Why some students worry about when they will change belts? FORGET that! Focus on improve your skills and gather knowledge! That REALLY doesn't matter, it's not only a beautiful speech to look good, the belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is NOT important!

When the belt doesn't matter to you, it will come before you think you were ready for it!

It happened to me as purple, brown and black. Don't get me wrong, I was super excited to get my yellow belt, I was only 12. I have to admit it was a bit painfull, as a kid to wait the next 3 years for my blue belt without any stripes, since that was not normal in Jiu-Jitsu when I started, but I never dare to ask or mention any belts (I could have got orange and green in the mean time).

This whole time I always was focused in becoming better, so much that after another 3 years in my blue belt, I got the purple and felt like "WHAT? Are you serious? Im not ready for that", another 3 years same happen, I was so surprised to get my brown (3 years and it was a BIG surprise for me).

Can you imagine that? No need to say that When Comprido told me he wanted to give my black belt, I almost beg him to wait an extra year. 

It almost make you think that Im against belts in BJJ, right? Not at all, don't get me wrong. I think both belts and stripes are very important and I like the idea of some academies who make more belts, such as white&blue or blue&purple... What I hate is the idea of getting the belt as fast as possible, I see people who are not interested on improving their skill, learn new techniques, try it while rolling, not changing their game. What goes on the mind of those people?

Even worse, I see people changing teams and teachers trying to get belt faster on the proccess! (???) What is going on? 

Let me tell you one thing and remember my words:

- You can not fake Jiu Jitsu. You can not pretend to know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I don't know enough about other martial arts to assure its the same or not, but I do know BJJ and if you pretend to have a level you don't, it will show on the mat, sooner or later.

I have a student who told me: "Felipe, don't give me belt, give me level!" 

He is a genius, I have no doubt he will reach a great level in our sport, he has the perfect mindset and made me relax about the most important thing, which is the technique, not the belt.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is for real! Find the best teacher for you, follow his advice and hit the mat! There is no shortcut, no secrets! 

CHECK OUT PHOTOS HERE: facebook.com/felipecosta

Find out more about BLACK BELT EXPERIENCE HERE: brazilianblackbelt.com/training-in-rio-de-janeiro

I made my boyfriend tap twice last night…

A testament to Felipe Costa and the Brazilian Black Belt Experience

If I had told you this a month ago I would be lying if I didn't also tell you he tapped because he felt sorry for me :) BUT... in July (2013) we travelled to Rio De Janeiro to fulfil a lifetime dream Clinton had 
to train and learn BJJ in Brazil. We felt so lucky and blessed that Felipe had a vacancy for us both to come and train with him in his home town. Even though I only had a couple of BJJ lessons before I also chose the Gold package so we could experience everything together, I am so very happy that I did. 

We arrived in Rio and we were met by Felipe at the Airport, I think it took about 2 seconds for us to feel so welcome as if we were meeting a long lost friend. 

Training with Felipe was incredible, he was a brilliant teacher and gave us an awesome game plan. Every day brought so many more techniques, Felipe really explained everything perfectly in a way that made it easier to remember but at the same time very detailed. We got to train most days (sometimes twice a day if we wanted) at the De La Riva Academy with De La Riva himself, wow that was amazing! We were treated like friends of Felipe, the students made us feel comfortable and helped us with the techniques. Everyone was so high level it was phenomenal.

Felipe took us to the most beautiful places, waterfalls, rainforest walks, lookouts, the Sugar Loaf, the city and so much more. We never would have been able to do half of what we did without him and it wouldn't have been as fun. We we ate so much delicious food and I even learnt how to make Brazilian sweets (Brigadeiro) you must try this!! Our accommodation was right in the heart of Copaacabana and one street from the beach, everything was perfect. 

We really had the most amazing experience and made a lifetime friend, I recommend it for everyone at any level of BJJ, even beginners like me. Please if you have the chance BOOK NOW.

Thank you so much Felipe, we can't wait to come back again.
Your friends, Jessica de Masson and Clinton Whittaker, Australia

1) TRUST AND BE TRUSTWORTHY!

NEVER hold a sub past the tap out. When in Doubt as to whether your training partner has tapped, let go - better save than sorry. By striving to be a more reliable training partner and trust your teammates and coaches, the environment becomes a safer and more pleasant place in which to learn. If you are not having fun, none of it makes sense. Jiu-Jitsu is something you carry with you for the rest of your life. Each stage should be great; after all, the art is the most wonderful addiction you could possibly have.

2) BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU IS DONE IN A GI.

As trendy as it is, make sure to have a good understanding of the techniques using cloth before venturing into No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. It is easier to adapt your Gi techniques to No-Gi than vice-versa.

3) YOU CAN TRAIN WITH A BLACK BELT BUT MAKE SURE YOU'RE INVITED

This tip is kind of old fashioned and is often resented by recently promoted students. It happens that the higher-ranked feel like they are being "challenged"a lower belt summons them to train. You have to realize that they know who is available just by the way the person looks at them. Look at them humbly and make clear you are available - if they want to, they will invite you. And take my word, it's always more rewarding to roll when you've been invited than when you do the inviting.

4) STUDENTS ARE OFTEN DISCOURAGED WHEN THEIR START IN JIU-JITSU IS LESS THAN IDEAL, 

so it would behoove the beginner to do some research before committing to a class, making sure the instructor they pick enjoys what he does and is kindly to all the students, not just his best ones. If after starting classes you get the feeling the instructors aren't paying you enough attention, don't accept that as being normal - It isn't. A much better alternative to quitting is to switch to a gym where you feel welcome.

5)BELIEVE IN THE TECHNIQUES.

As frustrating as it may be at first, try your best to defend by using the techniques already in your repertory. If you feel like you've run out of options, have a word with your instructor; he'll be glad to get input on your needs.

6) ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS ABOUT BJJ IS THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS ON HOW TO PERFORM A TECHNIQUE.

Feel free to ask the more experienced students questions. Ask what you could have done to defend an attack or pull off that submission you were so close to getting. They've surely been through those situations before and can clue you in on all the ins and outs. Higher ranked students tend to enjoy being appreciated and get a kick out of being able to help.

7) DO YOUR HOME WORK!

It's frustrating to a teacher when they do their best to teach a new move or concept and short while later a student has already forgotten it. Doing lots of repetitions is essencial, even if you feel a particular technique doesn't fit your style yet, so what seems useless to you today may turn out to be your greatest asset tomorrow. Besides doing repetitions, take a few minutes each day to go over the techniques in your head.

8) TAP OUT

Nobody wants to see a student intentionally tap out, but good students aren't afraid to take chances or put themselves in positions of disadvantage. If you do tap, so be it; let it serve as a lesson. During moments of real danger, your chances of prevailing are all the greater when you're accostumed to such harrowing situations.

9) TRY NEW THINGS!

There's no point in sparring like you're fighting in a final the whole time. Sure, there are times when you should go hard, but let your coach be the judge of when that should be. Generally speaking, I recommend always trying new things, puting the move of the day to practice. The more diversified your game is, the better the tools you'll have at your disposal in the future.

10) SELF-DEFENSE IS OF THE ESSENCE.

There are plenty of teachers out there who are oblivious to the importance of teaching even basic self-defense techniques - some for lack of familiarity, others because they feel they moves are outdated. Down the road, self-defense techniques will provide you an understanding of moves you so far haven't a clue about, not to mention they're fun. Keep in mind that each of the current techniques, even the tournament-level techniques, in some way or another originated from the basics. Knowing and understanding the basics is like a lesson in history and will keep you from making basic mistakes.

 Article wrote by Felipe Costa and published on GracieMag #179 in March 2012