Purple belt

Now that I've gone through most of the process of being a blue belt, I think I can say more accurately what I think it means to be a blue belt. I'm probably still 2-4 months away from a purple belt, but its 99% of the way there ;) I'll also begin to take a wild guess as to what I think a purple belt means. I think from what I've observed from myself and from others at my gym, is that being a blue belt just shows that you know what Brazillian Jiujitsu is. I'm not trying to take away from any skilled blue belts or anything. I just think all a blue belt means is that you've proven you've learned what brazillian jiujitsu is. Here is an armbar, this is a sweep. You get points for taking someones back if you have the hooks in. Thats all. I just think it means you have the foundation and the basic tools to really begin your learning. I've always thought that it was funny how there's this giant discrepancy in skill level from a new blue belt, who is essentially a white belt with a blue colored belt, to an experienced blue belt who is very close to becoming a purple belt. I think that journey as a blue belt really culminates into a purple belt when it can be shown that the knowledge of what brazillian jiujitsu becomes applicable. Its not just a "I know what an armbar is" anymore, but more of a "I know how to armbar you, let me show you". There's a certain level of comfort and confidence in your own jiujitsu, and its something that you don't have to think about anymore. It used to be "He goes there... Hmm, I could do this, or I could do that...". Now it becomes "He goes here, I go there. He posts here, I remove post." I think that a purple belt really shows that you know how to apply your jiujitsu. When you get your purple belt, it doesn't mean you can school everyone out there, but it certainly does show you know what you are doing.

Taught first class

So I've started teaching. I must say that it has been very interesting these last couple of weeks to teach white belts the basics. I've been re-examining all the basics. Its interesting to do so, to really stop and think about what the steps are. Its one thing to be able to do and execute a move, but its a totally different thing when I start to stop and think about what is important and what makes a move work the way it does and to really convey this to a bunch of white belts eager to learn what you have to offer.