Fake BJJ black belts???

[wardancer]

I have no problem with a blue belt giving instruction on grappling. Don’t call them an instructor though because they are nothing more than a coach. The thing I do have a problem with is a blue belt putting on a black belt and pretending to be something that he is not. I know that my instructor is a black belt because you can trace his lineage, but I know of two instructors in my area that wear and claim to have black belts in BJJ and both of them are blue belts.

Well, that the reason why in some Karate syle, Sempai is the title used for 'older' students (anything above your personnal level and sometimes Dan).
I think Sempai and students realtionship and respect is very important in any MA beacuse it is always good to get some good 'tips' from a senior students.
Most people would not acknowledge such infromal teaching because they only want to learn/hear from the BB instructor.
instructor is a qualification, as some Karate style have a internal program they have to do to get such level for Instructors status (usually minimun requirement is 3 rd Dan).
The full Sensei tilte is usually 4th Dan in the Karate Style I used to do.
I used to clinched my teeths when Shodan (1 Dan) used to make lower belt call them Sensei. But well, I am conservative when it comes to such things!

[Toudiyama[NL]]

In France, you need to sit a exam from the state to be able to teach MA the legit way: such curriculum requires first aid, counselling, coaching skills etc..on top of your own paritcular MA skills. Such exam is just a way to 'wave' away the 'loose guns'.

the French and the dutch system are a lot alike, only more governement involvement in France, they are really into promoting top-sport

[wardancer]

people still bow? whats wrong with a simple "wassup?" thats usually how we do it in Alaska.

You use "wassup" when we greet each others.
But at the start/end of the class, we have the Sensei Rei Bow.
Otherwise, it is informal: just called the instructor by his first name and no Uss/sensei stuff.
We wear our gi at the start of our No Gi Classe to remind ourselves we are doing BJJ even if most techniques are focused to NHB/Vale Tudo training.

[wardancer]

the French and the dutch system are a lot alike, only more governement involvement in France, they are really into promoting top-sport

It is a must.
especially because MA can be physically harmfull if some non-qualified (government) instructors start teaching some 'obsure' techniques.
When I think of some of the warm-up and thecniques some dudes used to make us do. It will be the nightmare of a Chiropractor!

[DrAgOn-T]

to be honest, I don't think I have EVER bowed once in my entire life.

[wardancer]

to be honest, I don't think I have EVER bowed once in my entire life.

Do you do BJJ?

[IPON]

The professors were indeed at one time, teaching assistants. Becoming a teaching assistant is basically a pre-requisite of your graduate school. The masters or doctorate degree candidate is a grad-student... He helps the professor grade papers, lead discussion groups, and answers the questions of the undergrad students in class. How is that any different from a purple belt or brown belt who is also helping the black belt by answering questions and running classes or teaching privates, etc...?

bjjbeijing, the question was about teach or training for teaching MA. Many schools have these instrcutor program (not necessarily certifications). Regarding school there are 2 types of people that go into academia (college level) Those that love to teach (and unfortunately have to do research) and these that love research (and unfortunately have to teach). Many TAs do not just have Q&A sessions they do teach classes. So while there is no "training" for teaching, but this skill is learned by doing it. While in undergrad I taught social psychology and theriories of personality for may last semester (well the majority of the semester) in preparation for grad school. But you anology of the purple belt is not incorrect. But I think that is the point the purple belt maybe running the class is knowlegable and experienced and is under the guidence of a BB. While I know the ranking is slightly different for BJJ so it may be proper for a purple to run a school but this would be someone with over 5yrs of experience (I would still prefer BB but I understand). I don't think a white belt should run a class much less operate a dojo for any reason that was my point.

[IPON]

people still bow? whats wrong with a simple "wassup?" thats usually how we do it in Alaska.

How about Respect and tradition.....but we have have had toooooo many bowing threads from Judo let's not start one here

[IPON]

But having a blue belt running a Dojo because there is nothing else avalaible is still valid for me.

I know your school in legit, I was just referring to the others. See the problem ultimately is quality control. The issue of supply and demand should not affect MAs, but it does for money and the is the start of the McDojo. If I want to study Wado RYu wht do I do if it is not in NY........I don't study it or I move or travel to a place that has it, that simple or I don't learn. The answer is not to stick a white or blue belt in a school becuase people want to learn. JKD has the same issue.... and there are enough BJJ tapes soon somone will offer belts online

[DrAgOn-T]

Do you do BJJ?

yep, I train at the Gracie Barra school here in Alaska. And about respect, I respect everyone who I train with, and I don't have to bow in order to show it. And as far as tradition goes, I'm not much for tradition, and thankfully neither is my instructor.

[pstevens]

Here's the official statement of the International Gracie Jiu Jitsu Federation (IGJJF).

"The IGJJF was created to unify jiu-jitsu practitioners all over the world. Since more and more styles are incorporating Gracie/Brazilian jiu-jitsu to their original concepts, we welcome and encourage martial artists of every system to join the IGJJF.

Because of that, it is difficult to implement a teaching standard, curriculum or scheduling guidelines. The schools, associations and organizations are independently owned and are solely responsible for their individual operation."

Basically it says that any school can become a Gracie Affliated Gym by simply incorporating aspects of BJJ... It also states that the Gracies don't care about the level of incompetence... It's up to the school. Hence, you have BJJ Mcdojos.

[falcon3624]

I train in BJJ and we don't bow either. We are all friends so we just say hi then get to work. We'll sit around and B.S. after class, but never bow.

[wardancer]

I know your school in legit, I was just referring to the others. See the problem ultimately is quality control. The issue of supply and demand should not affect MAs, but it does for money and the is the start of the McDojo. If I want to study Wado RYu wht do I do if it is not in NY........I don't study it or I move or travel to a place that has it, that simple or I don't learn. The answer is not to stick a white or blue belt in a school becuase people want to learn. JKD has the same issue.... and there are enough BJJ tapes soon somone will offer belts online

iHi IPON,
My school is all legit, I get train by two brazilians BB on a rotational basis.
He will train you hard and the next day the other instructor will take the class like it was the the first day of day of training of the week: I get tired just to think about it!
I was trying to defend the others dudes that did not have that options but definitely change my mind. in my case,they can join us?
I had to wait 5 years and move country until I could train BJJ with an Brazilian BB so they have one in their country?
I got on with the UFC very early and the 'GJJ revolution' but had to move country to get lessons.
Our potential white belts (3-4stripes) have been told about graduationt 6 months in advance.In December, by hen we will have 2 BJJ open tournaments ( 1 Gi , 1 NO GI). every 3 months.
Apparently, we are gonna invite all the Brazillian Instructors (from others clubs) available so they can give their opinion on the worthiness/skills of each participants for the graduations.

[wardancer]

Here's the official statement of the International Gracie Jiu Jitsu Federation (IGJJF).

"The IGJJF was created to unify jiu-jitsu practitioners all over the world. Since more and more styles are incorporating Gracie/Brazilian jiu-jitsu to their original concepts, we welcome and encourage martial artists of every system to join the IGJJF.

Because of that, it is difficult to implement a teaching standard, curriculum or scheduling guidelines. The schools, associations and organizations are independently owned and are solely responsible for their individual operation."

Basically it says that any school can become a Gracie Affliated Gym by simply incorporating aspects of BJJ... It also states that the Gracies don't care about the level of incompetence... It's up to the school. Hence, you have BJJ Mcdojos.

Of course,
A Gracie Affliated Gym should not mean you belong to a top competing Team?
After all, it is about how good you are in competition?

[GrdStorm]

pstevens, I don't know what your talking about but many many people do care about belt ranking in BJJ. Unlike other martial arts, a BJJ belt actually means a whole lot. Now when you past atleast purple belt level in BJJ, you considered to have a pretty solid game. Blue belts can vary a great deal.

IGJJF sucks as a federation, CBJJO is the way to go (Barra Black Belts)!

I believe that opening up an ACADEMY with less than a purple belt level is total nonesense. You are taking "tuition" for your classes. You are basically selling your services and to not have atleast a purple rank is ludacris. I say this because a purple belt from any respectable BJJ instructor should have a solid game and mastered the basics. In essence, unless the person is retarded, they should be able to transfer their knowledge to others, atleast the basics. A BJJ instructor that looks to open his own academy is doing it soley for the purposes of getting paid (even though they may love the art, they still need money to live).

Now with that in mind, I believe a blue belt or to a certain extent, a white belt can open up a "club" such as a university club. They are in a situation where they may or may not have "extensive" knowledge however have enough to offer beginners of the art. They are also taking only a club fee which should cover the costs of club expenses. Since they are taking a miniscual(sp?) amount of money and obviously not doing it for financial purposes, it is definitely a worthy activity. In this situation, no one is getting cheated and for the most part, these blue belts are not marketing themselves as experts of the art, just guys who know a little more than your average white belt.