Solving the Sandbagging Problem in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
What is Sandbagging
As the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) becomes more popular, especially among children, there is growing concern about the practice of "sandbagging" – where competitors are deliberately held at lower belt levels to secure easy victories. This trend not only undermines fair competition but also poses serious risks, such as an increased likelihood of injury and potential dropouts from the sport.
I first noticed this issue when our gym started competing more frequently, especially with kids showing interest in competitions. It became evident that some coaches were intentionally keeping their students at lower belt levels to amass wins and gain recognition for their academy and team. Parents were also complicit, often hiding their child's overwhelming success and consecutive victories to maintain an illusion of fair play.
I witnessed disturbing incidents where highly skilled competitors at lower belt levels caused injuries to their opponents, some of whom took months to recover. This not only tarnishes the spirit of the sport but also jeopardizes the well-being of the participants.
Why Sandbagging Happens
It wasn’t always like this. I’ve been involved in BJJ since 2014. There were fewer competitions back then but the standards were consistent and the playing field was fair.
Upon consideration, “sandbagging” is in fact two distinct problems:
Inconsistent ranking - When certain schools and professors are sandbagging students, other local schools follow and the practice spreads. Those who choose to stick to recommended guidelines will appear to perform poorly which can harm the academy's reputation or worse, students get injured and lose their ability to participate in the sport.
Single divisions with massive skill gaps - IBJJF grading guidelines for kids suggest just 6 months at the white belt level for kids. This leads to a jarring skill gap in the grey belt division—each grey belt takes a year to graduate so that kids remain at grey for at least 3 years. It is common for youth students to remain in the grey belt division for five years or longer.
An even more significant challenge emerges with Juvenile Blue Belts. The youngest age for a promotion to Blue Belt is 16 and Black Belt at 18. There are now more Blue Belts than ever who compete at events like ADCC (which allow Blue Belts in the adult expert/black belt division) and demolish black belts winning gold and various titles only to return to their Blue Belt division in the IBJJF events much to the dismay of competitors who cannot come close to matching their skill to athletic ability.
Signs of a Sandbagger
In my experience as a competitor and coach, there are telltale signs of sandbagging. This list is not intended to attack anyone who fits these criteria but rather to allow for pause and consider: Is this experience beneficial for anyone - including the winning competitor? Are they learning life skills and perseverance? Or are they being pushed into poor sportsmanship from a young age?
Winning every match with a submission in the first 60 seconds
Winning more than a dozen consecutive gold medals
A history of injuring opponents
Being promoted to a new rank and maintaining the same winning streak as before
Addressing Sandbagging in BJJ
To address this problem, I propose two potential solutions:
1. Implement a performance-based belt promotion system, akin to other sports, where competitive students are automatically promoted based on their achievements (rather than mere time spent at a particular rank). This would prevent individuals from remaining at lower belt levels to gain an unfair advantage at competitions.
2. Establish recreational leagues and tournaments specifically for hobbyists, allowing them to compete at a suitable level without the pressure of facing highly skilled opponents. This could also help professional athletes avoid unnecessary injuries from mismatched competitions.
The Importance of Resolving Sandbagging
It is essential to address the issue of sandbagging to ensure the continued growth and integrity of BJJ. By promoting a fair and safe environment, we can uphold the values of sportsmanship and provide a more positive experience for all participants.
My aim is to foster a culture of safety and fairness for my peers, our students, and especially for the young participants just starting their journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (including my own children!). But I can’t change a system on my own. The sport of BJJ needs fellow coaches, competitors, and parents to unite and speak up against this practice that is making it less safe and less fun for those just looking to practice and compete as a hobby, not a career.
Have you encountered similar issues with sandbagging in BJJ? How do you believe this problem should be tackled?
