A couple weeks ago, I attended the annual Royce Gracie Network meeting at Valente Brothers Jiu-jitsu in Miami, Florida. This is an annual gathering of Royce Gracie black belts & academy owners from all over the world. It is a very intense, busy weekend of training and networking with other academy owners. Also, it is during this weekend that Royce conducts black belt testing for potential candidates. This has become a regular trip for me each year and I always come back with a lot of new ideas & information, and with a sense of rejuvenation & excitement. This year was particularly special for me, as I was honored to receive the blue bar on my black belt from Royce Gracie. This belt (the blue bar with the two white stripes on each end) is the "professors" belt, and it is a big deal for me personally and for my academy as a whole. So, I thought I would take the opportunity to briefly discuss the origin & meaning of this belt.
Many people are familiar with the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt with the red bar, either with, or without the white stripes on the ends. Some are also familiar with the black belt with the white bar. However, the blue bar is relatively new to the Jiu-jitsu community and is specific only to the Royce Gracie/Valente Brothers network. This change was officially implemented by Royce Gracie in 2015. Prior to that Royce Gracie black belts wore the red bar like most other Jiu-jitsu black belts. This change was made as a tribute to Helio Gracie and signifies the commitment to preserve his original ideal of Jiu-jitsu as a self-defense art.
There is history behind the adoption of the blue bar. Originally, there were only three belts in Jiu-jitsu. White belt, light blue belt, and navy blue belt. Unlike today, students, regardless of skill level or training time, wore the white belt. The navy blue belt was worn by the instructors/professors, and the light colored blue belt was worn by students who were in the process of completing the professors course. The concept of the black belt as a measure of expertise as we know it today did not exist. At the time, students strove to receive the Professor's Diploma. Helio Gracie had a very specific set of 20 characteristics that potential instructors were graded on, in order to receive the Professor's Diploma, things such as courage, benevolence, impartiality, honesty, etc. It wasn't until the creation of the original Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 1967 that the black belt started to be utilized. The black belt, and the other colored belts, were adopted from the Judo ranking structure. Judo, a Japanese martial art developed by Jigaro Kano, used colored belts to distinguish students by varying levels of skill & experience in an effort to create more fairness in sport competitions. While adopting a similar system, Jiu-jitsu differentiated itself by the use of the colored bar on one end of the belt, along with up to 4 white stripes to signify varying "degrees" within that belt color. Colored belts utilized the black bar, while black belts utilized the white or red bar. Later, the coral belt (red & black alternating bars) was adopted for the ranks of 7th & 8th degree black belt, and the solid red belt belt was used for 9th & 10th degree (with the rank of 10th degree being reserved only for the original 5 Gracie brothers). After becoming dissatisfied with the direction that the Federation was going and feeling that the emphasis on sport Jiu-jitsu competition was changing the original intention of Jiu-jitsu as a self-defense art, Helio Gracie renounced the Federation, took off his red belt, and reverted back to wearing the original navy blue belt. It is because of this that the use of the blue bar was created to honor the legacy of Helio Gracie & his intent of a focus on Jiu-jitsu as a fighting art used primarily for self-defense.
As with most things in Jiu-jitsu, there is very little standardization from one academy or organization to another. The same is true with the black belt. For many academies, students begin wearing the black belt with the red bar & sometimes with the white "instructor" stripes from the day they are first promoted to black belt. In our network however, new black belts wear the white bar for their first several years. Next is the professor's belt, with the navy blue bar & white stripes. Once a student earns the professors belt, they may then be awarded with varying "degrees" on the belt, indicated by white stripes.
For me personally, it is a great honor to have received the professor's belt directly from Royce Gracie. I consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to continue to carry on the legacy represented by him as well as his father, Helio Gracie.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Monday, November 7, 2016
Jiu-jitsu Vacation
I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel all around the world, because of Jiu-jitsu. I love to travel & experience new places, and of course I love being on the mat. So, of course, the first thing to go into my suitcase is usually my gi. I always encourage my friends & students to do the same. I have developed friends all over the world through this amazing art who I still keep up with! As I am getting ready for my next Jiu-jitsu trip overseas, I thought it would be a good time to discuss training while away from home.
While it is definitely growing, the Jiu-jitsu community is still fairly small, so when you meet a fellow Jiu-jitsu practitioner, there is an almost immediate connection. Even though we may live in different states, different countries, belong to different teams, have different lifestyles, we still have the commonality of Jiu-jitsu that links us together. By taking advantage of the opportunity to train when you're traveling, you will expand your horizons, pick up new ideas & perspectives, and almost certainly meet some amazing people! Whether you're traveling for work, a weekend getaway, vacation, or maybe visiting family over the holidays, there's almost always an opportunity to fit in a couple hours on the mat. Even though you're away from your home academy, you can still keep your skills sharp & maybe even pick up a few new ideas. Here are a few tips that can ensure that you make the most of your visit.
1. Plan Ahead. If you know when/where you will be traveling, a quick Google search will usually yield some results on potential training locations. However, check with your instructor first. Chances are, they may have some local connections or recommendations for good places that you can go train. It's always best when you have someone that can point you in the right direction, and possibly even make an introduction for you so that you have a known point of contact in the host academy.
2. Call or Email. It's always a good idea to let the host academy know that you're coming. Usually a quick phone call is sufficient. Make sure to let them know that you are a Jiu-jitsu student visiting from out of town & ask if it's ok for you to attend training & what would be the best class for you to attend. You may be asked to pay a small mat fee, so make sure that you inquire about that also so that you're prepared.
3. Training Attire. Depending upon the length or your stay & how many times you plan to train, you may need to pack more than one gi. You want to make sure that you have a clean gi to train in. It is highly recommended that you avoid colored gis. Some academies have restrictions on certain gi colors, but you can never go wrong with white. Also, be aware that some academies may have restrictions on wearing patches from other teams/academies. Some may even require you to rent their particular academy gi to get on the mat, so again a little pre-planning goes a long way. Check the schedule to see whether the class you are planning to attend is gi or no-gi & plan accordingly.
4. Be Punctual. Make sure that you show up on time, or preferably a little early for the published class start time. You may have to take care of some logistical things, such as signing a waiver, etc. and give yourself time to get changed out & ready for class.
5. Introduce Yourself. You are the outsider, but there's no need to be stand-off-ish. An extended hand & a smile will usually do the trick to break the ice. It's been my experience that most Jiu-jitsu people are very friendly & helpful, as long as you come in with the right attitude. Let them know you're in town visiting. Often they can recommend good local spots to check out also!
6. Follow Protocol. Remember, you are a guest, so please learn & abide by the host academies rules & protocol. Some academies operate very informally. Others are very regimented. If it's not what you are used to, do your best to follow along or ask if there's something you're unfamiliar with. Many academies will have their rules/guidelines posted in a conspicuous location or even on their website.
7. Keep an Open Mind. Chances are, you will find more similarities than differences from your home mat. However, each academy will do things slightly differently. Some place more emphasis on self-defense. Others are more sport oriented. Some spend more time on technical drilling, others focus more time on sparring. You may see techniques demonstrated in a slightly different manner than you are used to. Remember, sometimes there is more than one right way. Just try to keep an open mind & do it their way while you're in their house. With the right attitude, you're almost guaranteed to walk away with a few new details.
8. Train Smart. No matter how cordial the environment may seem, you are still the outsider, and when it comes to roll time, there are sure to be a few students who will want to test you, especially if you are an upper belt. Expect to have some higher intensity rolls. It's a great chance to get in some good competitive training, but just make sure that you maintain a good attitude. You're not there to prove anything to anyone. Along those lines, make sure that you don't go too hard, or be too stubborn to tap when you need to and risk injuring yourself or someone else. If you are the upper belt, its usually a good idea to let your training partner set the pace for the roll. Be aware that some academies have different restrictions for what techniques are allowed during rolling. If you have any questions, ask.
9. Hygiene. Practice good personal hygiene before & after training. Not all academies have the same cleanliness standards. Make sure that you take the opportunity to shower as soon as possible after training & be sure to thoroughly wash & decontaminate your gi & equipment. You don't want to bring ringworm or staph back with you from your trip.
10. Have Fun. Training at another academy while traveling can be a very rewarding experience, as long as you are prepared & have the right approach. You will likely come back with some great memories & maybe a few new friends, so make the most of the experience & enjoy your time on the mat!
While it is definitely growing, the Jiu-jitsu community is still fairly small, so when you meet a fellow Jiu-jitsu practitioner, there is an almost immediate connection. Even though we may live in different states, different countries, belong to different teams, have different lifestyles, we still have the commonality of Jiu-jitsu that links us together. By taking advantage of the opportunity to train when you're traveling, you will expand your horizons, pick up new ideas & perspectives, and almost certainly meet some amazing people! Whether you're traveling for work, a weekend getaway, vacation, or maybe visiting family over the holidays, there's almost always an opportunity to fit in a couple hours on the mat. Even though you're away from your home academy, you can still keep your skills sharp & maybe even pick up a few new ideas. Here are a few tips that can ensure that you make the most of your visit.
1. Plan Ahead. If you know when/where you will be traveling, a quick Google search will usually yield some results on potential training locations. However, check with your instructor first. Chances are, they may have some local connections or recommendations for good places that you can go train. It's always best when you have someone that can point you in the right direction, and possibly even make an introduction for you so that you have a known point of contact in the host academy.
2. Call or Email. It's always a good idea to let the host academy know that you're coming. Usually a quick phone call is sufficient. Make sure to let them know that you are a Jiu-jitsu student visiting from out of town & ask if it's ok for you to attend training & what would be the best class for you to attend. You may be asked to pay a small mat fee, so make sure that you inquire about that also so that you're prepared.
3. Training Attire. Depending upon the length or your stay & how many times you plan to train, you may need to pack more than one gi. You want to make sure that you have a clean gi to train in. It is highly recommended that you avoid colored gis. Some academies have restrictions on certain gi colors, but you can never go wrong with white. Also, be aware that some academies may have restrictions on wearing patches from other teams/academies. Some may even require you to rent their particular academy gi to get on the mat, so again a little pre-planning goes a long way. Check the schedule to see whether the class you are planning to attend is gi or no-gi & plan accordingly.
4. Be Punctual. Make sure that you show up on time, or preferably a little early for the published class start time. You may have to take care of some logistical things, such as signing a waiver, etc. and give yourself time to get changed out & ready for class.
5. Introduce Yourself. You are the outsider, but there's no need to be stand-off-ish. An extended hand & a smile will usually do the trick to break the ice. It's been my experience that most Jiu-jitsu people are very friendly & helpful, as long as you come in with the right attitude. Let them know you're in town visiting. Often they can recommend good local spots to check out also!
6. Follow Protocol. Remember, you are a guest, so please learn & abide by the host academies rules & protocol. Some academies operate very informally. Others are very regimented. If it's not what you are used to, do your best to follow along or ask if there's something you're unfamiliar with. Many academies will have their rules/guidelines posted in a conspicuous location or even on their website.
7. Keep an Open Mind. Chances are, you will find more similarities than differences from your home mat. However, each academy will do things slightly differently. Some place more emphasis on self-defense. Others are more sport oriented. Some spend more time on technical drilling, others focus more time on sparring. You may see techniques demonstrated in a slightly different manner than you are used to. Remember, sometimes there is more than one right way. Just try to keep an open mind & do it their way while you're in their house. With the right attitude, you're almost guaranteed to walk away with a few new details.
8. Train Smart. No matter how cordial the environment may seem, you are still the outsider, and when it comes to roll time, there are sure to be a few students who will want to test you, especially if you are an upper belt. Expect to have some higher intensity rolls. It's a great chance to get in some good competitive training, but just make sure that you maintain a good attitude. You're not there to prove anything to anyone. Along those lines, make sure that you don't go too hard, or be too stubborn to tap when you need to and risk injuring yourself or someone else. If you are the upper belt, its usually a good idea to let your training partner set the pace for the roll. Be aware that some academies have different restrictions for what techniques are allowed during rolling. If you have any questions, ask.
9. Hygiene. Practice good personal hygiene before & after training. Not all academies have the same cleanliness standards. Make sure that you take the opportunity to shower as soon as possible after training & be sure to thoroughly wash & decontaminate your gi & equipment. You don't want to bring ringworm or staph back with you from your trip.
10. Have Fun. Training at another academy while traveling can be a very rewarding experience, as long as you are prepared & have the right approach. You will likely come back with some great memories & maybe a few new friends, so make the most of the experience & enjoy your time on the mat!
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