What does your rank mean to you?

[ifreez]

I have often heard people talk about where they got their rank. For example, to get a black from Saulo Ribeiro, or a brown from Marcelo Garcia, is much more impressive than to get one from Mike Grades, or Phil Salvagy (just example names).

However, even some people on internet forums collaborate and try to propagate that a purple under Bravo, is like a blue in BJJ, (get this) even though 10th Planet purples who *don't* have a 'foundation' (read, gi), win against gi-trained purples in competition.

This proves the whole, "you need to at least start in a gi", to be a booshite argument (the argument that states Prokopos, Bollinger, and Einstein, are good cause they started in the gi.)

Yet, it's like the Tea Party -- a lie makes it all the way around the world, before the truth gets out of bed -- the whole argument that you need a gi to start is pure boochit.

Anyways, test it out, for just as many people who criticize your 10th Planet rank in the BJJ community, the are equal, probably more who envy your rank in the same BJJ community. Those that have a 10th Planet in their city know it's legit because we meet them on the mat in competition. Plus, I have met many in the BJJ community that are very cool with 10th Planet -- rubber guarding and all.

Nonetheless, your rank should only mean something to you and you instructor, how you feel about your game, and how you do on the mat, whether at your school, competition, or visiting other schools, no?. Why should you care about what others think?

Question, does it even matter to you what the BJJ community thinks about 10th Planet JJ? If they don't want to respect your accomplishments, should that even mean shit to you?

[Coringao]

Interesting topic Ian, In my opinion, its all about the fullness of "your" style. I dont teach just BJJ when I teach BJJ, I teach Jiujitsu. So when my guys/and ladies go to compete in BJJ tourneys, I feel that they have an upper hand. Why? Because they are repping Jap jits, BJJ, Sambo, judo, and of course 10th Planet Jiujitsu. Although, I teach seperate classes, most of the time when Im teaching a Nogi class, my students are getting alot more than the standard Nogi class.
I lost my affiliation with my original BJJ instructor, whom I will leave nameless, because I rep 10th Planet. But thankfully, I have great friends within the BJJ community that gladly took me into their association. So, while Im very glad that I reached my Black belt under certian Instructors, and While I hold great respect for them still, they cant make my Jits work, thats up to me.Reaching my Blackbelt in several styles of grappling has only helped my Jits as a whole.
If you get caught up in names, you will forget who you are. The question that you have to ask yourself is are you happy with where you are..in your Jits game.
Coringao

[Dionne Taduran]

I think you're right. I would always wonder at competition time:

1. Why is everyone staring at us?

2. When I mention 10th planet, why do they shrug their shoulders in disgust.

3. Why must they always tell me their own "brilliant" philosophy as to why Rubber Guard doesn't work.


Which brings me to remember...Do I give the slightest shit? No! You're absolutely right, because competition is the one of the greatest tests, whether it be individually, or for a team. No matter what, If you enter the battlefield as your rank, no sandbagging. And you still defeat other competitors of the same "Rank". Shouldn't that justify your rank in the entire BJJ system?
How embarrassing would it be to make a statement like "Oh 10th planet purples are like regular blues." Then they happen to meet one in battle, and end up getting Gogo Plata'd? Would they still think they were a blue? Or would they respect that a person of equal rank bested them in combat?

[Reggie]

Coringo, I see ur from Ball Ground, Ga. I'm in springfield Mo. right now going to a 10th planet school but at the end of the year I plan on moving back to Atl, how far are u from marritte Ga. and do u have a website so I can check out a few of ur classes...

[John Roderick]

Corinago: you sound very influenced by JKD in your philosophies. Well stated and an excellent example of what martial arts SHOULD be about.
1.)-The PERSON makes the rank, or belt, NOT the other way around.
2.) I trainied "no-gi" or Catch Wrestling for almost a decade before training in "BJJ". I was told unless I put a gi on, I wouldn't be ranked accordingly, even though (at a bit older age and with a lot of experience) I was hanging with browns and blacks. Once I put the gi on, maybe two months later I was awarded a blue
3.) IT IS A FALLACY THAT GI MAKES NO GI BETTER. They are separate aspects of the same discipline(s)\
4.) If individuals are overly critical or jealous, then we must be doing something right
5.) See # 3: Nog himself has OPENLY stated that in order to get proficient in no-gi or "MMA Jiu Jitsu" you must "throw away the gi"
6.) any rank promotion is a step on the ladder or on the path. It's a means to an end
7.) rank or promotion (to me) is a personal goal and objective. Being a very goal oriented person, I need to have an objective, otherwise, why bother?
8.) there are "Black Belts" who can't compete well and don't have a good overall knowledge, and there are white belts that are great teachers and practitioners. It's all about the individual
9.) everyone has their day. Some days, I feel awesome, others not so much
It all comes down to the individual and what the instructor believes of them, and they believe of themselves

[Coringao]

Lol, well yes I spent alot of time studying Sifu Lees Tao, and I have always thought that to be the best that you can be as a true Martial Artist, you cant be single minded. So it works for me...

[travis]

My rank means dick. i have the misfortune of being a blue belt for the past eight years. Not being affiliated with anyone, and having a family slow down one's personal quest. However, it doesn't mean that i am going to ever stop doing jiu jitsu. And i flat out don't really care what anyone has to say about the gi vs. no gi arguement, just train man. The proof is in the puddin, puddin. Go and learn and take in what you can.

One of the ups to being a "super" senior blue belt is how surprised white and purple belts are when they realize they have been fooled by that piece of cloth around one's waste. Purple belts, higher ranked purple belts, tend to think there won't be much challenge, and white belts think they have a shot; it is all rather amusing. i just like to train, and i hate to lose. This doesn't necessarily mean that i am going to go nuts in order to win; i'd rather lose and have an excellant match than to win and hurt someone.

Irregardless, whatever the scenario, whatever the philosophy, i take what i can and mentally prepare myself for when i have to practically engage another in some kind of physical altercation...this is the most important point to my rank not counting for dick. Everything i learn, gi, no gi, wrestling, punching, kicking and everything in between is for the one day some stupid ass feels the need to threaten anyone i love; that sir will be a bad day for them.

[Will Thaxton]

would it be a good idea to put your rank on a resume for a job? It would be an accomplishment to me. Something to be proud of. Representing hard work and dedication.

[Coringao]

Actually Will, most applications have a "other interest,hobbies" , and on my resume' I always list that Im an Eagle scout, and hold blackbelts in several styles. It shows that we are hard workers, and finish what we start. Decidated,motivated, and always determined.

[Carlos Rios]

I really like travis' response. and i agree.

However, and this is just my personal opinion, I do care about my rank but in a healthy manner. Heres why.

There are the obvious reasons of wanting to move up in rank such as the fact that its a reassurance that you are not a beginner anymore etc. (though i know you don't NEED reassurance from a colour or belt) BUT to me, its a personal thing. A quest that I began in January when i first walked onto the matts in my schools gym. I find it very fulfilling to learn and develop my technique in my jiu jitsu game (and anything i do really). I'm very proud of being a white belt.. it says i decided to take on the challenge of learning a martial art, and if you REALLY look into it, the words 'martial art' say A LOT. Because it IS an art. an art that takes patience, strength, discipline, intelligence, determination, faith in what you're taught, courage and fucking BALLS.


Now when i get my blue belt, im not gonna lie to you guys, ill be very fuckin happy and proud. TO ME, like i said earlier of it being a personal quest ive taken on, its going to represent that im doing something right... and its being recognized. And no, im not saying i NEED people or anyone to recognize what ive done. As long I know what ive done and how hard ive worked it should be enough, and i agree. However, that doesnt mean that having recognition from others such as team mates friends or what have you is not going to motivate u even further and help you get even further.

So yeah, I do care about rank, but I personally would hate to get promoted for money, or to get promoted when i dont deserve it. I almost look at martial arts like a fuckin cult lol. I respect it, and respect the ones above me. I admire it and admire its creator. I learn from it and want to know ALL of it.