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Belt promotion by Rafael Lovato Jr.

BJJ Athletes: Quit Chasing Belts, Start Chasing Skills

advice belt belt promotion improvement progress tips Jul 14, 2023

I can't tell you how many times I've been approached, as a BJJ coach, with a question of: "When will I be promoted to the next belt?"
Okay, not too many. But still, there have been some instances when I was asked that question.

And while there isn't anything wrong about the question itself (I don't have anything against students asking me and me giving them an honest answer), there is something at fault as far as the motivation behind the question is considered.
And the motivation behind the question is that some BJJ athletes and practitioners often chase just belts, not skills.

And that's such a big shame, because they're focused on the wrong thing.
With all that drive for the next stripe and/or belt, they forget the most important thing - the techniques they need to learn along the way. And because they aren't focused on obtaining as many techniques with as much quality as possible, they end up being frustrated. Because they didn't get promoted.

So, here is a question for you. If you never received another belt promotion until the rest of your life, would you continue training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

 
 
 
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If your answer is "yes" (and it most certainly is), then... Why are you so focused on the belt?
Why not just give your absolute best in every single class? Why not come in to every class prepared, with a technique you want to work on? And do it day after day?

If you do that as often as possible, I guarantee that you will never stop improving. That you will become significantly better with each passing month.
And that is a far better goal than getting that belt. Because it will ensure that your Jiu-Jitsu evolves to the best of its abilities - thus guaranteeing you all of the belts, too.

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