By TXMMA Staff // Felix Rodriguez // Emil Fischer // Photos by Mike Calimbas // Part 3 of 3
Longtime BJJ Black belts offer their opinions on non-black belt led academies
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has many unique qualities. Its applicability to real world situations coupled with the relative ease that it lends itself to be tested makes it perhaps the only modern martial art the retains the mystique of its practitioners. This mystique also lends to frequent disagreements about what is and is not valid. Such arguments range from the dispute over sport vs. street applications, and to a lesser degree, the validity of non-black belt instructors.
TXMMA has covered two viewpoints on this: that of non-black belt instructors, and that of black belt instructors who believe that nonblack-belt instructors can be valid ones. In this, the final installment of the three part series, the perspective of instructors who think that only black belts should be heads of academies will be explored.
This viewpoint can range from the simple elitism that only a black belt should be instructing classes to a complex perspective that delves into what it takes to become a BJJ black belt, and the value of that black belt as it pertains to the learning environment.
Fabio Santos, a 7th degree red and black belt, recently said that “Brown and Purple belts can be good assistants but should be actively working and focusing on earning their Black belt.” This opinion is held by many black belts…
One major concern that many black belts have about lower belts running schools is the reality that someone may come in with a higher belt and undermine the head coach of the school. Chris Brennan, owner and head instructor of NG (Next Generation) academy headquartered in Frisco, TX had some thoughts on this “The US is sort of saturated with them (BJJ schools) and everyone is a black belt. When I opened my first school I was a blue belt, but also had just fought in the UFC and was actively fighting. It was a lot of work and I don’t think just anyone could do it. Having my own brand now with Next Generation MMA I wouldn’t allow one of my students or student instructors to open a school as an NG [representative] until brown belt. I think not only do you need to be able to compete around town belt wise, you need to be able to hold it down when someone comes in to train from somewhere else…” Brennan did, however, add “On a side note some of my blues would be fine if some blacks from other schools came in.”
Josh Mancuso, who expressed some opinions in favor of lower belts opening up schools, also shared a dissenting perspective “If you have the ability to train under a legit black belt then do that. There is no reason to open your own school unless it is your only option. Enjoy training, work on developing your own Jiu Jitsu, work on attaining your black belt. Even then, in my opinion having your own school isn’t and shouldn’t be the ultimate goal. Enjoying a life filled with training, fun, and a healthy lifestyle should be the goal.”
Sergio Correa of Marra Senki BJJ in San Antonio TX has a clear cut opinion on this matter “I believe that purple or brown belts make for assistants on the mat, but that always it is the way to have a black belt as instructor. However in some places when there is not a black belt present it possible to have a purple or brown belt placed as temporary instructor with the curriculum supplied by a head black belt in charge.” The message here is that the only time it is acceptable for a lower belt to open a school is in the absence of a black belt. “Remember, always in all professions you need to become a high level student before teaching others. This is the way I learned and is the way I believe. I believe my degrees and diplomas are present on my wall as noteworthy to all students who walk in my door. As for those who want to teach stay on the mat, train hard and have the patience enough have those certificate earned as well. This comes with time. I have now over 27 years working on the mat, believe this doesn’t come fast. I wouldn’t permit a 2nd year medical student to perform open heart surgery. Consider these degrees as professionalism. I wish all the best for have the next generation of instructors, but let’s keep the standard.”
The medical analogy is one echoed by Jeff Messina, who runs Revolution Dojo out of Katy, Texas. He believes that non-black belt instructors should be considered when higher-ranking options are not available. According to Messina this is a tricky proposition. He noted, “is [the instructor] under a black belt and getting constant refinement? Are there black belt gyms close to the area? Is [the instructor] a great lower belt or someone who is just trying to start a business? I tell you what, when I’m sick, I go to a doctor that has a medical degree, not some uneducated inexperienced guy. Now if I’m in the jungle of Africa and there are no doctors, fine – but that’s not the case here.
There are some lower belts that are doing a good thing teaching and also some that have no business opening their doors. The problem is a new person off the street doesn’t know the difference and that’s bad for our sport and art.”
Alvis Solis of Solis Martial Arts Academy in Humble, Texas shares similar thoughts with his other black belt colleagues “In today’s BJJ climate, I would encourage that Blue Belt or higher to stay with their Instructor until they are a First Degree Black Belt. It is not as easy as people think it is. There are so many awesome Black Belt Instructors in the Whole Houston area that they will find it a much more difficult time unless they are paired up with a Black Belt Instructor. Perfect your art, learn about the business side, and then help your instructor grow his school before you open up.”
There are three viewpoints that were explored in this three part series, TXMMA thanks the many instructors who provided their opinions and perspectives for these articles. In the ever growing and changing world of BJJ and MMA these opinions may change or evolve. Fans are seeing high level brown (and sometimes even purple belts) beat black belts at competition, and in enrollment numbers. That is not a criticism of the black belts, but rather a compliment to the quality and potency of instruction available today.
At the end of the day, TXMMA doesn’t have an opinion on this matter, rather would like to encourage everyone to just train and enjoy. Each perspective presented throughout this series holds validity and the truth is there is no real right or wrong answer. It is up to each person considering taking up training to research the lineage and skill level of their instructors and, most importantly, whether the school in question is a match for the student personality-wise. The important thing is to train, who each person chooses to do so with is simply a matter of “to each their own.”
