Bjj Green belt?

[OrangePJsII**]

We've had guys come in with a yellow belt before as well as greens who used to train at other schools or at our academy in the kids camp and stopped attending for a while.

[zlevflnuggets]

i train at the main academy ATT, in Coconut Creek and they do give green belts to adults. Its a rank between white and blue belt, say if youve been training and progessing fast but youve only been training for a month or two and your not yet at blue belt level but you are getting better and a belt ceremony comes up then they will probly give you a green belt.

[SMillard]

I go to ATT Davie and we have the stripes and the green belt. No testing fee, no belt fee. Twice a year he has a promotion ceremony. Since the instructor regularly doesn't award blue belts until around two years after one to four stripe white, green, and one to four stripe green it isn't a big deal. Some people are probably never going to get their blue or at the least will be on the five year plan. I wasn't thrilled about it when I started there after training at another school that had the traditional white to blue; but the instruction is better, larger number and quality of training partners than at the other school, tournament record for the club is very good so something like a green belt isn't going to deter me from going there.

I have noticed that many of the recreational people that don't intend to compete view it as a real achievement and they should because unless you compete at least at the school I go to you are looking at a very long time before you get the blue.

It's just a piece of colored clothe, I love how some of you get your panties in a bunch over "tradition" that isn't as old as you think. Also wash the damn things, if you think knowledge is stored in your belt does that mean you turn into a complete retard when you do no-gi?

[boisefireman]

I think the green belt allows a instructor that's not a black belt promote his students a belt up. Like a blue belt instructor can promote a student a belt but it can't be a blue like him. I'm not judging but the only thing is if he is charging for belts it could get expensive

[boisefireman]

I have one more thing. I don't know why people say belts don't matter, it's only a piece of cloth. I think it really does matter. I take pride in my belt and it let's everyone know I have put blood sweat and tears into my art and my instructor thinks so too. Stripes and belts are a external marker of my love and dedication of bjj. I'm I the only one?

[pittfrog]

Originally Posted by boisefireman

I have one more thing. I don't know why people say belts don't matter, it's only a piece of cloth. I think it really does matter. I take pride in my belt and it let's everyone know I have put blood sweat and tears into my art and my instructor thinks so too. Stripes and belts are a external marker of my love and dedication of bjj. I'm I the only one?

I don't care about stripes, I do care about belts, but not to the exclusion of all else. What drives me to train is becoming better at whatever it is I'm training, not getting a new belt. Belts in BJJ are long in coming; focusing on something that maybe years away is demotivating, in my opinion.

[Balto]

Originally Posted by boisefireman

I have one more thing. I don't know why people say belts don't matter, it's only a piece of cloth. I think it really does matter. I take pride in my belt and it let's everyone know I have put blood sweat and tears into my art and my instructor thinks so too. Stripes and belts are a external marker of my love and dedication of bjj. I'm I the only one?

You're not the only one. I feel the same way.

[Jagcorps_esq]

Originally Posted by boisefireman

I have one more thing. I don't know why people say belts don't matter, it's only a piece of cloth. I think it really does matter. I take pride in my belt and it let's everyone know I have put blood sweat and tears into my art and my instructor thinks so too. Stripes and belts are a external marker of my love and dedication of bjj. I'm I the only one?

I'll make a weird analogy here.

I consider a belt to be simply symbolic, like a wedding ring. The ring doesn't make you married...it simply reflects a commitment that you have made in reality. Non-married people can put on a ring and it doesn't make them married. Married people can take their ring off, lose it or whatever...they are still married.

Your belt color doesn't really mean anything except to the extent that it truthfully reflects the personal effort and commitment you have made to the art. If you aren't really skilled, it won't matter what belt you are wearing. If you truly are skilled, it also won't matter what belt you are wearing...the skill is there.

The only importance to the belt then is when it accurately reflects the inner commitment to the art and acts as a symbol of that commitment. Additionally, to the extent that it shows that another person gives you honor and recognition, it is also symbolic.

That is why I'm willing to wear my green belt (blah) in competition or when I train at other schools....regardless of the comments.

[Calibur]

I wonder if people who say belts shouldn't matter realize they are contradicting themselves when they get worked up about a new belt?

[Drackonn]

I train at an ATT - and I have a green belt.

I think part of the reason they do this is honestly because its America ... most of us as a country want everything now now now, and we are materialistic, and most people are used to the the fact that we have raped all forms of traditional karate and there are like 900 belts, and you get a new one every month. - combine that with being new to the sport.

So your new, you don't know anything, and after 6 months wonder why you don't have a new belt and quit, even though this new guy does well for his experience level. I know white belt is the shortest stay, but new guys don't understand, so you break it up they stay a little longer, learn how it works and stick around.

Just a general observation I have made, I personally dont feel this way, I will get a new belt when my instructor feels its time, train hard and learn everyday and it will happen, no need to rush things.