Refusing a promotion?

[ade76]

lol... me and Chris have agreed we're gonna break his legs when (I wish I could say if, haha) he starts catching us!

he's a little bastard and probably made of rubber I'll have him one day

[Berser_KED]

Being graded in BJJ is very different. I know a blue belt who regularly taps me (a purple) and gives everyone a real hard time. Good solid technique, aggressive... a good fighter. But he's not even close to being a purple. His game is all crash bang wallop without the ability to be smooth. He can't go less then 100%, which means he's actually not a good training partner as he lacks control when it's most needed. And his range of knowledge is limited and he's unable to articulate what he knows. For those reasons he's not a purple.

James

If a blue belt is regularly tapping out purples and giving everyone a hard time, regardless of his techniques/style, wouldn't he be a consideration for purple belt?

I don't really understand how being silky smooth and having an encyclopedia of techniques elevates someone above another who has a solid game and is doing well with what he knows.

This isn't an attack on you by the way. Just using your story as a basis for this situation.

I'm n

[Sir Tapsalot]

If a blue belt is regularly tapping out purples and giving everyone a hard time, regardless of his techniques/style, wouldn't he be a consideration for purple belt?

I don't really understand how being silky smooth and having an encyclopedia of techniques elevates someone above another who has a solid game and is doing well with what he knows.

This isn't an attack on you by the way. Just using your story as a basis for this situation.

No I totally take your point, and I wouldn't expect someone on the cusp of purple to be a total encyclopaedia or to be smooth like butter in their game, but they should be beyond bashing through everything with little or no finesse, and I would expect them to be able to offer some details and alternatives when a lower belt asks for advice. The best way I can find to describe it is that they've still got some growing room in their belt. The fighting part is there, but there's still some areas that need filling out.

But maybe that's just me as I have an analytical view of BJJ and my thought processes are very much on the teaching side of the art rather then the fighting side. BJJ needs both types!!!

Hope that makes some sense!

James

[liamwandi]

If a blue belt is regularly tapping out purples and giving everyone a hard time, regardless of his techniques/style, wouldn't he be a consideration for purple belt?

I really like the way Matt Thornton looks at the belts. You can achieve an objective with skill and you can achieve it with raw attributes. If a blue belt holder taps a purple belt holder with attributes (speed, strength, explosiveness...etc.) I think the purple needs to work on his technique to prevent that from happening again and again, but not necessarily that the player with the blue is in time to get a purple. (IMO)

[Joehammer]

I think that refusing a belt means there is a problem between you and your instructor. I know someone who has refused a belt that all of us want and it has soured his relationship with his teacher and he now wishes he hadn't turned it down.

[Joehammer]

Awarding a belt is not objective and it shouldn't be. It is a recognition and an encouragement from the teacher. I bet Roger Gracie wasn't given his purple as quickly as some people. He would have taken full advantage of competing as blue belt first. Do you trust your teachers judgment or not. Also what are their hopes for you.

[ifight]

Speaking VERY generally here-

A seasoned Purple Belt will *probably* be able to deal with a 15 year age gap and a 15 Kilo weight deficit against a young new Blue.

When the deficit is 20 years and 20 Kilo's things are going to be tough for him..........

I would tend to agree. As a purple belt who is almost 40 years old as long as I am training actively(3+ times a week) I can manage a 20kgs deficit but more than I have to start being a lot more strategic in game. More movement, angles, 2 on 1 grips.

You cannot refuse promotion from your instructor...PERIOD. One of the key principals of BJJ is that a smaller(or weaker) man can defeat a bigger(stronger) man if the smaller has enough technique. What that means to me is under the correct circumstances I could submit anyone regardless of their belt level. Does that mean I would tap Roger Gracie if we rolled...Hell NO!! But what it does mean is that it is theoretically possible(although very very highly unlikely).
It is not the belt it is you.

The belt keeps your gi closed it brings you no other "magical" power. Your training and dedication is what bring the belt its true "magical" power.