Should purple belts be allowed to teach?
Not according to the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio De Janeiro.
The Federation recently put up a post on their Facebook page saying that only black belts should be allowed to teach.
Translated from Portuguese:
In Jiu-Jitsu, only black belts can teach. Only the ones that have acquired this rank have the authority and knowledge to teach. Do not forget, the presence of a black belt on the mat is obligatory!
This would, of course, also mean that brown belts can’t teach, either.
We’re not quite sure what this entails. What if a school only has one black belt instructor and she is sick? Would it be okay if one of her purple belts covered for her, or will she have to cancel classes?
Needless to say, I feel that this decision is absolutely ridiculous. I’ve learned a lot under brown belts, purple belts, and even blue belts. Dare I say, some blue belt teachers are better than their black belt counterparts. This reason for this is simple: just because you’re an expert doesn’t mean you can transfer that expertise to your students. Teaching isn’t only about knowing, it’s about the ability to convey knowledge in a way others — even the least experienced — will understand. The world is full of black belts who can pull off ninja-like moves, but can’t teach a student how to do an armbar. It’s also full of blue belts who can’t do much more than an armbar, but can teach that armbar so well that even the most confused student can understand it.
For what it’s worth (and I’m just a blue belt), I would strongly encourage the Jiu-Jitsu Federation to reconsider their decision.
You can check out their Facebook post below:
No Jiu Jitsu, só quem pode dar aula é quem tem a faixa preta. Quem conquistou a faixa tem a autoridade e o conhecimento…
Posted by Federação de Jiu-Jitsu do Estado do Rio de Janeiro on Friday, January 5, 2018
And for a far better opinion on the subject — in my humble, blue belt opinion, that is — check out Mr. Jiu-Jitsu’s video “Should a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu be teaching?”
The post Should Purple Belts Be Allowed To Teach? Not According To The Jiu-Jitsu Federation Of Rio De Janeiro appeared first on Jiu-Jitsu Times.