What SHOULD you know by blue belt

[Tony Manifold]

Well tomorrow I head to a new gym and I may be starting my first formal BJJ training (ie formal meaning I might try to get a belt). I have seen all the threads about what you need to know to get a blue belt, etc. I understand that it varies. This guy is a brown under Marcus Soares and apparently Soares comes over for the belt tests. I know Soares is very, very stingy with his belts. Anyway, the belt will come when it comes. I am not too worried about that. I don't care what the least I should know to earn a Blue is. I want to know what, in your opinion, should I know by the time I hit Blue. In other words, a really strong and technically proficient blue would know X.

I have been grappling for almost 15 years including a bunch of informal BJJ so I don't feel the need to rush to a belt. I just want to set some goals for myself and make sure I give myself the most complete BJJ education at each level.

Thanks guys

 

[outlawimmortal]

I am actually very curious of this aswell, it gives someone an idea of what to become profficient at.

 

[Simco]

Shrimping and bicep slicers is about all.

 

[Prokofievian]

*sigh*

:icon_neut

 

[Yojimbo]

http://royharris.com/articles/?sec=6&id=1024

I'd say that's a decent set of requirements. The "Rear choke" from mount, I interpret to be the Ezekiel.

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

what's your other 15 yrs experience in?

 

[WestLynnGangster]

Which gym do you train at Tony?
I've been a whitebelt w/no stripes for 4 months under Marcus Soares, so I really wouldn't know what it takes to be promoted. But I'm guessing he would want you to be well rounded. However I noticed he places a lot of emphasis on teaching his students to be the one to get the take down and to take the mount positions.

 

[whipyourasstyle]

http://royharris.com/articles/?sec=6&id=1024

I'd say that's a decent set of requirements. The "Rear choke" from mount, I interpret to be the Ezekiel.

I've been a purple belt for a LONG time and I could probably not pass that test. Especially the character and history portions.

 

[Yojimbo]

I've been a purple belt for a LONG time and I could probably not pass that test. Especially the character and history portions.

lol yeah I was mainly referring to the positional and submissions part of the exam.

 

[JamesBJJ.**]

Mr Soares is no joke.

 

[blindgod]

http://royharris.com/articles/?sec=6&id=1024

I'd say that's a decent set of requirements. The "Rear choke" from mount, I interpret to be the Ezekiel.

It's actually the RNC. Mount position #4 is the back or rear mount.

 

[Yojimbo]

It's actually the RNC. Mount position #4 is the back or rear mount.

Ah I see! Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Tony Manifold]

Which gym do you train at Tony?

I don't train there but I am going to check out Adam Zugec's Gym tomorrow night. His credentials are solid and I have heard good things, so I will probably sign on. We will see.

what's your other 15 yrs experience in

Wrestling, Judo, Sub Wrestling (under a Frank Shamrock Submission wrestling Instructor), BJJ under a Blue Belt that trained down in Torrence at the Gracie Academy (back in about 97), MMA. Throw in some sambo and a few other things I have sampled along the way. Broad experience rather than deep but I have been doing this long enough that I don't need a belt to validate my experience.

http://royharris.com/articles/?sec=6&id=1024

I'd say that's a decent set of requirements. The "Rear choke" from mount, I interpret to be the Ezekiel.

Looked at that. Seems to be a lot of things related to Roy Harris rather than BJJ. And some of the technique names are unfamiliar. I assume the "spinning arm lock" from the guard is a juji gatame?

 

[furdog]

I've heard Zugec is good, from people who've trained there.

 

[vern_Fonk]

let me put it this way , there was a blue belt under marcus soares who competed in a tournament about 3 years ago against a purple belt from another school. the blue belt taps the purple belt with a knee bar. 3 years later the blue belt is...still a blue belt. that purple belt is now a black belt.

 

[Prokofievian]

let me put it this way , there was a blue belt under marcus soares who competed in a tournament about 3 years ago against a purple belt from another school. the blue belt taps the purple belt with a knee bar. 3 years later the blue belt is...still a blue belt. that purple belt is now a black belt.

hm.

 

[JDaveG]

Five Point Palm Exploding Heart technique

Everything else is pretty much bullshit :icon_twis

Seriously, I don't know that there is any standardized set of information you need to learn. I think you need to demonstrate adequate knowledge of a few basic sweeps, a few basic subs from all positions (i.e., 2-3 subs from the mount, guard, sidemount, etc.), and a basic working knowledge of positioning. You should know the basic escapes from mount, sidemount, etc. and the basic guard passes.

Beyond that, you'll be promoted when your instructor deems you ready. You may feel like you are "past due" or you may feel like you are not ready (I know I did). Either way, it's your instructor's call, not yours.

 

[gordoplata]

IMO Knowing the reasons why you do certain techniques and movements ie: shrimping, making space,having a good base.
I don't really think it's the amount of techs you know but the understanding of the concepts and transitions.

 

[Gsoares2***]

Yeah i just got the purple and i dont think i could pass Roy Harris blue belt test.. that thing seems extreme..

 

[Tony Manifold]

Beyond that, you'll be promoted when your instructor deems you ready. You may feel like you are "past due" or you may feel like you are not ready (I know I did). Either way, it's your instructor's call, not yours.

You missed the point. I don't care whether I even get a belt. I just want to set some goals. First level is the blue belt level. So I want to set a goal that I will learn all the things a blue belt should learn not the minimum to get promoted.

let me put it this way , there was a blue belt under marcus soares who competed in a tournament about 3 years ago against a purple belt from another school. the blue belt taps the purple belt with a knee bar. 3 years later the blue belt is...still a blue belt. that purple belt is now a black belt.

I am getting that impression about the way he hands out belts. It really makes me think Adam's Brown is well earned. He is also an instructor in Combat submission wrestling under Eric Paulson which is really cool.