I'm a white belt and I'm comfortable being a white belt. I know it's gonna take time and I'm in no rush. I'm not chasing a UFC contract, I'm just trying to get healthy and bond with my son. If I ever get a stripe or a promotion that's just icing on the cake
That’s almost exactly what my mind set was. I wanted to be a white belt for a while. The moment I was comfortable being a white belt, I got my blue belt. Ugh.
In the end, if someone got promoted too early, it'll show when they teach or roll. Getting a belt promotion is nice and can be a confirmation of your progress, hard work, and sacrifice, but it means little if you don't have the skill/knowledge expected of that belt level.
Okay different question. Assuming that fast promotions are widespread in these larger affiliations (Gracie Barra), how do you imagine that would impact jiu-jitsu over all and potentially your own school?
Gracie Barra runs an excellent Jiu Jitsu program and has really benefitted all BJJ Associations by growing the art and spreading a positive image of BJJ. In addition, Gracie Barra does really well in tournaments and have some of the best black belts in the world teaching at their schools. I have never been a part of the Gracie Barra team, but I hold them in the highest regard and think much of the criticism that they receive from other schools is just envy.
@@semperfortisjiujitsu There are two tails to Gracie Barra though. They have some world class competitors and instructors, no doubt. When you meet one of those guys or their students in competition, you know it's going to be tough. However the majority of their competitors are not ranked correctly. I know when my team and I show up to local competitions that when we are paired up with local Gracie Barra competitors, that it's going to be an easy win. It's simple things too, like a blue belt trying to break closed guard by sticking one arm in between the legs. Everyone knows you are going to be triangled and a blue belt should know how to open closed guard correctly. What's really sad about it too is that I don't see these blue belts and grey belts come back and compete again. I would love to give you some feed back with rolling with Gracie Barra students but they don't have open mats. I am an open mat fiend and go to all of them in my area and I don't see their students showing up to other schools to cross train either. When I have seen them come try out our school, it's not good, but I have only had a few come in. Like you, I don't claim to be the best in our area but that doesn't hold me back from trying to keep jiu-jitsu from being a money grabbing sport like other martial arts.
@@semperfortisjiujitsuI’m not with Gracie Barra but I’m at a place that is associated with Helio Soneca, and IIRC he is involved with Gracie Barra. There is a GB place nearby me. From what I can tell, they’re not promoting people quickly and they do well in competitions. There is a place near me called simply “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu” and I’ve been told they’re fast tracking their purple belts to black for some reason, and I happened right after Soneca promoted several of our brown belts to black. Not sure what’s up with that. We also have a Checkmat and a 10th planet near us and they do well in competitions. So do we. I’m a blue belt and I prefer to avoid the politics but that’s all I’ve heard.
@@americandissident9062 thanks for sharing your experience. I can tell you for sure that Helio Soneca is legitimate and a real Jiu Jitsu pioneer. Soneca has trained some of the most elite black belts in the world.
Unfortunately we had a local grifter that had been banned from every academy in the area because of his behavior Once he ran out places to go he opened his own and actively went around poaching and undercutting everyone with impossibly low prices Of course his scam only lasted a few months before imploding but during that time he handed out a lot of illigitimate belts, including black belts Theres a lot of people walking around out here that need a * next to their name, like they get on the mat and its "I dont even need to ask, I know who gave you that belt"
For more information on Semper Fortis Jiu Jitsu or if you would ever like to train with us while visiting San Antonio www.texasbjj.com
I'm a white belt and I'm comfortable being a white belt. I know it's gonna take time and I'm in no rush. I'm not chasing a UFC contract, I'm just trying to get healthy and bond with my son. If I ever get a stripe or a promotion that's just icing on the cake
I am very grateful to have Marty and you training at Semper Fortis.
That’s almost exactly what my mind set was. I wanted to be a white belt for a while. The moment I was comfortable being a white belt, I got my blue belt. Ugh.
LOL@@ClassicGoldCigarettes
Congratulations on your blue belt promotion 👏
In the end, if someone got promoted too early, it'll show when they teach or roll.
Getting a belt promotion is nice and can be a confirmation of your progress, hard work, and sacrifice, but it means little if you don't have the skill/knowledge expected of that belt level.
Couldn't agree more!
Dropping truth Bombs 💣
And lots of wisdom 📈
Keeping it positive 💯
Lovin it 🫵✌️🥋
Thank my friend! I always appreciate your valuable feedback.
Okay different question. Assuming that fast promotions are widespread in these larger affiliations (Gracie Barra), how do you imagine that would impact jiu-jitsu over all and potentially your own school?
Gracie Barra runs an excellent Jiu Jitsu program and has really benefitted all BJJ Associations by growing the art and spreading a positive image of BJJ. In addition, Gracie Barra does really well in tournaments and have some of the best black belts in the world teaching at their schools. I have never been a part of the Gracie Barra team, but I hold them in the highest regard and think much of the criticism that they receive from other schools is just envy.
@@semperfortisjiujitsu There are two tails to Gracie Barra though.
They have some world class competitors and instructors, no doubt. When you meet one of those guys or their students in competition, you know it's going to be tough.
However the majority of their competitors are not ranked correctly.
I know when my team and I show up to local competitions that when we are paired up with local Gracie Barra competitors, that it's going to be an easy win. It's simple things too, like a blue belt trying to break closed guard by sticking one arm in between the legs. Everyone knows you are going to be triangled and a blue belt should know how to open closed guard correctly.
What's really sad about it too is that I don't see these blue belts and grey belts come back and compete again.
I would love to give you some feed back with rolling with Gracie Barra students but they don't have open mats. I am an open mat fiend and go to all of them in my area and I don't see their students showing up to other schools to cross train either.
When I have seen them come try out our school, it's not good, but I have only had a few come in.
Like you, I don't claim to be the best in our area but that doesn't hold me back from trying to keep jiu-jitsu from being a money grabbing sport like other martial arts.
@@shrimuyopa8117 I appreciate your insights my friend. If you are ever in San Antonio, Texas please stop in and train with me.
@@semperfortisjiujitsuI’m not with Gracie Barra but I’m at a place that is associated with Helio Soneca, and IIRC he is involved with Gracie Barra. There is a GB place nearby me. From what I can tell, they’re not promoting people quickly and they do well in competitions. There is a place near me called simply “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu” and I’ve been told they’re fast tracking their purple belts to black for some reason, and I happened right after Soneca promoted several of our brown belts to black. Not sure what’s up with that. We also have a Checkmat and a 10th planet near us and they do well in competitions. So do we. I’m a blue belt and I prefer to avoid the politics but that’s all I’ve heard.
@@americandissident9062 thanks for sharing your experience. I can tell you for sure that Helio Soneca is legitimate and a real Jiu Jitsu pioneer. Soneca has trained some of the most elite black belts in the world.
Unfortunately we had a local grifter that had been banned from every academy in the area because of his behavior
Once he ran out places to go he opened his own and actively went around poaching and undercutting everyone with impossibly low prices
Of course his scam only lasted a few months before imploding but during that time he handed out a lot of illigitimate belts, including black belts
Theres a lot of people walking around out here that need a * next to their name, like they get on the mat and its "I dont even need to ask, I know who gave you that belt"
That is really sad to hear and unfortunately there are some ethically challenge grifters out there hurting our art.