Understanding the BJJ Belt System
And how long does it take to earn a Black Belt?
Before we can answer that question (and we will….I promise) we must first discuss who the IBJJF is and why we and most accredited Jiu-Jitsu academies use their belt promotion system.
Who is the IBJJF?
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is the largest governing body for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions in the world. Founded in 1994 by Carlos Gracie Jr., a prominent figure in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, with the goal of promoting and organizing the sport on a global level.
The IBJJF is responsible for setting the rules and regulations for tournaments, maintaining rankings and records of competitors, and awarding belts and degrees in the sport. The organization holds numerous tournaments throughout the year, including the prestigious World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which is considered the most prestigious BJJ competition in the world.
Why follow the IBJJF belt promotion system?
The IBJJF belt system provides a standardized and internationally recognized way to measure progress and skill level in the sport. The IBJJF belt system is based on a combination of technical knowledge, physical ability, and time in practice, with each belt level representing a specific level of proficiency in the sport.
Following the IBJJF belt system will allow practitioners to get goals and measure their progress over time. It will also provide a common language and framework for communication among practitioners, coaches and instructors.
Additionally, many tournaments and competitions require competitors to have a certain belt level in order to participate. By following the IBJJF belt system, practitioners can ensure they are eligible to compete in the appropriate division at these events.
Do they have different belt systems for youth and adult students?
Yes. The youth belt system is for those training between the ages of 4 and 15 and the adult system is for those training at 16 years of age and older.
Now that you are up to speed on the IBJJF and why we honor their belt promotion standards lets get started explaining the youth and adult belt promotion systems.
The IBJJF Youth Belt Promotion System
The IBJJF Youth Belt Promotion System
The IBJJF Youth Belt system consists of white, grey, yellow, orange and green. Each requires a combination of technical knowledge, physical ability and time in practice. A summary of each belt level is below.
White Belt
This is the first belt in the youth IBJJF belt system and is open to children between the ages of 4 and 15. At this level, students will learn the basics of BJJ and focus on deleloping fundamental techniques and movement patterns.
Grey Belt
The grey belt is the next level after white and is also open to children between the ages of 4 and 15. At this belt, the student will continue to build on their fundamental skills and begin to learn more advanced techniques.
Yellow Belt
The yellow belt follows grey, and is open to students between the ages of 7 and 15 and signifies that the student has developed a solid foundation in BJJ techniques and concepts. At this level the student can start to focus on refining their skills and learning more advanced techniques.
Orange Belt
The orange belt is open to children between the ages of 10 and 15 and signifies that the student has progressed to a more advanced level of proficiency in BJJ. At this level, students focus on mastering more complex techniques and strategies.
Green Belt
The green belt is open to children between the ages of 13 and 15 and signifies the student has achieved a high level of proficiency in BJJ. At this level, students begin to focus on preparing for the transition to the adult belt system, which they will enter once they turn 16.
*Blue Belt
The blue belt is the first belt earned in the adult IBJJF belt system and is open to students between the ages of 16 and 17. At this level, students have typically been training for several years and have achieved a high level of proficiency in the sport. They begin to focus on mastering more advanced techniques and strategies and will begin to compete at a higher level.
The IBJJF Adult Belt Promotion System
The IBJJF Adult Belt Promotion System
The IBJJF Adult Belt system consists of white, blue, purple, brown, black and red. Each requires a combination of technical knowledge, physical ability and time in practice. A summary of each belt level is below.
White Belt
This is the starting level for adults who are new to BJJ. At this level, students focus on learning fundamental techniques, positions and movement patterns.
Blue Belt
The blue belt signifies that the student has developed a solid foundation in BJJ and is able to apply their techniques in live sparring. At this level, students continue to build on their knowledge and focus on developing a more well-rounded game.
Purple Belt
The purple belt represents that the student has achieved a high level of proficiency in BJJ and is considered an advanced practitioner. At this level, students focus on mastering more complex techniques and strategies, as well as developing their own personal style of BJJ.
Brown Belt
The brown belt signifies that the student is a highly-skilled and experienced practitioner of BJJ. At this level, students are expected to have a deep understanding of the sport and be able to apply their knowledge in a variety of situations.
Black Belt
The black belt is the highest level of achievement in BJJ and is a sign that the student has reached a level of mastery. At this level, students are expected to be highly skilled, knowledgable and experienced practitioners, as well as role models and mentors to others in the school and BJJ community.
*Red Belt
This is the highest level of belt in the IBJJF belt promotion system which is awarded to those who have dedicated their entire lives to the study and practice of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The belt is a sign of exceptional skill, knowledge and experience in the sport and only awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the development and growth of BJJ.
In order to be eligible for the red belt, a practitioner must have held the rank of black belt for a minimum of 31 years and must have made significant contributions to the sport through teaching, competition, mentorship and other means. The red belt is rare and a prestigious honor, only being held by a select few individuals in the BJJ community.
How long does it take to earn a BJJ Black Belt?
How long does it take to earn a BJJ Black Belt?
The answer to this question will vary based off a combination of factors, such as the individuals dedication, training frequency, quality of instruction and the requirements of their particular school or academy.
Generally, it can take anywhere between 8 to 15 years of constant training and competition to earn a black belt in JiuJitsu.
Remember though…..that clock only starts once you step onto the mat. While we enjoy you stopping by to learn more about Jiu-Jitsu in theory, it can only truly be learned in practice. Reading is cool…..but popping an anaconda choke from front headlock position is way cooler!