Finally, after what seemed like a million challenges and forever in time, you are no longer a blue belt. You are now a purple belt in BJJ, having earned your new colors with pride. And while this destination is one you’ve coveted for a long time, it’s actually just the latest step. You’ll continue to develop as a Jiu Jitsu player and at this stage of the game, it’s likely you’ll be one for the rest of your life.
Now naturally as a new purple belt, you’re bound to ask – what should I focus on now?
The key to your development, at this stage, lies not just in individual techniques but in putting together a cohesive game to make all the different components of Jiu Jitsu individually your own. Purple belt is where you start to take these bits and pieces and put them together to make up your own game.
Look forward to rolling a lot in order to get there.
Here’s a few other tips to get yourself going at this new belt level:
A few points to focus on as a new purple belt
Rolling sensitivity and reactive movements – by now you’ve rolled enough and have developed a good feel for your opponents’ movements. Take it one step further and map out how you’ll react in certain situations. “If my opponent does A, I will go to B. If they react a certain way to that, then my go to is C.” By making a mental flowchart of do’s and don’ts for various situations, you will find yourself developing a better sense of anticipation and rolling much more smoothly.
Recognizing your weak spots – By now, you should be able to recognize positions that are strong for you and also positions where you are weak. Make sure you grasp the fundamentals of every position you find yourself in and develop yourself accordingly so that your weak spots don’t stay weak as you move through this belt level.
Combination attacks – Even at white and blue belt level, a competent grappler can develop his or her “go to” move. We’ve all fallen in love with certain sweeps, submissions, etc. But you really start to develop once you broaden your horizon to chain your attacks vs. single-mindedly attacking one move. You might be great at setting up that triangle choke but recognize that the armbar, omoplata, or leg attacks might be there, as well.
Become more unpredictable – Just as mentioned above, it is easy to commit towards attacking with your favorite moves. But when you do that you find yourself becoming predictable. Opponents will be able to telegraph your game. Do your best not to overcommit to anything. Attack with reckless abandon, you must be quick to move on to other attacks if they don’t work. Always keep moving. Change up your game every now and again.
Roll with a variety of people at different belt levels – Look, if you’re always rolling with the same partners at the same level and at the same intensity, you’re not going to progress as fast as rolling with a variety of people at different levels with different styles. Don’t pigeon-hole yourself into the same routines. Change up your partners. Folks with different body types and skills will expose different aspects of your own game and consequently help you improve that much faster.
Use your training sessions to focus on specifics – Sometimes in class it is great to dial it down just a notch and focus on truly understanding one or several different points of technique. Other times you may want to focus on really imposing your will and landing certain submissions you’ve been working on. And yet other times you may not want to focus on subs but on controlling different positions. All of these are okay. Just know what you want to work on and focus on those things.
Take command of your own journey – By purple belt, you should have a sound fundamental understanding of Jiu Jitsu basics and concepts. You don’t have to rely on your instructor to tell you when you’re doing something wrong or something just isn’t right. You’ll be able to feel those things as you’re going through them. When you reach those moments use them as a proactive opportunity to problem solve with others in the room. Be analytical and accountable for your own progress.
