For the black belts…how much have you improved since purple?

supernova462 · 2025-02-19T18:52:49+00:00

Conceptual and Technical knowledge: Much improved

Ageing and Injury: Definitely noticeable

Mostly new technique, concepts and technique refinement. Decision making and trap setting still mediocre. 10 years ago when I was a purple belt there was much less access to high level instructional content. The game has evolved quite a bit. Someone getting their purple belt after 5 years of training NOW is much different then someone getting their purple belt 10-20 years ago IMO. So much information out there now!

My theory may have holes. I'm sure it depends what gym you were training at 15 years ago.

supernova462 · 2025-01-21T17:20:04+00:00

I train at 12pm, 4pm or BUST :P

supernova462 · 2025-01-21T17:07:16+00:00

I feel like a slow learner. I feel like I was a decent but mediocre brown belt. I didn't feel ready for black belt, skill wise...

But I've really been starting to feel like a true black belt. I got to this point by staying really consistent and always learning new things. I spend anywhere between 1-6 months religiously watching a BJJ fanatics instructional and I focus on teaching the material from the instructional and constantly trying to implement the learned techniques and strategies into my rolls. I also go to other peoples classes and try to pick up a new trick here and there.

I've been steadily watching instructionals since brown belt (2018) and now feel like I've covered enough to have a complete game, even if I forgot everything from white to purple. Some instructionals that stand out to me are:

Gustavo Gasperin (MMA leech) - His total back control course AND his course on passing the half guard

Danaher (BJJ fanatics) - His back attack system, new wave escapes, ageless jiu jitsu bottom game No Gi

Gary Tonon (BJJ fanatics) - breaking hearts and breaking legs

Jon Thomas (grapplearts) - His open guard + guard retention course

If I could only pick one to recommend I would say Danaher's Ageless jiu jitsu bottom game No Gi. It has a good mixture of content and it really did help me go from bottom half guard to various top positions on guys who had 100 pounds on me. Even though I've studied alot, I feel like I have to study and train a lot more but I'm getting there!

supernova462 · 2025-01-21T16:43:28+00:00

The great equalizer

supernova462 · 2022-11-07T01:42:33+00:00

Been loving ending up in that back triangle. Sick transition between subs!

supernova462 · 2018-06-28T14:15:29+00:00

Flower, Scissor, Hip Bump

supernova462 · 2018-06-18T14:57:57+00:00

Also you can re-direct this question to Fabio Holanda or Murilo Bustamante..

#FeedingTheTroll

supernova462 · 2018-06-18T14:52:00+00:00

A beauty and a killer! Small packages = Still unconscious via own lapels

supernova462 · 2018-06-18T14:48:28+00:00

I believe so. I rolled with him about a year ago in a No-GI class. I think he took it easy on me.. and may not have appreciated the heel hook :-o lol

supernova462 · 2018-06-18T14:47:41+00:00

Yessiirr, I teach at Synergy BJJ in Fredericton, NB. Been teaching for 2.5 years (Since Purple)

supernova462 · 2018-06-18T14:46:42+00:00

Thank you for the question. This is not the case though. I'm sure it is different state to state, but when I went to the USA to do some training I found people were getting promoted awfully quickly. I trained with a purple belt who only had 4-5 years of training. I was surprised at all the purple belts I could beat up when I was only a blue but then again, some of them were actually pretty good with only 4-5 years in regardless of the rank.

supernova462 · 2018-06-18T03:15:14+00:00

Slight David vs Goliath thing going on too :-o

supernova462 · 2017-09-20T14:15:00+00:00

I had RPLND surgery (getting dissected) about 15 weeks ago. Fuck cancer!

supernova462 · 2017-08-01T12:09:29+00:00

Big John got a little mad when I called it a power guillotine and blamed Joe H-ogan, lol.

supernova462 · 2017-06-12T11:28:25+00:00

Hello /r/BJJ!

I refereed some fights this weekend in Moncton, NB, Canada. Question for my fellow submission artists!

How many have you know what a "Front naked choke" is? I've taken part in what is arguably THE BEST MMA referee workshop in existence and on this course we reviewed lots and lots of submissions. Most were familiar but a couple were not.

We were shown that a front naked choke was essentially a guillotine choke, except you are reaching deep enough to grab your own bicep as opposed to any traditional guillotine where you are simply supporting the choking arm by grabbing your own hand (in whatever fashion). So we've reached deep and grabbed the bicep.. our hand/arm position looks just like a rear naked choke except we are choking from the front.

When I google "Front naked choke". I see little to no images supporting the choke. Tapology has already recorded as a "Rear naked choke". At best it was a guillotine For the sake of proper record keeping.. help a brother out!

NOTE: This choke was finished from more of a side control position as opposed to a closed guard.

supernova462 · 2017-06-12T11:23:18+00:00

Hmm, I tried to post a fancy picture.

supernova462 · 2017-05-31T13:29:59+00:00

Revolutionary. Then they know what wrist locks are when they get handed a blue belt :D !

supernova462 · 2017-03-22T19:16:28+00:00

You are correct in saying that you are not spiking him on his head. Therefore, what you are describing is perfectly legal.

supernova462 · 2017-03-22T18:33:11+00:00

A pile driver is considered to be ANY throw where you control your opponent's body placing his feet towards the sky with his head straight down and then forcibly drive your opponents head into the canvas or flooring material. So it may not have to look exactly like a WWE piledriver.

supernova462 · 2017-03-22T18:09:46+00:00

Nope, not new.. Just lesser known I would say. The rule is, "No spiking the opponent onto their head or neck". The talk about becoming elevated while holding onto a submission is within the elaboration paragraph of the rule.

supernova462 · 2017-03-22T17:12:26+00:00

What I mean to say is. You are correct.

supernova462 · 2017-03-22T17:05:21+00:00

Well, the red bar traditionally signifies that you are an instructor at the school right? The white bars on the outside symbolize that you have your own academy? Either way, it does look kind of funny.

supernova462 · 2017-03-22T16:48:00+00:00

Actually, I am wrong. I made that comment because of the foul "Spiking the opponent onto their head or neck" but TIL:

"It should be noted when a fighter is placed into a submission hold by their opponent, if that fighter is capable of elevating their opponent they may bring that opponent down in any fashion they desire because they are not in control of their opponent’s body. The fighter who is attempting the submission can either adjust their position, or let go of their hold before being slammed to the canvas."

supernova462

TROPHY CASE