What Does a BJJ Belt Promotion Mean?

June 30, 2018

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Sometimes I think jiu-jitsu would be better without belts.

I understand the reasons for them: People love having markers of their progress, and they help for competitive fairness, and — my favorite aspect of belt promotions — I believe in any excuse to have a celebration. But belts are also controversial; every school has different standards, depending on whether the school emphasizes sport, self-defense, MMA, or a combination of those. Even within a school, those standards can change — sometimes radically. What a belt means might mean very different things depending on the student or instructor that you ask. Belt rank can feel arbitrary, and people can take them too seriously.

But BJJ belts are meaningful. They display to training partners what type of proficiency they can expect. They provide important waystations on the long journey. Most importantly: they contain memories. This alone means belts, whatever baggage they come with, have importance.

How should we think about belts, then?

How To Be a Great Training Partner, Part Two: On the Mat

June 28, 2018

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Sparring is one of the most important components of jiu-jitsu training. If you can execute a BJJ technique against a fully resisting partner, you can have confidence that technique will work. But what are the guidelines for sparring — which BJJ people call “rolling”? I wrote a whole post about how to approach rolling in BJJ for maximum benefits, but for new folks, here are the pieces of advice I think are most important. It’s always OK to tap, and it’s always required that you respect a tap from your partner. Tapping is how we signal a need to stop, usually Read more »

Training, Gender and a Positive Gym Environment: Guest Post by Valerie Worthington

June 25, 2018

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By Valerie Worthington

It is unrealistic to say there are no potential challenges related to people of different genders training together. That being said, jiu-jitsu is about training—troubleshooting, brainstorming, learning—with people. For that reason, this article is a set of suggestions for anyone who claims a gender identity who has just started training or who is thinking of starting to train.

If we are willing, we can all learn more about how to become great training partners and how to support others in doing the same, no matter our gender identification. Some of this involves respecting differences between men and women and, increasingly, people who eschew a male-female dichotomy. I also believe a lion’s share of the answer is about individual commitment to consideration and self-awareness. These are simple fixes. But simple does not necessarily mean easy.

So, if you claim a gender identity, read on for suggestions about how to contribute to a positive training environment, especially if you are new to jiu-jitsu. Read more about Training, Gender and a Positive Gym Environment: Guest Post by Valerie Worthington …

How to Make a BJJ Training Plan as White or Blue Belt

June 24, 2018

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The first step to achieving a goal is planning. Even if we’re all doing the same activity, our goals for that activity may be slightly different. There are some fundamentals, though, in every pursuit. In jiu-jitsu, there are certain things everybody should know extremely well. Within that framework, you can create a personalized training plan that will help you get where you want to go. That’s why I wrote this post about how to make a BJJ training plan, specifically for white belts (and early-ish blue belts). These are methods that certainly helped me, and I hope they help you, Read more »

How To Be a Great Training Partner, Part One: Off the Mat

June 21, 2018

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A lot of great people try jiu-jitsu. The most common questions I get from well-intentioned new folks all relate to this question: how do I become a good BJJ training partner? How do I contribute positively to the gym community?

There are a lot of ways to answer this, and I’m dividing this post into two sections: this one is about preparing for class and your off-the-mat activities, and I’ll do a follow-up about how to be a great training partner once class starts. Keep in mind that every gym is a little bit different. Some practices are universal, though, and I break them down into three categories: be clean, be ready, be nice.

If you guessed that the last category features a Road House reference, read on!

We’re offering an eight-week introduction to jiu-jitsu class!

June 19, 2018

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The best time to start jiu-jitsu is always the same: right now! We have an offer that is a terrific entry point to this fantastic martial art. As someone with a real passion for Gracie jiu-jitsu, I’ve put a lot of thought into the best way to introduce new people to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and I’ve developed a 24-class series that I think covers a lot of bases. With no contracts or fees or commitments beyond the 8 weeks, you can come out and train — and see why so many people who try BJJ end up loving it. You can Read more »

Why Everyone Should Train in the Gi

June 18, 2018

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Before I get started, let me explain the headline: by saying “everyone should train in the gi,” I’m not saying anything negative about no-gi jiu-jitsu. I think everyone should train without the gi too! You rarely hear anti-no-gi arguments, though. Since I’m a huge believer in the practicality of the gi and its use as a training tool, though, I wanted to write this post. Read more about Why Everyone Should Train in the Gi …

What Do I Need To Know If I’m An Adaptive Athlete Interested in BJJ?

June 14, 2018

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Jiu-jitsu truly is for everyone. But don’t take my word for it! My friend Pete McGregor, world traveler and adaptive grappler, graciously agreed to script a blog post for Dirty White Belt about what YOU need to know if you’re mobility restricted and interested in BJJ. Check it out, especially if you’re interested in no-gi! Also, Pete is on a tour of Canada this summer, so check out his Instagram (@deadweightjj) if you want to go train with or host him. For more, check out the podcast we did together, along with several other adaptive grapplers. You can find other resources via Read more »

How Do I Get The Most Out Of Drilling For BJJ?

June 9, 2018

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Drilling — practicing moves and sequences of moves — is one of the most important ways to improve your jiu-jitsu. You really can’t do enough of it, especially if you’re drilling fundamental moves correctly.

In fact, especially early in your tenure, drilling is the single most critical part of a BJJ class. Most of the movements you’ll do are counter-intuitive, and teaching your body to do them takes time and effort. Besides, when you need to use these movements in a practical situation, they have to be second nature. Intellectually understanding how to do a basic shrimping motion, for example, is great — but if you have to stop and think about how to do it, the moment where it would have been most effective has probably passed.

As long as you do jiu-jitsu, you should be drilling. Drilling BJJ moves you know well is different than drilling ones you’re just getting to know, (For a more detailed breakdown of drilling for more experienced students, check that link). But there are principles that will help you maximize the benefits.

Treasure your drilling time, both during class and when you make time on your own — which you should. Here are some tips for how to get the most out of drilling: