BJJ levels among different schools

[shamster]

I was just wondering about something. In many other styles of martial arts, a black belt from one school could only be the equivalent of a purple or brown from another school. Do most reputable bjj schools keep rankings universally similar? For example, can a new blue belt from one Gracie faction be counted on to perform similarly to a new blue belt from another Gracie team? Or if an "advanced" white belt from one school visited another school to train in, will that student be at the same level as another equally ranked student from the new school?

[aseepish]

I would hope that there is a certain minimum level of skill that a new blue belt would possess, but I think even in the same club there could be a difference of skill amongst a group of newly promoted blue belts. Compare the practitioner with a background in high school/collegiate wrestling who trains for competition to the one with no prior grappling experience who trains once a week purely for fun.

There is a great article on Roy Harris's site that I won't link to directly because you have to register, but if you do it's called "The color of one's belt: What does it mean?" and it's on page 4 of the BJJ articles section. http://royharris.com In essence he says that experience and current level of fitness count for much more than the colour of one's belt.

Cheers,

T.

[EmptyneSs]

i think it mostly just depends on the teacher. its up to him to decide when a student is deserving of promotion. im sure some teachers have higher standards than others and whatnot.

[wardancer]

Originally Posted by shamster

I was just wondering about something. In many other styles of martial arts, a black belt from one school could only be the equivalent of a purple or brown from another school. Do most reputable bjj schools keep rankings universally similar? For example, can a new blue belt from one Gracie faction be counted on to perform similarly to a new blue belt from another Gracie team? Or if an "advanced" white belt from one school visited another school to train in, will that student be at the same level as another equally ranked student from the new school?

NO WAY,
The way of BJJ is so competitive that reputable BJJ clubs will never have a member to a level where he cannot win/fight in his weight/belt level.
You must understand it is a bad image of promoting your students to get 'schooled' at the open local BJJ open tournament by some other clubs.
Expect 'sandbagging' (delaying the graduation of a student to a higher belt just because he has the potential/must win his own weight categorie until next promotion): briging the gold is a must!
In my team, you have to win you own weight category in open tournament before you are to be considered for promotion.
1 year for blue is freaky, 3 years is the norm: especially when we invite anybody for our open day!