Many a MMA fanatic has fantasized about securing a rear naked choke or slapping a slick triangle on an unsuspecting opponent. And though many of today s MMA stars make it look easy, it takes years to reach the level that is so adeptly displayed on TV screens across the world.
That dedication and hard work is why commentators are so quick to note the current rank/belt that fighters hold and who he/she trains with.
But what does it all mean How does someone just starting out get to that point What camp should you choose And how in the world does this whole process work
Ultimate Fighter alum and current UFC fighter Cole Miller prides himself on his constantly evolving ground game. Training at American Top Team under head instructor Ricardo Liborio, Miller currently holds a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and trains alongside several other jiu-jitsu standouts such as Marcus Aurelio, Mark Bocek and Gleison Tibau.
As such, Miller has learned a thing or two about what it takes to reach the top level of jiu-jitsu. He took some time out from his training to school us on how belt advancement works, what to look for in a gym, and other tips to becoming a wizard on the mat.
BumpyKnuckle.com: First off, what should a potential student look for in a gym and instructor
Cole Miller: First I would take a look at the general population of the students and ask how they feel about their instructor. Are the students welcoming to newcomers, is the general attitude and camaraderie positive, or are their egos all over the gym. The same thing should be looked for in an instructor. I think an instructor should be kind and humble, yet very disciplined.
BK: How do instructors determine belt rankings and advancement
Cole: It really depends on who the instructor is as well as the student. Some students will advance in rank by how long they have trained. For others it might just be based on the knowledge he or she possesses which is common in cases of older students who may not have the physical ability to perform against others of equal or lower ranking that are much younger and more physically fit.
Some will be promoted based on their ability to grapple with other students of an equal or higher ranking. One could also be promoted or held back based on how they do in competition. Last but not least, you may have an instructor that holds a student to the highest standards, which would include all of the above.
BK: Is there a general protocol that most instructors follow for belt advancement
Cole: Some instructor s have tests or criteria that they have for determining belt advancement. Sometimes a student may just be overdue for a promotion, or has shown a high level in the gym or competition.
BK: How do you know that you are receiving the proper training
Cole: I feel the best way to know if you are receiving proper training is by competing, and in the sparring segments of your class. If you are beginning to beat people that are your same rank or higher, then you can be sure that you are improving.
However that does not necessarily mean that you are receiving proper training. A good way to test yourself is to compete. Get out there and do some gi or no-gi tournaments to see how you fare against people of similar skill levels or belt ranks. If you re losing all your matches then maybe you should seek an instructor that can bring the best out of you.
If you re just not the kind of person that is a competitor, then it may be a good idea to develop a friendship with people from other schools. Check out an open mat at a nearby school to see how you do with their students.
BK: What price range is reasonable for a good gym
Cole: That is dependent on what city one lives in, population, income, cost of living, etc. A school in a smaller city may only charge $50 dollars a month, whereas another school may be $200 dollars a month. You really can t place a value on exceptional instruction. The way I would determine whether the price is reasonable is if I am truly happy with my environment and the progression in my training.
BK: What is a general timeframe for someone who is training consistently to reach the black belt level
Cole: Everyone is different. Some are quick learners and others aren t. Life isn t fair, get over it. Some people can train two times a day, five days a week and could get a black belt in three years. Others have full time jobs and train twice a week and will get injuries along the way and it could take fifteen years. This is also dependent on who the instructor is.
BK: A lot of people claim to be black belts. In the martial arts community, how important is the instructor that is advancing you
Cole: The instructor is everything when being a student. If you have a horrible instructor then most likely you re going to get embarrassed when going to tournaments or going to other gyms. It may be best to do some research on the instructor of a school you may be planning to attend to determine whether he or she is legit.
BK: Do you feel that there are different degrees of black belts, depending on who awarded the belt
Cole: Certainly. There are instructors out there in the jiu-jitsu community that getting a black belt under is looked at as a joke. One may be able to purchase a black belt from an instructor with no integrity. Others may have to train over ten years to get a black belt, and every belt level is held back to assure the legitimacy of the students.
Also the geographical area has a role to play. A person is more likely to get a black belt in a state that has very few schools or instructors and a small jiu-jitsu scene. It may be harder to get a promotion in a large state with a huge jiu-jitsu scene, where competitions happen frequently and the reputation of the school is reliant on its competitors.
How To Become A Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black Belt
Previous：How To Balance Your Whitewater Kayak
No comments:
Post a Comment