*This probably could go elsewhere but the Technique forum was the closest I could find to a Training forum*

So I don't consider myself a very superstitious person, most of the time, but I'm very particular about my jiu jitsu. I have my set routine before class to warmup, etc. Since I started at RGA over a year ago, I've never forgotten my belt for training. Until yesterday...

So I decided to go to training anyway, since going home was not an option (I'm about an hour away by train). I talked to Max who directed me to Luis and I was given a loaner belt. Where this belt came from, I don't know, and other than being demoted (it was at least one stripe less than my own) and a bit small (I wear a 6 and this was a 4) a belt is a belt right? Yeah...

I proceeded to have my worst day on the mat since my first time in the Purple belt class (about six months ago). In no particular order:

- Cracked my ankle against my partner's shin during takedown setups (SETUPS!!!) while I attempted to do a foot sweep. It's bruised and sore this morning
- Pulled something in my shoulder during King of the Hill takedowns, and didn't get a single takedown throughout the drill
- Had my guard passed repeatedly during guard pass. Not after a lot of defense, more of a slap hands and "Oh, hi! How'd you get to side control?"
- Repeatedly was sweeped, etc while on top, including getting caught with an armbar after an ankle sweep (which I know not to let happen)
- Spent every roll on the bottom, every sweep failed, couldn't find half guard, left my arms up too high...pure survival mode.

I basically turned into a complete rookie (even more than I usually am). By the end of practice, I didn't so much walk off the mat as I did escape...

So that whole "Your belt is your knowledge" stuff that you're told, to "Lose your belt is to lose your knowledge", all that jazz?

Yeah, I'm a believer now. I couldn't get the loaner off of me fast enough after class. Am I just looking for excuses for a really bad day? Maybe. But there may just be something to the 'myth'.

I believe there definitely is some truth to you "your belt is your knowledge" thing, man!! Come back tomorrow with YOUR belt and have a good roll. Good days and bad days are always going to happen. But at least you showed up to class and you stayed on the mat.

Don't worry about it Ray you'll be fine once you put on your own belt. I once forgot my belt and had to borrow one from Sam and I proceeded to turn Green and almost rip out of my Gi. I then took people down at will and even start taking on 3-4 ppl down at once! I pulled off every submission possible including a flying gogoplata! When I took off the belt I lost the shade of green and my muscles shrunk back to normal. If you ever forget your belt ask Sam for his loaner....BEAST!

I don't know, I've forgotten my belt a few times and I've never seen a drop.

Don't get me wrong you should always remember your equipment, but it matters whats in your head, not around your waist. IMHO

Yeah man. That reminds me of this one time I forgot my $200 dollar Jordans at home before a basketball game. I was no longer able to dunk from the freethrow line and I kept shooting bricks. Don't let anyone tell you differently; gear makes a huge difference in your game in all sports.

This was primarily tongue in cheek (though I would love to blame my performance on the belt). I'm intelligent enough to realize that it's me behind my game and not my belt, the color of my gi, taping my fingers to the right instead of the left, performing a cup check before starting guard pass, or any other idiosyncrasies that one might develop.

Just want to make sure that's clear

Last time I washed my belt the class had a tap out feast with me, not to say that it didn’t happen the day before that.
Do you remember Gilbert (Dominican Top Team)?

hahaha Dominican Top Team (Aka Platano Jiu-Jitsu)

It might simply have been your discomfort of wearing a strange belt and became a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you're used to everything being just so then the fact that something was different might have been enough to throw off your game. And of course, if you believe that you will do lousy then you will because the power of the mind can do amazing things.

Your belt is not literally your knowledge -- otherwise, all martial arts would be useless for self defense unless you wear your belts everywhere you go. It is a symbol of the hard work and accomplishment. Do you really think that if you and Renzo swapped belts that you'd suddenly be tapping him out? Of course not. It's not the belt; it's the man (or woman) who wears it.

Also, keep in mind that we all have bad days from time to time. Sometimes, we're sleepy, or distracted, or tired from a previous workout, or we're just not in the right frame of mind. Or, heck, sometimes we just get really good partners to compete again just by luck of the draw.

There have been times I've left the academy on the verge of tears, my butt was beaten so badly that day. Then on other days, I seem to be unstoppable. I suppose that if I averaged those days out, I'd probably see a slow but steady trend of improvement. I suspect that the same holds true for you.

So don't take it to heart. Use it as a valuable lesson and keep moving forward.

Jeff G.

Chuck Norris doesn't have bad days. Bad days have him.