I think in ways, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques are decreasing in quality as more schools open up (which sounds a little hypocritical of me). I see more guys claiming to be "High Level" black of brown belts, and all you can verify is that they were blue or purple in Brazil (if they came from there), or they rise VERY quickly with minimal competition (which used to be virtually mandatory) experience to brown or black. OR, the hypocritical promotion for MMA and no-gi competition when they say you can only get promoted with the gi/the gi is "real" jiu jitsu. Now, I do admit to being a little aggravated and possibly over-sensitive, mainly because I'm sick of people falsifying credentials to snow the public and make a buck. In addition to that, some think that if they are from Brazil, they are the ONLY ones to know grappling or Jiu Jitsu. That bothers me.
I think a quick buck, and lack of discipline and dedication are leading to a decline. I was brought up in martial arts VERY strict. You had to EARN a promotion. If you didn't compete, and even if you did-you literally had to fight for and show you were ready. I agree some promotions are too easy. I saw a case on TUF last night where a Brown Belt, got RNC'd by a guy who clearly had minimal JJ. Over the weekend (last saturday) I saw a kid who was supposed to be a HIGH level blue/purple under a brazilian guy out here be unable to completely control or submit a kid who only had 5 weeks of grappling training (with me. He came to me on the recommendation of one of my MMA students to get some help for this fight). While he didn't win, he stymied the BJJ guy pretty well.
Ah, sorry for the rant. Anyone I promote to blue belt has to have at least 8-12 months steady with me, or some combination of good knowledge of technique and competition experience. For example: if you're with me 6 months or more, and have won your division 2 or 3 times, that's almost a no-brainer for blue. If you've been with me a year, have good knowledge, roll hard and well, and don't compete, then I'll formally test you. It's all relative, but I'm pretty strict as a rule.
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