Yesterday I got to talking with my instructors, and they pretty much told me that I'm going to be promoted to purple belt during the next promotion ceremony.
I started training 8 years ago, with a few years off due to a health issue.
I consider myself to be pretty solid, but I'm not killing everyone. Especially when I run into a strong/athletic blue belts, or a guy who's been wrestling forever, it's tough. In a competitive art where everybody's looking for the next belt/stripe, I like to stay grounded and evaluate myself with no bullshit involved.
When I look at myself objectively my basics and techniques are sound, I've improved a lot, and I have a game plan from anywhere. Of course I have areas that need work, but for the most part I can survive or attack from most positions. I've learned how to setup/link many of my go-to submissions. So a part of me feels ready.
On the other hand I can think of a few guys who's technique may not be as crisp, but they are heavier/stronger, and while they don't own me on the mats, I'm pretty much just surviving against them. They submit me much more often than I submit them. So I think if it's results that count, why aren't they getting promoted? (Maybe they are)
So did you guys feel ready when you got promoted or did you grow into the belt?
I've talked to a lot of guys over the years and thoughts like mine seem normal. In reality it's me putting the pressure on myself and nobody else. I've managed to train for years without putting pressure on myself, I think it's because to me getting a purple belt is a big deal(it always seemed so far away and there was a lot of blood, sweat, and a some broken bones along the way)
When I brought up not feeling totally ready to my friend and training partner he said...
'Who the fuck are you to question a black belt and a red and black belt!?'
I started training 8 years ago, with a few years off due to a health issue.
I consider myself to be pretty solid, but I'm not killing everyone. Especially when I run into a strong/athletic blue belts, or a guy who's been wrestling forever, it's tough. In a competitive art where everybody's looking for the next belt/stripe, I like to stay grounded and evaluate myself with no bullshit involved.
When I look at myself objectively my basics and techniques are sound, I've improved a lot, and I have a game plan from anywhere. Of course I have areas that need work, but for the most part I can survive or attack from most positions. I've learned how to setup/link many of my go-to submissions. So a part of me feels ready.
On the other hand I can think of a few guys who's technique may not be as crisp, but they are heavier/stronger, and while they don't own me on the mats, I'm pretty much just surviving against them. They submit me much more often than I submit them. So I think if it's results that count, why aren't they getting promoted? (Maybe they are)
So did you guys feel ready when you got promoted or did you grow into the belt?
I've talked to a lot of guys over the years and thoughts like mine seem normal. In reality it's me putting the pressure on myself and nobody else. I've managed to train for years without putting pressure on myself, I think it's because to me getting a purple belt is a big deal(it always seemed so far away and there was a lot of blood, sweat, and a some broken bones along the way)
When I brought up not feeling totally ready to my friend and training partner he said...
'Who the fuck are you to question a black belt and a red and black belt!?'