Rules for main forums
- Be nice
- No advertisement
- No events
- No fundraisers
- No topics asking for votes
- Only posts related to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Your belt promotion traditions?
6 year(s) ago • 11883 views • 62 replies
CGBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
How do you / your academy do belt promotions? Is it a special event where everyone gets promoted together or is it just individual promotions at regular class? Do you have a test? Gauntlet/throwing/etc?
Would be interesting to hear how people do this :)
Personally I do a mix of individual promotions at class and bi-annual "end-of-training-season" day where I promote more people together if I have enough ready so I can "bundle" them. This year everything has been pretty chaotic without much training, so haven't actually promoted anyone since last year, though.
Would be interesting to hear how people do this :)
Personally I do a mix of individual promotions at class and bi-annual "end-of-training-season" day where I promote more people together if I have enough ready so I can "bundle" them. This year everything has been pretty chaotic without much training, so haven't actually promoted anyone since last year, though.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I really like the, "surprise, you're a _________ belt" approach, as opposed to a scheduled, formal promotion ceremony, and I'd love to do more of this at my gym, but since I don't have the magical black belt power of promotion yet, we have to wait until Rich Sab can make the 12-hour trip out here in order to promote anyone. We're super grateful for his time and commitment, but there isn't as much of a surprise effect as I'd like to have. On the other hand I kind of like it because then Rich and I can look at someone's performance and decide together as to whether or not they get a belt. It's a little more objective this way as we also don't do any sort of formal testing.
Oh yeah, and we don't do a "gauntlet" either; I'm not really against it in principle, but it just doesn't really go with our vibe.
Oh yeah, and we don't do a "gauntlet" either; I'm not really against it in principle, but it just doesn't really go with our vibe.
![Slideyfoot [jun]](userimg/5e25cf311adfd.jpg){kind=small}
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
How do you / your academy do belt promotions? Is it a special event where everyone gets promoted together or is it just individual promotions at regular class? Do you have a test? Gauntlet/throwing/etc? Would be interesting to hear how people do this :) Personally I do a mix of individual promotions at class and bi-annual 'end-of-training-season' day where I promote more people together if I have enough ready so I can 'bundle' them. This year everything has been pretty chaotic without much training, so haven't actually promoted anyone since last year, though.
We do most of the promotions when my instructor comes down (once or twice a year). He does a seminar (to cover travel costs, but it's totally optional), then there's a free open mat. After open mat, he promotes people (I tell him who I think is ready, getting him to roll with them if I'm at all uncertain or want him to check something).
If people aren't able to make that day, I promote them (up to blue) when I next see them in class. Applause and a hand shake, no belt whipping or other hazing ritual stuff.
If people aren't able to make that day, I promote them (up to blue) when I next see them in class. Applause and a hand shake, no belt whipping or other hazing ritual stuff.
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Our black belt head coach does the promotions, always as a surprise at the end/start of a regular class.
Typically only 1-3 get promoted at the same time, so it's more of a "their day".
If the belt awarded is more advanced (especially brown/black), enough ppl will get hinted so that the person's friends will know to make sure to show up, but the promotee is kept in the dark.
(Before our head coach was a 2. degree, the black belt promotions were held when one of our affiliate black belts were in town for a seminar. Still as a surprise.)
No test, no fees, you get the new belt for free from the gym.
No stripes until black.
We run the gauntlet, except for black belt. (You do the walk back and forth once for blue, twice for purple, and thrice for brown.)
The black belts present throw the promotee.
Head coach lines everybody up afterwards, with the promotees in the front and gives a little speech. Everybody congratulates and shake their hands.
Here's a photo I took from the last promotion gauntlet we had... looks like everyone is having a mighty bad time, huh? (It does hurt like a motherfucker though when enough of your excited "friends" are present...) :D
Typically only 1-3 get promoted at the same time, so it's more of a "their day".
If the belt awarded is more advanced (especially brown/black), enough ppl will get hinted so that the person's friends will know to make sure to show up, but the promotee is kept in the dark.
(Before our head coach was a 2. degree, the black belt promotions were held when one of our affiliate black belts were in town for a seminar. Still as a surprise.)
No test, no fees, you get the new belt for free from the gym.
No stripes until black.
We run the gauntlet, except for black belt. (You do the walk back and forth once for blue, twice for purple, and thrice for brown.)
The black belts present throw the promotee.
Head coach lines everybody up afterwards, with the promotees in the front and gives a little speech. Everybody congratulates and shake their hands.
Here's a photo I took from the last promotion gauntlet we had... looks like everyone is having a mighty bad time, huh? (It does hurt like a motherfucker though when enough of your excited "friends" are present...) :D
Edited 6 year(s) ago
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
No test, coaches talk between each other if a person is ready they roll in classes to assess. If there is consensus then we take about 30-45 minutes from the end of the class where the person getting the belt rolls with everyone non stop.
DBBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
My coach lets everyone know well in advance. When he tells people he's thinking about levelling them up, it's never a surprise, because the person in question has most likely been smashing it up for years and they & everyone else knows what's what...
It's a fairly no-nonsense ordeal. You buy your own belt & bring it to the gym. People get lined up, he puts it on. Black belts present throw the new guy/gal for ippon, and we all have a roll. No corridor / hazing ritual or incense burning & blood offering to Maeda's ghost or whatnot...
It's a fairly no-nonsense ordeal. You buy your own belt & bring it to the gym. People get lined up, he puts it on. Black belts present throw the new guy/gal for ippon, and we all have a roll. No corridor / hazing ritual or incense burning & blood offering to Maeda's ghost or whatnot...
FFBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
No test, if a person trains with us long enough we know very well if it's time for a new belt. Also, the physical belt is a gift from the gym. I used to just present the person with the belt at the end of a regular class, with short speech about the why it's time to get promoted, but we decided to do the iron man now.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
My coach lets everyone know well in advance. When he tells people he's thinking about levelling them up, it's never a surprise, because the person in question has most likely been smashing it up for years and they & everyone else knows what's what... It's a fairly no-nonsense ordeal. You buy your own belt & bring it to the gym. People get lined up, he puts it on. Black belts present throw the new guy/gal for ippon, and we all have a roll. No corridor / hazing ritual or incense burning & blood offering to Maeda's ghost or whatnot...
Yeah, I don't do subtlety, so I'll tell people they are going to be promoted. Especially beyond blue: in that case, I will ask them directly, "Ok, so what day can you make in order for my instructor to come down and promote you?"
There is no surprise at all for purples and up (unless of course my instructor didn't think they were ready after I recommend them and he rolls with them, but that's never happened so far).
There is no surprise at all for purples and up (unless of course my instructor didn't think they were ready after I recommend them and he rolls with them, but that's never happened so far).
SCBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
We tend to do surprises for our Promotions. They don't know that it's coming. But everyone else does. It's kinda funny when the two that didn't know are the two hiding the truth that are getting promoted lol.
When we have a brown or black belt promotion we let everyone close to them and surrounding guns that are friends know. And that show up outside them storm the gym.. my black belt promotion I had absolutely no idea about. My daughter and coach organized the whole thing and my buddy from Cali flew out and said he was coming to train for pans.
I had over 80 at my promotion(largest turnout in our gym)'
I ran the gauntlet for the last time.. 10laps (1 lap for everyone minute my matches are)
But our gym isn't big enough for a straight line so I had to run a loop with 60+people lined up with belts. Thank God that was my last one.
When we have a brown or black belt promotion we let everyone close to them and surrounding guns that are friends know. And that show up outside them storm the gym.. my black belt promotion I had absolutely no idea about. My daughter and coach organized the whole thing and my buddy from Cali flew out and said he was coming to train for pans.
I had over 80 at my promotion(largest turnout in our gym)'
I ran the gauntlet for the last time.. 10laps (1 lap for everyone minute my matches are)
But our gym isn't big enough for a straight line so I had to run a loop with 60+people lined up with belts. Thank God that was my last one.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Part of the reason I just straight up tell people is that I want to reduce the mystique around getting belts, or indeed promotions in general. Similar to why I don't give out stripes. I want my students to focus on getting better, not on getting the next belt. This will be even easier when I get my black belt and can promote on my own: then I won't need to wait for a particular day to do the promotions.
Saying that, it is nice making a day of it with lots of happy people congratulating eachother, even if that slightly goes against what I just said about reducing the mystique. And of course, most people like the feeling of being acknowledged, which is fair enough. Plus it's cool to have my instructor roll with my students, especially as he then get's to see them develop over the years with each grading open mat.
Saying that, it is nice making a day of it with lots of happy people congratulating eachother, even if that slightly goes against what I just said about reducing the mystique. And of course, most people like the feeling of being acknowledged, which is fair enough. Plus it's cool to have my instructor roll with my students, especially as he then get's to see them develop over the years with each grading open mat.
DBBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Surprise Iron mans for blue and Purple belts.
More formal ones for Brown and black (planned Iron mans on special days)
More formal ones for Brown and black (planned Iron mans on special days)
BNPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
My professor usually does surprise promotions. He will promote people after seminars on occasion in front of a lot of people but that has only really been for black belts. He did do a promotion day ceremony in February, however a lot of people couldn't make it due to work or family considerations so if they were due to be promoted they were promoted at the next class they could make it to the ensuing week.
Personally, I like the surprise promotion. He will have some people get "shark tanked" after a brown/black promotion sometimes too but it isn't a set thing by any stretch. Usually on a day when people get promoted we do a lot of sparring so people can get a chance to punish the new 'x' belt. When I got promoted to purple my first round was with a very good brown belt and we absolutely went to battle! Super fun stuff.
Personally, I like the surprise promotion. He will have some people get "shark tanked" after a brown/black promotion sometimes too but it isn't a set thing by any stretch. Usually on a day when people get promoted we do a lot of sparring so people can get a chance to punish the new 'x' belt. When I got promoted to purple my first round was with a very good brown belt and we absolutely went to battle! Super fun stuff.
DBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Mix of both surprise promos during class and grading at end of seminars when there's a lot of belts to give out. The end of seminars thing started when got bigger. It's more practical I have to say but I still prefer the old model.
And yes we run the gauntlet. Some idiot decided to do it shirtless a long time ago and now more idiots do that. Also cover your head when going through the gauntlet people! We almost had someone almost lose an eye when the belt whipped up and smacked him in his eyeball.
And yes we run the gauntlet. Some idiot decided to do it shirtless a long time ago and now more idiots do that. Also cover your head when going through the gauntlet people! We almost had someone almost lose an eye when the belt whipped up and smacked him in his eyeball.
YABlue beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
When I got promoted, it was my last day in the area before I moved so I kind of expected it since I saw the same thing happen for others who moved away. It was just a sparring day with no normal class and I sparred with everyone starting with the white belts and then up through the ranks to the black belt. After rolling with everyone with no rest in-between, we did the promotion and gauntlet with belt whipping.
I'm personally a fan of the gauntlet and think it is a neat tradition but then again I got military jump wings and got the pin punched into my chest after earning it so I have been through rough rites of passage before.
I'm personally a fan of the gauntlet and think it is a neat tradition but then again I got military jump wings and got the pin punched into my chest after earning it so I have been through rough rites of passage before.
VCBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
No test, no gauntlet, sometimes ironman, mostly surprise promotions and if done by the head coach at the annual training camp it will be for the senior belts (brown & up). Usual format is to make 2 rows and the awardee walks up to the coach to have the belt exchanged and s/he walks back to the beginning.
Locally I follow suit but as I've closed my gym this year I haven't promoted anyone either.
Locally I follow suit but as I've closed my gym this year I haven't promoted anyone either.
BWBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Our Black Belt comes up once a month so most belt promotions happen when he's in the house.
Stripes for Whites and Blue happen at our discretion.
Stripes for Purple and Brown are given by our Black Belt.
Sometimes belt promotions happen at odd times, but always with black belt approval
e.g. I was surprise promoted to brown belt at a team dinner while we were on a training camp in Thailand in January
We do walk the gauntlet (which I'm not a fan of) but it seems that those who have been through it are very keen for new belt promotions to get their turn
Iron man sometimes, which I much prefer
Stripes for Whites and Blue happen at our discretion.
Stripes for Purple and Brown are given by our Black Belt.
Sometimes belt promotions happen at odd times, but always with black belt approval
e.g. I was surprise promoted to brown belt at a team dinner while we were on a training camp in Thailand in January
We do walk the gauntlet (which I'm not a fan of) but it seems that those who have been through it are very keen for new belt promotions to get their turn
Iron man sometimes, which I much prefer
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I do it individually without notice at the end of class or seminar (rarely during a seminar). I like to do it individually because it is their special day.
Colour belt promotee gets thrown by any senior belt present. Stripes are done the same but without any throws or any real hoopla.
Colour belt promotee gets thrown by any senior belt present. Stripes are done the same but without any throws or any real hoopla.
JWBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
My Professor didn't do test. Whenever he felt you were ready you were promoted. Then at the end of class you'd have to get thrown by everyone in class. So you hope you got promoted on a small class. LOL
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
This seems like a good thread to quote a comment by one of my favourite bloggers, Jim McCormick. He's an unusual guy in that he took something like a 14 year gap after getting his blue, then went on to earn his black belt and now runs a gym in New Jersey. He got that blue from a guy about as old school as you can get when it comes to US black belts, Craig Kukuk. Here's what Jim told me about how Kukuk used to promote people back in the '90s;
"At my old school (almost 20 years ago), our instructor (Craig Kukuk, one of BJJ's Dirty Dozen) was the opposite of ceremony. No one knew when people were promoted. He'd do it after class, before class, during class. One guy found his blue belt in the back of his truck. When he promoted me he said, 'Oh. I meant to tell you. I promoted you to blue belt something like two weeks ago. My belts haven't come in yet. When they come in, I'll give you one.' I don't even know how my best friend got his blue belt."
http://www.slideyfoot.com[...]6022708295
"At my old school (almost 20 years ago), our instructor (Craig Kukuk, one of BJJ's Dirty Dozen) was the opposite of ceremony. No one knew when people were promoted. He'd do it after class, before class, during class. One guy found his blue belt in the back of his truck. When he promoted me he said, 'Oh. I meant to tell you. I promoted you to blue belt something like two weeks ago. My belts haven't come in yet. When they come in, I'll give you one.' I don't even know how my best friend got his blue belt."
http://www.slideyfoot.com[...]6022708295
JABlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
No one knew when people were promoted. He'd do it after class, before class, during class. One guy found his blue belt in the back of his truck. When he promoted me he said, 'Oh. I meant to tell you. I promoted you to blue belt something like two weeks ago. My belts haven't come in yet. When they come in, I'll give you one.' I don't even know how my best friend got his blue belt.' http://www.slideyfoot.com[...]6022708295
That's awesome. ...
LSBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
At our academy it's always a surprise, you get called forward receive your belt and get applauds then the training sessions start as usual
JVBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Only the black belt gives us belts. Most often during the seminar under the patronage of our polish black belt Lubomir Grochocki or Piotr "Bagi" Baginski. Such seminars take place once (sometimes twice) a year. Tradition, because our teachers started teaching in the dark times of Czech BJJ as white belts, who never gave anyone belts or stripes until they got their black belts.
There are no tests. Belt is awarded by decision of our professor (or instructors from other branches of the Pretorian Czech Republic). We do not pay for belts. Nobody knows who gets the belt.
The ceremony includes a gauntlet (1 stripe - 1 corridor, blue - 4 corridors, purple - 6 corridors, brown - 8 corridors).
There are no tests. Belt is awarded by decision of our professor (or instructors from other branches of the Pretorian Czech Republic). We do not pay for belts. Nobody knows who gets the belt.
The ceremony includes a gauntlet (1 stripe - 1 corridor, blue - 4 corridors, purple - 6 corridors, brown - 8 corridors).
Edited 6 year(s) ago
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
brown - 8 corridors
Jan hasn’t got his brown verified yet?!
C’mon people check out his profile even if you don’t personally know the guy. :)
C’mon people check out his profile even if you don’t personally know the guy. :)
JVBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Jan hasn’t got his brown verified yet?! C’mon people check out his profile even if you don’t personally know the guy. :)
Thank you Tatu, but you know.. no one likes filthy reapers :D
#AntiSocialLegLockClub
#AntiSocialLegLockClub
SCBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
No Tests, Our professor give a short summary of how we have progressed in the gym and in our performances, then calls us up and stripes or advances us to the next belt. Pretty standard.
Sharktank normal precedes the actual promotions so for the most part you have an idea that something is up.
Sharktank normal precedes the actual promotions so for the most part you have an idea that something is up.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
DCBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
I do it the same as I recieved mine from my coach:
For each stripe you have to demonstrate and teach the techniques required where you are loosely 'tested'. After you do the demo you pair up with him and he offers the resistance he feels is adequate for the level you're up for.
Snaeaky as people are often asked to show things so it never really occurs to you that your being 'graded'.
Belt promotions are usually at a seminar with the top dog but you always get the shit kicked out of you before or after. The theory being you've already earned it however... I recieved my purple the day before my wedding, which my coach was invited to, at a "seminar" he ran for my club. With the blessing of John Will, 6th degree black belt.
We don't whip eachother or anything though, just some intense rolls to make you question your promotion. I have started doing some sort of technique on the person after the promotion (once with a particularly talented yellow belt) like a standing choke or takedown.
For each stripe you have to demonstrate and teach the techniques required where you are loosely 'tested'. After you do the demo you pair up with him and he offers the resistance he feels is adequate for the level you're up for.
Snaeaky as people are often asked to show things so it never really occurs to you that your being 'graded'.
Belt promotions are usually at a seminar with the top dog but you always get the shit kicked out of you before or after. The theory being you've already earned it however... I recieved my purple the day before my wedding, which my coach was invited to, at a "seminar" he ran for my club. With the blessing of John Will, 6th degree black belt.
We don't whip eachother or anything though, just some intense rolls to make you question your promotion. I have started doing some sort of technique on the person after the promotion (once with a particularly talented yellow belt) like a standing choke or takedown.
GFBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Our gym in Tokyo : Strapple Jiyugaoka
Promotions are ad-hoc; our head coach orders an embroidered belt when there's consensus with the other coaches that someone has earned it.
The consensus is a subjective mix of training progress, "stopped being a danger to others" for blue belts, competition results, ability to coach, etc.
After each session we sit down in a circle and the coach makes announcements or discusses salient issues; then comes the "and one more thing..." if there's a promotion.
Two weeks ago my 16 y/o got promoted to blue (training since 11 y/o); the coach asked me if he wanted something extra embroidered in the back - a nice thoughtful touch - and my son picked 文武両道 Bunbu-ryodou (literally : Literary-Martial-Both-Ways / dual pursuit of kicking ass and academics). So he knew beforehand. Sometimes it's a total surprise to the recipient.
We do the gauntlet; crawling up and down with training partners to each side slapping their belts, though the spirit is always to "slap with the intention of celebrating, not hurting"; everyone is smiling, laughing, congratulating, and there's no bodily damage.
16 y/o blue belt; I'm so proud of him ^^
I guess at some point we'll create his Beltchecker account
Promotions are ad-hoc; our head coach orders an embroidered belt when there's consensus with the other coaches that someone has earned it.
The consensus is a subjective mix of training progress, "stopped being a danger to others" for blue belts, competition results, ability to coach, etc.
After each session we sit down in a circle and the coach makes announcements or discusses salient issues; then comes the "and one more thing..." if there's a promotion.
Two weeks ago my 16 y/o got promoted to blue (training since 11 y/o); the coach asked me if he wanted something extra embroidered in the back - a nice thoughtful touch - and my son picked 文武両道 Bunbu-ryodou (literally : Literary-Martial-Both-Ways / dual pursuit of kicking ass and academics). So he knew beforehand. Sometimes it's a total surprise to the recipient.
We do the gauntlet; crawling up and down with training partners to each side slapping their belts, though the spirit is always to "slap with the intention of celebrating, not hurting"; everyone is smiling, laughing, congratulating, and there's no bodily damage.
16 y/o blue belt; I'm so proud of him ^^
I guess at some point we'll create his Beltchecker account
Edited 6 year(s) ago
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
I think I've never owned a customized belt... Would be nice for a black now.
My club has a tradition of passing coloured belts on unless people really want to keep them (I'd say about 10% of people).
They either give it back to the club (we wash and pass on) or give directly to someone special once they reach that stage.
My club has a tradition of passing coloured belts on unless people really want to keep them (I'd say about 10% of people).
They either give it back to the club (we wash and pass on) or give directly to someone special once they reach that stage.
DBBlue beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
We do gauntlets. Mostly pretty smacking good ones. The upper belts love to smack hard and know how to do it.
I always thought it just sounds loud but now as I did my first one and had to go three or four times can’t remember I know it hurts quite good.
Of course I hit all the dudes back hard when they get promoted.
I know it sux and people have arguments against it. But to be honest it’s fun. We laugh a lot and feel very happy for the him or her ( * yet ).
It’s a surprise for all of them only when Fabio Gurgel comes over the ones that might get a black belt can imagine or fear to get promoted. That doesn’t happen often so it’s a surprise.
Oh and yeah you get thrown by every black belt too if you put on the new belt and then you can walk another round or two.
All in all it seems pretty old school but the bruises fade but the glory of successfully finished a lot of work towards the new color stays.
I like it that way now and I’m glad I have some time to get my fancy new color
I always thought it just sounds loud but now as I did my first one and had to go three or four times can’t remember I know it hurts quite good.
Of course I hit all the dudes back hard when they get promoted.
I know it sux and people have arguments against it. But to be honest it’s fun. We laugh a lot and feel very happy for the him or her ( * yet ).
It’s a surprise for all of them only when Fabio Gurgel comes over the ones that might get a black belt can imagine or fear to get promoted. That doesn’t happen often so it’s a surprise.
Oh and yeah you get thrown by every black belt too if you put on the new belt and then you can walk another round or two.
All in all it seems pretty old school but the bruises fade but the glory of successfully finished a lot of work towards the new color stays.
I like it that way now and I’m glad I have some time to get my fancy new color
JJBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Coolest thing I have seen only on youtube is when the instructor is able to tie it on the person without them even noticing while rolling and blocking their vision with like a reverse kesa or something. I feel like that might be very difficult to do with some people though.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
