Road to black belt: 3 things to do before graduating as a professor

August 13, 2023

From the very start of the journey through Jiu-Jitsu, the black belt is both a guide and a goal. As a newcomer, you’ll quickly learn to respect and rely on your gym’s black belt, for they’ll show you the path to evolve in the gentle art and will teach all you need to know to succeed in the mats. As you grow and become more knowledgeable, your perception will start to shift and the black belt, once a symbol of aid, will now become an objective you strive for, the payoff from all those years spent learning about this intricate martial art.

But while the experience of becoming a black belt varies for each person, the fact remains that, by time you get to that point, you’ll bear the responsibility of guiding and teaching new students. Given the importance of this task, we have set aside three key moments in this journey that every practitioner should experience, to be better equipped as a professor that’ll carry Jiu-Jitsu to the next generations. Check it out below!

Step up to the competitive mats

While training in the gym is important to learn about Jiu-Jitsu, the competitive mats are where you put that knowledge to the test. Even if championships make you anxious or just don’t appeal to you, competing provides you with a number of opportunities, ranging from fine-tuning techniques to learning how to keep cool under pressure and think strategically. Even if you don’t become an internationally recognized athlete, taking part in tournaments will enrich your experience as you prepare to become a black belt, and might even get you there a little faster. By the time you become a professor, you’ll be all the more equipped to train your pupils and guide them toward their respective goals.

Improve basic Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense

As you learn and your Jiu-Jitsu becomes more advanced, competitions become a priority. But just like a tree needs firm and healthy roots, your Jiu-Jitsu needs its foundations to always be up to date. Basic Jiu-Jitsu is the cornerstone of the more advanced techniques and, as such, must be trained from time to time, not unlike a blade that needs sharpening. The same goes for self-defense, another one of the pillars that support the gentle art. Every move and technique trained on the mats can, with some adjustments, be used in real-world scenarios. Before being a sport, Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, and a black belt has to know how to defend themselves.

Lead a children’s class

While listening to your professor may give you an insight into what it’s like to teach, you won’t be able to truly grasp its true meaning until you experience it for yourself. For this scenario, a kids class may prove to be the best setting for you to gather that know-how. Here you’ll be faced with completely new challenges, such as learning how to manage your students, planning a class, and overseeing your young pupils as they dip their toes into the gentle art. You don’t need to be alone either, as one of your gym’s black belts can be there to support you and help with this trial. Plus, what better way to get a glimpse into the new generation you’ll soon be leading?