So you’re a blue, purple, brown, or a black belt… And you got submitted by a lower belt?
Maybe even by someone who is two belt ranks below yours?

You shouldn’t be feeling down on yourself, says Tom DeBlass.
He shared words of advice for everyone who feels as if they don’t deserve their belt:

There’s a huge misconception that when people get promoted, they feel they should no longer be submitted by a lower-level belt.
That’s so silly, to think that way.

Understand this: everybody has different levels of ability, different physicality.
Sometimes, our knowledge, it’s hard to put forth out there in the middle of a match if we’re going against somebody who’s a very good competitor. Or somebody who’s younger, stronger, bigger…

DeBlass offers words of encouragement:

Just because you’re a black belt getting submitted by a purple belt doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the belt!
Stop taking away joy from yourself.

If your instructor promotes you to a belt, you deserve it!
Know you deserve it, be happy.

What’s more, putting yourself into situations where a lower belt could catch you is what you should be doing anyways:

You should be putting yourself into bad positions when you’re training with lower levels anyway.
So if you get caught, who cares? You get your guard passed… Who cares?

Relax. Training is not about winning, training is about learning.

 

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