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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Belt Promotions: Old School vs The SBG Way

Posted Dec 8th, 2014 in Blog

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Belt Promotions: Old School vs The SBG Way

There are two very common methods used today in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to award an athlete their new belt promotion: “belt whippings" and “the ironman."

“Belt whippings" is where the athlete receiving their new belt will walk a line bare chested with their hands up overhead while their teammates whip them with their own belts. It leaves marks and bruises, and is suppose to be a “rite of passage". If this is something that you think is cool, then you do not want to join SBG Niagara, and quite honestly, we would not want you as a member.

The Straight Blast Gym Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Program is known world wide for the high standards it maintains for it's members, and for the performance integrity it mandates in order for members to receive their next belt promotion.

When the time comes for a belt presentation night, it is a very special event in which the whole gym participates in - the “iron man". The athlete that is receiving their new rank will step out to the middle of the mats, and they will “roll" everyone in attendance.

There are many reasons that we use this method for our promotions here at SBG Niagara. It gives the athlete receiving the promotion a sense of pride and accomplishment as the ironman could last anywhere from 30 minutes and more depending on the belt level, and because most every athlete in the gym has helped in some way prepare the athlete for their promotion, they get to be a part of the moment, strengthening the bond within the “tribe".

If you would like to get a sense of what we mean by “strengthening the bond within the tribe", please take the time to watch this video: SBG Belt Promotion Montage

If you want to join the most respected Brazilian Jiu jItsu Program in St.Catharines and the Niagara Region, fill out the form on the right hand side of this page and get started on YOUR QUICKSTART PROGRAM TODAY!


Coach Rich


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