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There is a never ending question of what a blackbelt is. A blackbelt in BJJ, or any other martial art for that matter, is not just about competition or success in fighting. It is about attitude and a willingness to give back to fellow students, the school and the community. Also, it’s about self control and discipline. Futhermore, it’s about dedication, physically, mentally and spitually. Abandonding the traditions of the martial arts reduces all martial arts to simple fighting techniques.

Respect

BJJ and other martial arts are built upon respect. Respect for the discipline, respect for the instructor, respect for the school and for your fellow students and training partners. One must also respect THE SWEAT AND KNOWLEDGE THAT EACH LEVEL OF LEARNING REPRESENTS.

Instructors and schools who who promote too quickly don’t help the students or the martial arts community in general. Especially when it comes to children’s ranks. Is it hard as an instructor to resist the temptation to promote people quickly? Sure it is. Sometimes parents can be pushy and smaller schools are afraid of losing the student. With younger students, it is certainly reasonable to create an atmosphere where quicker promotions keep the young student motivated. But part of what instructors must teach is patience and the value of a truly eraned belt versus one simply awarded. The value of something earned is ten fold.

Effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is effective because you can’t be a fake and train in the art. It is one of the only martial arts where you train live every class. One can can openly test the effectiveness of your skills against a resisting opponent. This process helps you understand where you are strong and more importantly, where you are weak. It has been said that only 1 BJJ practitioner in 10, 000 reaches blackbelt because going through the ranks is a long and tough process. That process usually weeds out the people who are not 100% commited to to Jiu-Jitsu. Many believe that a black belt  in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the hardest black belt to achieve in all martial arts.

To gi or not to gi, that is the question. With the growth of MMA is contributing to more and more people walking through the doors of BJJ academies nationwide, there is a controversy inside these BJJ walls when it comes to wearing the uniform (gi) or not. many Due to schools offering gi and no-gi classes, many argue over which is the best training method. One group says if you fight in a no-gi tournament, you should just train in wrestling and no-gi only. But, I still believe that training with the gi is fundamental for success in no-gi.

What is the answer?

To be successful, training with the gi is fundamental for no-gi and here is why. First, gi training is much more technical. When training in the gi, there are many more options to grab and use for submissions. Hence, the ability to defend those attacks must be wider as well. Without the gi, many times you can escape from a submission or a hold position by using the old “sweat pull out”. Due to the gi absorbing one’s sweat, a simple pull out will not work. I believe all BJJ practitioners should train in the gi for the first year or up until bluebelt because you need a foundation. Like the great Rickson Gracie always said “If the your house doesn’t have a foundation, the house will fall.” The gi provides that BJJ “road map”, a way to learn how apply submissions better and for a technical to escape submissions.

The Weight Factor

Weight is another factor. When you are wearing a gi, it feels like you have a backpack on. Take it off and you feel lighter and faster. Training in the gi for that first year will also help you learn to attack in combinations fasters.

Need more proof?

In conclusion, lets talk ADCC. The ADCC tournament over the years has been won primally by BJJ blackbelts who train mostly in the gi. In the last 3 ADCC tournaments in 2011, 2013 and 2015, every single division was won by a BJJ blackbelt.

The Importance of Attending Jiu-Jitsu Seminars

The importance of attending Jiu-Jitsu Seminars seems to have gotten lost in recent years. many BJJ practitioners across the country are missing out on great opportunities to learn from a different instructor and team that maybe we have not been exposed to in the past. From World Champions, from some of the best teachers of our art. Futhermore, at times we are granted access to the sons of the creators of our art. There are not many martial arts left that can say that. At the end of the day, we are all students and seminars allow us to widen our knowledge and add new techniques to our toolbox.  Some of my favorite moves I use now have come from seminars. I still use an armlock setup I learned at a Rolker Gracie seminar almost 20 years ago.

Change your mindset

Since the growth of the internet, the negative minds out there seems to be the most vocal (and shockingly have the most time…sarcasm). Do not let yourself be pulled into their world. Jiu-Jitsu seminars provide us with unique opportunities to learn from the very best. Think of something else you or your child loves to do. If I presented you with the opportunity to learn football from Peyton Manning, would you take it? Cooking with Gordon Ramsey and Wolfgang Puck? Basketball with Michael Jordan? Business with Warren Buffet? You catch my drift. Getting access those guys is hard. In BJJ, it is not. Get in the mindset of being better than you were yesterday. Another plus is seminars seem to have an extra energy and willing to learn to them. More excitement.

Don’t get spoiled

Back when I started grappling, there weren’t very many people teaching BJJ.  Seminars were important. It was our only access to the best teachers unless we traveled to Brazil, which many of us did. Times have changed and there is more access to better teachers in the US now but the lesson doesn’t change. All of us, teachers and students, should always keep the mind of a whitebelt and keep getting better. Too often I see students who are in the early phases of their Jiu-Jitsu skip out on seminars because they are “costly†they think that the seminar will be “over their headsâ€. Huge mistake. As a result, they miss out on a great opportunity that doesn’t come around again for sometimes a year. Sometimes, something said in a seminar or one small detail that is probably most important to you than anyone else in the room can have a major impact on your next couple of months of training.

Listen to your Professors

Finally, if a legend of the art or a current “big name†comes through your Academy and your instructors are highly encouraging you to go, listen to them. Due to their experience in the art, they are recommending this outside perspective for a reason.  Hence, we should trust them.

Tips for getting the most out of seminars

• Bring a book and take notes (more information is being taught than a regular class)
• Have questions ready! Almost all seminars I have ever attended had a Q and A at the end.
• Don’t talk…drill! The more times you drill what is being taught, the easier to remember in the following days.
• Talk your favorite training partner into going with you. You can drill together and have a smooth partner.
• Be open to new ideas, don’t go in with an expectation of what YOU want to learn