Sometimes I think I’m actually scared to get a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. I know it’s not true, and there are many factors to take into consideration, but I kind of feel that by default I’m then expected to beat all the white belts. That’s just not going to happen at this point in my life. I’m older, injured, and definitely not the person I was in my 20s. Some of those young guys are incredibly athletic!
People say it doesn’t, but I think physicality factors in without a doubt. I’ve definitely rolled with a few blue and purple belts, both male and female, who were smaller and thinner than I am, and some of them couldn’t do much with me. I simply used my size to neutralize everything with power. This isn’t always the case, but it has happened enough to convince me that size and power matter, despite what we are often told.
I tapped a blue belt once and never saw him at the school again. I don’t know if that was the reason, but he was clearly upset about being caught. I don’t do that anymore. After that experience, I stopped trying to submit higher belts because I don’t think it’s the right thing to do. I’m not someone who wants to come across as a bully, but I also won’t let someone submit me if they can’t actually secure the technique. I do believe that at a certain point, skill becomes good enough to neutralize most size and power advantages, but I’m not sure exactly when that happens.
The same has happened to me as a striped white belt, and I’m sure it will continue as I advance. I’ve been submitted by brand new people simply based on raw power and size. Remember the person who cranked my back? I don’t see them holding back out of kindness.
I understand that’s just how it goes, and I don’t worry too much about getting tapped as a white belt. Honestly though, I’m a bit uneasy about it happening when I reach a higher rank. As I mentioned, I tapped a blue belt once and never saw him again. That’s part of why I don’t even attempt that anymore.
In any case, I’ve been wondering if that fear is part of why I always seem to stop training right around the time I’m close to earning a blue belt, only to start over again years later. Injuries have been the main reason, but once I stop, I tend to stay stopped.
I know that ego isn’t supposed to factor in and that it’s all about learning, but let’s be honest, what higher belt truly wants to get tapped by a lower belt? Have you guys felt the same way?
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