What is a Small Axe Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt?

Since my days of instructing at Indiana University, I have seen nearly 25 people go on from raw green beginners to attain the promotion to blue belt (largely under the instruction of other blue belts). While I was at IU though, the standards and measurement were determined and shared between several instructors. I always took a reserved, conservative, approach to recommending any particular grappler to blue belt. The reason for this is the esteem I once held for the blue belt and my belief that in order to hold the blue belt with legitimacy and honor, one must possess certain qualities.



Starting Small Axe Jiu Jitsu has given me the opportunity to see if my perceptions of the value and qualities of blue belt are truly attainable or are unrealistic. Of first, and most, importance to me was to stay true to the teachings of Professor Caique and to make sure that my standards exceed his. Professor Caique has been a wonderful resource of what constitutes "roots jiu jitsu" the core fundamental techniques that make a person's jiu jitsu practical and effective. Another objective element of Professor Caique' approach to blue belt promotion, is attendance and temporal scope (time in service). Professor Caique believes that a motivated student should be approaching blue belt at some point between one and two years within service **if attendance and focus are consistent.***



Such a belief is a daunting challenge to a young instructor bent on mirroring the quality of instructor as his own (i.e. Professor Caique). So, first and foremost, I want my students who are up for promotion to blue belt to be ready by Caique's standards. Secondly, I want them to KNOW they have earned the belt and are ready to develop into the belt. If I expect them to feel comfortable and ready for the promotion, I must feel comfortable too.



In measuring what I value in a blue belt I came up with three broad criteria; technical knowledge, leadership/teaching ability, and sparring ability. Some schools will promote students if they excel at any one of the aforementioned qualities. Not me and not Small Axe Jiu Jitsu. My blue belts MUST satisfy each of the three categories.



Technical knowledge:



One of the central premises of Small Axe Jiu Jitsu is a focus on the fundamental positions, transitions, and submissions of classic Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as taught by Professor Caique. Therefore, I have prepared a list, a list of the minimum techniques, I expect the students to KNOW, in a detailed manner. This means, I expect the student to be able to perform the essential details of technique in a repeatable fashion without prompting.

The students will have been exposed to far more than is on the minimal list, but the techniques on the minimal list serves as the building blocks for the more complex or flashy technques. What is universal about the techniques that must be mastered is that they are techniques that are proven. They work from white belt to black belt.



Leadership/Teaching Ability:



I believe that teaching at an "academy" means more than just developing performers. It means creating teachers. It is because of this that my instruction is very detail oriented, and that I allow students to question everything. I want my students to think for themselves. Learning to solve jiu jitsu problems is the key to teaching bjj to newer students.



The cream will rise to the top. Teaching ability or desire to teach is important, but I want my blue belts to be leaders. My blue belts should be able to lead the warm up, take the reigns if I am sick/gone/ or dealing with administrative issues (without being asked).



I asked Professor Caique to watch Mike Dodge for blue belt promotion. He promoted Mike and this was deserved. Mike is a leader and a teacher. He (without being asked) will summon the newer student when asked to pick partners. He pays attention to the essential details and communicates them accurately to the students.



Sparring ability:



Of course performance against resistance is a factor in knowing if someone is ready for blue belt. This does not mean that the student must tap every white belt, nor does it mean that the student must be resistant to being tapped by every white belt. What I want to see is skilled grappling without the basic mistakes that lead to failure. I do not require any of my students to compete. Many choose to compete (it is fun), but it is not forced, nor is it a requirment for promotion.

In the song, "Small Axe", there is a verse that says, "And whosoever digeth a pit, shall fall in it, bury in it." When I spar with students approaching blue belt level, I expect them to make minor mistakes, but I expect them recognize the mistakes, and work to avoid making the same mistakes twice.

Conclusion: There is no conclusion. This article should be and I hope will be as organic as BJJ it itself. I drafted this post to answer a question that I see on forums all the time (e.g. "How do I know when I am close to blue belt?"). In my school, you will know you are getting close when you know the minimal techniques, can teach them, are sparring effectively, but most importantly, are taking up the roll as a leader in class.