Brazilian jiujitsu is a martial art that teaches smaller people to defend themselves against larger people by using technique and leverage rather than strength and power. This focus on technique requires years of diligence and consistent practice before a student reaches the level of black belt and is recognized as a "master."
The Art
Brazilian jiujitsu is a self-defense system that teaches students to deal with any possible position in a one-on-one fighting scenario, from standing up to a clinch to ground fighting. Students can also compete in tournaments to test their skills. Like many martial arts, Brazilian jiujitsu uses a belt system to signify the student's current skill level. Students start as white belts and advance through blue, purple, brown, and black belts as their skills progress.
Learning Techniques
To become a master of Brazilian jiujitsu, a student must spend many hours on the mats, practicing techniques and sparring. Sparring sessions show how effective the student is with their techniques against live competition. According to Roy Harris, a black belt in Brazilian jiujitsu shows technical mastery of all positions. There are so many positions and techniques that it is hard for students to develop that mastery without spending many years in training.
Black Belts
Leo Dalla, a fourth-degree black belt from Brazil, earned his black belt in six years. He did so by training four to six hours every day. Most of Dalla's students can only devote six to 10 hours per week to training, extending their time frame for achieving that level. According to Dalla, the average student who trains between three and five times a week can expect to take around 10 years to reach black belt level.
Decreasing the Time Frame
There are ways to decrease the amount of time it takes to master Brazilian jiujitsu. Brown belt Eddie Edmunds compares training to school work and says asking questions and keeping a notebook are effective ways to decrease the time it takes to master Brazilian jiujitsu. Dalla also encourages students to compete in competitions, in part because it makes students focus on getting the most out of their training, which in turn helps them to progress more quickly.
Member Comments