How to get belted

[PJ Sisco]

12-3 as an ammy... Lost my first two and then one recently... Had a nice little underwater run there for a while... Most of my wins by sub... Kind of a medium sized fish in a small pond type of thing.. I've survived simply by being a flexible heavyweight... The bigger guys around here aren't use to someone my size that can play rubberguard and meathooks comfortably... If it wasn't for the 10thpjj stuff I'd be in trouble I think haha

[Jeremy "The Gerbil" Arel]

I'm not a 10th Planet guy but I think I can offer some insight into this problem.

For those of you who think that there is no other reason to get a belt other than to hold up your pants I have to disagree.

First of all there are some competitions (all the IBJJF) that are very strict about what divisions you are allowed to compete in. It can create problems where people view you as a sand bagger when in fact you really have no choice but to compete in the division that your "belt" allows.

There is also the problem of credibility. If there are truly no black belt instructors in the area then having a legitimate rank/grading can be the difference between someone taking you seriously and someone blowing you off (especially people that are looking to get involved in our sport).

Having to wait 3-5 years to get effectively ranked is a bit much depending on your success in tournaments. I'm not talking about handing out belts to people that have not earned them, but I am talking about being realistic and having students graded appropriately.

As a random side note, most people take pride in their belts. I trained hard, every day (most of the time twice a day) for over two years as a blue belt before I got my purple belt. I didnt train FOR the purple belt but I can pretty firmly say I would have thrown my mother down a flight of stairs for that promotion (just kidding....or am I).

[Aab]

I'm not a 10th Planet guy but I think I can offer some insight into this problem.

For those of you who think that there is no other reason to get a belt other than to hold up your pants I have to disagree.

First of all there are some competitions (all the IBJJF) that are very strict about what divisions you are allowed to compete in. It can create problems where people view you as a sand bagger when in fact you really have no choice but to compete in the division that your "belt" allows.

There is also the problem of credibility. If there are truly no black belt instructors in the area then having a legitimate rank/grading can be the difference between someone taking you seriously and someone blowing you off (especially people that are looking to get involved in our sport).

Having to wait 3-5 years to get effectively ranked is a bit much depending on your success in tournaments. I'm not talking about handing out belts to people that have not earned them, but I am talking about being realistic and having students graded appropriately.

As a random side note, most people take pride in their belts. I trained hard, every day (most of the time twice a day) for over two years as a blue belt before I got my purple belt. I didnt train FOR the purple belt but I can pretty firmly say I would have thrown my mother down a flight of stairs for that promotion (just kidding....or am I).

2 years for a purple? most people aroung here train 4 to 6 years for their purple. and they are legit as fuck. two years must mean your a beast.

[Scott Philips]

I think he meant 2 years after he got his blue. One of my instructors was a 3 year white belt when he got his blue. Had his blue 1 year and got his purple. Ranking can be inconsistent at best to display skill. As someone else said earlier, just start filming your fights and bjj tournaments. I think Eddie asks you for 10 or 15 tourny wins with a 10th Planet patch/rashguard displaying and then some video of you running through technique. This would be your best bet if you want ranking with 10th Planet, that and probably a trip to LA.

[Jeremy "The Gerbil" Arel]

During the time that I lived in Brazil I did meet a couple of 2 year purple belts and they were indeed beasts. Basically they got promoted because they compete A LOT and continually trashing the blue belt division can get old. Most often when you see something like a 2 year purple it's because they have a good bit of wrestling other grappling experience.

I totally agree with everyone on this thread that results in competition would be the first step towards getting graded.

[robert gero]

Well jeremy has a good point bc if you want to compete at ibjjf events you have to have a legit instructor and belt and ibjjf makes certian timetables in between belts....I like local tournys,grapper quest,naga and all ,but now i am looking towards no gi pan ams and no gi worlds so you have to get certified... Well from what i understand your and mma guy and only doing no gi tourneys so a belt isnt that important...Your in a bad situation for belting as far as traditional goes so you have a choice etiher go through eddie or just do the gracie online and get yur black belt in 3 easy payments..lol jk You kno how good you are and unless you go to a regular class your belt going to be informal anyways...imo

[Eric Perez]

I'm not a 10th Planet guy but I think I can offer some insight into this problem.

For those of you who think that there is no other reason to get a belt other than to hold up your pants I have to disagree.

First of all there are some competitions (all the IBJJF) that are very strict about what divisions you are allowed to compete in. It can create problems where people view you as a sand bagger when in fact you really have no choice but to compete in the division that your "belt" allows.

There is also the problem of credibility. If there are truly no black belt instructors in the area then having a legitimate rank/grading can be the difference between someone taking you seriously and someone blowing you off (especially people that are looking to get involved in our sport).

Having to wait 3-5 years to get effectively ranked is a bit much depending on your success in tournaments. I'm not talking about handing out belts to people that have not earned them, but I am talking about being realistic and having students graded appropriately.

As a random side note, most people take pride in their belts. I trained hard, every day (most of the time twice a day) for over two years as a blue belt before I got my purple belt. I didnt train FOR the purple belt but I can pretty firmly say I would have thrown my mother down a flight of stairs for that promotion (just kidding....or am I).

+1

[PJ Sisco]

I just received an email from Eddie and he said the same thing as you guys! Compete and then post the videos in the forum! Thanks a ton from everyone!

I'm gonna post a video on the forum tonight of a technique that has been working really well for me in practice... Haven't got a chance to test it for myself in a tournament but I think it could be useful!! Well see you guys tonight!

[Isaiah Mendoza]

Do this.

[Jason Eisner]

I'm not a 10th Planet guy but I think I can offer some insight into this problem.

For those of you who think that there is no other reason to get a belt other than to hold up your pants I have to disagree.

First of all there are some competitions (all the IBJJF) that are very strict about what divisions you are allowed to compete in. It can create problems where people view you as a sand bagger when in fact you really have no choice but to compete in the division that your "belt" allows.

There is also the problem of credibility. If there are truly no black belt instructors in the area then having a legitimate rank/grading can be the difference between someone taking you seriously and someone blowing you off (especially people that are looking to get involved in our sport).

Having to wait 3-5 years to get effectively ranked is a bit much depending on your success in tournaments. I'm not talking about handing out belts to people that have not earned them, but I am talking about being realistic and having students graded appropriately.

As a random side note, most people take pride in their belts. I trained hard, every day (most of the time twice a day) for over two years as a blue belt before I got my purple belt. I didnt train FOR the purple belt but I can pretty firmly say I would have thrown my mother down a flight of stairs for that promotion (just kidding....or am I).

Jeremy...are you the dude that had a blog on OTM for awhile? Your training adventures in Brasil? If so...that blog was fucking awesome man! I loved that blog.

You trained with Gordo, right?

I used to train with Gordinho in NYC at Renzo Gracie academy. Good to see you on here man.

Also thanks for sharing your thoughts!