The Belt Should Mean Something

[Dave McNeill]

Saturday, at open mat for BJJ, we were visited by a two stripe blue belt that had some serious skills, which he displayed on most everyone. Finally our instructor, a brown belt, rolled with the visitor and the skill level differences were telling. The visitor was tapped out in about 15 seconds the first time, 30 seconds the second time and about a minute the third time.

The skill differences in BJJ belt colors was reinforced last night. I was rolling with a more advanced white belt, who I out weighed, and I was doing well. Then a skinny blue belt, who I out weighed by a lot, wanted to roll with me and I got my butt handed to me. Though our age was within 10 years of each other I had size and strength on him, but it didn't matter, my butt was presented to me on a silver platter.

Any belt in any martial art should stand for a certain level of skill. Granted, different people will have different skills based on age and natural abilities, but there still needs to be an alliance to some standards and a rejection of fast advancement based on fees paid or attendance.   

[Ray A. Fisher]

I agree. However, when it comes to standardization - there  are many differences in the standards set for each belt level test (and while some are style based) many are based upon the "tradition" of the lineage taught from. This is the way that "my teacher" did it and we follow their example.

As a martial artists who has earned black belt rank in multiple styles -- Every one of my teachers/lineages test differently  -- Not better, and surely not worse -- But differently

With that said, I agree with Soke that -- we, as leaders, need to clearly state what is required at each test level and hold the students to reach a INCREASED proficiency with each higher test level. True growth in their skill sets should be reflected in their movements and if we hold them accountable to this concept of an increased proficiency/better skills as they advance, then we will truly see our students blossom.