Every student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has the desire to get a black belt. The truth is the highest drop out rate is from blue to purple. I can attest to that. I’m struggling right now toward my purple belt. The longer you take the harder it is to achieve it. So many things can get in the way. Of the black belts I know 6 years was the fastest and 12 years the longest. BJJ is truly a life long pursuit of skill, excellence, and enjoyment of the sport. But why does it take so long? Roger Gracie’s first black belt Nicolas Gregoriades claims his book The Black Belt Blue Print will help you maximize you BJJ training and get it in 4 years. That sounded a bit fantastical to me but with Roger Gracie, Roy Dean, Braulio Estima, and Eddie Bravo endorsing the book its really hard to dismiss it as a day dream. This last year saw my return to BJJ. I am in a stall right now. The book is less than a hours private lesson. I have got to make it over the hump and to my next level of achievement. I will get the book and give it a try.
Jiu-Jitsu is Life and Life is Jiu-Jitsu
Good to hear you’re getting back on the mats!
It’s not a bad book, though I do think at $40 it is overpriced. In terms of getting a black belt quickly, that’s merely a matter of training a lot, though I’m sure if you implement some of the ideas in Nic’s book it won’t hurt. I did a review here.
I still stand by my statement that it is cheaper than a private lesson and you get all that knowledge in writing. Your review was exhaustive and thorough. It was a book in and of itself. Thank you! The one thing I liked about your review is it told me there were concepts in the book that I didn’t know existed or had been exposed to. I think it is a worth while investment to buy the book. I would call it essential and wish I had found it earlier.
To each their own: I would argue that a book and a private lesson are not comparable. Having an instructor teach you in person, adapting on the fly and answering questions, drilling the move with you, sparring and giving further tips…that is so much more valuable than a book.
I have learned more from private lessons than I ever have from books or DVDs (and I’ve read a lot of good books and watched loads of excellent DVDs: they’re still useful, just not on par with a private lesson, IMO).
But yeah, it’s not a bad book, I just wouldn’t pay as much as that for it. If you’re happy to pay it, you’re still getting a good product.
Excellent discussion SlideyFoot! I agree there is no substitute for private lessons. But I can’t retain everything I learn in them or afford them often. I think this book helps you in your development and pinpointing where you could use some concentrated expert help. The author states the purpose is to maximize your training. If I am going to pay for a private lesson, you should come with an agenda. I want it to be the most productive it can be. DVDs, Books, YouTube, and other media help me get private instruction that leads up to the in person private instruction. I agree with you when you said “To each their own”. We all learn differently.
I just wanted to ask for an update. If you feel as though you gained anything from the ebook.
I am working on an update from what I have experienced reading and trying in the eBook. Keep tuned.