Jiu jitsu, a martial art with roots in Japan and popularized by the Gracie family in Brazil, utilizes the jiu jitsu belt system. This system serves to gauge skill levels and progression within the sport.
Belts represent different ranks, from white to black, symbolizing advancement through various stages of training. As they progress through the Jiu jitsu ranking, practitioners strive for continuous improvement.
This article will explore each tier of this intriguing ranking structure, emphasizing dedication and diligent practice to empower aspiring students to progress effectively. Keep reading to learn more.
History of the Jiu Jitsu Belt System
The history of the Jiu jitsu ranking can be traced back to Kodokan Judo. There, a simple ranking system consisting of white, brown, and black belts was developed by Jigoro Kano.
However, Helio and Carlos Gracie introduced the original Gracie Jiu jitsu belt strategy in 1952. Initially used for instructors only, this system awarded a light blue belt with an instructor diploma.
Black belts were later introduced in the 1960s, with bars indicating rank distinction for instructors or non-instructors. The formal color belt ranking gained recognition from notable practitioners like Helio Gracie and Carlos Gracie.
They collaborated to organize and legitimize Jiu jitsu in Brazil through federations such as the Jiu jitsu Federation of Guanabara in 1967. And the Jiu jitsu belt system got recognition worldwide.
How Many Belts Are There In Jiu jitsu?
In Jiu jitsu, there are five primary belts: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Each level may have multiple degrees below the black belt.
The first four belts, White, Blue, Purple, and Brown, all have a black bar on them, and they get four white stripes per belt before graduating to the next belt. Once someone reaches the Black Belt and gets the red bar, they are awarded degrees based on time spent training/instructing as a Black Belt.
The first 3 degrees on a black belt are earned every three years. So, earning a 3rd degree on the Black Belt takes nine years. The next 3 degrees are awarded every five years, so 15 years more to get the 6th degree.
24 years total spent teaching/training as a Black Belt. The 7th, 8th, and 9th degrees come every seven years. The 7th degree is awarded on a Coral Belt that is Red/Black, and it comes after 31 years of teaching/training as a Black Belt.
The 8th degree comes seven years later, after 38 years, and is awarded on a new Coral Belt that is Red/White. The 9th degree is awarded seven years after 45 years spent teaching/training as a Black Belt and comes on a solid Red Belt. Lastly, the red belt indeed signifies the highest achievement in Jiu Jitsu, but it is at the 9th degree that it’s awarded.
It’s important to note that recognizing a practitioner’s skill requires expertise from an instructor who evaluates various factors before awarding higher ranks, including
- Age
- Time spent training
Progressing from one rank to another depends on meeting requirements such as
- Demonstrating proficiency over time or
- Reaching specific skill benchmarks defined by each academy under accredited instructors’ recommendations
The highest achievable rank in Jiu jitsu is typically recognized with a black belt. However, only an accredited second-degree black belt holder can promote someone else to receive this prestigious honor.
The Jiu jitsu Belt Order
8 belts of Jiu jitsu offer a structured progression system for practitioners. Let’s see how each level represents mastery and growth in this prestigious martial art, from white to red belt.
White Belt
The white belt is the first point in Jiu jitsu and has no specific requirements for achievement. New practitioners are given this rank to begin their journey in the art.
White belts must focus on defensive positioning and escapes, as they often spar with higher-ranking students with more experience. Additionally, mastering basic offensive moves such as submissions and guard passes is crucial to earning a white belt at most academies.
Blue Belt
At the blue belt level in Jiu jitsu, adults continue their journey after earning their white belt. It signifies that they have dedicated countless hours on the mat, honing techniques and understanding how to apply them precisely.
This pivotal stage is where practitioners expand their repertoire by learning diverse moves. To enter this level, individuals must be at least 16 years old, marking a significant step in their progression within the sport.
Purple Belt
The purple belt in Jiu jitsu represents the intermediate level, showcasing a practitioner’s dedication and knowledge. It takes a minimum of 1.5 years to maintain this status.
Those at the purple belt stage have gained valuable experience and are often given teaching responsibilities for lower-ranked students. In other martial arts, individuals with equivalent expertise receive the black (instructor) belt instead.
To be eligible for a purple belt, it is recommended that students spend at least two years as a blue belt and be at least 16 years old when transitioning from juvenile belts.
Brown Belt
To maintain your brown belt, continuing training for another year is essential. The brown belt is the highest-ranked belt color in Jiu jitsu, excluding exceptional straps at advanced levels.
Typically, it takes five years of dedicated training to achieve this rank. During this time, practitioners focus on refining techniques and strategies.
To be eligible for a brown belt promotion, individuals must remain a purple belt for a minimum of 18 months and be 18 years old or above.
Black Belt
The black belt is the highest goal in Jiu jitsu and other martial arts, requiring three years of continuous training. While the number of practice hours needed may vary, all black belts have dedicated thousands of hours to earning their rank.
Within Jiu jitsu, black belts are often referred to as “Professors.” However, titles can differ across schools and organizations.
To receive a black belt, students must be at least 19 years old and have spent one year as a brown belt. The journey towards this prestigious achievement is challenging yet rewarding.
Black/Red Belt (Coral Belt)
The black and red belt, also known as the coral belt, is a prestigious Jiu jitsu rank requiring at least seven years of dedication. This rank draws inspiration from the alternating red and black belts earned by Judoka at the sixth degree.
The coral belt represents deep mastery of Jiu jitsu, and those who achieve it are highly regarded as “masters” within the community. It symbolizes their expertise and is a testament to their long journey in martial arts.
White/Red Belt
Dedicate ten more years of training to maintaining your white and red belts. The promotion requirements for advancing from 7th to 8th degree black belt have recently been changed. Typically, a practitioner who achieves the 8th degree wears a red and white belt as recognition.
Red Belt
According to Renzo and Royler Gracie, the red belt is the highest rank honor in Jiu jitsu. The red belt is reserved for those who have reached the pinnacle of mastery. Red belts replace the ninth and tenth degrees of black belts.
To achieve a ninth-degree red belt, a practitioner must start training at 19 years old and continue their journey until they’re at least 67. Within the Jiu jitsu community, red belts are revered as grandmasters due to their influence and fame in the art.
Kids Belt Ranking System
The kids’ belt system in Jiu jitsu is designed specifically for children. It may appear complex initially but becomes straightforward in practice. This system is integral to JJ for kids.
The kids’ belt system starts at age four and continues until fifteen. At fifteen, they transition to the adult belt system. If they complete all kids’ belt rankings, they can enter the adult system at the blue level.
The belt rankings for kids are divided into five color groups with stripes:
- White belt: Like the adult white belt but with five stripes.
- Gray belt: Includes gray with a white stripe, solid gray, and gray with a black stripe.
- Yellow belt: Consists of yellow with a white stripe, solid yellow, and yellow with a black stripe.
- Orange belt: Similar to gray and yellow, with white, solid orange, and black stripes.
- Green belt: The highest level for kids, following the same pattern as previous belts.
Minimum age requirements vary; for instance, at age seven, one can attain white up to yellow with a white stripe, but not beyond. Advancement within the belt system is based on training completion.
Detailed Belt System
The kids’ JJ belt system comprises five color groups, each with its prerequisites for advancement. Progress requires training time. On average, moving up one belt subcategory takes around eight months, and advancing through an entire color group requires approximately two years.
The color groups are categorized as beginner (white), intermediate (gray and yellow), and advanced (orange and green). Each color group has three levels, progressing from white lengthwise to black lengthwise stripe.
Age Groups
The kids’ belt system aligns with the student’s age. All students can start with a white belt, but other categories have age-specific requirements. Each category encompasses three age groups:
- Gray color group: Levels 1, 2, and 3 are for ages 4-15, 5-15, and 6-15.
- Yellow color group: Levels 1, 2, and 3 are for ages 7-15, 8-15, and 9-15.
- Orange color group: Levels 1, 2, and 3 are for ages 10-15, 11-15, and 12-15.
- Green color group: Levels 1, 2, and 3 are for ages 13-15, 14-15, and exclusively at age 15.
These age-specific groups serve as milestones and help track the child’s progress, aligning belts with age.
Benefits of the Jiu jitsu Belt System
From white belt to black belt, this structured belt progression system offers more than just recognition. Let’s dive into the advantages and rewards of each belt level, empowering students to grow in skills, knowledge, discipline, and camaraderie.
Motivation and Goal Setting
Students embark on a progression and skill advancement journey from white belt level. Each new belt represents an achievement and motivates one to continue training.
Through the four belt classes- white, blue, purple, and brown – individuals set short-term goals to reach the next belt. This creates motivation and purpose in their practice.
As they move up through the belts, practitioners gain confidence in their abilities while setting long-term goals such as earning a black belt or achieving higher degrees. These aspirations give them something to strive for during training sessions.
The Jiu jitsu ranking fosters discipline by requiring consistent effort before progressing to the next rank. It also builds character traits like perseverance and patience, which are essential both on and off the mat.
Measuring Progress and Skill Development
The Jiu jitsu ranking strategy is crucial to measuring progress and skill development in martial arts. It provides a clear framework for athletes to gauge their achievements and set goals for advancement.
As students progress from one rank to another, they gain more knowledge and expertise in techniques such as takedowns, submissions, escapes, and sweeps.
Promotions are typically based on performance evaluations conducted by experienced instructors or coaches who assess factors like
- Technique execution
- Accuracy
- Consistency
- Application during sparring sessions or competitions
A vital benefit of this structured ranking system is that it allows individuals to track their improvement over time. At the same time, it motivates them to continue challenging themselves along the journey toward mastery.
Focusing on achieving higher belts and constantly improving skills at each level is essential before progressing. This ensures a solid foundation before advancing into more advanced techniques at higher ranks.
Building a Supportive Community
Through a system of recognition and support, the Jiu jitsu raking helps create bonds within its tight-knit community. It’s a collective effort towards self-improvement both on and off the mat.
As individuals progress to higher belts – they become mentors for lower-ranked students. This mentorship creates an environment where more experienced practitioners share their knowledge with those still learning.
Belt promotions are celebrated within the community. It’s not just about personal achievement but also about recognizing the growth of others around you.
Higher-ranked practitioners often assist lower ranks during training sessions or offer guidance outside class hours. This builds lasting relationships based on mutual respect for one another’s dedication to the art.
Recognizing Achievements and Milestones
The Jiu jitsu ranking is crucial to recognizing achievements and milestones within Jiu jitsu. Transitioning from one color to another requires dedication, perseverance, and countless hours on the mat honing techniques.
Every step in this journey signifies physical and mental growth for every practitioner involved in Jiu jitsu training. It fosters discipline while instilling values like humility and respect toward others.
The ultimate aim for many is achieving excellence through hard work, with each new milestone bringing increased responsibilities.
Tips for Ranking Up in Jiu Jitsu
In your journey to rank up in Jiu jitsu, a few tips can help you along the way.
- First, get a notebook to jot down techniques and concepts learned in class to retain them better.
- Showing up consistently is crucial, as regular training is essential for improvement.
- While belts may motivate, remember they don’t always reflect actual ability – focus on perfecting techniques instead.
- Dedication and perseverance will lead to progress on your Jiu jitsu ranking journey.
Does Your Belt Level Matter?
While ranks in Jiu jitsu serve as goals to strive for, their importance can vary. Some individuals may not get promoted due to gym changes or being more skilled than their current rank.
On the other hand, some wear belts they haven’t entirely earned yet. It’s crucial to remember that a belt is not solely indicative of one’s skill level. Instead, it represents progress and dedication in the journey of learning Jiu jitsu.
How Do You Progress to the Next Rank in Jiu jitsu?
The graduation system to the next rank in Jiu jitsu requires consistent training and commitment. Unlike other martial arts, advancing in rank is considered more challenging. Coaches typically award levels based on readiness rather than a fixed promotion schedule.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Purple Belt in Jiu jitsu?
On average, it takes about 3 years and 4 months for a blue belt to progress to a purple belt in Jiu jitsu. However, the journey from blue to purple is often longer than the progression from white to blue.
This transition presents a unique challenge as you encounter practitioners with varying skill levels. Experienced blue belts may have up to 4 years of training, while newer ones could have less than 2 years.
It’s worth mentioning that some individuals experience what’s known as “blue belt blues” and may struggle or even stop attending classes after achieving their blue belt.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Brown Belt in Jiu jitsu?
On average, it takes around 3 years to progress from a purple belt to a brown belt in Jiu jitsu. However, this journey is similar in length to the transition from blue to purple belt.
A brown belt typically requires approximately 8-9 years of consistent practice and dedication on the mat. Achieving this level demonstrates exceptional devotion and skill within the sport of Jiu jitsu.
Alongside the time and effort invested in training sessions, practitioners also require luck in avoiding injuries to progress further.
Who Can Give Out Promotions in Jiu jitsu?
In the world of Jiu jitsu, promotions are given out by black belts. However, in some countries with a shortage of black belts, lower ranks may be awarded to encourage the sport’s growth.
Black belts with at least 2 stripes can promote others to the black belt level. Coaches can only encourage students up to one belt below their rank. For example, a brown belt can give someone a purple belt.
Do You Have to Pay for Belts or Promotions?
No, paying for belt promotions in legitimate Jiu jitsu academies is unnecessary. Any gym that requires payment for advertising is often referred to as a “McDojo” and should be avoided.
Choosing a reputable academy that focuses on teaching proper technique rather than just handing out belts based on financial contributions is essential.
Begin your Jiu jitsu journey at 10th Planet Poway today!
As mentioned earlier, the Jiu jitsu belt ranking provides structure and motivation for practitioners. It symbolizes progress and dedication as you move through each level – from white to black belt.
So, are you ready to begin your Jiu jitsu journey? At 10th Planet Poway, we understand the importance of a strong foundation in art.
Embrace this journey with us, where skilled instructors will direct you every step of the way. Join our community at 10th Planet Poway today and experience firsthand why so many choose us for their Jiu jitsu training needs.
Contact us today to schedule a trial class for yourself or your child!
10th Planet Poway Jiu Jitsu
14009 Midland Rd. Poway, CA 92064
(858) 848-6444
