Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art whose central theme is the skill of controlling a resisting opponent in ways that force him to submit. The word “Jiu-Jitsu” derives from the Japanese “Ju” meaning “gentle” and “Jutsu” meaning “art”. Essentially, Jiu-Jitsu is the “gentle art”. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt ranking system includes 5 bjj belt ranks and colors. Learn all the Brazilian jiu-jitsu belts in order of rank.
- BJJ White Belt Rank
- BJJ Blue Belt Rank
- BJJ Purple Belt Rank
- BJJ Brown Belt Rank
- BJJ Black Belt Rank
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Belt Ranks in Order
Like most martial arts forms, this fighting method requires years of dedication and practice to become a true BJJ master! Students of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu must graduate through their training, receiving a different color belt upon each successful completion of training.
The early BJJ stages of training are all dedicated to defense because it is necessary to learn how to protect yourself from an attack early, especially if the training is to have real-world self-defense benefits. As with all martial arts styles, training is a way of life, and graduating through the belt classes represents dedication, learning, and achievement. The different BJJ belt ranks each have their own significance as students progress. Read further to learn more about the BJJ belt ranks!
1. White Belt Ranking | Initial BJJ Training
For every new student, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu white belt is achieved immediately. As a white belt, your goal is to create a frame of reference for your future learning. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt order is very specific, and the white belt is when you learn all about the basics of BJJ. During this phase of your training, your goal is to relax and pay attention. While there are not a lot of expectations for white belt students, you are expected to learn and understand general steps, kicks, punches, and motions.
The main focus of your initial training will be centered around building endurance, strength and flexibility for the later BJJ belt ranks. Learning to relax is one of the most essential skills and the white belt level is the best time to acquire it. Although students must be able to succeed and progress through the belt system, they should feel comfortable and go at their own pace! Below are 5 suggested goals as a BJJ white belt:
- Discover your passion and why you’re wanting to start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Learn the names of each of the main positions and gain a basic familiarity with each one
- Learn to control your ego by accepting that you will be beaten by the more advanced students
- Get used to the ‘feeling’ of Jiu-Jitsu
- Choose one technique and try to master it
2. Blue Belt Ranking | Defense
Throughout the BJJ belt ranks, the journey from white belt to blue belt serves as an essential milestone. The blue belt is the first graduation or progression in training and it’s where the true learning begins! As you receive your BJJ blue belt, you are entering a stage where the true essence of the martial arts unveils itself. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt is perceived as a turning point, creating a deeper comprehension of fundamentals and readiness to explore specific techniques.
This BJJ belt rank signifies you have an understanding of basic movements and that you have built the endurance levels necessary for the next phase. During blue belt training, you will focus primarily on tackle training, defensive drills, and invasion maneuvers. Your focus goes beyond just learning techniques; you seek to understand the complexities behind them. You are able to learn the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of every technique! Below are 4 suggested goals as a blue belt:
- Develop your offensive skills and start stringing together attacks
- Solidify your defensive techniques and become comfortable escaping from difficult situations
- Master multiple techniques for passing the guard
- Have multiple escapes from mount, back mount, and side control
3. Purple Belt Ranking | Momentum and General Fighting
The BJJ belt ranks are ordered the way they are for a reason. After you have grasped a deeper understanding of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu art, you can now move onto more advanced techniques. When it comes to the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt order, purple belt is the point of no return. You’ve passed the beginning stage, survived the blue belt, and now your instructor sees you as a purple belt. The BJJ purple belt is all about movement and momentum. You will learn how to control the momentum of your own weight as well as your opponents. Much of the ‘wasted movement’ that exemplified your game at the previous belts will go away and you can finish laying the foundation of your entire game. Most students wear a purple belt for a minimum of one year.
The purple belt level is a perfect opportunity to focus on the weakest aspects of your Jiu-Jitsu, also known as the ‘holes in your game’. In addition, a purple belt has a great offense and can be dangerous from any position. The athlete should begin learning to attack using combinations of techniques. Below are 3 suggested goals as a BJJ purple belt:
- Have 3 combination attacks from guard position
- Have 3 submissions from side mount, mount, and back mount
- Become familiar with all the variants of the guard position
4. Brown Belt Ranking | Attack Techniques
The BJJ brown belt is the final belt before mastery and black belt achievement. Although athletes at this level aren’t masters of the art yet, there will be very few positions or situations a brown belt is unfamiliar with. By now, you will have your own unique style and you’ll be able to teach the art to others. This is the time that many BJJ athletes realize they have a passion for teaching and decide to embark on a coaching journey.
When it comes to all the BJJ belt ranks, not many people will make it to this point, so receiving a brown belt is an impressive accomplishment in itself! During this phase of your training, instructors will work with you to show you different submissions, sweeps, and passes. As mentioned, you will already have your own unique style of fighting, and this is crucial as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter!
As a BJJ brown belt, you’re looked up to by white and blue belt athletes. Whether you know it or not, you’re setting an example for the new generation of grapplers, and you should be a positive role model! Below are 3 suggested goals as a BJJ brown belt:
- Consider teaching a few classes at your academy
- Perfect your weight distribution and balance in the top positions
- Consistently work on counters to common attacks
5. Black Belt Ranking| Mastery of the BJJ Basics
You’ve made it to the final BJJ belt color. Congratulations! The BJJ black belt is truly a master grappler. It’s not an easy task and the path is a long and ongoing journey for most people. On average, earning a BJJ black belt takes about five years. However, other factors may affect how long it takes to progress such as:
- Rate of improvement
- Adaptability
- Knowledge of techniques
- Performance in competitions
- Class attendance
Black belt athletes know far more about their body, their mind, and their limitations than the average individual. When you have reached the final Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt level, you must exude humbleness, friendliness, and respect towards others. Compared to all the other BJJ belt ranks, the black belt denotes an expert level of technical skill. Black belt holders are highly efficient, dangerous, and use their skills to defend those less capable than them. A black belt athlete is able to look at everything with a fresh set of eyes. He knows when to or when not to move and their jiu-jitsu is not only effective, but it also looks good.
Remember, you can always learn from other more experienced fighters, and sometimes even younger students have something to teach. Even as a master, you are still a student. Below are 3 suggested goals as a BJJ black belt:
- Understand your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey is not over
- Remain respectful and humble
- Continue to be teachable and grow
- Have fun!
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RhinoFit offers all the belt ranking tools you’ll need! Tracking your member’s BJJ belt ranks, colors, and progressions has never been easier.
Use RhinoFit’s preloaded belt-ranking templates or customize your own… the choice is yours. With our dynamic belt system, you can automatically schedule belt tests for each student. Once scheduled, you can set up automatic emails to be sent to students about upcoming events. View each member’s BJJ belt ranks in the correct order by simply clicking their profile and looking next to their name.
We understand teaching many students and keeping track of all their progress can be challenging. Our goal is to simplify the process with our dynamic belt-tracking tools. Plus, your members will love being able to view their belt colors and progress throughout their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey!
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