Biggest struggle has to be staying healthy. Injuries at my age 46, take a lot longer to rehab and bounce back from. I took your advice from your other video and started logging my training and recording what I did, who I rolled with and things I did well or struggled with. It really helps. Getting local tournament matches with guys my age, weight and skill 46, 170, 2 stripe blue belt are fairly difficult. So I’ve had to drop down to they younger divisions for people to compete against. It’s hard when they are 15 years younger than you.
As a 4 stripe Blue, I personally think that the lack of any sort of advancement or feedback is what stifles the bluebelt emotionally because it definitely is the longest transition of all the belts. The weekly mental and physical grind is unbearable for most. Combined with life complexities, the road becomes almost unbearable if you choose to focus on it in a negative manner. The older you get the harder this becomes, I also feel. At 55 now and 5 yrs into this journey I honestly understand why many give up....but it is NOT my nature to allow that to be optional soooo I just keep showing up. AND WATCH PURPLE BELT VIDS LMAO.
Awesome! Thank you for sharing that. Man, you would do excellent in my coaching group. I literally teach you exactly how to deal with all these issues. I work with students precisely like you. Shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com if you are interested! Good luck!
I hope I am still training & can still maintain my passion for Jiu Jitsu at 55. I am 42 turning 43 in a few months and I am almost a year into Blue belt.
@@bobbydabutcha I heard an interview once with a highly regarded Navy Seal. He was asked "what allows you to remain mentally strong no matter the situation....?" His answer resonated with me....."YOU shut off the brain and stop having conversations in your own head. YOU just perform and go. Eventually you become a Navy Seal. Pain and suffering is just a feeling" EXACTLY OUR JOURNEY TO BLACKBELT. I intentionally create games prior to each night I train..... "Tonight I will not get submitted!"......"Tonight I will intentionally submit by Triangle 3x"....etc etc......good luck
49 YO blue belt (no stripes). I’m not super worried about lingering at blue. My primary goals are health and self defense. I always joke that I’m not training to beat a world class Jiu Jitsu player I’m training to beat his drunk uncle. My point is I want to use this amazing martial art to stay fit, have fun, and protect myself if an altercation is unavoidable (most are). That said I do enjoy the sport aspect and progressing 🤙🤙
My hardest challenge was that the purple belt was the first belt that I felt that I "earned." I wrestled in college, albeit I was a D2 wrestler, but still 5 years of being a competitive college wrestler who was in the running for all-american is significant grappling experience. So even though they didn't give me a white belt right away, everyone in the room knew I wasn't really a white belt. Purple belt was the first belt where I had to actually look at what I was doing wrong in order to deliberately improve at situations.
Wow! Amazing insight and self-growth! I would love to hear more about how you discovered this. I would love to chat with. Please shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com
I've been a blue belt for just over 2 years, I'm 3 stripes and haven't had a stripe for 15 months and Im in zero rush to get my 4th stripe or a purple belt. I can hang with all the purple belts except 1 who is just a phenom. Im 47 and train 6x a week both Gi and NOGI . I really don't want my purple for at least a couple more years, I am not mentally ready (IMO) Im just starting to get some sort of a "game" going. I roll with guys and gals mostly half my age and Im just happy where I am and happy to be able to keep up with my peers. Plus...the gauntlet hurts lol i really don't mind it. thanks for the video! Oh and my biggest struggle has been retaining info then applying it without needing to ask how to do it again, but lately its like a switch has flipped and I can just do it 1st try, but that was the hardest part of Blue for me.
Man, I think I can help you even further lol I just opened a few new spots for my Jiu-Jitsu acceleration group where I literally show students how to do this. If you are interested in please reach out at chasen@chasenhill.com 👍 I love speaking with students to offer any help I can give.
I’m In the same boat because it’s a couple people who got there purple belt before me plus I’m in no rush the longer you hold your blue the more you start to build up like far as position from bottom to top plus just staying with the fundamentals of guard passing & escapes & counters so I definitely need under stand stay with because I am
2 stripe blue, 47yrs old, 160lbs. Biggest struggle for me is remembering the fine details of some techs during rolling. I do typically train with a purpose ie working specifically in half guard etc though. Another issue is struggling getting into an offensive position against the larger heavier training partners no matter what their belt level. I find myself often in bad positions and a lot of this goes back to their strength over my technique.
I 100% feel you on that! Dealing with larger training partners is challenging. I'd be curious to see if your training focus is aligned with your skill set. Is your training focus built around solving your biggest problems? Something to ponder! Stick with it my friend!
@@ChasenHill hmmmm…..never thought about focusing specifically like that. I pretty much have been picking a position and trying to explore it, however I like the thought of focusing on my struggles versus just focusing on something to work through. Thanks for the response and tips!!!
I’m a 2 stripe blue belt, 160lbs. Most of my training partners are 200+. I made it a goal to spend time on bottom, even starting on bottom telling my partners I needed to work on my bottom game. It has helped a lot, especially watching the cross face and staying on my side. Just came from comp class and am starting to feel the weight distribution on my partners and scored a number of sweeps with two partners both 210+. I made the commitment to get comfortable with the discomfort of bottom and it has helped my entire game. Best of luck!! You got this!!
Been blue belt 1 stripe for 4 years, ive seen a massive improvement these past 4 years since I’ve gotten my belt, I teach, I go to open mats and garage mats with some friends and still have not been promoted in 4 years.
Thanks for sharing that! Great insight! I would love to know more about what got you into training and how you've overcome some training hurdles. Could you shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com. Thanks!
Thanks for the content! Just got my 2nd stripe on my blue belt yesterday. This video is very helpful as I'm transitioning through blue to purple. Total 4 years of training (2 at white, and 2 at blue with 2 stripes). I think it's natural for people to want to progress quickly, but I'd rather be able to defend the purple when I'm ready for it. I'd rather be the blue belt tapping purple and browns, than be the purple belt struggling with blues and whites. Having a good mindset focused on progress and fun is making blue belt fun for me. It has been difficult, but it's exciting for me to see the work pay off and see my game transition to more advanced.
100% good idea. I think I can help you become even more clear and help you build a training system. If you are interested, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com
You've got this! Blue is one of the hardest. If you interested in how I can help you have more success in that journey, please shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com
I think the part of me that wants to progress quickly through the belts comes from my drive to be better than average. I have no qualms with being at a belt longer than average but it sure would be nice to be able to say I got it sooner than most. I think being in school for most of my life has engrained the notion that if I’m not better than average I’m not good enough..
I completely understand how you feel! I would be interested in hearing more about your Jiu-Jitsu journey! I'm currently collecting helpful information by speaking with students. Would you be open to speaking with me? If so, please shoot me an email at chasenhill@gmail.com. I hope we can speak soon! Keep training hard!
9 months into Blue belt. Adding in MMA sparring, Wrestling and Judo into the mix. By the time I am Purple belt (hopefully in a year and a half to two years from now!) I'll be well rounded and competent on the feet and DANGEROUS on the ground!
I’m a 62 yr old 4-stripe Blue Belt- for nearly 5 years at Blue Belt- starting my journey in 2016; recovering from a fractured ankle & just returned to the mats- after a nearly 5 month layoff. Also dealing with some health issues- Cerebral Ataxia- which impacts my training & seems to widen the cassum between blue and purple belt. At 4-stripe blue; I can almost see and feel that next ‘level up’ but at the same time it feels as though it so far away. My desire, determination & drive have NOT lessened with time; however- my physicality has become more of a challenge as the years go by. I’m striving to be a ‘positive example’ & role model at my academy for all the right reasons but man, I find myself really wanting that “Purple Belche”! ⚔️🤜💥🤛 🟪⬛️⬛️⬛️🟪🟪🟪🟪
To be on the mats and blue belt at 62 for me is actually like being a black belt if you compare yourself to the average 40, 50 or 60 year old. Well done 👏 ✔️ 👍
Thank you brother, “ impose your will” that really has changed me. I am blue belt and that flipped. Switch for me. That’s black belt knowledge thank you very much
The first 2-3 stripes of my blue belt were gruesome. Middle of COVID. As soon as I got my blue belt, it felt like everyone decided to put 10x effort into their rolls with me. Plus, I got a sedentary job, which didn't help many areas of my life. I gained a lot of weight and didn’t feel good about myself overall. During that time I was attending about 1-2 classes/week. I wished I was back at white belt having such a blast. I felt like my progress was going nowhere. I felt terrified to not be able to perform the way a blue belt should. My blue belt journey has definitely been a struggle. But I never quit. At this point today, I am 3-stripe blue belt, training 4-7x/week gi and no-gi, with added Judo and Muay Thai kickboxing training. I have been a blue belt for about 2.5 years already. 28 year-old female. And I have been putting in tremendous diligent work into my training without the pressures of what other people think about where I’m at in my training. I’d rather be an incredibly solid blue belt with great experience and confidence, than a purple belt terrified of the feeling that I’m not deserving of it. I don’t mind being a blue belt for another 1-2 years. I’m so grateful I chose to stay in the game and not give up.
This is exactly where I'm at. Blue belt has been a struggle (2 years but had injuries etc) I'm still training, developing, and I'm happy with what will be! Little things are slowly coming together and I'm trying to trust the process
I’m a Blue belt with 150 classes since my Blue Belt promotion. I received my belt in January of 2020 and then a series of events happened that majorly got in my way of training. Finally I’m back to routine of training, although it’s not much, but it’s steady. Once a week right now which is all I can make happen but at least it’s movement forward on the path. The length of Blue belt feels daunting. I know it’s dumb, but getting stripes and belts is a really powerful emotional reinforcement that you are progressing and that happens very slowly at Blue which I think it difficult for people. Loved this video. Cheers!
100% agree! Thank you for sharing! I would love to hear more about your story in Jiu-Jitsu. If you are down for chatting, shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com 😃
Honestly, the biggest obstacle to me is the format that BJJ teaches. At my gym, there is no rhyme or reason to the class and is often started with a statement of ,”what should we work on?” That seems to be how things are taught in BJJ. I do agree with these statements made here today. I am 52, 220lbs and a blue with 3 stripes. At the end, BJJ is a key to a long and healthy life and I want to be qualified for the belt I hold.
My professor does monthly modules and has the most successful competition team within driving distance. Each month we focus and dissect a specific position and how to use it at the elite level. Mostly Gordon and Danaher stuff. For example of monthly modules: half guard passing, front heads, back attacking/escaping, mount attacking/escaping, triangles, etc a full month and you level up so so much
Congrats! Blue belt is a big deal! If you are open to connecting more, I love hear more about students journey. If you are down, shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com
3 years/3 stripes on Blue, it is only the past few months where I have felt that step up in most of the categories. For me, adding complementary techniques that suit me style under my own steam has been the big help. I've stopped focusing on the "next submission" and focused on the techniques to get me to a sub i know already. When you listen to a lot of 3-5 stripe black belts, it seems like the final sub is the same as a white belt, just 50 different ways to get there.
Great video, thanks, Chasen. I'm a blue belt about to be promoted to purple, but.... feeling I don't deserve it yet, even though I can roll competently with more experienced purple, brown and even black belts, I've worked a lot on my defence work, it's hard for anyone to submit me but... not enough on attacks and finishing my partners, but that looks like enough for my professor to feel I'm getting there to be worthy of a purple belt, that's my struggle.
Hey, David! Sorry for the delayed reply. First off, congrats at making it this far in Jiu-Jitsu. Honestly, I never felt the worth of any belt I received. Usually, when students feel this way, it's because they care a vast amount. They want to live up to the expectations of that belt. The biggest thing is to trust your instructor. If they promote you, it's for a reason. I hope this helps. Just FYI, I believe I can help you figure out what you should be training and why to help close that gap. If you are interested, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com
3 years at blue, now a 4 stripe blue belt. I'm at the stage now where I've seen white belts catching up in the last two years where they now have 2 or 3 stripes as a blue and it makes me feel/wonder where the hell I'm going wrong. Im 38, and I joke in class, "I see people getting stripes added to their belts whilst I'm the only dude training till my stripes have fallen off my belt" My coach said to me tonight at training not to expect any significant outcomes at the upcoming comp but to trust in the process. I could sense that he knew my game and competing didnt necessarily mean I'd finally get my purple at the end of April. On top of that, I'm struggling to complete subs on same ranked or junior purples which compounds the emotional setbacks.
Great commentary, Chasen! Starting at 41 has made me want to consolidate my learning curve since my body is getting older. My ultimate frustration is with my schools 9 month minimum requirement before getting a promotional stripe or belt. I attend 4-6 classes a week for the last 2 years and will be on track to earn the equivalence of a purple belts worth of knowledge in class time and rolling experience by December 2023. Regardless of how many hours of rolling, class attendance and overall technical maturation, I'm forced to get promoted the same as someone who barely trains but who fills out the attendance card by just showing up within the same 9 month time period. I understand the business aspects, but I feel my school focuses much more on a game plan designed for pedestrian friendliness and doesn't have a clear incentive for the small percentage of people who want to accelerate their learning curve by working harder in a shorter period of time. I've submitted most of our schools blue belts, can submit a few but can control most of our purples and routinely train with one of our brown belts during open mats. I have over 30 years experience in dance body movement and discipline, so much of what I'm gleaning about BJJ seems to come more naturally. I know belts are not the primary focus for me, but provide a type of symbolic motivation, but I don't appreciate being forced to wait 10-15 years to obtain black belt level competency when - if I keep up the current pace - will show it can be earned in far less time.
I can totally relate to all this except the dancing. Where I train there are no stripes except for the kids. Though I've never done anything like this, having started at a ripe age of 39 in January this year, I go six days a week, and can finally give less seasoned blue belts a really hard time or bad day. Did a comp a couple weekends ago and went for time, lost by points, but was not tapped out (yay). On one hand I kind of want to promote - but only to receive the recognition that I'm learning and progressing, not wasting my time by training so frequently. Figure not everyone has the same physical/mental propensity to pick things up at the same pace and doubling attendance doesn't necessarily mean it's fruitful training. The other half of me thinks, "I'm still having fun, I'm not a pro, so it doesn't matter what belt I am." After all, it's pretty cool if others know that, 'yeah, he's a white belt, but I have to be on my A-game and not give up positions.'
@@KazzArie Great points. Knowing the majority of my 6 day a week effort is superfluous in going toward my public recognition for growth, I’ve decided it is going to be better to attend class the bare minimum and attend my biweekly private. This will help me promote on the 9 month pace, avoid injury and internal frustration.
Three-strike blue belt here. My biggest issue was my top game but I forced myself to work. The top work takedowns and not rely so heavily on my guard. There was a lot of delayed gratification but you have to stay disciplined and keep working at it
Have a few things you can do from every position, and start attacking as much as you can. My biggest thing recently has not been learning more techniques but finding ways to get to what I’m good at already by not telegraphing my intentions
3 stripes blue, 44 been a blue belt for two years. Getting to purple is a focus but not an obsession. I want to highly leverage where I’m at to understand and add depth to my game. In no rush but def using it as motivation
I appreciate that! I've recently opened a few new spots for my Jiu-Jitsu acceleration group. If you are interested in sharing your story with me, please reach out at chasen@chasenhill.com 👍
To answer your question: I always felt that purple belt is the first belt of respect amongst my peers. White belts are either coddled or laughed at. Blue belts are often looked at as the middle child or the know it all. But purple belts are viewed as students who are invested and thus respected. So, my challenge is wanting to have that respect but being frustrated with waiting for it.
ill be a purple belt tomorrow ive been a blue belt for over 4 years missed a few promotions and what not along the way. always been consistent maybe a few months off here and there along the years . but over all consistent especially the past near 2 years. I think what's the most challenging part and why people struggle with being a blue belt for so long is because they just want to progress. miss the bigger picture about gaining the skill I could've been A purple belt a year ago if I would've just attended the promotions but im glad I didnt because im much more ready for purple now I regularly tap other purple belts brown belts blues and whites of course catch an occasional black belt with a submission or sweep one in a hundred times but overall. I believe what people struggle with is just wanting to progress in the sense of what's around their waist. not be called "just a blue belt " anymore no matter how deadly not getting respect or credit from people who dont understand jiu jitsu and what not putting them down for only being one belt away from white, when they have no clue what it takes to become a blue belt.
3 month old blue belt. I got subbed by a 2 stripe white belt monster today. I tried something new and got caught…. This will be my challenge, taking risks by trying new things and accepting being subbed by lower belts. I’m also old so learning efficient forms of employing moves is a must for my longevity. (51yrs old).
My biggest struggle at Blue Belt has been seeing inconsistency in my technique execution and feeling like I'm stumbling in the dark trying to figure out the subtle movements needed to make things work. From my current perspective on BJJ it seems like it's a game of inches. I'm very slowly realizing that slight variations in position and weight placement make huge differences. Sometimes it feels like I can't see the forest for the trees.
I wanna stay blue forever! There's no pressure, if I'm learning something new there's no pressure to get it right & , no responsibility to teach. Just zero expectations! I love it 😂 I think blue is the most fun belt if you can embrace not caring about "winning" rolls
I’m a judoka so I’m always a top pressure heavy passing type. I’m always looking for a throw or ashi waza. Once on top I pass. I look for the back or mount. Now if I get swept I got either to leg entries or sweeps or subs from the bottom. Never afraid to lose Willing to take chances. Willing to roll where I’m not comfortable (off my back) I have a game plan and stick to it and continue to add. Not looking for my purple belt but if it comes it comes As far as submissions I really hit a ude gatame from reverse kesa gatame If it fails I take mount I look for kata gatames from mount And if I get the back I got straight to the “straight jacket” system. I love being a blue belt! Haha
I’ve only been a blue belt for maybe four months or so. I was a white belt for quite a while though thanks to kids and Covid interrupting training. I have no problem being blue for a long time, I figure I should orient myself in the direction of purple just to make sure I’m focusing on the right things etc.
Ive been a blue belt a while now just about 2 years. I dont care so much to rank up. But i try my hardest to constantly not try the same thing even with loss. I know im not far from purple belt because my coach does hold me as one of his advanced blue belts. Im not great and i want so badly to master more in my worst positions so ive been trying to force whitebelts to put me in positions i hate lol. Especially when i know other guys annihilate me there on my level. So i like your idea of trying new things. That deffinetly holds me back i find i go for the same finishes and wrestling take downs so ive been trying to do new techniques
Thanks for sharing! Happy to hear I've been able to give you helpful advice. I think I could help even further. If you want to connect more, shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com 🙂
Thanks for putting things in perspective for me. Your wisdom as a coach really got through to me immediately, even though I only stumbled upon you thanks to the RUclips algo.
You're so welcome! If you are needing further assistance, I just open a few new spots for my Jiu-Jitsu acceleration group. If you are interested in please reach out at chasen@chasenhill.com 👍 I love speaking with students to offer any help I can give.
I enjoy watching RUclips early Sunday mornings on bjj philosophy. I love crosstrainining bjj. I personally am a weight room guy...but I have been training bjj for 12 years...around 8 years of actual mat time. I just recently received a blue belt 11 years later 😆... I accumulated around 16 stripes from 2011-the present. I watched so many people quit...but watching blue belts trying to become purple belts is always interesting....I honestly don't understand why people need the satisfaction of the belt. I just train....there are very few people I have problems with on the mat. I generally have success with 90% of all belts I roll against including more than a few black belts. It's weird actually being a blue belt now after a decade of training...and having to watch people make the mistake of drowning in belt envy or anticipation....
I've been a blue belt about a year now. I still find myself trying a lot of different things and I still have not developed a game. I am a decent guard player but I like to dabble in different parts of the game
Thanks for sharing. I 100% think I can help you fix that issue, or at least get you pointed in the right direction. Shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com
One stripe blue and I am 27 years old, I am working hard and feeling like I am not progressing as much as I should be. I accept that I am a slow learner and my juniors are beginning to catch up with me. I need to change something to start improving better.
I was recently promoted to blue belt (47 yes old) and I train with some tough white belts. I know the “check your ego” saying and I’ve lived by it, but man it’s harder now that I’m a blue belt still sometimes losing to white belts. Some days it makes me not want to spar. There’s that voice in my head telling me I’m not really good enough to be a blue belt.
4 stripe blue here and knockin on the Purple door. I am honestly nervous as hell to get purple. When I first started nearly 5 years ago, I looked at the purple belts and felt they were in a different world in relation to where I was at. And being an older grappler (49yrs old) I just don’t think I have the skills like those Purples did when I first started. I am happy being at the top of the blue belt rank, but just don’t feel ready for the next jump.
Lookin beefy bruh!! You been lifting? 2 stripe blue belt here.. biggest struggle for me is getting away from the techniques I’m good at and trying new things. This can be difficult because honestly I like “winning” even though that mostly due to ego and a overall stupid mentality.
You know it! Trying to get as swole as I can! I would love to speak with you more about those struggles. Shoot me a email at chasenhill@gmail.com if you are open to chatting more!
3 stripe blue. Been training since early 2018. I feel pretty good when rolling with all the blue belts (can either keep up or submit them) and can keep up with the purple belt. But I still feel like I am still missing a lot of the basics - Playing top/ bottom in butterfly, x guard etc. I feel like I can execute and play a lot of positions when rolling, but if I need to explain it, I can't lol
Good analysis of your training. I believe I can help you become more clear and develop a plan. If you are interested, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com Keep training hard!
I’ve gotten a new job right after getting my blue belt. Got some other very important activities in life. It’s been very difficult to train as much as I did as a white belt. I feel really down about it. I have the motivation and discipline to keep training but just down that I can’t train as much no matter how much I try.
@@ChasenHill I still train as much as I can but training twice a week is a good week for me. Its very unfortunate, I was very used to training 3-5 times a week
Thanks, this really helps me. I'm a 36 yr old 4 stripe blue. My instructor hinted at purple in my near future and for some reason that terrifies me. I just picture those purple belts when I first started that I felt could wreck everyone and I don't feel like I'm there. I'm trying to figure out why it scares me. Maybe because I'm having so much fun experimenting and learning right now and i'm not sure what it really means to my instructor to be a purple. I feel so free to fail trying new things right now. I really think I have a tendency to put too much pressure on myself to represent.
I 100% understand that feeling. It normally means you are on the right track. I would love to hear more about your training experience. If you are opening to chatting more, shoot me a email chasenhill@gmail.com.
Thanks for sharing that. Yes we can all put to much pressure on ourselves. It just means we care a lot about what we are doing. I believe I can help you even further in your journey. If you are interested in knowing how, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com
My biggest insecurity as a blue belt is that when I impose my will on other blue belt, I don't know is that my skill or my size ( I'm usually 10-25 kg heavier than other blue belts) 😢😢
I hear from other class mates that I should be a purple belt or thats not "blue belt"pressure or defense after holding or defending against younger, bigger, and higher ranked belts. Meaning they think the skill level is higher. But I know there are elements or something missing. 44 now and its been 3.5 years at blue and still going. I am at a new school and they are talking about purple belt but I just cannot see it. Thanks for the videos as it will give me a plan moving forward.
One thing that sucks about lower belts, or just promotions in bjj in general is every black belt seems to want to put their own stamp on your next belt. So if you you’ve been a blue belt for awhile at ur old gym and switch over, a lot of times and even many other competitors I know agree that if you switch at any stage on a belt especially gyms that dont do stripe progressions you’re essentially starting that new gym as a brand new fill in the blank, white, blue, purple brown. could have been a blue belt for 2 years and your new coach/black belt just sees the color and its very discouraging for many. Or they see the stripes and make you wait just as long for a promotion. Ive met quite a few blues that should be purple and purples that should be brown.
I’m a blue belt I was given it in 2013 I just got back into it recently after 10 years my defence is good guard passing and sweeps ok just my submission and takedown game is hard almost every time I roll there is no submissions when I go with blue and purple belts
Wow! Congrats for coming back! Not many people do that. Once they are gone, they are gone! Are you saying you catch no submission when training with blue and purples? Just want to clarify.
@@ChasenHillyup can’t catch submissions they sweep or escape I only been getting white belts don’t wanna go to hard on them they might not wanna come back or roll with me again
Thanks for the kind words! I would love to hear more about your Jiu-Jitsu journey! I'm currently collecting helpful information by speaking with students. Would you be open to speaking with me? If so, please shoot me an email at chasenhill@gmail.com. I hope we can speak soon! Keep training hard!
You’ve got this! Think I can help. You should like you would be an awesome fit for my acceleration group. If you interested, shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com
For me, I’m at the point where I want to understand “why” something is effective and not just doing it because it works, but if it does not work I don’t exactly understand the why. When someone shows me where I went wrong, it’s usually a very small detail that I had to correct but not being aware of it, costs me a lot of time. For instance, not cutting an angle correctly to lock out a triangle from guard or not flaring out my wrists for the cross collar choke etc. I roll pretty good but I have a lot to learn on the details.
46 years old. 175. Been a blue belt since 2018. For last two years I've trained 3-5 days a week and I'm still only one stripe. I have competed twice and gold 2x. Feeling a bit stalled right now. Worries I'll be a blue belt for another 2x years because my coach, while awesome, doesn't really promote anyone until they are like competition sandbag level. Maybe I should just chill and train.
Thanks for sharing. Yes, some coaches use comp as a metric. But, I'd be curious if you have personally asked his expectations and what he's looking for. I believe I could help you as well. Figuring out what you should be training and why, really helps boost your training outcomes. If you want to know more, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com
I've been a blue belt for 4 years. I was a 3 stripe blue and then moved gyms due to scheduling and removed my stripes. I felt it was important to receive my stripes from my new instructor. Of course, it would be nice to get a purple belt, but I need to put my time in at the new place first. Life gets in the way sometimes.
I would say the realisation of the work involved it takes to become purple probably hits a lot of blue belts. I know it did me. I’m a one stripe blue and am actively trying to fill my holes but I’ve joined a new gym due to moving away for study. Seems like when I roll with blues and purples that how they roll forces me to revert back to what I know as they’re really intense in the new gym. I’ve never gotten injured seriously in jiu jitsu but within 6 weeks of joining the new gym I’ve had two knee injuries which I’m lucky aren’t worse and just require some rest. I actually had a mishap today with the instructor as my previous gym was super cruisy and was okay with people leaving and saying see you if class was going over time (which may have happened once in the 4 years I’ve trained there as it never went overtime). Today the class was 10 minutes over and I had to race off as I had other commitments. I got dressed and waved at him thinking it was okay. The instructor pulled me up in front of everyone and said that I was being really disrespectful towards him as a coach as I didn’t bow out at him. I immediately apologised and offered to put my Gi back on and do the proper thing but he seemed visibly angry and shook my hand and said it’s okay for me to leave. Seems like when I roll in there that I’m not able to try new things as everyone is trying to dominate each other and I just try to survive without a blue belt doing an illegal leg lock on me, which is the reason for my knee injury. Plus quite a few other students seem to have injuries aswell and I’m seeing this as a sign of poor gym etiquette. I understand how I conducted myself today was poor to say the least but I was trying to leave, say goodbye and not disturb the class at the same time. Just wondering what your thoughts are on this? Of course I’m no guru but I definitely feel like I have to look after myself on the mats and see if gyms do suit what I want out of my jiu jitsu journey but am unsure of this one right now.
Your new gym seems a bit too agro imo. Fair enough for the gym to have certain rules and expectations but the decent human thing to do is have a little chat in private not embarrass you in front of the whole gym… maybe find a new gym mate
My ultimate issue is s till defending side control. I know this will come over time. My local BJJ has not done any form of defensive tactics over the past year. So, I am looking at getting some mats at my residence and doing some sort of online training and inviting a few over to train a few times a week, as well as training at our local gym.
your progress is gonna be very slow without actual gym unless you're extremely self disciplined, in which case you'll learn to use the gym better. if they're not giving you what they need, use them as training dummies and study outside of class. it's a valid way to train
Agreed, but unfortunately, there is nothing tangible with that tip. Often that makes students feel worse in the 14 years of teaching and training experience 😀
I got my blue belt in 2002 and quit for 17 years. I have been back, as a blue belt, for 3 years. Over the last 8-12 months my BJJ has exploded. New to mid level blue belts even much larger blue belts are not that difficult to manage. In my personal profession I have been doing Applied Behavior Analysis. I have been in this field for 20 years. I have trained or assisted in training 1,000s of Autistic children over those years. It seems that my professional skills have started to overlap with my BJJ skills. One of my new concepts in BJJ is an old behavioral training concept. Humans always take the path of “perceived” least resistance. If there are multiple ways to get from point A to point B. Eventually everyone will take the route that seems the most efficient for them. The next question is what event or obstacle would cause a behavioral change. Traffic, a train, an accident…. This is how I have been setting up my attacks. I go for an uma plata and almost have a dead to rights setup. It’s pretty clear I’m going for that attack, they sit-up to defend and I catch a sneaky locked triangle. Which I always wanted. The traffic and or obstacle was the very clear and intentional uma plata attack. They went the other the direction and spring my trap. This is one of my new concepts I have been using over the last few months. My submissions have gone through the roof.
If you focus on a very small amount of techniques or pathways to submission, you will arguably "win" more in the gym. This makes for an effective competitor, but the knowledge is less diverse. The inverse of this, a grappler who tries a wide variety of guards, sweeps, and passing, is more likely to "fail" more often in live rolls and have less reps with each technique as a whole. The first person can teach you their own specific game, the latter grappler can likely show and help others in a more diverse way and possibly develops better instincts due to experimenting. Maybe I'm speaking for myself, but at some point you have to connect all the various stuff you work on though, to be ready for purple belt.
I have been a blue belt for a year. I want another year or more before I get a purple belt. I would rather get my belt for skill rather than dedication (I train 5-6 days a week).
For me as a blue belt, I don’t care to get my purple belt tbh 😂 if I’m a blue belt and can tap brown belts, yay 😅 guess cuz I’m 43 and just have a different mindset. But for the purpose of my post, I struggle with putting in traps for me partner. I have a plan but I struggle to make traps so I can make them move/react a certain way to get to my ultimate goal.
I’m a 4 stripe white belt. I’ve been told when you become blue you have a target on your back from the white belts and the other colours wanna show you they took it easy when you were white belt 😂😂😂
I was promoted to Blue Belt on Sept 11, 2017. I'm a Blue and just not in a hurry. I don't compete - i don't roll - I'm overweight and have many orthopedic obstacles. I always wanted to train in a Martial Art. As a kid, i went to many "1st day classes", but my parents wouldn't allow me to continue in Karate, Kung Fu, TKD... Even in the Military we often would train a martial art - but then it would change with the flavor of the day. Now, that i'm an adult - i just want to enjoy going to the gym, making friends, and learning the different ways that things get done. I'll get my Purple belt at some point (that isn't important). I do want a Black Belt within 20 years (from now - not from when i started).
I’ve been a blue belt for 1 1/2 years and now I wreck a lot of the best blue and purple belts d1 wrestlers and such but I still feel so far from purple
Glad to hear that! I would love to hear more about your Jiu-Jitsu journey. I enjoy talking to students about how and why they started. It helps me in my future projects. Would you be open to speaking with me more? If so, please shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com
Why am I afraid of being a blue belt for so long? because i'm a middle aged perimenopausal woman with a chronic back injury. I'm worried I don't have much time left before my body cashes out.
Thanks for sharing your concern and 100% see how that can cause a sense of urgency. If these health issues are such worrisome, wouldn't being stressed and anxious about a belt promotion cause more health issues speeding up the body crash you are already so worried about?
@@ChasenHill I suppose I never thought of it like that. Stress doesn't aggravate my health problems, but it doesn't help either. I'm still doing BJJ somehow, despite body's shortcomings, so maybe I have more time than I think?
The belt system is flawed... I'm a new blue belt that competes alot and does well. I smash fellow blue belts and highers belts as well. I've only been doing jiujitsu for a year, I rarely get submitted and I know I'm getting a purple belt soon. Alot of higher belts at gyms get those belts based on attendance alone. Not performance based. I believe there's alot of miss handed belts out there...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. I hope I can offer a different perspective. It sounds like you are training full time or close to it. If not you're extremely gifted or maybe both. My personal view, is belts can be awarded based on multiple factors that vary per student. It's ridiculous to expect the same out of a 45 year old purple belt and 25 year old purple belt. Especially if the 25 years old, training 7 days a week, comp focused, no career yet, no family, and etc. Even if the 45 year old purple did well in comp in their respected age & weight class, but then has a hard time in the training room with the young athletic white or blue belts that are training all the time, that doesn't diminish their knowledge and their own time spent training. If you use performance (in the gym or in comp) as the only metric to determine if someone is ready for the next rank, you will take away a lot of individuals opportunity to learn and gain any benefits from Jiu-Jitsu. True story, 14 years ago I went to Marcelo Garcia Seminar as a white belt. He shared a story about how he was terrible at competing until he received his brown belt. He then shared that if his instructor only gave him belts based on his comp results, he probably would have quit. But instead his coach keep supporting him and building him up until it clicked. Either way, you have to give people a chance to gain from the art. Thank you for the conversation.
The obsession with sparring/rolling in BJJ is a big problem. 20 minutes of drilling and then it all goes out the window as everyone tried to smash each other for an hour. Better spar once a week IMO and focus on drilling and technical rolling otherwise the entire week is spent injured and/or fatigued
Nah focus most of the class with technique for about 40-50 min, then do just 3 5min rolls. Bjj is good because it is “pressure tested” at every practice. But you should mostly be focusing on technique during class.
Your jiujitsu sucks? Roll with white belts, practice your weak techniques on them as they won’t defend them like higher belts until you’re competent and move on to blue belts and so on and so forth.
Since most guys I roll / train with are either much bigger or much younger I have spent two years surviving and escaping. Often, since I have defense on my mind so much, I don't go for obvious offensive submissions.
Training two years as of today. Blue belt July 2022. Quite sure I'm never gonna see a stripe little alone a Purple Belt. A man can dream I guess. I guess I should be happy to be able to roll and hang with the kids at the age of 63. Sigh......
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What has been your biggest struggle at blue belt?
Biggest struggle has to be staying healthy. Injuries at my age 46, take a lot longer to rehab and bounce back from.
I took your advice from your other video and started logging my training and recording what I did, who I rolled with and things I did well or struggled with. It really helps.
Getting local tournament matches with guys my age, weight and skill 46, 170, 2 stripe blue belt are fairly difficult. So I’ve had to drop down to they younger divisions for people to compete against. It’s hard when they are 15 years younger than you.
Fantastic!! Glad it could help! Good luck at the comp! If you record any video and would like to share it, please send it my way 🙂
Not getting my purple belt haha.
I mean I really don’t care, but I’ve been smashing blue and purple belts so
Taking the time to comment you don't care, would lead me to believe you do at least a tiny bit 😉
@@ChasenHill I do haha but I’m not counting on it
As a 4 stripe Blue, I personally think that the lack of any sort of advancement or feedback is what stifles the bluebelt emotionally because it definitely is the longest transition of all the belts. The weekly mental and physical grind is unbearable for most. Combined with life complexities, the road becomes almost unbearable if you choose to focus on it in a negative manner. The older you get the harder this becomes, I also feel. At 55 now and 5 yrs into this journey I honestly understand why many give up....but it is NOT my nature to allow that to be optional soooo I just keep showing up. AND WATCH PURPLE BELT VIDS LMAO.
Awesome! Thank you for sharing that. Man, you would do excellent in my coaching group. I literally teach you exactly how to deal with all these issues. I work with students precisely like you. Shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com if you are interested! Good luck!
I hope I am still training & can still maintain my passion for Jiu Jitsu at 55. I am 42 turning 43 in a few months and I am almost a year into Blue belt.
@@bobbydabutcha I heard an interview once with a highly regarded Navy Seal. He was asked "what allows you to remain mentally strong no matter the situation....?" His answer resonated with me....."YOU shut off the brain and stop having conversations in your own head. YOU just perform and go. Eventually you become a Navy Seal. Pain and suffering is just a feeling" EXACTLY OUR JOURNEY TO BLACKBELT. I intentionally create games prior to each night I train..... "Tonight I will not get submitted!"......"Tonight I will intentionally submit by Triangle 3x"....etc etc......good luck
A black belt is a white belt who never stoped training
are you a purple yet?
49 YO blue belt (no stripes). I’m not super worried about lingering at blue. My primary goals are health and self defense. I always joke that I’m not training to beat a world class Jiu Jitsu player I’m training to beat his drunk uncle. My point is I want to use this amazing martial art to stay fit, have fun, and protect myself if an altercation is unavoidable (most are). That said I do enjoy the sport aspect and progressing 🤙🤙
My hardest challenge was that the purple belt was the first belt that I felt that I "earned." I wrestled in college, albeit I was a D2 wrestler, but still 5 years of being a competitive college wrestler who was in the running for all-american is significant grappling experience. So even though they didn't give me a white belt right away, everyone in the room knew I wasn't really a white belt. Purple belt was the first belt where I had to actually look at what I was doing wrong in order to deliberately improve at situations.
Wow! Amazing insight and self-growth! I would love to hear more about how you discovered this. I would love to chat with. Please shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com
I've been a blue belt for just over 2 years, I'm 3 stripes and haven't had a stripe for 15 months and Im in zero rush to get my 4th stripe or a purple belt. I can hang with all the purple belts except 1 who is just a phenom. Im 47 and train 6x a week both Gi and NOGI . I really don't want my purple for at least a couple more years, I am not mentally ready (IMO) Im just starting to get some sort of a "game" going. I roll with guys and gals mostly half my age and Im just happy where I am and happy to be able to keep up with my peers. Plus...the gauntlet hurts lol i really don't mind it. thanks for the video! Oh and my biggest struggle has been retaining info then applying it without needing to ask how to do it again, but lately its like a switch has flipped and I can just do it 1st try, but that was the hardest part of Blue for me.
Man, I think I can help you even further lol I just opened a few new spots for my Jiu-Jitsu acceleration group where I literally show students how to do this. If you are interested in please reach out at chasen@chasenhill.com 👍 I love speaking with students to offer any help I can give.
I’m In the same boat because it’s a couple people who got there purple belt before me plus I’m in no rush the longer you hold your blue the more you start to build up like far as position from bottom to top plus just staying with the fundamentals of guard passing & escapes & counters so I definitely need under stand stay with because I am
No one NEEDS to dive into leg locks 😆 but yes people need to branch out I agree
I bet you’ve got a purple belt now
2 stripe blue, 47yrs old, 160lbs. Biggest struggle for me is remembering the fine details of some techs during rolling. I do typically train with a purpose ie working specifically in half guard etc though. Another issue is struggling getting into an offensive position against the larger heavier training partners no matter what their belt level. I find myself often in bad positions and a lot of this goes back to their strength over my technique.
I 100% feel you on that! Dealing with larger training partners is challenging.
I'd be curious to see if your training focus is aligned with your skill set. Is your training focus built around solving your biggest problems? Something to ponder!
Stick with it my friend!
@@ChasenHill hmmmm…..never thought about focusing specifically like that. I pretty much have been picking a position and trying to explore it, however I like the thought of focusing on my struggles versus just focusing on something to work through. Thanks for the response and tips!!!
No problem! That’s my goal! Please keep me updated on your journey 🙂
If you are working on half guard here are a couple of good videos:
ruclips.net/video/I6MItk9heAk/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/VGPY0Z-mS80/видео.html
I’m a 2 stripe blue belt, 160lbs. Most of my training partners are 200+. I made it a goal to spend time on bottom, even starting on bottom telling my partners I needed to work on my bottom game. It has helped a lot, especially watching the cross face and staying on my side. Just came from comp class and am starting to feel the weight distribution on my partners and scored a number of sweeps with two partners both 210+. I made the commitment to get comfortable with the discomfort of bottom and it has helped my entire game. Best of luck!! You got this!!
Been blue belt 1 stripe for 4 years, ive seen a massive improvement these past 4 years since I’ve gotten my belt, I teach, I go to open mats and garage mats with some friends and still have not been promoted in 4 years.
Thanks for sharing that! Great insight! I would love to know more about what got you into training and how you've overcome some training hurdles. Could you shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com. Thanks!
Im a Blue belt and now getting to the point where I can submit Brown belts. Will probably get my purple at the end of the year.
Congrats on your success!
Thanks for the content! Just got my 2nd stripe on my blue belt yesterday. This video is very helpful as I'm transitioning through blue to purple. Total 4 years of training (2 at white, and 2 at blue with 2 stripes). I think it's natural for people to want to progress quickly, but I'd rather be able to defend the purple when I'm ready for it. I'd rather be the blue belt tapping purple and browns, than be the purple belt struggling with blues and whites. Having a good mindset focused on progress and fun is making blue belt fun for me. It has been difficult, but it's exciting for me to see the work pay off and see my game transition to more advanced.
100% good idea. I think I can help you become even more clear and help you build a training system. If you are interested, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com
I"ve been a blue belt for two years now. I'm starting to really enjoy the long process of learning at this level.
You've got this! Blue is one of the hardest. If you interested in how I can help you have more success in that journey, please shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com
I think the part of me that wants to progress quickly through the belts comes from my drive to be better than average. I have no qualms with being at a belt longer than average but it sure would be nice to be able to say I got it sooner than most. I think being in school for most of my life has engrained the notion that if I’m not better than average I’m not good enough..
I completely understand how you feel! I would be interested in hearing more about your Jiu-Jitsu journey! I'm currently collecting helpful information by speaking with students. Would you be open to speaking with me? If so, please shoot me an email at chasenhill@gmail.com. I hope we can speak soon! Keep training hard!
9 months into Blue belt. Adding in MMA sparring, Wrestling and Judo into the mix. By the time I am Purple belt (hopefully in a year and a half to two years from now!) I'll be well rounded and competent on the feet and DANGEROUS on the ground!
You've got this!
I’m a 62 yr old 4-stripe Blue Belt- for nearly 5 years at Blue Belt- starting my journey in 2016; recovering from a fractured ankle & just returned to the mats- after a nearly 5 month layoff. Also dealing with some health issues- Cerebral Ataxia- which impacts my training & seems to widen the cassum between blue and purple belt.
At 4-stripe blue; I can almost see and feel that next ‘level up’ but at the same time it feels as though it so far away. My desire, determination & drive have NOT lessened with time; however- my physicality has become more of a challenge as the years go by. I’m striving to be a ‘positive example’ & role model at my academy for all the right reasons but man, I find myself really wanting that “Purple Belche”! ⚔️🤜💥🤛
🟪⬛️⬛️⬛️🟪🟪🟪🟪
To be on the mats and blue belt at 62 for me is actually like being a black belt if you compare yourself to the average 40, 50 or 60 year old. Well done 👏 ✔️ 👍
Thank you brother, “ impose your will” that really has changed me. I am blue belt and that flipped. Switch for me. That’s black belt knowledge thank you very much
The first 2-3 stripes of my blue belt were gruesome. Middle of COVID. As soon as I got my blue belt, it felt like everyone decided to put 10x effort into their rolls with me. Plus, I got a sedentary job, which didn't help many areas of my life. I gained a lot of weight and didn’t feel good about myself overall. During that time I was attending about 1-2 classes/week. I wished I was back at white belt having such a blast. I felt like my progress was going nowhere. I felt terrified to not be able to perform the way a blue belt should. My blue belt journey has definitely been a struggle. But I never quit.
At this point today, I am 3-stripe blue belt, training 4-7x/week gi and no-gi, with added Judo and Muay Thai kickboxing training. I have been a blue belt for about 2.5 years already. 28 year-old female. And I have been putting in tremendous diligent work into my training without the pressures of what other people think about where I’m at in my training. I’d rather be an incredibly solid blue belt with great experience and confidence, than a purple belt terrified of the feeling that I’m not deserving of it. I don’t mind being a blue belt for another 1-2 years. I’m so grateful I chose to stay in the game and not give up.
This is exactly where I'm at. Blue belt has been a struggle (2 years but had injuries etc) I'm still training, developing, and I'm happy with what will be! Little things are slowly coming together and I'm trying to trust the process
I’m a Blue belt with 150 classes since my Blue Belt promotion. I received my belt in January of 2020 and then a series of events happened that majorly got in my way of training. Finally I’m back to routine of training, although it’s not much, but it’s steady. Once a week right now which is all I can make happen but at least it’s movement forward on the path.
The length of Blue belt feels daunting. I know it’s dumb, but getting stripes and belts is a really powerful emotional reinforcement that you are progressing and that happens very slowly at Blue which I think it difficult for people.
Loved this video. Cheers!
100% agree! Thank you for sharing! I would love to hear more about your story in Jiu-Jitsu. If you are down for chatting, shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com 😃
Honestly, the biggest obstacle to me is the format that BJJ teaches. At my gym, there is no rhyme or reason to the class and is often started with a statement of ,”what should we work on?” That seems to be how things are taught in BJJ. I do agree with these statements made here today. I am 52, 220lbs and a blue with 3 stripes. At the end, BJJ is a key to a long and healthy life and I want to be qualified for the belt I hold.
My professor does monthly modules and has the most successful competition team within driving distance. Each month we focus and dissect a specific position and how to use it at the elite level. Mostly Gordon and Danaher stuff. For example of monthly modules: half guard passing, front heads, back attacking/escaping, mount attacking/escaping, triangles, etc a full month and you level up so so much
New blue belt training less than 1 1/2, I'm just happy to be here
Congrats! Blue belt is a big deal! If you are open to connecting more, I love hear more about students journey. If you are down, shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com
3 years/3 stripes on Blue, it is only the past few months where I have felt that step up in most of the categories.
For me, adding complementary techniques that suit me style under my own steam has been the big help.
I've stopped focusing on the "next submission" and focused on the techniques to get me to a sub i know already.
When you listen to a lot of 3-5 stripe black belts, it seems like the final sub is the same as a white belt, just 50 different ways to get there.
Great video, thanks, Chasen. I'm a blue belt about to be promoted to purple, but.... feeling I don't deserve it yet, even though I can roll competently with more experienced purple, brown and even black belts, I've worked a lot on my defence work, it's hard for anyone to submit me but... not enough on attacks and finishing my partners, but that looks like enough for my professor to feel I'm getting there to be worthy of a purple belt, that's my struggle.
Hey, David! Sorry for the delayed reply. First off, congrats at making it this far in Jiu-Jitsu. Honestly, I never felt the worth of any belt I received. Usually, when students feel this way, it's because they care a vast amount. They want to live up to the expectations of that belt. The biggest thing is to trust your instructor. If they promote you, it's for a reason. I hope this helps. Just FYI, I believe I can help you figure out what you should be training and why to help close that gap. If you are interested, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com
Thank you so much for this video. Im a white belt, but still i learned so much and feel even more motivated
Glad it was helpful!
3 years at blue, now a 4 stripe blue belt. I'm at the stage now where I've seen white belts catching up in the last two years where they now have 2 or 3 stripes as a blue and it makes me feel/wonder where the hell I'm going wrong.
Im 38, and I joke in class, "I see people getting stripes added to their belts whilst I'm the only dude training till my stripes have fallen off my belt"
My coach said to me tonight at training not to expect any significant outcomes at the upcoming comp but to trust in the process. I could sense that he knew my game and competing didnt necessarily mean I'd finally get my purple at the end of April.
On top of that, I'm struggling to complete subs on same ranked or junior purples which compounds the emotional setbacks.
I have a black belt, not in Brazilian Jiu jitsu, but in leather. It’s from Italy and very nice 👍🏾
Man, I would take one of those 🤣
@@ChasenHill hehe 😜
Great commentary, Chasen! Starting at 41 has made me want to consolidate my learning curve since my body is getting older. My ultimate frustration is with my schools 9 month minimum requirement before getting a promotional stripe or belt. I attend 4-6 classes a week for the last 2 years and will be on track to earn the equivalence of a purple belts worth of knowledge in class time and rolling experience by December 2023. Regardless of how many hours of rolling, class attendance and overall technical maturation, I'm forced to get promoted the same as someone who barely trains but who fills out the attendance card by just showing up within the same 9 month time period.
I understand the business aspects, but I feel my school focuses much more on a game plan designed for pedestrian friendliness and doesn't have a clear incentive for the small percentage of people who want to accelerate their learning curve by working harder in a shorter period of time. I've submitted most of our schools blue belts, can submit a few but can control most of our purples and routinely train with one of our brown belts during open mats. I have over 30 years experience in dance body movement and discipline, so much of what I'm gleaning about BJJ seems to come more naturally. I know belts are not the primary focus for me, but provide a type of symbolic motivation, but I don't appreciate being forced to wait 10-15 years to obtain black belt level competency when - if I keep up the current pace - will show it can be earned in far less time.
I can totally relate to all this except the dancing. Where I train there are no stripes except for the kids. Though I've never done anything like this, having started at a ripe age of 39 in January this year, I go six days a week, and can finally give less seasoned blue belts a really hard time or bad day. Did a comp a couple weekends ago and went for time, lost by points, but was not tapped out (yay). On one hand I kind of want to promote - but only to receive the recognition that I'm learning and progressing, not wasting my time by training so frequently. Figure not everyone has the same physical/mental propensity to pick things up at the same pace and doubling attendance doesn't necessarily mean it's fruitful training. The other half of me thinks, "I'm still having fun, I'm not a pro, so it doesn't matter what belt I am." After all, it's pretty cool if others know that, 'yeah, he's a white belt, but I have to be on my A-game and not give up positions.'
@@KazzArie Great points. Knowing the majority of my 6 day a week effort is superfluous in going toward my public recognition for growth, I’ve decided it is going to be better to attend class the bare minimum and attend my biweekly private.
This will help me promote on the 9 month pace, avoid injury and internal frustration.
Three-strike blue belt here. My biggest issue was my top game but I forced myself to work. The top work takedowns and not rely so heavily on my guard. There was a lot of delayed gratification but you have to stay disciplined and keep working at it
100%! Great advice. I would to hear more about your journey. Would you be open to chatting? Please shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com
Have a few things you can do from every position, and start attacking as much as you can. My biggest thing recently has not been learning more techniques but finding ways to get to what I’m good at already by not telegraphing my intentions
100%. Also, breathing. I can tell when students are about to transition or attack by them telegraphing their breathing.
Tail end of blue here. Remember that promotion time is your journey and you’re in is your own. Enjoy the time before you go up, it’s a beautiful one
100%. I would love to hear more about your journey. Would you be open to chatting a bit more? Shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com
7:27 bc purple is such a cool color😅I wouldn’t even want to get brown after that.
3 stripes blue, 44 been a blue belt for two years. Getting to purple is a focus but not an obsession. I want to highly leverage where I’m at to understand and add depth to my game. In no rush but def using it as motivation
100%!
Im still a white belt but i love your videos talking about what it takes to get to the next level. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
I appreciate that! I've recently opened a few new spots for my Jiu-Jitsu acceleration group. If you are interested in sharing your story with me, please reach out at chasen@chasenhill.com 👍
Thank you for the support! If you are looking for more guidance a long your journey, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com
To answer your question: I always felt that purple belt is the first belt of respect amongst my peers. White belts are either coddled or laughed at. Blue belts are often looked at as the middle child or the know it all. But purple belts are viewed as students who are invested and thus respected.
So, my challenge is wanting to have that respect but being frustrated with waiting for it.
Great insight! Thank you for sharing!
ill be a purple belt tomorrow ive been a blue belt for over 4 years missed a few promotions and what not along the way. always been consistent maybe a few months off here and there along the years . but over all consistent especially the past near 2 years. I think what's the most challenging part and why people struggle with being a blue belt for so long is because they just want to progress. miss the bigger picture about gaining the skill I could've been A purple belt a year ago if I would've just attended the promotions but im glad I didnt because im much more ready for purple now I regularly tap other purple belts brown belts blues and whites of course catch an occasional black belt with a submission or sweep one in a hundred times but overall. I believe what people struggle with is just wanting to progress in the sense of what's around their waist. not be called "just a blue belt " anymore no matter how deadly not getting respect or credit from people who dont understand jiu jitsu and what not putting them down for only being one belt away from white, when they have no clue what it takes to become a blue belt.
3 month old blue belt. I got subbed by a 2 stripe white belt monster today. I tried something new and got caught…. This will be my challenge, taking risks by trying new things and accepting being subbed by lower belts. I’m also old so learning efficient forms of employing moves is a must for my longevity. (51yrs old).
My biggest struggle at Blue Belt has been seeing inconsistency in my technique execution and feeling like I'm stumbling in the dark trying to figure out the subtle movements needed to make things work. From my current perspective on BJJ it seems like it's a game of inches. I'm very slowly realizing that slight variations in position and weight placement make huge differences. Sometimes it feels like I can't see the forest for the trees.
100% agree, this is why students need to take more ownership in in their own training
I am enjoying the blue belt. Haven't plateaued yet. Still tons to learn so I will keep competing and enjoying until something changes.
That’s fantastic! Keep that mindset! Learning is never done 👊🏻
I wanna stay blue forever! There's no pressure, if I'm learning something new there's no pressure to get it right & , no responsibility to teach. Just zero expectations! I love it 😂 I think blue is the most fun belt if you can embrace not caring about "winning" rolls
I’m a judoka so I’m always a top pressure heavy passing type. I’m always looking for a throw or ashi waza. Once on top I pass. I look for the back or mount.
Now if I get swept I got either to leg entries or sweeps or subs from the bottom.
Never afraid to lose
Willing to take chances.
Willing to roll where I’m not comfortable (off my back)
I have a game plan and stick to it and continue to add.
Not looking for my purple belt but if it comes it comes
As far as submissions I really hit a ude gatame from reverse kesa gatame
If it fails I take mount
I look for kata gatames from mount
And if I get the back I got straight to the “straight jacket” system.
I love being a blue belt! Haha
Fantastic! I'm happy you've adopted this mindset already. Keep the momentum rolling 😀
I’ve only been a blue belt for maybe four months or so. I was a white belt for quite a while though thanks to kids and Covid interrupting training. I have no problem being blue for a long time, I figure I should orient myself in the direction of purple just to make sure I’m focusing on the right things etc.
Awesome video Chasen, good insight! I would have loved to see some rolling footage b-roll / examples to carry the audio script 😁😁
Thanks for the feedback. I love your channel as well. Looking jacked my dude!
Ive been a blue belt a while now just about 2 years. I dont care so much to rank up. But i try my hardest to constantly not try the same thing even with loss. I know im not far from purple belt because my coach does hold me as one of his advanced blue belts. Im not great and i want so badly to master more in my worst positions so ive been trying to force whitebelts to put me in positions i hate lol. Especially when i know other guys annihilate me there on my level. So i like your idea of trying new things. That deffinetly holds me back i find i go for the same finishes and wrestling take downs so ive been trying to do new techniques
Thanks for sharing! Happy to hear I've been able to give you helpful advice. I think I could help even further. If you want to connect more, shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com 🙂
Thanks for putting things in perspective for me. Your wisdom as a coach really got through to me immediately, even though I only stumbled upon you thanks to the RUclips algo.
You're so welcome! If you are needing further assistance, I just open a few new spots for my Jiu-Jitsu acceleration group. If you are interested in please reach out at chasen@chasenhill.com 👍 I love speaking with students to offer any help I can give.
I enjoy watching RUclips early Sunday mornings on bjj philosophy. I love crosstrainining bjj. I personally am a weight room guy...but I have been training bjj for 12 years...around 8 years of actual mat time. I just recently received a blue belt 11 years later 😆... I accumulated around 16 stripes from 2011-the present. I watched so many people quit...but watching blue belts trying to become purple belts is always interesting....I honestly don't understand why people need the satisfaction of the belt. I just train....there are very few people I have problems with on the mat. I generally have success with 90% of all belts I roll against including more than a few black belts. It's weird actually being a blue belt now after a decade of training...and having to watch people make the mistake of drowning in belt envy or anticipation....
Well said, thanks for you support! I would love to hear more about you journey and connect. If you are down, shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com
6 year blue belt training judo and mma instead of jiu-jitsu 😅 trying outer thing's.
Im happy to be a blue belt .
I've been a blue belt about a year now. I still find myself trying a lot of different things and I still have not developed a game. I am a decent guard player but I like to dabble in different parts of the game
Thanks for sharing. I 100% think I can help you fix that issue, or at least get you pointed in the right direction. Shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com
One stripe blue and I am 27 years old, I am working hard and feeling like I am not progressing as much as I should be. I accept that I am a slow learner and my juniors are beginning to catch up with me. I need to change something to start improving better.
I was recently promoted to blue belt (47 yes old) and I train with some tough white belts. I know the “check your ego” saying and I’ve lived by it, but man it’s harder now that I’m a blue belt still sometimes losing to white belts. Some days it makes me not want to spar. There’s that voice in my head telling me I’m not really good enough to be a blue belt.
4 stripe blue here and knockin on the Purple door. I am honestly nervous as hell to get purple. When I first started nearly 5 years ago, I looked at the purple belts and felt they were in a different world in relation to where I was at. And being an older grappler (49yrs old) I just don’t think I have the skills like those Purples did when I first started. I am happy being at the top of the blue belt rank, but just don’t feel ready for the next jump.
Lookin beefy bruh!! You been lifting?
2 stripe blue belt here.. biggest struggle for me is getting away from the techniques I’m good at and trying new things.
This can be difficult because honestly I like “winning” even though that mostly due to ego and a overall stupid mentality.
You know it! Trying to get as swole as I can!
I would love to speak with you more about those struggles. Shoot me a email at chasenhill@gmail.com if you are open to chatting more!
Great video. I'm taking notes
Thanks for checking out the video and kind words 🤗 I hope it helps!
3 stripe blue. Been training since early 2018. I feel pretty good when rolling with all the blue belts (can either keep up or submit them) and can keep up with the purple belt. But I still feel like I am still missing a lot of the basics - Playing top/ bottom in butterfly, x guard etc. I feel like I can execute and play a lot of positions when rolling, but if I need to explain it, I can't lol
Good analysis of your training. I believe I can help you become more clear and develop a plan. If you are interested, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com Keep training hard!
@@ChasenHill Just got my purple belt yesterday :') and came back to this vid. Time to keep learning and getting better. 5 yrs 4 months and counting
Just showing some love. Great video, man 👌
Thanks for the kind words and support!
I’ve gotten a new job right after getting my blue belt. Got some other very important activities in life. It’s been very difficult to train as much as I did as a white belt. I feel really down about it. I have the motivation and discipline to keep training but just down that I can’t train as much no matter how much I try.
there isn't a gym around with more class times? =/
I'm sorry to hear that! Do you have any plans to return back soon?
@@ChasenHill where there's a will there's a way 🤙
@@ChasenHill I still train as much as I can but training twice a week is a good week for me. Its very unfortunate, I was very used to training 3-5 times a week
Very well considered stuff. Thank you for this
Thanks for the kind words! I've put a lot of time into helping students become more clear about what they should be training and why. I hope I helps!
Thanks, this really helps me. I'm a 36 yr old 4 stripe blue. My instructor hinted at purple in my near future and for some reason that terrifies me. I just picture those purple belts when I first started that I felt could wreck everyone and I don't feel like I'm there. I'm trying to figure out why it scares me. Maybe because I'm having so much fun experimenting and learning right now and i'm not sure what it really means to my instructor to be a purple. I feel so free to fail trying new things right now. I really think I have a tendency to put too much pressure on myself to represent.
I 100% understand that feeling. It normally means you are on the right track. I would love to hear more about your training experience. If you are opening to chatting more, shoot me a email chasenhill@gmail.com.
Thanks for sharing that. Yes we can all put to much pressure on ourselves. It just means we care a lot about what we are doing. I believe I can help you even further in your journey. If you are interested in knowing how, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com
My biggest insecurity as a blue belt is that when I impose my will on other blue belt, I don't know is that my skill or my size ( I'm usually 10-25 kg heavier than other blue belts) 😢😢
Hmm yes, this is a challenging task. If you are open to it, I'd be happy to help you out further. Shoot me an email at chasen@chasenhill.com
I hear from other class mates that I should be a purple belt or thats not "blue belt"pressure or defense after holding or defending against younger, bigger, and higher ranked belts. Meaning they think the skill level is higher. But I know there are elements or something missing. 44 now and its been 3.5 years at blue and still going. I am at a new school and they are talking about purple belt but I just cannot see it. Thanks for the videos as it will give me a plan moving forward.
One thing that sucks about lower belts, or just promotions in bjj in general is every black belt seems to want to put their own stamp on your next belt. So if you you’ve been a blue belt for awhile at ur old gym and switch over, a lot of times and even many other competitors I know agree that if you switch at any stage on a belt especially gyms that dont do stripe progressions you’re essentially starting that new gym as a brand new fill in the blank, white, blue, purple brown. could have been a blue belt for 2 years and your new coach/black belt just sees the color and its very discouraging for many. Or they see the stripes and make you wait just as long for a promotion. Ive met quite a few blues that should be purple and purples that should be brown.
Excellent video, thank you!
Glad it was helpful! 😀
I’m a blue belt I was given it in 2013 I just got back into it recently after 10 years my defence is good guard passing and sweeps ok just my submission and takedown game is hard almost every time I roll there is no submissions when I go with blue and purple belts
Wow! Congrats for coming back! Not many people do that. Once they are gone, they are gone! Are you saying you catch no submission when training with blue and purples? Just want to clarify.
@@ChasenHillyup can’t catch submissions they sweep or escape I only been getting white belts don’t wanna go to hard on them they might not wanna come back or roll with me again
@@ChasenHillI might need a new gi top my shoulders and torso grown
Great content - subscribed 👍🏻😁
Thanks for the kind words! I would love to hear more about your Jiu-Jitsu journey! I'm currently collecting helpful information by speaking with students. Would you be open to speaking with me? If so, please shoot me an email at chasenhill@gmail.com. I hope we can speak soon! Keep training hard!
I hope I know more about leg locks before I get my purple. I'm just trying not to quit. Lol
You’ve got this! Think I can help. You should like you would be an awesome fit for my acceleration group. If you interested, shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com
For me, I’m at the point where I want to understand “why” something is effective and not just doing it because it works, but if it does not work I don’t exactly understand the why. When someone shows me where I went wrong, it’s usually a very small detail that I had to correct but not being aware of it, costs me a lot of time. For instance, not cutting an angle correctly to lock out a triangle from guard or not flaring out my wrists for the cross collar choke etc. I roll pretty good but I have a lot to learn on the details.
46 years old. 175. Been a blue belt since 2018. For last two years I've trained 3-5 days a week and I'm still only one stripe. I have competed twice and gold 2x. Feeling a bit stalled right now. Worries I'll be a blue belt for another 2x years because my coach, while awesome, doesn't really promote anyone until they are like competition sandbag level. Maybe I should just chill and train.
Thanks for sharing. Yes, some coaches use comp as a metric. But, I'd be curious if you have personally asked his expectations and what he's looking for. I believe I could help you as well. Figuring out what you should be training and why, really helps boost your training outcomes. If you want to know more, please email me at chasen@chasenhill.com
I've been a blue belt for 4 years. I was a 3 stripe blue and then moved gyms due to scheduling and removed my stripes. I felt it was important to receive my stripes from my new instructor. Of course, it would be nice to get a purple belt, but I need to put my time in at the new place first. Life gets in the way sometimes.
I would say the realisation of the work involved it takes to become purple probably hits a lot of blue belts. I know it did me. I’m a one stripe blue and am actively trying to fill my holes but I’ve joined a new gym due to moving away for study. Seems like when I roll with blues and purples that how they roll forces me to revert back to what I know as they’re really intense in the new gym. I’ve never gotten injured seriously in jiu jitsu but within 6 weeks of joining the new gym I’ve had two knee injuries which I’m lucky aren’t worse and just require some rest. I actually had a mishap today with the instructor as my previous gym was super cruisy and was okay with people leaving and saying see you if class was going over time (which may have happened once in the 4 years I’ve trained there as it never went overtime). Today the class was 10 minutes over and I had to race off as I had other commitments. I got dressed and waved at him thinking it was okay. The instructor pulled me up in front of everyone and said that I was being really disrespectful towards him as a coach as I didn’t bow out at him. I immediately apologised and offered to put my Gi back on and do the proper thing but he seemed visibly angry and shook my hand and said it’s okay for me to leave. Seems like when I roll in there that I’m not able to try new things as everyone is trying to dominate each other and I just try to survive without a blue belt doing an illegal leg lock on me, which is the reason for my knee injury. Plus quite a few other students seem to have injuries aswell and I’m seeing this as a sign of poor gym etiquette. I understand how I conducted myself today was poor to say the least but I was trying to leave, say goodbye and not disturb the class at the same time. Just wondering what your thoughts are on this? Of course I’m no guru but I definitely feel like I have to look after myself on the mats and see if gyms do suit what I want out of my jiu jitsu journey but am unsure of this one right now.
Your new gym seems a bit too agro imo. Fair enough for the gym to have certain rules and expectations but the decent human thing to do is have a little chat in private not embarrass you in front of the whole gym… maybe find a new gym mate
Just leave for a new gym bro. Vibe is way off. Whether it’s you or it’s them sometimes it’s best to start over somewhere else.
My ultimate issue is s till defending side control. I know this will come over time. My local BJJ has not done any form of defensive tactics over the past year. So, I am looking at getting some mats at my residence and doing some sort of online training and inviting a few over to train a few times a week, as well as training at our local gym.
your progress is gonna be very slow without actual gym unless you're extremely self disciplined, in which case you'll learn to use the gym better.
if they're not giving you what they need, use them as training dummies and study outside of class. it's a valid way to train
Here's a great tip ! Train!
Agreed, but unfortunately, there is nothing tangible with that tip. Often that makes students feel worse in the 14 years of teaching and training experience 😀
I got my blue belt in 2002 and quit for 17 years. I have been back, as a blue belt, for 3 years. Over the last 8-12 months my BJJ has exploded. New to mid level blue belts even much larger blue belts are not that difficult to manage. In my personal profession I have been doing Applied Behavior Analysis. I have been in this field for 20 years. I have trained or assisted in training 1,000s of Autistic children over those years. It seems that my professional skills have started to overlap with my BJJ skills. One of my new concepts in BJJ is an old behavioral training concept. Humans always take the path of “perceived” least resistance. If there are multiple ways to get from point A to point B. Eventually everyone will take the route that seems the most efficient for them. The next question is what event or obstacle would cause a behavioral change. Traffic, a train, an accident…. This is how I have been setting up my attacks. I go for an uma plata and almost have a dead to rights setup. It’s pretty clear I’m going for that attack, they sit-up to defend and I catch a sneaky locked triangle. Which I always wanted. The traffic and or obstacle was the very clear and intentional uma plata attack. They went the other the direction and spring my trap. This is one of my new concepts I have been using over the last few months. My submissions have gone through the roof.
If you focus on a very small amount of techniques or pathways to submission, you will arguably "win" more in the gym. This makes for an effective competitor, but the knowledge is less diverse. The inverse of this, a grappler who tries a wide variety of guards, sweeps, and passing, is more likely to "fail" more often in live rolls and have less reps with each technique as a whole. The first person can teach you their own specific game, the latter grappler can likely show and help others in a more diverse way and possibly develops better instincts due to experimenting. Maybe I'm speaking for myself, but at some point you have to connect all the various stuff you work on though, to be ready for purple belt.
I have been a blue belt for a year. I want another year or more before I get a purple belt. I would rather get my belt for skill rather than dedication (I train 5-6 days a week).
Good perspective to have!
I'm only commentating to say I have the same exact globe. Oh, blue belt here. 9 months
Yes!!!! Globe buddies!
I don’t have a lot of concern being a blue belt for a while I think my biggest issue is not improving and not knowing why I’m not improving
Just got purple belt, pressure is on 😅
Congrats! That is awesome! You've got this!
Shout out to the inheritance book
the difference between Blue & Purple is unbelievable
For me as a blue belt, I don’t care to get my purple belt tbh 😂 if I’m a blue belt and can tap brown belts, yay 😅 guess cuz I’m 43 and just have a different mindset.
But for the purpose of my post, I struggle with putting in traps for me partner. I have a plan but I struggle to make traps so I can make them move/react a certain way to get to my ultimate goal.
Can you make a white to blue vid
Just got my blue, after 14 months at white (2 stripes)
I have no idea what I am doing in a brand new way.
I’m a 4 stripe white belt. I’ve been told when you become blue you have a target on your back from the white belts and the other colours wanna show you they took it easy when you were white belt 😂😂😂
0 stripe blue belt, got my blue belt 3 years ago, was a white during 3 years
Thanks for sharing! Why no stripes?
@@ChasenHill our academy doesn't use stripe system
I was promoted to Blue Belt on Sept 11, 2017. I'm a Blue and just not in a hurry. I don't compete - i don't roll - I'm overweight and have many orthopedic obstacles. I always wanted to train in a Martial Art. As a kid, i went to many "1st day classes", but my parents wouldn't allow me to continue in Karate, Kung Fu, TKD... Even in the Military we often would train a martial art - but then it would change with the flavor of the day. Now, that i'm an adult - i just want to enjoy going to the gym, making friends, and learning the different ways that things get done. I'll get my Purple belt at some point (that isn't important). I do want a Black Belt within 20 years (from now - not from when i started).
I’ve been a blue belt for 1 1/2 years and now I wreck a lot of the best blue and purple belts d1 wrestlers and such but I still feel so far from purple
Glad to hear that! I would love to hear more about your Jiu-Jitsu journey. I enjoy talking to students about how and why they started. It helps me in my future projects. Would you be open to speaking with me more? If so, please shoot me a email at chasen@chasenhill.com
My problem is how wishy washy the standard is. The belt system has such a broad range im convinced it doesnt matter.
I agree. Unfortunately ever instructor has a different metric.
i was 1year and 2 months blue belt .
Why am I afraid of being a blue belt for so long? because i'm a middle aged perimenopausal woman with a chronic back injury. I'm worried I don't have much time left before my body cashes out.
Thanks for sharing your concern and 100% see how that can cause a sense of urgency. If these health issues are such worrisome, wouldn't being stressed and anxious about a belt promotion cause more health issues speeding up the body crash you are already so worried about?
@@ChasenHill I suppose I never thought of it like that. Stress doesn't aggravate my health problems, but it doesn't help either. I'm still doing BJJ somehow, despite body's shortcomings, so maybe I have more time than I think?
Meditation helps with smoothness
Absolutely!
I’ve been a blue belt for 8 years
Thanks for sharing! Are you still training?
My purple belt Is coming After 13 years
Congrats! You kept showing up!
@@ChasenHill thank you 👍
Mitigating white belt rage
Alex Car Throttle??
The belt system is flawed... I'm a new blue belt that competes alot and does well. I smash fellow blue belts and highers belts as well. I've only been doing jiujitsu for a year, I rarely get submitted and I know I'm getting a purple belt soon. Alot of higher belts at gyms get those belts based on attendance alone. Not performance based. I believe there's alot of miss handed belts out there...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.
I hope I can offer a different perspective. It sounds like you are training full time or close to it. If not you're extremely gifted or maybe both. My personal view, is belts can be awarded based on multiple factors that vary per student.
It's ridiculous to expect the same out of a 45 year old purple belt and 25 year old purple belt. Especially if the 25 years old, training 7 days a week, comp focused, no career yet, no family, and etc. Even if the 45 year old purple did well in comp in their respected age & weight class, but then has a hard time in the training room with the young athletic white or blue belts that are training all the time, that doesn't diminish their knowledge and their own time spent training.
If you use performance (in the gym or in comp) as the only metric to determine if someone is ready for the next rank, you will take away a lot of individuals opportunity to learn and gain any benefits from Jiu-Jitsu.
True story, 14 years ago I went to Marcelo Garcia Seminar as a white belt. He shared a story about how he was terrible at competing until he received his brown belt. He then shared that if his instructor only gave him belts based on his comp results, he probably would have quit. But instead his coach keep supporting him and building him up until it clicked.
Either way, you have to give people a chance to gain from the art. Thank you for the conversation.
"Connect techniques togehter"
Do it!
The obsession with sparring/rolling in BJJ is a big problem. 20 minutes of drilling and then it all goes out the window as everyone tried to smash each other for an hour. Better spar once a week IMO and focus on drilling and technical rolling otherwise the entire week is spent injured and/or fatigued
Nah focus most of the class with technique for about 40-50 min, then do just 3 5min rolls. Bjj is good because it is “pressure tested” at every practice. But you should mostly be focusing on technique during class.
Doesn't matter what color my belt is. Take the ego out of it, and just learn.
Agreed 😀
Your jiujitsu sucks? Roll with white belts, practice your weak techniques on them as they won’t defend them like higher belts until you’re competent and move on to blue belts and so on and so forth.
How I’ve been rolling as a white belt. Go harder on offense against other white belts and focusing on sweeping and escapes against higher belts
@@realkevin6242 it’s a grind at the end of the day just keep rolling and studying.
Since most guys I roll / train with are either much bigger or much younger I have spent two years surviving and escaping. Often, since I have defense on my mind so much, I don't go for obvious offensive submissions.
Training two years as of today. Blue belt July 2022. Quite sure I'm never gonna see a stripe little alone a Purple Belt. A man can dream I guess. I guess I should be happy to be able to roll and hang with the kids at the age of 63. Sigh......