Been a white belt for 5 years

Not really. We are also rural and had a hard time finding people to grade us.

 

That's probably why you were a white belt for so long. If you want to promote you have to be consistent with coming to classes in most jiu jitsu schools.

 

In traditional karate there is an awarded title (separate from, but related to belt rank) called "kyoshi", which can loosely be defined as "professor" or "expert/enlightened instructor." Depending on style and organization this honor may be given to a 6th or 7th dan, often with time in grade as well as age requirements. Below this is "renshi" for 5th dan, and above it is "hanshi" for 8th or 9th dan. These titles do not automatically come with the rank (having their own criteria) and are not used when addressing the instructor.

Note: Miyagi Chojun was the first kyoshi. It was awarded to him in 1937 by the Okinawan MA governing board made up of the top masters at the time. They also oversaw many of the highest belt promotions (no self-promoted masters back then.)

 

My experience in BJJ schools is limited. But, I have come across to kinds of "models".

First one I went to, the instructor would show everyone some techniques based on some position and then you would drill them a little. Then it came time for rolling and then you were "thrown to the sharks" so to speak.

Second one I went to, the instructor would have a progression of techniques based on some position and progression and then you would drill them to learn the basics as a beginner so you had a little bit of an idea what you could/should be attempting or doing. When it came to free sparring, as a beginner, you would be paired with someone and they would give you feedback as they rolled to help you understand the positioning and what you should be doing. They didn't just always "go for the win" every time where it felt like you weren't getting anywhere.

In talking with people, I think the first school is a lot more common and the assumption is that you just keep sticking around long enough to "get it'. But, I have also found that if you ask lots of questions, the information is usually freely shared. For example, when we were rolling and I was in X position and you did X to tap me, what should I have been trying to do?

 

hi jmr what really helps is if you do 4 things-
1) really track and record your training and rolls. keep a journal or video diary and recording of your rolls. use it to reflect on what you learn, what you like, and dislike and struggling with. When you can really track things then you can tell where you improve or where you falling behind or lacking

2) DRILL. DRILL. DRILL. DRILL and drill some more. a lot of school unfortunately do not drill things enough. Look at your journal and recording and choose 1 or 2 thing to really drill and focus on. Then rep those drills- whether it is guard retention or pass or triangles or sweep etc. And REALLY FEEL the movement and flow as you do it. BJJ is very tactile martial art. You do not have to do static drills- once you got the basic movement patterns down solid then you can add resistance and change things up

3) Check out some amazing rolls or techniques online- see floroll or EBI or check out YouTube etc- this can really give you more inspiration for things to try and enhance your game. You also should be talking with your coach for feedback as a white belt
4) leads me to the 4th point- fundamentals. If you are really not progressing then it all come back to the fundamentals- If you have issues with passing then something is off about your understanding or application of concept and techniques of guard passing. Same with escapes, transitions, back attacks etc

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Reminds me of the Tracy kempo scams. The longer between ranks, the mo' money they make.

 

But, there monthly cost, is a bit on the high side. It's not about the cost of rank testing, but the amount of time, the longer you can keep a student, the more money you will receive. It reminds me of some schools, (Karate) that state you can't master the system in 3-4 yrs. It is is an issue in several systems.

 

As an ex-Tracy Kenpo fellow myself, while I certainly feel there are problems in the method that I was unable to surmount, ultimately leading to my discontinuing with the system, what you describe was not, in my experience, part of the problem. Monthly fees were certainly no more than other schools, and perhaps somewhat less, we did not have more promotions than what was typical in many other schools, we never paid testing fees, and there were never any other surprise fees. If anything, I felt rank tended to be given liberally and on the quicki-ish side. I agree with @Tony Dismukes: if people stay it is because they feel they are getting something of value from the training and the time in the dojo. While I believe that ultimately a student needs to be able to stand on his own and should not need to be beholden to a teacher forever, each person will decide how long they will stay and when they will strike out on their own or for something new. There is no processing of the student through a conveyor belt after which they are ejected from the school, fully developed. I’ve never seen any school work that way.

So, no.

 

Change schools or simply train on your own, if you can’t find a better classroom, with honest instructors. Your sitrep smells of rotten fish, so go to a better fishing ground.

You are free to do what you want, maybe switch out your current fighting style, for something that suits you better.

 

Stop worrying about your belt and focus on having fun and hone in on your skills. It will come! BJJ is one of the longest journeys to Black Belt. I started in 2007 and I got promoted to Black Belt back on Nov 13, 2020. So, it took me 13 years! Those years went by really quick for me as I was just enjoying myself and learning new techniques. Im not a competitor any more, did some when I was a white and blue belt and it just isnt for me. Focus on going to class and have fun with your classmates. If you stress over the color of your belt then you will get disappointed, frustrated, and angry. Dont go chasing the rabbit on that! Go and have fun and get better with your team mates. Iron sharpens Iron brother! Oss!123