Do BJJ academies normally have a set syllabus for students?

[The Last Starfighter]

For instance, how many techniques does a white belt need to have nailed before he's considered ready for his blue?

Can he not be superb at just three techniques and be able to smash most opponents with these techniques to be graded upwards?

Let's say he can't perform a triangle choke no matter how much he trains and practices it. It's just not a technique that comes naturally to him and probably never will. Is this person doomed to a future of never going past white belt?

I'm not talking about belt chasing for the sake of it. I'm asking if there can be more than one way for a BJJ player to progress, or is the road to progression set in stone?

[akiraB]

For instance, how many techniques does a white belt need to have nailed before he's considered ready for his blue?

Can he not be superb at just three techniques and be able to smash most opponents with these techniques to be graded upwards?

Let's say he can't perform a triangle choke no matter how much he trains and practices it. It's just not a technique that comes naturally to him and probably never will. Is this person doomed to a future of never going past white belt?

I'm not talking about belt chasing for the sake of it. I'm asking if there can be more than one way for a BJJ player to progress, or is the road to progression set in stone?

"I will not be concerned at men's not knowing me, I will be concerned at my own lack of ability."

[akiraB]

It took me a while to realize this but your relationship with jiu jitsu is a personal one. A blue belt is just an acknowledgment from your instructor of your hard work and progress.

Just keep training and occupy your mind with thoughts of 'how can i improve my triangle' etc.

[The Last Starfighter]

Haha, you think I have a crap triangle lol. I don't, I do have a dreadful armbar though.

However, if you can perform only a few techniques, but you can do them to perfection and prove yourself in competition, then is that enough to progress?

I'm genuinely not worried about belts for the sake of it. I've just always found the nature of BJJ gradings fascinating.

There doesn't seem to be much of a consensus as to what exactly is required to progress.

[akiraB]

Haha, you think I have a crap triangle lol. I don't, I do have a dreadful armbar though.

However, if you can perform only a few techniques, but you can do them to perfection and prove yourself in competition, then is that enough to progress?

I'm genuinely not worried about belts for the sake of it. I've just always found the nature of BJJ gradings fascinating.

There doesn't seem to be much of a consensus as to what exactly is required to progress.

Computer is playing up causing me to double post

[akiraB]

Haha, you think I have a crap triangle lol. I don't, I do have a dreadful armbar though.

However, if you can perform only a few techniques, but you can do them to perfection and prove yourself in competition, then is that enough to progress?

I'm genuinely not worried about belts for the sake of it. I've just always found the nature of BJJ gradings fascinating.

There doesn't seem to be much of a consensus as to what exactly is required to progress.

I too found the nature of bjj gradings fascinating when i was a white belt haha..

You will probably get replies talking about Roy deans method of grading and don't chase the belt etc.. I heard it all before.. i think we all have.

I think maybe your instructor gets a 'feeling' when your ready which is not as cut and dried as saying he can/ cant do this..

My advice mate is 'let it go' and concentrate on understanding 'THE GAME' the rest will follow

I want to be a 'purple belt' now as opposed to having a 'purple belt' around may waist.

Have fun and be fortunate that you are part of jiu jitsu :-)

t

[gingerninja1967]

Akirab. Agreed I would luv to be purple belt level don't care if I actually have the belt!

[liamwandi]

We are running a rotating curriculum for the Fundamental classes at the Labs. We think it's important that the knowledge base is more even for all players as they grow within the sport and art.

Having said that, no two Lab Rats are exactly alike. The idea is to expose everyone to the same fundamentals but every game develops organically and personally like Akirab says.

IMO, if you grab a blue belt anywhere in the world and ask him/her: "what does elbow knee escape look like or armbar from closed guard?" then they should be able to show you a more or less correct technique...even if they usuall prefer the upa escape or go for sweeps or triangles from closed guard. That's one of the biggest uses of the curriculum.

Beginners are the most important people in any BJJ academy/gym and the rotating curriculum is one way to look after their exposure to BJJ

[akiraB]

We are running a rotating curriculum for the Fundamental classes at the Labs. We think it's important that the knowledge base is more even for all players as they grow within the sport and art.

Having said that, no two Lab Rats are exactly alike. The idea is to expose everyone to the same fundamentals but every game develops organically and personally like Akirab says.

IMO, if you grab a blue belt anywhere in the world and ask him/her: "what does elbow knee escape look like or armbar from closed guard?" then they should be able to show you a more or less correct technique...even if they usuall prefer the upa escape or go for sweeps or triangles from closed guard. That's one of the biggest uses of the curriculum.

Beginners are the most important people in any BJJ academy/gym and the rotating curriculum is one way to look after their exposure to BJJ

Like the article on 'BENT ARM LOCKS' i have been thinking along those lines myself. Roy Harris has alot of good stuff on them. I recommend it