Belt Levels in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a performance based art. Advancement in Rank is achieved primarily through skill on the mat, regardless of size, strength, or handicap. Time-in-grade and attitude are also important. A student must have the experience to go along with skill. The hours and hours spent on the mat help to harden a person. A student must experience the positions thousands of times and will gain important understanding and poise through live randori or grappling practice. The student must also develop the proper attitude to go along with the rank. Someone whom is Egocentric, arrogant, dishonest and/or irresponsible does not make a good representative of our club or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As an instructor, Josh’s primary responsibility is to teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the “Brazilian” way. Therefore, our Jiu-Jitsu is not “watered” down and will never be. Loyalty, dedication, discipline, technique, technique, technique, lots of “rolling” and competition will always be important in our team.

Take a look at The Essential Game, a comprehensive list of techniques each student should know.

Each belt level has 4 stripes that lead up to the next belt. There are a total of 5 belts.

  Learns the etiquette of the school and what the expectations are. Learns basic principles of base, posture, and hips. The white belt starts to learn the basics from each position and how to transition from one position to the next. The beginning white belt learns to tap out!!!! As he/she progresses, they often become more competitive with the blue belts and are able to exchange positions with other advanced white belts and blue belts. The white belt uses too much strength or flexibility while sparring. Typically, a student stays in the white belt for 1 ½ - 2 years before becoming a blue belt.

  A blue belt should exhibit good morales and practice habits. Blue belts should be helpful to others and make corrections when appropriate. The blue belt is often a coach to other blues and white belts. The blue belt is the longest belt. Usually a student wears the blue belt for about 3 years. A solid blue belt’s experience level is comparable to black belts in “Traditional” arts. During this phase a student should tighten their game and have answers to most positions they encounter. The blue belt should become more proficient at applying pressure while grappling. In addition to understanding every position defensively and offensively, the advanced blue belt should have a tokui waza, or favorite technique or position that they rely on. The advanced blue belt is smooth and technical. They can defeat strength with technique or strategy.

  A purple belt is a leader in the academy. Everyone looks to mimic their game and ask them questions. They are solid in every position and know essentially every technique of Jiu-Jitsu. They can apply tremendous pressure when they want. They have a favorite position that they are perfecting. The purple belt is creative and can chain together techniques that they like and trouble shoot when they have a problem in a position. They have developed natural instincts that allow them to react on “auto pilot.” They can roll fairly well with brown and black belts and are very flexible in their game. They can play on top, bottom, pass, or defend well. All that separates the purple belt from brown and black belts is mat time. With more mat time the purple belt’s timing improves as they move to brown belt. The purple belt is dangerous from every position. 2-3 years is the average time-in-grade for a purple belt.

  The brown belt has shown true dedication to Jiu-Jitsu. The skill level of a brown belt is incredible. They only need a little more mat time to improve timing. They are essentially a black belt. They have all the tools. Brown belts have developed their own “game” and are solid and dangerous everywhere. Their instincts are sharp and they are creative. The brown belt is very hungry to become a black belt. The brown belt phase is usually about 2 years.

  The black belt understands Jiu-Jitsu very well. They can apply extreme pressure to opponents and/or flow from position to position with grace. The black belt always uses technique and never panics in bad situations. A good black belt understands the mechanics of the body and can create advantageous positions from everywhere while rolling. The black belt has an incredible amount of experience.