Why Do So Many White Belts Quit BJJ?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu utilizes a belt system for ranking the players. This belt system is introduced to determine the representation of players and highlight the identity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the BJJ community.

A player’s fighting ability in the BJJ community is represented by their belt, while the performance of the player is judged by his belt color. The players’ global recognition and professional success may also be determined by their BJJ belt color.

Adults are mostly promoted through belts in the following order: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. In this way, BJJ belts are used to make sure that the performance of players meet the required IBJJF standards and that only deserving students are elevated to advanced ranks. White belts represent a lack of knowledge about BJJ rules and regulations. Therefore, every BJJ student starts with a white belt. After joining the BJJ academy white belts are systematically awarded blue, purple, brown, and black belts over an extended period of time.

White belt means not knowing much about the game. It means getting comfortable with ignorance and setting your mind to take a firm step towards the BJJ journey. White belts may find BJJ extremely difficult as it requires dedication and hard work. Those who underestimate the challenges of this sport, face greater difficulty.

Beginners show a lack of consistency in commitment to practice properly. Irregular training and non serious attitude regarding learning the basic and fundamental rules of BJJ can hinder progress.

Absence of commitment is the actual root cause of white belts quitting. When they do not act upon the words they made with their instructors, it creates stress for beginners.

White belts are not aware of BJJ fundamentals and grappling rules. Ignorance becomes evident over time and if students fail to make progress it can also be discouraging.

White belts need sportsmanship spirit as jiu-jitsu is a game that promotes mutual respect. A self-obsessed person cannot continue this journey for long. Commonly white belts consider tapping and submitting a weakness and an affront to their ego, which hinders their progress. In short, there is a dire need for good behavior and sportsmanship qualities to practice BJJ for a long time.

White belts are considered ignorant as far as basic and advanced principles of BJJ are concerned. The more they feel comfortable with their ignorance, the more knowledge they can acquire. When white belts accept this reality and practice with patience, they ultimately come into the position of learning.

White belts should ask questions to learn the modes and ways of the game step by step. The habit of asking questions makes them comfortable with the instructor. Through asking questions they will get self-confidence and know themselves in their learning phase.

White belts should try to learn maximum techniques and practice drills extensively during their practice time. They may set their practice time according to their own choice, and even come for practice twice a week, but it is important to learn from both failure and success.

White belts should focus on their body fitness and take proper care of their health as jiu-jitsu is hard work.  Commonly white belts should know the importance of body fitness. A proper and healthy diet is recommended for white belts for body fitness.

Punctuality matters a lot to learning jiu-jitsu. To say that BJJ is a game of time management for white belts would not be an overstatement. Whatever time they set for their practice, they should stick to it. The learning BJJ also teaches white belts the value of time.

White belts are eager to know more and want to go to openmats for practice. No doubt practice makes them perfect. Practice will give them the confidence to accept the challenges and face hard times with courage and bravery.

Making excuses will never create ease for white belts. As they start to make excuses the learning phase ends. Making excuses also makes them lazy and dizzy. Jiu-jitsu requires an active body and mindset.

Like all other games, jiu-jitsu also promotes sportsmanship, mutual respect, courtesy, and camaraderie. Players should respect each other to create a healthy and friendly training environment.

Listening to your body means facing the changes that come in body structure after joining the academy or gym. When white belts start to go for practice, they have a tough time at first and feel body stress. At that time it’s their foremost duty to take proper care of them. They should follow the instructor’s guidelines properly.

Ans:  Not really. In jiu-jitsu, performance matters more than the color of the BJJ Gi. Color of Gi should be the secondary issue for the players.

There are some leading rules of guidelines to follow.

1. Get good sleep.
2. Drinking plenty of water.
3. Eating healthy.
4. Taking a day or two off to rest.
5. Stretch and use a foam roller to relax your muscles.
6. Consider doing or getting a massage.

This is one of the most repeated questions asked by BJJ white belts. The answer varies from person to person as everyone has his own process of digestion.

After this comprehensive reading, it is clear that white belts are beginners and have no knowledge about BJJ. Jiu-Jitsu is quite challenging and rigorous, and progressing in this martial art requires a proper training schedule, strong bonding with training partners and instructors. Additionally, a friendly environment is a prerequisite for systematic and learning-oriented training.