Psychological effects of a belt in BJJ

[Oldguy]

As I continue in BJJ, I have noticed a couple things as my belt colors change.

1. Lower belts are intimidated by a higher belt and this causes them to hesitate more. They become more cautious and this actually opens up more opportunities. Of course, your skill level increases as you continue to train. But, the effect I am talking about is where you sense your opponent has defeated himself just a little bit by the virtue of you having a higher belt. This allows you to perform better and execute moves you may not have been able to.

2. As your own belt levels change, your game improves to match the level of your new belt. I know you can't throw a black belt on a white belt level guy and expect him to become the next world champion. However, as in the example above, the fact that you are wearing a new/higher belt causes you to perform to a higher level. The psychological effect is on you and is a positive thing.

Has anyone else seen this in their experience in BJJ?

 

[kidrobot]

I agree with you. When I started I was often more cautious against purple and browns. It was probably because I should've been though lol.

 

[KILL KILL]

It's true, but understandable. The lower belt guys just don't want to put themselves in a position that can be used against them. thus they hesitate and think too much.

 

[armtriangle]

i have seen some examples of the second point. I have seen a few guys that were lowly b;ue belts, and their skills matched. then they were promoted and suddenly improved. purple belt is magic

 

[lebo-0937]

i agree........when you get a higher belt you perform at a higher level because your confidence level rises.

 

[Jagcorps_esq]

i agree........when you get a higher belt you perform at a higher level because your confidence level rises.

It seems to me that most of the people here were humbled by their promotion and didn't feel quite like they were ready. As a result, they perhaps rededicated themselves to the art, to not sully the belt that they were wearing.

That can't help but improve one's skill.

 

[Higher Learning]

my black belt instructor has a said a few times his entire game lifted when he was given the bb... he said it made him aware of all the little details he would sometimes ignore or be lazy about

 

[Legacy]

So true. Well said.

 

[DSGhST07]

I was thinking about this earlier. Everyone always jabs about belts mean nothing, yet it does. If you have a white belt for 2 years who gets no stripes or promotions, he will most likely begin to lose interest not perform as well. When you are promoted, you have to defend your rank therefore want to perform better.

When I recieved my 4 stripes on my white belt, some people who been there before me where kinda upset because I came after them. So to show I deserve my stripes I try to get better and better. When I get my blue belt it will be the same, have to step my game higher to match my rank.

I talk to much....

 

[Simco]

I must live in a backwards world where skill dictates rank.

 

[Legacy]

I must live in a backwards world where skill dictates rank.

You are looking at it wrong.

Hes indicating that skill is skill and once you show your skill level to acquire the belt you deserve, receiving it unleashes more knowledge and skill that was unknown.

 

[Oldguy]

Simco, you are right. But, human psychology is a weird thing. I think we are all capable of much more than we do in our everyday life. Kind of like when you hear of the grandma that lifts the car off the injured person with superhuman strength. For some people, a simple change in belt color unleashes skills that were not dominant before the change.

If you really look at the top performers in most schools, there is not a huge physical difference physically between them and the rest. So, the rest is mental.

I don't pretend to understand it.

 

[Oldguy]

double post

 

[Blast D*]

The mat never lies.

 

[GZUS]

my experience is diffrent. everytime i get a rank i have a bullseye on me from the rank i just left.
when i made blue white belts came at me harder

when i made purple, blue belts tried to take my head off cuz they want to tap out a purple. and it is especially more like that if you go visiting a diffrent school on vacation. its all good fun though.

 

[BreezerD**]

But Gzus, doesn't that make you want to perform better so that you don't get tapped by a lower rank?

 

[GZUS]

But Gzus, doesn't that make you want to perform better so that you don't get tapped by a lower rank?

no not really - i always want to perform better regardless if i have a new belt or not. tell you the truth i rather tap out a thousand times right now so when the black belt comes i won't.

the psychological effects those i think who identify themselves too much with thier belts.

 

[Drew Foster]

Great post. And Simco the TS never said rank dictates skill. Not in the least.

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

its just initial reaction to a hierarchy mixed with a little power pyramid scheme.

they get over it.

 

[insomniacl]

What if you train in a no-gi gym/sessions? I have no idea what the skill level of someone is until I roll with them.