The Politics of BJJ

[JohnnyS]

Q:Why charge high prices ?

 

A: Why not ?

 

Ever heard of supply and demand ? If people didn't want to pay for it then the instructors would have to lower the prices, but that's not the case. Why should they give their art away for free when they've had to pay for it in money, blood, sweat and tears ?

 

People who are black belts and are teaching their art should be able to make a living out of it. People who can train all the time are more able to further develop the art than hobbyists.

 

Also, BJJ doesn't generally get huge numbers of students because it is so tough - it's not a McDojo where you can have hundreds of kids in your classes. So the prices need to be higher to allow the instructor to live and teach full-time.

 

As far as being better respected - better respected by who ? By people who believe they should be given stuff for free ?

 

Lastly, I never said that skill level has no bearing on belt rank. I think it does in BJJ, more to an extent than any other art. I also think it should. Why give out grades for a martial art your skill level has no bearing at all ?

 

Why should they change the way they grade ? Why do you care about it so much ?

[JohnnyS]

Two more things:

 

1) There is no Gracie Organization. The Gracie family is huge and there are many organisations in BJJ.

 

2) Who are you to tell these people that they grade too hard, or their standards are too high ? Why are you so threatened by BJJ having high standards. I have to admit it's the first time I've heard someone criticize an art because they don't give away belts.

[Golden Panther]

I regress back to my earlier statement. It's not about giving away belts, it's about what the belt represents. In Asia, black belt is not a sign that one has the ability to kick everyone's a**. It is a sign that one has mastered the fundamentals and is then truly a BEGINNER. Even black belts in BJJ would not argue that they can beat every other lower ranking black belt or any othet belt rank for that matter. There are guys in the UFC who have no belt rank at all, but have studied and trained in MMA enough to beat black belts in other styles, including BJJ (ie. Tito Ortiz, Frank Shamrock, etc.).

 

So I still say that being a black belt is not analogous to MASTER. It shows ones dedication to learning the art and their ability to further the art.

 

Some of the greatest boxing coaches of all time would not have been able to beat Mike Tyson or Sugar Ray Leaonard even in their prime. But, they are excellent coaches and have an ability to teach the art of boxing. They are an asset to the sport. Would you say that they would not be the equivalent of a "black belt?" Would you also say that they shouldn't be entitled to it because they couldn't beat the best fighters even in their prime?

 

Just a healthy debate...don't think I am picking on BJJ. There are many martial arts out there that I could say the same thing about. In all honesty, I am seriously considering taking BJJ.

[Venezolano]

Golden Panther i agree with you in that BJJ classes prices are high, but you said that until prices don't get lower BJJ will not have respect? LMAO!

 

BJJ has earn it respect by it effectiveness, martial arts don't get respect by how much classes cost...

 

i think prices are high, because there aren't too many bb out there, is like when only a few people have a product they sell it more expensive, and that BJJ bb in my opinion have to take more time, and more effort to earn it to get it, not like other styles...

[JohnnyS]

GoldenPanther wrote: "It's not about giving away belts, it's about what the belt represents. In Asia, black belt is not a sign that one has the ability to kick everyone's a**. It is a sign that one has mastered the fundamentals and is then truly a BEGINNER. "

 

Not sure if you realise this, but Brazil is not part of Asia. BJJ has no bowing and does not involve any other parts of Asian culture. So why they should follow the same rules when it comes to grades is beyond me.

 

I think BJJ should be proud of its quality. Years ago a black belt actually meant something. In BJJ it still does. If you’re a black belt you’re a person of exceptional skill and dedication.

 

You’re correct that one person may be a great teacher and not necessarily a great fighter but it’s up to the individual instructor to grade those people how he believes. But a black belt still has to be someone who can do, not just teach. You have to be able to do the technique on a live opponent to really know a technique and its intricacies, and thus be able to teach it.

 

Once again, I see no reason why BJJ should change it’s grading standards, and you’ve offered no argument for it except “It’s not the same in Asia”.

 

I think I might be getting trolled here.

[BagelFighter]

I dont think they are that pricely. Its cheaper than when i took kuk sool won (80), me and my brother are only takin bjj for 100 (50 each). Plus they provide free uniforms, belts, and spar classes. So far i know of atleast five schools that do this in the texas area. So it doesnt seem to costly. And just because it takes ten years doesnt mean its all a rig to get peoples money. Im only a white belt with 2 stripes, but i can already beat 2nd degree black belts in Tae kwon do. And bjj takes a while for the fact that they grade your preformance. If your doing a shoddy job, then its gonna take a while until you get a stripe. If you go to a tournament and win 2nd place when your only a white belt w/ no stripes, then you gonna get a promotion soon.