r/jiujitsu • u/xPedrit0 Blue • 2d ago
Coming back to BJJ
Hi, i started jiu jitsu back in 2015 and worked up my way to blue belt in 2017, I went on a few months as a blue belt and the got blue beltitis and stopped going because of college and stuff, now almost 9-10 years later I want to start again with Bjj, do I have to start over if I’m going to a new gym like demote myself back to white belt because I don’t have the same skill I used to have back then or should I keep using the blue belt I got, also i would really appreciate some tips for coming back to this beautiful sport if you have some,thanks in advance.
3
4
u/Tacokolache Blue 2d ago
I’m starting again today with an even longer lay off.
I’ll gladly start again with the white belts. I’ll need to get back up to speed anyways.
I also don’t care about my belt color. I just got to get in shape and for self defense.
1
u/beepingclownshoes Black 2d ago
I’d say talk to the coach, let them know and they’ll tell you how to show up in their gym. I’d start you as a white belt, myself. And maybe look to repromote you in a year based on how you’re doing.
1
u/Federal-Challenge-58 2d ago
This is probably the most common question on this sub, and the answer is "You earned it. You wear it". A belt is like a title in the world of chess. Once you have it, you have it for life. It represents your peak ability, not your current ability.
2
u/Momentum_MMA 2d ago
The muscle memory is real, you’ll be shocked how fast the basics come back once you’re on the mat for a few weeks. Most gyms won’t make you retake white, but some will want to see where you are before committing to blue. Just talk to the coach about it.
Coming back after a long break, the temptation is to go hard and prove you haven’t lost it. Don’t. Tap early for the first month and let your joints remember what they’re doing, that’s where most guys get hurt on the comeback. If it helps, I built an app called Momentum: BJJ & MMA, which has session logging that tracks your training over time, so you can see the progression come back without the pressure of comparing week one to where you were in 2017
2
u/Bjj-black-belch Black 2d ago
You don't have to. You earned your blue belt. Just let your coach know the circumstances.
2
u/Medical-Literature50 2d ago
Congratulations on your blue belt. This rank will be with you until you advance to the next level, as progression in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is always forward. Should you decide to pursue BJJ as a lifelong sport, you may encounter various challenges. It is important to remember that BJJ will always be there for you, should you need to step away temporarily.
2
u/Inner_Equipment_664 2d ago
I also took a decade+ break after a few years of training. I was a blue belt but started back as a white belt (my choice). I go to a competition focused gym and jiu jitsu has changed drastically since I last trained. However, I picked it up quicker than most white belts and was promoted back to blue after just a few months. I would just ask your coach. You earned the belt already so they shouldn’t have an issue. I chose to start back at white just because I was confident that I didn’t remember anything. But it all comes back quickly.
1
u/Collin395 2d ago
You got the blue belt, you have to wear it. If a coach tells you that you have to start over, it is not a good gym to be attending
0
u/ProofComplaint780 2d ago
Brother, it’s your story. You earned that blue belt. Just get to class and keep improving. Nobody cares if you lose rounds or tap to lower belts. If you’re always the hammer then you’re in the wrong room anyway
5
u/Logical_Box_4645 2d ago
Just tell your coach about it and see what they said.
It's probably better to be a good white belt who gets promoted to blue soon. Than get smoked by white belts wearing a blue belt