Blue Belt Grading!

John.D

Just a quick well done to all the lads at SBG Northside who took part in the grading on Sunday for their Blue belts, there was a great turnout and some good techniques on show! John Kavanagh did a great job of explaining what was expected of a blue belt and what elements they should have in their game. Everyone displayed some good skills, plenty of sportsmanship and encouragement for their teammates, which is what BJJ is all about.

While on Sunday John was looking for the skills and technique it was a different story on Monday night as Andy and myself put the lads through their paces while they awaited the news of whether or not they got their blue belts. Everybody’s heart, will power and resolve was tested as everyone that was grading were put through a gruelling Ironman! Having to go through everybody else that was grading they were then given a full 10 minutes of what can only by described as torture ;-) by myself and Andy (particularly Andy!) as they were subjected to every nasty technique in the book, flying fist of judo, northside rapist (don’t ask!), knee on chest, knee on face, face bars and one lucky guy even got choked out. When the fun was over everyone took the ritual whipping as the results where revealed.

Not everyone got the blue belt but those who were just short of it got some stripes and will no doubt make the adjustments needed to get it next time around. So well done to Ralph, Howard, and Barry who were game throughout and even took some whips for their stripes.

Those who did pass did a great job and will now wear their belts with pride I’m sure and I wouldn’t be surprised if a few even wore them to bed last night after what they went through to get them so, congratulations are in order to Mick Hagan, Aengus Ryan, T.J, Peter, Liam O’Toole, Conor.

Looking forward to seeing you all again tonight in your trendy blue belts where it will be easier sitting on the other side as Richie and Karl who were absent last night get a taste of what it felt like and have to go through all the above and await their results.

Roper

I reckon I got off lightly all the same. But then if I get my blue in Feb I'll have to do it all again, I wish I'd just failed the thing now!

Serious respect to the lads who got their blue last night, they really deserved it after getting Andy's stubbly chin of death rubbed in their cheek. I wish I could be there tonight for Richie and Karl and know that I don't have to go through it afterwards!

dlofnep

Congrats to everyone

weemate

congratulations guys,I have been raving about the standard of all the guys on sunday.My own two guys got some well deserved stripes so hopefully they will do better again in febuary.When myself and a few more will have to go through the same torture!
It was also great to meet up with some of the faces that post on the forum.
Keep up the good work guys and Im sure we will see you all soon.
Peter

arybvtcw0eolkf

Great to see a fantastic club go from strenght to strenght.

Weldone to Andy, John, Peter and all the lads.

This must be one of the friendiest clubs about these days.

John.D

Well done to all the lads who got their belts.

John.D wrote:

..... Andy (particularly Andy!) ....

lol

Michael O Leary

Roper wrote:

I reckon I got off lightly all the same. But then if I get my blue in Feb I'll have to do it all again, I wish I'd just failed the thing now!

Serious respect to the lads who got their blue last night, they really deserved it after getting Andy's stubbly chin of death rubbed in their cheek. I wish I could be there tonight for Richie and Karl and know that I don't have to go through it afterwards!

Hi Barry,

I have to say that I really respect your attitude and those at SBG regarding gradings. As you run your own SBG training group and are a prominant poster on these boards it could be very tempting to allow you to scrape through. But fair balls, standards were applied, "performance" was evaluated and when you do get your blue belt you are going to feel "really" good about it.

So what is it about a blue belt in BJJ that is such a benchmark?

Regards,

Michael O'Leary
www.iewto.org

Clive

Michael O Leary wrote:

So what is it about a blue belt in BJJ that is such a benchmark?

That's the point where you can beat Mike Tyson!

Roper

Michael O Leary wrote:

Hi Barry,

I have to say that I really respect your attitude and those at SBG regarding gradings. As you run your own SBG training group and are a prominant poster on these boards it could be very tempting to allow you to scrape through. But fair balls, standards were applied, "performance" was evaluated and when you do get your blue belt you are going to feel "really" good about it.

So what is it about a blue belt in BJJ that is such a benchmark?

Regards,

Michael O'Leary
www.iewto.org

I dont think it would ever occur to John to let me slide on account of running a training group. Or maybe it did and then he saw my smarmy face and remembered he hated me:D . In any case, I knew I wasnt up to speed, particularly with the Gi on, but I went to test and evaluate myself, not neccessarily for a belt.

Isnt that the point of tests? To see where your ability is at? In any case, I don't think I'm doing too badly for a guy who's self coached in BJJ for the most part. I enjoy it and thats my motivation 100%.

And the blue belt is seen as a good standard (IMO) because that standard is easily defended by rolling, you can't fake a blue belt once you hit the mats.