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Continuing on the theme of white belst, there is also the other side of the question. Many white belts, beginners in Jiu-Jitsu, but practitioners of other fight style, or because they are strong, or do not understand that they are at the beginning of a new walk, forget two important factors in training and Martial Art, which are humility and respect . Humility in understanding that they are beginners in a martial art, so they are there to understand, to learn a lot from many, and to respect when a more experienced student is given the opportunity to train with them.
The white belt and the learning process: Know more
It is common for some white belts to train really hard many times, even without knowing what to do, and sometimes even injuring their training partner. And the worst, often already thinking that they will submit their partner, doing it sloppy or in anyway. They do not focus on learning the correct technique, the dynamics of the fight. They think the focus at that moment is to submit, make your opponent tap out.
There are arrogant white belts, yes. And they pay the price of arrogance, taking a punishment during training without need. Many end up not even training as much early in their jiu-jitsu life.
Being a white belt is not shame or demerit, just shows that you started training a short time ago. So respect and humility are key factors in your evolution and in everyone’s, in all the tracks. I know some good white belts, which sometimes give a hard time on the mats to blue belts, so my friends white belts, let’s focus on learning techniques, try out the positions, because the submissions will come in the right time and the belt promotion too.
Do not look at your training partners as “targets.” Consider each training as an opportunity to learn, acquire training rhythm and evolution. Start at the beginning, not in the middle or end. Be self-critical, realize and understand that you are at the beginning of your walk. Train yourself by learning, respecting and listening to the higher belts. Try positions, take a chance, but train with an open mind to learn.
Everyone at the gym has been white belt before, the white belt is already a promotion in a way, I say it all the time. You’re a white belt if you train, who never trained before is not white belt. Be attentive to your teacher’s explanations, practice and see in a fellow higher belt a great chance to learn, not a challenge, or that vision “the guy to be beaten!”. The learning does not end, but the wrong thought can slow it down, or even stop its evolution.
Let your teacher decide the moment you can enter the championships, do not rush. Because lack of humility and respect reflect in many ways, on and off the mats, and sometimes it starts with the lack of training, and thus less training, slower evolution.
