One of the most common questions Jiu-Jitsu Professors get from beginner students is “what do I need to do in order to get a blue belt?” This question can, of course, be asked in different ways.

It could be asked with a sense of genuine curiosity from a student who has learned that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu often uses a colored belt ranking system and whose learning is such that clear objectives help them focus their hard work. The question could also be asked with a sense of entitlement from a student already feeling jilted for not having received rank recognition commensurate with where they themselves feel they are at.

When a Professor perceives the question is asked in the latter’s manner they may not give much credence or effort to the question and answering it for the student. When the coach feels the former is the case then they may very well receive the question warmly.

In either case, however, students often get a stock answer of “just keep showing up to class and working hard.” While this is not an untrue answer or even unhelpful if the academy is a good one where teachers recognize progress and are willing to give recognition, it still may leave students wondering what they should be doing, exactly, to optimize their learning and progress.

“Keep showing up” is a simplistic if true answer. Any answer more in-depth and detailed is going to be a very long one, but students still deserve the right to know expectations of their coach.

For that reason we’ve decided to give our very subjective answer for what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students should be thinking of and working on if they want to move towards becoming a legitimate, knowledgeable, and proven blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu in the form of a three-part digital video instructional. Foundation Chicago’s head Coach Elias Cepeda will soon release through the non-profit charitable organization Pilsen Defense & Access The Path to Blue Belt Video Instructional for our students here in Pilsen as well as good people all over the world who want to structure their training a bit more.

The instructional will be divided into there parts: Technique, Concepts, & Praxis. Part of advancing as a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner is developing a kinetic vocabulary, so to speak, and The Path to Blue Belt will give a full and demonstrated listing of moves all blue belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu should be comfortable practicing. A key component of advancing past white belt in Jiu-Jitsu, however, is also understanding a bit more of the ‘why’ behind each move, and how it starts to connect to other positions and techniques in a fight, and that’s where the Concepts portion of The Path to Blue Belt instructional will come in to assist with explication.

A large part of Foundation Chicago’s philosophy has to do with much less tangible things than techniques performed in a vacuum and our Praxis section will help students understand what we expect from them in terms of how they prove that their knowledge is being put to good use. Reciting and even running through a list of techniques is one level of knowledge, but it is essential in any non-theoretical field such as fighting that we also be able to demonstrate that we’re able to physically apply that knowledge in the gym during sparring and in competition.

That is one part of taking technique out of a vacuum. Another crucial part is showing that you’re using the gained knowledge responsibly by being a selfless teammate, helping and not hurting those around you, and seeing your technical knowledge as a responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves. This last section will discuss our standards for demonstrated knowledge and responsible wielding of it and also give you helpful ways to prepare to do all of that as a growing martial artist and competitor.

The Path to Blue Belt course will be taught by Professor Elias Cepeda, a first degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under four-time BJJ world champion and undefeated UFC veteran Robert Drysdale. Elias began his BJJ training in 1999 and has not stopped training and competing, since.

An active Jiu-Jitsu participant to this day in his 40’s, and a veteran of MMA, Elias has coached many local competitors to grappling and MMA and Kickboxing victories, including a national amateur MMA championship. In addition to his martial arts experience, Elias is a university lecturer of American Literature, Journalism, and Critical Theory, and a journalist with 18 years of publishing experience.

In the coming days and weeks we’ll share more of what is to come in The Path to Blue Belt series so stay tuned! The pre-sale price of the digital video series is only $12. After its release the price will be $25.

You can pre-order your digital copy, here. All purchases are contributions to the charitable organization Pilsen Defense & Access, which provides support to the Foundation Chicago academy and its youth Jiu-Jitsu program, 100% of whose families receive some type of scholarship to train and compete. You will receive a tax receipt immediately upon purchase.

Thanks for the support, and see you on the mats!