POLL: Am I being too tough on affiliates??

[Seth_Rolfe]

I can only see exception to this being on a case by case basis (note that even us east coast brothers need to devote two days and $1000 + greenbacks to 'level up"). I think the general policy is perfectly fair, but if the reasoning allowed includes 'no time because of teaching and family' then it becomes a bit counter-productive.

In the spirit of keeping the belts quality though I would say that the fullest extent of exceptions would be meeting up with Eddie at a seminar (with his prior knowledge, of course) to be verified.

Just a lowly ronin's thoughts though.

[Chris Herzog]

I can only see exception to this being on a case by case basis (note that even us east coast brothers need to devote two days and $1000 + greenbacks to 'level up"). I think the general policy is perfectly fair, but if the reasoning allowed includes 'no time because of teaching and family' then it becomes a bit counter-productive.

Than its not important enough to you, that is excatly the sacrifice were referring to. Who doesn't have those commitments? Everyone has work and family obligations. Since I graduated college I've had a full time job (I worked in human services for peanuts for 15 years), ran a school(which only made enough to pay for itself to stay open) on top of my own training and a wife and family obligations. Yet I still found time, and busted my ass saving money to go train with my Sambo Coach in Canada, My Judo Coach in Detriot, in Iowa with Pat Miletich and obviously at HQ with Eddie.

If you WANT it you will find a way.

[Mark Hax]

It would be cool for someone to be able promote just by writing a 20 page essay on how badass they are, how they read all of the books, and how they would wreck people in tournaments, if they could find the time to compete, instead of through hard work, dedication, and sacrifice... Then again...

[Tyler Timmermans]

i think it would be cool if your black belts could apprentice one brown belt at a time and promote them to black, like some star wars type shit .

[brent_littell]

You want all the benefits that eddies name brings then you gotta earn it.

[Emir Mehovic]

Maybe going to HQ should be compulsory! If Frank and I can make it there every year (I don't think you can come from further away than New Zealand and Australia) everybody can!
Be a bit tougher on that rule I say :P

I completley agree!!!

[Troy White]

I give my non-black belt affiliate instructors 2 ways to get promoted.

1. Compete and post your matches on this forum so that we can all see where you're at.

or

2. If you can't compete for whatever reason, (permanent injury or too busy teaching and raising a family) you must come to 10th Planet Headquarters to get promoted.

I feel that if you don't compete AND you can't make it to HQ to test then you don't have enough fire inside of you to represent 10th Planet properly.

What do you guys think?
Am I being too tough?

Sounds more than fair!

[ifreez]

How else would/could you even promote them?
Leave it the way it is. Only suggestion would be to get more one on one mat time with them when/ if they have you out for a seminar. Just so you can feel their level yourself.
I love competing and the way it is now only makes me hungrier to choke people.

I agree with everyone that you guys need to have high standards. Bravo's belts are looked at very highly. But I also know the trip to HQ is very unaffordable for some for legitimate reasons, while others who easily cough up the dough, or even scrape to get it, get by because it's possible for them.

For others, while either running academies, or even running academies with either a family, or other huge financial obligations; whether they be past debts, spousal support from a divorce, back taxes, something new breaks at the gym, low student enrolment, and I've even heard of the TSA banning folk from flying, it is not easy, or even possible to make it to HQ within a decent time. Maybe, those folk should be looked at in a different light. And yes, some deeply love the game, but can't compete because of injuries.

Otherwise, i think Bravo's standards are perfect as they stand. Nonetheless, keeping the above in mind, the only thing I would add is going to affiliate schools to do seminars, and rolling with the student/teacher to see where they are, and quite possibly promote. Most other BJJ legends run their affiliates that way. That would be the third option, but only for those that really, truly can't make it to HQ.

Other than that, I think you guys got it down -- not that my opinion matters. lol.

[Brandon Palmer]

Eddie, never change it!

Ever. You're ARE being more than fair.

[John Alighieri]

I agree with everyone that you guys need to have high standards. Bravo's belts are looked at very highly. But I also know the trip to HQ is very unaffordable for some for legitimate reasons, while others who easily cough up the dough, or even scrape to get it, get by because it's possible for them.

For others, while either running academies, or even running academies with either a family, or other huge financial obligations; whether they be past debts, spousal support from a divorce, back taxes, something new breaks at the gym, low student enrolment, and I've even heard of the TSA banning folk from flying, it is not easy, or even possible to make it to HQ within a decent time. Maybe, those folk should be looked at in a different light. And yes, some deeply love the game, but can't compete because of injuries.

Otherwise, i think Bravo's standards are perfect as they stand. Nonetheless, keeping the above in mind, the only thing I would add is going to affiliate schools to do seminars, and rolling with the student/teacher to see where they are, and quite possibly promote. Most other BJJ legends run their affiliates that way. That would be the third option, but only for those that really, truly can't make it to HQ.

Other than that, I think you guys got it down -- not that my opinion matters. lol.

There's always a way sir! Don't tell me that it cost several grand for someone in the US to fly to Cali?
Takes me a year to save up for Cali but I still make it. Maybe if you're crawling under debts and you get ban from flying you should reconsider your priorities...