http://robsonmoura.com/wordpress/academy/belt-promotion
I've never seen adult green belts before,
on Robson Maura's website it states he uses green belts after white and before blue.
Is this common?
It's not too common. But some guys use it. I'd say it's the equivalent to a 3 or 4 stripe white belt 
Some Carlson Gracie affiliates had them to begin with and then ATT followed.
It's a halfway mark to Blue.
Unfortunately, it's getting more common.
From a business perspective it makes sense though.
If they are under 18 in our academy they get one...its the 'junior' version of Blue
Adults are white to blue
We also do not do stripes
So, where does a green belt compete in a tourney?
(I have never seen that division other than for kids)
Or can they?
snakepitz - If they are under 18 in our academy they get one...its the 'junior' version of Blue
Adults are white to blue
We also do not do stripes
No stripes???
Saulo's affiliates use them.
Just what we need: more instant gratification for beginners. Maybe they should move the finish line of a marathon up a couple miles
checkuroil - Just what we need: more instant gratification for beginners. Maybe they should move the finish line of a marathon up a couple miles <img src="/images/phone/post_tag.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
Why does everyone get so pissy about green belts? Adding them is nothing but positive. At worst they change nothing.
I haven't heard it before. In Finland we have junior belts (white-green) and adult belts (white-black) with or without stripes.
Calibur1980 -checkuroil - Just what we need: more instant gratification for beginners. Maybe they should move the finish line of a marathon up a couple miles <img src="/images/phone/post_tag.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
Why does everyone get so pissy about green belts? Adding them is nothing but positive. At worst they change nothing.
I agree that belts are good. So you and everyone can follow your "process". Though its bad if you get your belt/stripes too early. You have to be that good that you can "beat" lower belts. :) Like it said in Robson's website: "A black belt is a white belt that doesn’t quit."
My issue with more belts is that it is put in place to retain people who don't want to wait for what they earn. Part of learning jiu jitsu is learning frustration tolerance. This takes it away
checkuroil - My issue with more belts is that it is put in place to retain people who don't want to wait for what they earn. Part of learning jiu jitsu is learning frustration tolerance. This takes it away <img src="/images/phone/post_tag.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
You cant be certain why its in place. I would implement it simply because white belt is the level where you see the most variation in technique. That's because if a non MA experienced dude and a life long wrestler start at the same time they are both inarguably bjj white belts.
Blue belt is often considered to be the level where a grasp of all fundamentals are held but that could take years. A guy could have an amazing top game but not have what he needs for blue. Is he the same as other white belts who have know other experience or special attributes but have been there for weeks months or maybe years?
If you dont like the green belt, whatever. But the alternative is just give out blue belts faster and I've noticed since that's what most schools opt to do I see a lot more visiting blues who have huge gaps in their game. I'm talking dudes who dont know how to do a kimura, or dont know how to americana from mount. "Oh, but a blue belt test should fix this." It hasn't. Only time on the mat will get people better and the green belt acknowledges skills while also allowing people to grow into their first "official" belt.
Just my opinion.
Maybe we should we have a belt between white and green then.
checkuroil - Just what we need: more instant gratification for beginners. Maybe they should move the finish line of a marathon up a couple miles
Nothing has "moved" when people add a belt like that.
It's like putting a sign up at a marathon that says "5 miles done, 21 to go". Are you opposed to that too?
I think it's a shame when standards are lowered. I don't see this as doing that AT ALL. If anything, an extra belt PRESERVES the idea that blue belt means something....after all, some instructors solve the same "problem" by handing out blue belts like candy instead! Certainly, this is better than that....
do they charge for the green belt test?
i know it's used so people don't get discouraged to continue training while a white belt but it still seems like a joke.
Personally I don't see the need to add any extra belts, aren't stripes a good enough indicator of progression between belts?
James
I think the idea behind it would be that for most schools a blue belt is no longer the "beginner" that it was intended to be...say at Gracie Torrance. I think the Gracie Academy blue belt would be a good place knowledge wise to be a green belt. The way it is now, there are white belts that are really good and almost blue belts, and there are white belts that don't know ANYTHING. I mean the types that will attempt submissions inside someone's closed guard or on the bottom of a mount, etc. So I think a green belt would be a good representation of someone who really understands the idea and progression of a fight/bjj match. A green belt would be someone who knows they have to get out of someone's closed guard or who knows an escape from each basic position. Whereas a blue belt would have a skill level built up to actually be able to pull off those escapes and the instincts to avoid the bad positions. To me, a green belt would be someone who is beginning to understand BJJ without really having to be good at it yet.
Joe
Sounds like Green Belt = 2-3 stripe white belt.