When I started in the early 2000s, a Purple belt was like a black belt in other martial arts. There were only about 4 of them in Ireland. Rare as hen’s teeth. Anyone who got one had probably travelled to get it too, you couldn’t get someone to promote you here in Ireland because there were no black belts!
Now of course, there are tonnes of them.
That made getting a blue belt very close to the “black belt” of the time. It was hard to get. You had a very limited library of techniques because you weren’t exposed to all of the Black Belts you would be now from just training in a regular gym. When I got mine I was chuffed. I had arrived! I think that feeling is still the same.
It’s like finally getting somewhere in Jiu Jitsu. For sure you feel the improvements as you go through the stages at white belt, and you’ll enjoy the journey there, but it’s good to know you’ve arrived at a goal. It’s like getting a diploma.
So how do you do it? How do you get to this first big stage? I’ll tell ya in no particular order how…
Ah if I had a euro for every time I said this, I would be a very wealthy man indeed. Nothing replaces time on the mat, that’s why I’ve gone with it first. How much time? Well, that depends on a few factors.
Your starting point- if you’re fit and coordinated you’ll “get” certain things quicker, but that can also be a hinderance as you might paper over cracks in technique with strength and power. If you’re coming back to fitness, it might take you a few months to find your groove.
Second bit is your consistency. 2 to 3 times per week consistently will get you there in the usual time which I would say is 18 months to 2 years. Some are slightly quicker, some are slightly slower. But it doesn’t make much of a difference in the long run. You’re ready when you’re ready.
Broadly speaking, I think 200 classes is about right. If you’ve done 200 or so hours of training, you can’t fail to be at blue belt level.
It can be daunting when you start training to learn all of the techniques and techniques and techniques and oh what the hell is a half guard anyway why is there only half of it…
You get the message. But as you progress and you start to train with more advanced technical grapplers, you start to want to train other positions and expand your technical library, almost like that’s what’s expected of you.
But that’s not how you get a blue belt.
How you get a blue belt is like this-
Master the fundamental, most common Jiu Jitsu techniques that present themselves in every grappling encounter.
These are- Closed Guard submissions and sweeps. Mount position attacks and escapes. Back control attacks and escapes. Takedowns and defences. Side Control attacks and Escapes. A simple open guard based on fundamental defensive and offensive principles of control and posture.
If you know the principles of each of those positions inside and out, and can use them well in a live environment, then you will be a blue belt. All of these are taught in our Fundamentals curriculum which every white belt in Kyuzo should be going to learn to get to their next level.
Resist the temptation to keep seeking more. It’s not about more, it's about how well you do what you have.
Not an obvious one, but this is a really important one. The joy of Jiu Jitsu is in learning as you go, and seeing your skills develop over time. You’ll be doing it with people you like. You’ll be enjoying yourself.
But often I see people in a hurry to get to the next level. I MUST get my blue belt. I appreciate ambition and goal setting, but remember to have fun. It’s something that will happen whether you enjoy it or not, and you really can’t rush it. 200 classes (approximately remember) is 200 classes.
Straining at it won’t make it happen sooner.
I see so many people, usually younger guys, making the mistake of thinking that they’re in the “dummy class” if they’re in a White belt or Basics class. “I can’t wait to train in that!” they’d say when watching an advanced session. I understand, but remember that you’re learning the skills so that you can thrive in that other session. Don’t neglect them!
That’s it. That’s how it’s done. Now if you want the compressed version- get ready.
That’s as short a definition as I can get it into. Enjoy!
See you on the mat,
Barry
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