By TXMMA Staff // Felix Rodriguez // Emil Fischer // Photo via Genesis BJJ // Part 1 of 3
Non-black belt instructors statewide chime in with first-hand input on the success of their academies
In the vast and complex universe that is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for every situation there are almost limitless opinions. This rule applies especially when it comes to the politics of who may and may not open a Jiu-Jitsu school and teach classes there. There are instances in which Blue belts run BJJ programs and produce high level students as they grow with their students, and there are instances in which black belts split off from their original school where they started as white belts either going off on their own or, in some cases, opening affiliates to their parent schools. The rationale for and against these possibilities can be complex, and it is an interesting question to explore.
Given the relative novelty and youth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in north America (generally less than 40 years), the number of qualified instructors in any given area can be low. Also, there can sometimes be disagreement as to what determines the qualification of an instructor. There are major cities that don’t have any black belts yet. Because of this, often times lower ranks will, in an attempt to create training partners and opportunities for competition, open up schools and have their “instructor” who lives elsewhere be the official “Head Instructor” of the school they have opened. In some cases this “head instructor” comes once or twice a year for a seminar and that’s it! In part 1 of this three part series, the perspectives of several non-black belt head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors have been explored.
Mikal Abdullah, “a Brown Belt and Head Coach/Founder at Aces Jiu-Jitsu Club”, has found that “it is not difficult at all” to recruit new students because of the fact that “the mat doesn’t lie.” He says this meaning that his passion and skill is apparent to new students and that’s enough to get them on board.
Joey Zente is a 2nd degree Purple Belt at Lake Travis Jiu-Jitsu Club has had his own club since September of 2013. His perspective is that “There are black belts with tons of knowledge who don’t know how to disseminate it. On the flip side, there are blue belts with limited fundamental knowledge who can expertly relay that to new students.”
Brian Debes, a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt, runs 10th Planet Beaumont. He has found that “It can be (difficult to recruit students as a non-black belt instructor) depending on the student. In some peoples mind, the black belt is the sole thing they want to achieve out of training when they start. If so, they may not be interested in training with someone who has not already achieved that.”
Dustin Snow is a recently promoted brown belt who first took on a head BJJ instructor position at Genesis BJJ Aledo in Nov of 2012. “I am truly trying to keep the full integrity of a traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy that any black belt would be pleased with. If I don’t know the answer to something I’m honest about it and find out. I usually know most the time, I am a full on BJJ nerd…”
The quality of instruction is often based on the quality of the competitors which that instruction produces. It is also measured by the commitment and technical prowess of the students which it attracts. While these variables can at times be difficult to ascertain, the far trickier notion is that of organic growth within a school. There can be clear benefit to having an instructor grow with their students.
Snow has strong words for this measurement of quality “Anyone that thinks I’m not qualified to run my own academy I politely challenge any of their students to meet mine on the mat at any tournament anytime anywhere and then tell me I deserve to roll my mats up and switch to selling insurance. The proof is already there. I could do a medal count but that’s not what it’s all about. It’s mainly about forging good people, fostering personal growth, creating lifelong friends and memories, and becoming a lethal ninja too yes!” This tends to be the sentiment of just about any martial arts instructor.
Chris Martinez, a 4 Stripe Purple Belt under Travis Tooke since June of 2013 and BJJ coach at Midtown MMA Houston, a Team Tooke Affiliate has some interesting thoughts “It not difficult to recruit students as a non-black belt instructor. Has Greg Jackson ever fought? No, but fighters go to him. Many of my students compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and come home champions, people see that when they walk in our academy. I have a good reputation and a great student body. I have an awesome coach and the best team mates. I respect the other schools and their instructors and they show the same in return. I’m not worried about the color belt I have around my waist. I trust in Travis Tooke as my instructor, his advice to me on and off the mat, and the time that he chooses to promote me. As far as a black belt, that will be my bonus to what I have accomplished as an instructor.” Martinez has also been training since 2002, very often the belt rank people hold is not indicative of the technical weapons that they wield.
Michael Jonathan Altman of Fu Dogs MMA and Bruno Bastos BJJ is an example of a person whose belt rank does not indicate the amount of time they’ve trained, having started in 1997 and still being a brown belt. When asked about his thoughts on belt rank, he loosely quoted Royce Gracie “Belts are only 2″ thick, not enough to cover your ass.” This tends to be the viewpoint of most people who have trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for any extended period of time. Belt color can be an indication of a person’s skill, but until experiencing their rolling acumen it can be near impossible to know what they are capable of.
The reasons to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are endless, as are the personality types of the people who do it. An instructor who will propel a student to fame and glory may simply not be a good fit for another student and for that reason there will always be a variety of motivations to look around and see what is available. This article explores the rationale for and quality of training with a non-black belt instructor, there are however many different perspectives to consider…