BJJ Belt Promotion

[cronin]

Just curious...and excuse my ignorance and naivete, I recently got into BJJ several months now and loving it. My academy's having belt promotions this coming Sunday. My instructor had mentioned, however, anyone attending the promotions needs to pay a 'registration' fee of $100. Keep in mind, this will be held at the academy, not some reception hall, there will be refreshments, but not something to warrant $100 per head price. Also, these promotions for this particular school occur only once a year.

Anyway, just curious to see what other BJJ schools are doing w/r/t belt promotions, as I'm sure each academy is different, but I wonder if this is out of place--are there fees involved and are they also once a year?

[shamster]

$100 for a promotion? I don't know about that. In my opinion, you are already paying a good amount to take lessons and train...promotions should be included as you improve.
At my school, promotions are very informal. My teacher will probably give you a hint when you're coming close to a promotion. Once the person gets promoted, he'll announce it at the end of class that day. Then the promoted student will either be given the new belt or have to get one soon (not sure which).

[OmaPlata]

Yeah that sounds strange, mostly guys get promoted at the begining of class or during a seminar. If its seminar that day, then it makes sense. Are guys moving up belt ranks or just stripes on the 100dollar day?
IF you want to buy a black belt, go see Carlson Gracie sr,, he hands them out to the highest bidder, after all, Vitor Belfort jumped from purple to black just like that !

[cronin]

Originally Posted by OmaPlata

Yeah that sounds strange, mostly guys get promoted at the begining of class or during a seminar. If its seminar that day, then it makes sense. Are guys moving up belt ranks or just stripes on the 100dollar day?

No seminar, but just some rolling before the promotions-- both stripes and belt ranks are going to given on that day.

[EmptyneSs]

id leave that school immediately. thats pretty not cool, especially since there isnt even a seminar. sounds like a big mcdojo move. my instructor doesnt make us pay for promotions. he awards them to students free of charge when he feels they deserve them.

[pstevens]

Well... Now hold on a second. Now that the BJJ wave has subsided, instructors are looking for more lucrative ways to maintain their business. Some gyms have moved to BJJ/MMA or offer other styles to keep students interested. Others charge you for belt testing, much like mcdojos. The Rickson Gracie Association charges for belt and stripe testing (I was in it at one time), eliminating the old adage that one "becomes the belt."

Nope, today you pay for the belt...

[Hardball]

Originally Posted by cronin

Just curious...and excuse my ignorance and naivete, I recently got into BJJ several months now and loving it. My academy's having belt promotions this coming Sunday. My instructor had mentioned, however, anyone attending the promotions needs to pay a 'registration' fee of $100. Keep in mind, this will be held at the academy, not some reception hall, there will be refreshments, but not something to warrant $100 per head price. Also, these promotions for this particular school occur only once a year.

Anyway, just curious to see what other BJJ schools are doing w/r/t belt promotions, as I'm sure each academy is different, but I wonder if this is out of place--are there fees involved and are they also once a year?

McDojo alert, McDojo alert, McDojo alert

[Jiu Jitsu Monk]

Originally Posted by pstevens

Well... Now hold on a second. Now that the BJJ wave has subsided, instructors are looking for more lucrative ways to maintain their business. Some gyms have moved to BJJ/MMA or offer other styles to keep students interested. Others charge you for belt testing, much like mcdojos. The Rickson Gracie Association charges for belt and stripe testing (I was in it at one time), eliminating the old adage that one "becomes the belt."

Nope, today you pay for the belt...

$100 dollars for a stripe or belt seems a bit excessive too me. If it was a seminar as well then a fee would kinda be justifed but not $100. We just get a tab or belt when you deserve it becasue you are a good enough fighter and have progressed well. No grading etc.

I would like to think that instructors would want to teach you becasue they love passing on their knowledge and would want to see you get better and progress through trhe belts, cos it means they are a good instructors. By charging they are making it puerly commercial.

Oh and if they are not good enough to attract and keep students without having to make extra by charging, then what are they doing running an academy?

[JaredExtreme]

This does not sound like a legitimate school. plain and simple.

[Sensei Saki]

Doesn't it?
Tell me a story.

[cronin]

Originally Posted by JaredExtreme

This does not sound like a legitimate school. plain and simple.

Sorry, I didn't mention it is Master Francisco Mansor's (9th Deg. RED under Helio Gracie) school. The lineage alone should have some legitimacy and draw for prospective students..

Now, does that still justify a fee?

[covaliufan]

Not by itself, no. However, he's not saying it's a testing fee, but a "registration fee." Perhaps you should ask him what exactly you're being registered for.

[Jiu Jitsu Monk]

Originally Posted by cronin

Sorry, I didn't mention it is Master Francisco Mansor's (9th Deg. RED under Helio Gracie) school. The lineage alone should have some legitimacy and draw for prospective students..

Now, does that still justify a fee?

I checked his web site. He has the credentails all right. And in some ways I kinda want to say it's justified. But know who it is, should not really change the ethicle stand point so....... I still feel that $100 with no seminar sucks!

[OmaPlata]

Originally Posted by cronin

Sorry, I didn't mention it is Master Francisco Mansor's (9th Deg. RED under Helio Gracie) school. The lineage alone should have some legitimacy and draw for prospective students..

Now, does that still justify a fee?

Its a wrong way to raise money for the school. Seminar would be better. So if you are a white belt for 16 months and tapping out blue belts and you dont go to this, you dont a blue belt, ever, till the next "belt promotion day"
My friend got his purple a few months ago, the instructor tossed it to him after class, when he was done rolling, he ya go. Then all the students lined up and flipped him. When u advance a belt, many schools have the other students flip the student or take him down, we do, his school does and so I assume otheres do

[OmaPlata]

Originally Posted by cronin

Sorry, I didn't mention it is Master Francisco Mansor's (9th Deg. RED under Helio Gracie) school. The lineage alone should have some legitimacy and draw for prospective students..

Now, does that still justify a fee?

Its a wrong way to raise money for the school. Seminar would be better. So if you are a white belt for 16 months and tapping out blue belts and you dont go to this, you dont get a blue belt, ever, till the next "belt promotion day"
My friend got his purple a few months ago, the instructor tossed it to him after class, when he was done rolling, he ya go. Then all the students lined up and flipped him. When u advance a belt, many schools have the other students flip the student or take him down, we do, his school does and so I assume otheres do