Articles on BJJ and Grappling training...

[Roy Harris]

For those of you who have not read my articles on belt promotions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, here they are:

1. Blue belt - http://www.royharris.com/findArticle.do?docId=137

2. Purple belt - http://www.royharris.com/findArticle.do?docId=260

3. Brown belt - http://www.royharris.com/findArticle.do?docId=261

4. Black belt - http://www.royharris.com/findArticle.do?docId=298

Additionally, here are a few other articles that will help you to understand how I have organized my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu into a "structure" and "progressive training method."

5. The Basics of BJJ - http://www.royharris.com/findArticle.do?docId=70

6. Making Progress in BJJ - http://www.royharris.com/findArticle.do?docId=170

7. Observations in BJJ - http://www.royharris.com/findArticle.do?docId=131

8. Quantify your Grappling Experience - http://www.royharris.com/findArticle.do?docId=122

Read and enjoy!

Good training to all of you,

Roy Harris :)

pfs@sprintmail.com

[marq]

Hi Roy!

Do you hold promotions in BJJ here in Germany???

[wuddy]

Dear Roy Harris,

I have a few questions and comments relating to your articles.

1)
In the Blue Belt Examination you require some kind of physical fitness test, which includes the jump-squat. Do the students have to perform this jump-squat “only” with their bodyweight or additional weight? How long are they allowed to rest between the sets and the different exercises?

2)
What is your opinion about drinking alcohol, coffee and consuming cannabis under the aspect of training?

3)
It seems to me more than just reasonable, that you rate social values so high in your (Black-Belt)Examinations.

Regards
Wuddy

[Roy Harris]

Hello marq,

Thanks for writing.

As of yet, I have not held promotions in Germany. However, as time passes, I am sure I will begin to hold them. So far, the focus of my visits has been training. Each time I come to Germany, there are more and more people that want to train for longer periods of time.

When I come to Germany in September, I will not be teaching a public seminar. Rather, I will be teaching two small groups of people privately. One group will focus on JKD, FMA and Street fighting. The other group will focus on BJJ. In the group that will focus on BJJ, there is one person who will test.

When I come to Germany in November as well, I am sure there will be more people who will want to test at that time.

---

wuddy,

You asked,

"1)In the Blue Belt Examination you require some kind of physical fitness test, which includes the jump-squat. Do the students have to perform this jump-squat “only” with their body weight or additional weight? How long are they allowed to rest between the sets and the different exercises?"

The jump squats are performed using body weight only. There will be no rest period between exercises. A person can rest after completing all of the physical requirements.

For the person who truly prepares for this examination, the physical requirements will not be that hard. I have seen people prepare for the physical portion of the exam and pass it with flying colors in about ten to twelve minutes. I have seen others who just barely passed. In other words, they did not prepare. However, they had enough heart and determination to push themselves through the pain. Each of them took about fifteen minutes to compete this portion of the exam.

The bottom line is this: I want to see a person's heart and determination. I also want to see how much discipline a person has had by preparing for this exam (because the results will demonstrate how much time they took to prepare).

"2) What is your opinion about drinking alcohol, coffee and consuming cannabis under the aspect of training?"

Personally, I do not see the consumption of these drugs as having anything to do with training. While they may make some people FEEL better, they have nothing to do with training.

"3) It seems to me more than just reasonable, that you rate social values so high in your (Black-Belt)Examinations."

I do place a high value on character for my black belt examinations. Why? Because I want MY BLACK BELTS to be kind and generous people. Remember, the martial arts is about physically hurting another individual with a kick, punch, choke or lock. ANYONE can hurt another person with the right amount of training and experience. Accomplishing that goal is not difficult!

However, for a person to develop a skill in fighting, remain in control of themselves physically, mentally and emotionally, as well as become a kind, gentle, compassionate and generous individual, now that is a disciplined individual. That is someone who has truly mastered the martial arts (in my opinion).

Anyone can fight. Anyone can beat up other people. Anyone can be rude and arrogant. Anyone can get drunk and start fights. But, it takes a person of good character to restrain themselves in a hostile situation.

You see wuddy, I have been in the martial arts for twenty-three years. I have seen good and bad in the world of martial arts. I have seen instructors and fighters put on pedestals that, in my opinion, were not great role models. While they were awesome instructors or fighters, outside of the ring or off the mats they lacked character. For example, I personally know of instructors/fighters who mix with bad company, take marijuana, cocaine or other drugs, are married and flirt with single women at seminars or nightclubs away from home, get drunk at parties or discotheques and start fights, and basically live their lives with very little restraint.

So, when I began my own grappling, JKD, BJJ and FMA associations, I decided I wanted to be different. I chose to set a standard: A standard that I not only require of my instructors, but one of which I personally live, each and every day. I have never asked my instructors to do something that I have not personally done myself. This high standard makes my instructors responsible and accountable to me. It also makes me responsible and accountable to them, as well as the general public I serve.

Since "a black belt" not only represents the art he studies, but also the instructor he trains with and has been promoted by, I feel a responsibility to the general public to produce good instructors that have character. I demand that my instructors not only have good skill with their martial abilities, but I also demand they be people of character. This does not mean that any of them (or myself) are perfect. What it means is that we make the effort to live decent lives on the mat AND off the mat.

Does that make sense?

Good training to you,

Roy Harris :D

[wuddy]

Dear Roy,

Of course your answer does make sense!
Thank you very much for this detailed answer!
Respect to you, your great keeping of discipline and your hard work!

Respectfully
Wuddy