Standards in Jiu Jitsu

The boys talk about some people’s ideas or ideals over who should and shouldn’t get a black belt.

Paul Elliot from simplebjj.com was kind enough to answer a listener question about people (coaches) having different standards and expectations of people in the gym.

Basically, why should so and so get a stripe or a belt and not me (or someone more “seemingly” deserving)?

Well, it’s been a bit of a “purist” view that a black belt (or insert color of belt here____), need to look like and be an incredible badass. While in reality, BJJ is made for smaller weaker people. So it stands to reason that not everyone who can get to whatever belt level need to look and perform like a Greek god.

True, sometimes people have very unique gifts coming into this sport and can earn a black belt in a relatively short time, most people have a lot going on in life both mentally and physically were it’s just gonna be a much longer process. And that’s perfectly fine.

So long as you keep going and learning, just because you’re not an absolute athlete doesn’t mean you’re not cut out to be a black belt one day.