Sorry to be the breaker of bad news.

[The Tez]

Tbf when it comes to TMA's level of gradings dont even give you any indication of fighting ability - 7 yr old kids and 65 yr old women blackbelts etc

True, I suppose the only indication that might be any good would be when they started training.

Being in your sixties doesn't mean you can't fight though, we had a guy who was 60 on one of our shows, Skip Hall, very fit ( in all meanings of that word!) very experienced and a good fighter. He's only just retired from fighting.

How big a problem is it though? Is it worth looking at systems to stop cheating? It's always going to cost someone something so who would pay for Id cards or similiar? An interesting problem.

[Jimbo Slice GCG]

Comps by belt grades aren't so bad as if you keep winning white... There comes a point when it's hard for a coach not to award a blue.

The only problem with that suggestion is what if your coach is a blue or purple and can not promote you? I agree with your general point though.

Sandbagging is not that big a problem and the idea of ID cards is, in my opnion, very extreme. I like the idea of every one who wants to compete having to e-mail the organiser to inform of their intent to compete, then the organiser posts a list of names. If anyone sees a name in the wrong division and smells a rat, they can blow the whistle.

Rob's no gi comps are great though and I would still attend, even if not a thing changed regarding "sandbagging". I have trained for over three years so nobody I face is going to be sandbagging as over three years is probably as high as it will get for a few years anyway.

[OverhandRighT]

The only problem with that suggestion is what if your coach is a blue or purple and can not promote you? I agree with your general point though.

Sandbagging is not that big a problem and the idea of ID cards is, in my opnion, very extreme. I like the idea of every one who wants to compete having to e-mail the organiser to inform of their intent to compete, then the organiser posts a list of names. If anyone sees a name in the wrong division and smells a rat, they can blow the whistle.

Rob's no gi comps are great though and I would still attend, even if not a thing changed regarding "sandbagging". I have trained for over three years so nobody I face is going to be sandbagging as over three years is probably as high as it will get for a few years anyway.

Good post... I overlooked the purple belt thing as our coaches can award a purple... Glad someone liked a few of the points about e-mailing the likes of Rob McCrum/Meat/Other Comp orginisers a few week in advance. The belt thing I suppose is a different debate.

If we put problems on the table like what Jimbo here said... We can maybe actually do something about it in future comps.

[The Tez]

The only problem with that suggestion is what if your coach is a blue or purple and can not promote you? I agree with your general point though.

Sandbagging is not that big a problem and the idea of ID cards is, in my opnion, very extreme. I like the idea of every one who wants to compete having to e-mail the organiser to inform of their intent to compete, then the organiser posts a list of names. If anyone sees a name in the wrong division and smells a rat, they can blow the whistle.

Rob's no gi comps are great though and I would still attend, even if not a thing changed regarding "sandbagging". I have trained for over three years so nobody I face is going to be sandbagging as over three years is probably as high as it will get for a few years anyway.

I was thinking this forum should have a like button for posts! Def 'like' this post and the one under. Sensible people on CW, whatever next!

[Asa]

This has grown arms and legs, they're all fun comps and not the mundials. Does it hugely matter? to the point of having BJJ ID cards/ checks and regulations for hours spent training?

Put it this way - would it really matter if you only got silver, due to someone being in the <1year training when he has done 15 months training? Secondly, if he didn't have those extra 3 months of training would you have beat him?

I'm all for rules and guides, love the fuckers. But it really doesn't bother me if the odd rogue slips under the radar into the wrong category by a few months at a scottish BJJ comp. Let's all chill out, be friends and have a roll!

[The Tez]

This has grown arms and legs, they're all fun comps and not the mundials. Does it hugely matter? to the point of having BJJ ID cards/ checks and regulations for hours spent training?

Put it this way - would it really matter if you only got silver, due to someone being in the <1year training when he has done 15 months training? Secondly, if he didn't have those extra 3 months of training would you have beat him?

I'm all for rules and guides, love the fuckers. But it really doesn't bother me if the odd rogue slips under the radar into the wrong category by a few months at a scottish BJJ comp. Let's all chill out, be friends and have a roll!

Only if it's an Aberdeen roll! Love them but haven't had one for years. Can you buy them online lol?

I think people are just discussing the rules etc and how to stop cheats because we've moved on from bashing the lad mentioned in the OP. Rather than bashing him, the thread is just discussing ways to stop cheating in BJJ in general rather than at specific comps. It might be of use in amateur comps, might not, just discussing rather than bashing, got to be an improvement.

[Cross Breed]

Overhand stated that your coaches can give out purple belts, can they not give out browns and blacks? I think someone stated in another thread about the rules around blues, purples and brown belts coaching and giving out belts and it is only supposed to happen in a country lacking black belts( the uk doesn't qualify according to the IBJJF I am afraid,although most don't care for the rules of th IBJJF). Maybe everyone who enters is given a number and the organisers could buy a hardback book and note everyone's name and number and the date and level they enter therefore gIving reference to all future participants , it migh not stop first time sandbaggers but will for all future events, it is also a cheap way to do it rather than id cards.

[OverhandRighT]

Overhand stated that your coaches can give out purple belts, can they not give out browns and blacks? I think someone stated in another thread about the rules around blues, purples and brown belts coaching and giving out belts and it is only supposed to happen in a country lacking black belts( the uk doesn't qualify according to the IBJJF I am afraid,although most don't care for the rules of th IBJJF). Maybe everyone who enters is given a number and the organisers could buy a hardback book and note everyone's name and number and the date and level they enter therefore gIving reference to all future participants , it migh not stop first time sandbaggers but will for all future events, it is also a cheap way to do it rather than id cards.

Firstly, good idea with keeping a log. Liked your post/ideas. Secondly, not that I care myself about belt colours or governing bodies, but every colour of belt is in our gym regularly. All legit and do well in comps.

[Maccavelli]

http://youtu.be/thSmYr9jsZk

Imagine Vince was talking about this thread instead of electric cars.

[Cross Breed]

Firstly, good idea with keeping a log. Liked your post/ideas. Secondly, not that I care myself about belt colours or governing bodies, but every colour of belt is in our gym regularly. All legit and do well in comps.

Understood matey! I was not questioning authenticity of belts as I said not many , if any care about the rules set regarding belts. I know griphouse bjj guys always do well in competitions, thank you , I think the log idea is very cheap and easy ,although it might not stop first time sandbagging it will for all participants who enter more than one tournament , which was the case with the guy from this thread