How important for instructor to know your name?

Underground BJJ Ground
1

Full disclosure, post inspired by this Reddit thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/7ycmqs/is_it_ever_ok_to_bring_up_promotions_with_the/

Guy says he’s been training consistently 3 times/week for nearly 5 years; still a white belt and instructor, who is “famous,” does not know his name.

Upon first glance I’d say he’s fabricating details, but upon reflection, I have been addressed as “fren” since enrolling at my school. Also, haven’t seen a promotion in 4 years despite taking first in multiple tournaments and tapping higher-level belts than myself from time to time.

On one hand, I don’t think it’s anything to get upset over: is the training environment good? Are you learning new techniques and improving your game? Do you get the benefit of excellent training partners? Then what’s the problem?

On the other hand: how fucking hard is it to remember someone’s name who has been putting food on your table and attending your classes for multiple years? Should we all just refer to one another as “my fren” and leave it at that?

As for promotions: I have never attended an actual “promotion day” which is always during a time slot that conflicts with my work schedule. Is it ever the case that an instructor scans the room to see who showed up, then decides to promote people? I’m not saying that I wholly deserve a promotion, but several students have mentioned that I am probably functioning at a level above my current belt.

Then again, I do partially agree with those who assert that belts don’t mean shit. I have seen enough hardcore blues tap recreational browns and blacks that the belt system is one big blurry haze to me.

It might sound ridiculous, but I think that the instructors who make the effort to learn their student’s names probably have a better retention rate than those who go through the motions with the “Hello my fren!” routine.

Also, opens up another discussion: which instructor do you prefer, the dedicated B or C-level black belt who never achieved competitive accolades but is fully invested in helping students, or the Mundial champ who would rather text message during class and only gives a fuck about you if you are a 22-year old on the podium at the Pan Ams?

Please comment and feel free to offer alternative viewpoints I may not have considered (instructors’ input especially welcome).

2

Are you a white belt? 

3

Several months back a woman told me she has only talked to her very famous instructor twice in 2 years. But, the classes are packed.

She said IF she had mademore ofan effort,she could have talkedtohim more, but he didn't really make any effort to talk to her.

To me that is weird, but I've never trained or taught at a really big school.

 

 

 

 

4

I can’t remember the name of a ton of folks that train with us. I’m not the head instructor, but if you’re growing it is hard.

I used to remember everyone, but now…too many folks.

I used to not try and waste my aging memory on white belts, but then they got blue and stuck with it and now I’m behind the 8 ball on names.

5

It can be difficult to remember everyone's name, especially at a big school with high turnover. 

But, if people are paying 150$ a month, you should really make a serious effort to at leastt learn their name. They shouldn't leave it up to the student, but some student initiative will certainly help in a large group setting.  

I'd rather have a teacher that genuinely gives a shit about their students than one that only cares for the standout competitors. 

6

anyone else used to write their first names on their belts?   we did this back at the old machado school in tarzana.  not sure if it was a school policy or something dudes just did back then.  i just remember everyone was doing it so i followed along.  didn't see this much anywhere else though.

 

7

Some larger schools write their names on their lapels.

8

Thanks for the responses.

I'm a blue belt in BJJ.  I'm a nidan in judo.  To my instructor's credit, he has verbalized that I have a "judo style" so at least he sorta knows my game.

I admit that I am not the best with learning names.  At the same time, I am pretty much aware of everyone's name who has stuck with it and trained for more than a year at my school.

As far as names on the belts, my name is on my judo black belt, but wouldn't get my BJJ blue belt embroidered.

I used to get confused when reading threads about guys who stated they are 5+ year blue blets, but now I'm living it.  

Anyway, thanks for the responses.  

9

you pay your money to be taught jiu jitsu, not for me to learn your name, buddy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*sarcasm in case you didn't pick that up*

10

I train with an old school Brazilian bb and he remembers my name and when he gets it wrong he gets it right because he's calling me my last name which is technically a first name or he just calls me "Hawaiian" so I guess I have 3 names for him to yell at me with

Everyone always remembers my son's name everywhere we go, even if they forget my name. I'm known as "______'s dad" or "the kids dad"