absolute agreement on this! http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif Back in the day in BJJ it took quite a long time to advance. Times are a changing a little bit as money is coming into play more and more.
I remember this, and while I have no doubt that money may be a factor is some cases, I think part of the reason people advance faster now days may have to do with increased access to higher level instructors and training partners. I know that when I was training in a school run by a blue belt everyone progressed really slow, but when I started having regular access to brown and black belts I improved a lot quicker.

[D Dempsey]

As a general rule, white belts can expect to advance approximately every 30 classes attended." Does this sound fishy to you? It depends what they mean by advance. If they mean possibly getting a strip, then that seems sensible. If they mean a new belt than yeah that sounds a little strange.


You and I are in absolute agreement on this! http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif Back in the day in BJJ it took quite a long time to advance. Times are a changing a little bit as money is coming into play more and more.
I remember this, and while I have no doubt that money may be a factor is some cases, I think part of the reason people advance faster now days may have to do with increased access to higher level instructors and training partners. I know that when I was training in a school run by a blue belt everyone progressed really slow, but when I started having regular access to brown and black belts I improved a lot quicker.

[ProTaekwondo]

I'm still unsure but I think they have a fairly reputable set of instructors and so I don't think they would mind if I posted the link. http://www.warriorway.com./index.php?topic=faqs I already called them but they weren't there at the time so I left a message.

[D Dempsey]

Warrior way is pretty reputable and after reading over the FAQ I'm pretty sure that they mean stripes and not belts.

[allenjp]

As I understand it, blue belt is acheived usually when the sudent can show proficiency in the basics...usually fairly quickly, maybe 8 months to a year, but getting to the other belt levels takes a lot longer. Am I wrong? In my class it takes about 6 to 8 months for blue, but we don't even have any purple belts. And yes they do promote according to the amount of time you train, but they won't promote you if you don't show you can hold your own on the mat...

[arnisador]

At some schools it's when you can regularly defeat other blue belts--not more than half the time, but enough that the instructor notices. A rule of thumb I've heard before is that if you beat three different blue belts (once each) within a reasonable time period (perhaps a week if you roll several times a week), you're ready.

[allenjp]

Just looked at the website, and it's pretty clear they're talking about stripes. Looks pretty legit to me, most of the instructors seem to have trained at some point directly with the Gracie academy in Torrance. If I were you I would go for it no question!

[NubreedKaliSilat]

I don't know about 6 weeks for a Blue Belt? But the school may mean for White Belt levels. I know at my school they go by 1-4 levels of White belt, and then 1-4 levels of Blue Belt etc. It would make more sence to me that way!

[SA_BJJ]

I dislike the idea of any martial art saying you will get your belt in X number of months, weeks, or classes. This to me is selling or buying of the belt not achieving the knowledge and proficency to earn it


100% agreed!

[zeeberex]

I'm looking into a school for BJJ because it really interests me andI came across a school around me that is fairly reputable (I won't mention the name out of respect for them) yet while looking through their brazilian jiu-jitsu section I noticed it says "When a student demonstrates that he or she has reached a certain amount of classes they will be evaluated for a promotion. As a general rule, white belts can expect to advance approximately every 30 classes attended." Does this sound fishy to you? Assuming someone trained 5 times a week-and from what I hear that's not uncommon-they would reach a blue belt in 6 weeks. I frequently hear that 1 1/2 years is the minimum for the most part.

Sounds like crap, every person is a little different. A fixed number doesnt seem realistic.

[SA_BJJ]

I would imagine the reason they put this information in their FAQ's is because people keep asking. Alot of people dont realize that in order to progress thru any belt system in any martial arts you actually have to attend class and complete the required material. One more constraint BJJ has on its students is the fact that they have to actually utilize their learned skills to show progression.

[LordOfWu]

The school I go to does 20 classes to earn your next stripe, and once you hit 100 classes (or therabouts) you are eligible for your blue belt but it's not a given. I have seen very few who don't, and those are guys who just don't have the mat time. I've also seen guys with massive mat time and are basically training at a blue belt level no matter what their belt is get promoted before the 100 classes. I notice that most of our guys hit that level in 8 months to a year, if you are diligent.




me....well I'm in no hurry to get that belt...I want to know in my head and heart that I'm ready for it.

[matt.m]

The caveat is "Eligible", not only that but I tell you that in my class you may be eligible. However, that doesn't mean I will test you unless you meet my requirements of aptitude.

Beyond that, it seems that these folks are talking about stripes on the belt not from one belt to another.

[PurpleParham84]

It means you have paid enough monthly dues that by them giving you a free belt, while being one of the proudest moments of your life, it costs them nearly nothing, and now you have proven your dedication and willingness to keep paying them.

Advice: Join a non-profit organization if possible. Promotions there are not only legit, but far more rewarding. If this is not possible, find an affiliate school, one that is NOT run by a big name Brazilian, but its instructors are affiliated with them. Quality of training is same at both, prices will vary, and promotions will be given when due, not to keep you writing checks.

[msmitht]

It depends what they mean by advance. If they mean possibly getting a strip, then that seems sensible. If they mean a new belt than yeah that sounds a little strange.


I remember this, and while I have no doubt that money may be a factor is some cases, I think part of the reason people advance faster now days may have to do with increased access to higher level instructors and training partners. I know that when I was training in a school run by a blue belt everyone progressed really slow, but when I started having regular access to brown and black belts I improved a lot quicker.

Getting a stripe every 30 classes does not seem too fast. The average guy comes in 2-3 times per week. If they come in 10 times in one month then they would have their Blue belt in 15 months barring injury (which would be inevitable if they were training hard 6 days a week) . Also they are saying it is just an evaluation. My BJJ Master (Yes, he has been around for more than 32 years and we call him master) has kept people at the same rank for a long time and also promoted others quickly. It all depends on 2 things :
1. Mat time...there is no substitute
2. How good your teachers and training partners are
Nuff said...now go train

[Dave Leverich]

Yeah, seems fine. Like others have posted it seems more like 'at this point we'll consider looking at testing you'.

I think the big factor as msmith said above is mat hours and level of instruction/partners. I learn _way_ faster when Rigan is in town than when I'm training with the blues/purples. Now if only I could get a straight block of like 3 years heh.