BJJ Belt Rankings: How Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Ranked?

Like many other martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) has a belt system, with which students of the art, and others, can measure progress. If you are thinking about learning about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, you’re probably wondering how BJJ belt rankings work, and how quickly you can progress through the ranks.

The BJJ belt system has been developed since the inception of the art, and carries a sense of tradition. The BJJ belt rankings indicate the students’ increasing level of the technical knowledge about the art, and practical skills associated. Coloured belts worn as part of the ensemble are awarded to the student as they achieve these proficiencies.

BJJ Belt Order

Today’s BJJ involves five main belt ranks: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Each student begins with white, but not all make it through to black. BJJ belt rankings are not necessarily standardized across the globe, and each gym might have their own expectations and requirements in order to progress through the belts.

White Belt

White belt is the first belt within Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Any student new to the art will wear this belt, and it has no prerequisites. Depending on your gym and instructor, white belt training may emphasise escape manoeuvres and defensive positioning, as their inexperience will lead them to be starting from an inferior position in a fight. Other academies will integrate some basic offensive moves into their skillset, including submissions and guard passes.

Blue Belt

Blue belt is the second in the BJJ belt order. At the blue belt level, students will increase the breadth of their technical knowledge and commence long hours of time on the mat to learn how to properly implement these moves. Blue belt can be quite difficult for some, as there aq43 numerous techniques that need to be learned. Most gyms will require the student be at least 16 years old before starting in the adult BJJ belt system, and remain on blue belt for at least two years.

Purple Belt

Typically, students will remain on their purple belt level once it has been achieved for at least 18 months. As an intermediary rank, purple belts are generally able to instruct lower level students. Different gyms will have different qualifications in order to achieve this belt. This is also regarded as the rank where you start developing specific techniques in BJJ that work well for you in competitions. Most purple belts have learned the basics of BJJ and can start chaining together moves in fights.

Brown Belt

Aside from the exceptional belts awarded at the highest levels, brown belt is the highest of the BJJ belt rankings. Brown belt ranking normally requires at least five years of dedicated training to achieve. It is often thought of as a time for refining techniques and honing your art. Students competing at brown belt can be intimidated by the additional moves that are now allowed in combat. Your gym may teach you moves like guard passing before leg locks. At brown belt, you should be comfortable training both leg attacks and defences before registering for any competitions.

Black Belt

In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the black belt denotes an expert level of technical and practical skill. To achieve this level in the BJJ belt system, students must be at least 19 years old and have spent a at least one year as a brown belt. Beyond black belt, there are nine different degrees of proficiency, like the dan system in Japanese marital arts. When the student reached the seventh and eighth degrees, these are denoted by a coral belt, and the ninth degree represented with a red belt.

The Red Belt

At the pinnacle of the BJJ belt rankings is the red belt. In BJJ the red belt is reserved for those “whose influence and fame takes them to the pinnacle of art” according to members of the renowned Gracie family. Students should not think of the red belt as an attainable goal, instead focusing their attention on training and mastering techniques taught to them by their master.

Learning BJJ at UMF

If you are interested in starting your journey in the BJJ belt rankings, UMF is a great place to do it. Each day new students walk into the academy for the same reasons: to be better at their art, to improve their health and well-being, learning ability, and stress levels. At UMF Academy, all students take the lessons learned on the mat and apply this learning to everyday life.

Book in for a trial at UMF Academy today to get started on your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey.