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Yes, a purple belt can teach BJJ, and using a structured curriculum, proper education, and focusing on beginners’ classes can lead to a successful teaching career. Teaching isn’t about the belt, but about having the right tools and mindset to engage students effectively.
The question: “Can a Purple Belt Teach BJJ?” is often asked. The short answer is yes, but teaching effectively requires more than technical skill—it demands a solid education in how to teach and the support of a well-designed curriculum. These elements are crucial for any instructor, especially when teaching beginners.
Relying solely on intuition or how you were taught can be misleading. Often, instructors fall into the trap of repeating the same methods they experienced, even if those methods weren’t ideal. Just like in life, we tend to repeat patterns we’ve learned, but that doesn’t mean they’re always correct.
Educating yourself on how students learn and how to teach in a way that’s backed by science and experience can make a massive difference. Taking an instructor’s course can provide the framework needed to break free from ineffective methods and adopt a student-focused approach.
A structured curriculum ensures that students learn in a logical order, preventing “backwards learning”, where advanced moves are introduced before mastering the basics. This is a common issue in BJJ. For instance, teaching X guard to someone who hasn’t yet developed a solid butterfly guard is like teaching someone to run before they can walk. Introducing advanced techniques without first building the necessary motor skills leads to frustration for both the student and the instructor.
A well-thought-out curriculum also allows for more efficient teaching by minimizing the amount of new instruction in each class. For example, in a six-month program, you might only introduce one new detail or position each week, giving students time to absorb and practice. This method ensures students are mastering the fundamentals before moving on to more complex techniques, and it simplifies the instructor’s job. Instead of reinventing the wheel, a purple belt can follow a proven system that guarantees progress for their students.
Also read: Can You Learn BJJ in One Year?
From a gym owner’s perspective, it’s nearly impossible for one black belt to teach every class, especially if the gym has a busy schedule of 20+ classes a week. Delegating responsibility to purple belts is a practical necessity. In fact, purple belts are often the best choice for teaching beginner classes and introduction courses.
While a blue belt is great for assisting teaching, a purple belt has authority enough to impress beginners enough to respect and trust their technical knowledge.
Also read: Can a Blue Belt Teach BJJ?
Beginners need instructors who can relate to them, and a purple belt is much closer to remembering what it’s like to be new to the art. This makes them more approachable and relatable to someone stepping onto the mats for the first time. While a black belt might be overworked or struggle with the “expert bias”—where they’ve forgotten what it’s like to be a beginner—a purple belt has the recent experience to help guide new students more effectively.
For a purple belt, teaching beginners offers an incredible career opportunity. If they focus on creating a fun, engaging environment where new students feel seen, heard, and excited about learning, they can quickly become invaluable to their gym. Running full beginner classes, retaining new students, and helping them fall in love with Jiu-Jitsu makes the gym profitable and helps the purple belt grow their teaching career.
For purple belts, following a structured curriculum is key to ensuring they don’t get overwhelmed trying to create lessons on the fly. It’s unfair to expect a purple belt to invent an entire teaching program without years of experience. Just as it would be impossible to master algebra without a math class, it’s extremely difficult to develop a coherent BJJ curriculum without formal training.
By following a proven system, purple belts can be confident they’re teaching in a way that’s safe, logical, and beneficial for students. When teaching beginners, sticking to the basics—like hip escapes, hip bump sweeps, and simple guard passes—is essential.
The fundamentals won’t change, and they form the foundation for everything else in Jiu-Jitsu. Mastering these basics will always be the most important step for new students, and a purple belt is well-equipped to guide them.
A purple belt has everything they need to be a successful BJJ instructor, but they need to pair their technical knowledge with the right education and a strong curriculum. Teaching isn’t about the belt level; it’s about understanding how to help students learn in the most effective way possible.
Ready to become a certified BJJ instructor and teach beginners with confidence? Join countless purple belts around the world who use this proven method! Sign up now and get 40% off TeachGrappling’s Complete Coach Certification Program—don’t miss out!
Also read: Can You Make a Living Teaching BJJ?
By focusing on beginners and sticking to a logical progression of skills, purple belts can excel in teaching, build a rewarding career, and play a crucial role in helping their gym thrive. Their structured approach not only benefits students but also enhances the overall growth and reputation of the gym.
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