by C2 Martial Arts | Sep 29, 2020 | bjj training , martial arts | 1 comment
The Gracie Jiu Jitsu family created the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ranking system and a coloured belt system to display a practitioners current skill level, when they branched from Judo to create the martial art, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coloured belt system requires years of consistent training to attain a black belt rank. Each coloured belt between a white belt and a black belt, requires a minimum amount of time in years for each belt, as set by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). A BJJ student not only needs to display consistent training in years to their head instructor, but they must also show a level of practical skill, their attitudes must consistently remain humble, regardless of whether a student win’s or loses to a submission and a practitioner’s regular attendance will affect their rank and belt promotion too. If promotions by the head instructor happens prematurely, it can disadvantage a practitioner, not only in their everyday training but in competitions too. Most competitions match competitors on their skill (belt colour) and weight. Some BJJ gyms have a stripe system and others may not. It depends on the head coach and it is purely their decision. If a belt takes 2 years to achieve, a coach may give their students a stripe every 6 months to keep their student excited about the sport and reward their progress. Every BJJ practitioner develops their own style of jiu jitsu, depending on their body size, height and type. Let’s discuss the rank system and belt colours below.
White belt rank
As a white belt practitioner and a new BJJ student, you are expected to get the submitted from every angle and you will more than likely get demolished, as your knowledge, skill level, techniques and technical knowledge is limited. Having little or no knowledge of jujitsu whatsoever creates frustration, which is a typical part of your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) journey, as you have little understanding of the martial art. Most BJJ white belts are hungry for knowledge. Your academy will probably be full of different Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belts and levels. A white belt will learn their “style” mainly from their instructor and their opponents who they grapple with frequently. Tall and short people have a completely different game, and the higher belts will be more skilled with their knowledge, obviously. At our BJJ Legion 13 academy, our higher belts or more experienced BJJ students will usually teach our new students certain basic moves during the grappling (free rolling) so our white belts don’t get overwhelmed. A white belt develops an understanding of BASIC escapes and submissions. It takes about 2 years, according to the Institute Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) standards to level up to a blue belt level.
Blue belt rank
At a blue belt level, the practitioner has a BROAD knowledge of escapes and submissions. They start to move with ease and their knowledge is starting to develop. The puzzle pieces are starting to come together. Many students quit at this level as that sense of achievement is gained when going from white to blue belt. Most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) blue belts are able to defeat an untrained opponent, regardless of their size. It takes about 2 years, according to the Institute Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) standards to level up to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) purple belt.
Purple belt rank
As a purple belt level practitioner, you have mastered several escapes and submissions. A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) purple belt practitioner now implements attack combos from various positions. They wait for their BJJ opponents to make a mistake and then they attack their opponents. A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) purple belt has high confidence. A BJJ purple belt has been training for a minimum of 5-7 years. A purple belt is half way through the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt system. Respect is earned from other levels within your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) academy. Purple belts are a threat to all levels as their knowledge of submissions, escapes and are now starting to attack their opponent. It takes about 1.5 years as a purple belt, according to the Institute Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) standards before they level up and rank as a brown belt.
Brown belt rank
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown belt has mastered their escapes, submissions and attack combos and patiently waits for their opponents to make mistakes and capitalizes on their opponents’ mistakes. As a brown belt, you’re nearing black belt but not quite there yet. A BJJ brown belt has fluent movement as their knowledge is extensive. There’s always more to learn, there’s always variations to submissions, escapes and attacks. It takes about 1 year, according to the Institute Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) standards as a brown belt before levelling up to black belt rank.
Black belt rank
As a BJJ black belt, your journey hasn’t finished yet. Now you have a smorgasbord of attacks and defensive positioning ranging from arms, chokes to leg locks. You’re refining all your basic moves and have mastered the proper technique for several BJJ submissions. As a black belt, you should be more than capable to pass knowledge to the lower ranking practitioners at your dojo. You are highly respected having spent thousands of hours at your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) academy. A black belt has a humble attitude as there is still so much to learn, they are not at the highest rank yet. For every 3 years a BJJ black belt practitioner trains, they will receive a new stripe. This becomes their first dan. The longer a BJJ black belt trains, the more senior the BJJ black belt becomes.
What you learn on the journey!
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu student goes through many, many emotions, and every day spent on the mat is different from yesterday. Emotionally, mentally, in technical knowledge and practically applying the skills they’ve learnt. Sometimes you tap people out with your submissions and that is when you build your confidence. Sometimes you get tapped out and submitted, and that is where you learn to become humble, it’s not losing, it’s learning.
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy, usually has a variety of knowledge and skills, different personalities, and different atmospheres. It’s incredibly important to find a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Academy where you’re learning and skills are enhanced in a nurturing environment. Being a “Legion 13” Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy, you are able to train at the 13 other gyms around Perth. This gives you the advantage of learning the skills at different clubs with different instructors. Increased knowledge and skills. We train gi and no-gi, but predominantly gi.
We did the AFBJJ State competition on the weekend and ‘Legion 13’ took out the title for the kids and adults’ trophies. Our C2 Martial Arts Club (5 minutes from Joondalup) had 6 gold state champions, and 4 Silver medallists. Incredible achievement and commitment from our team at C2MA. Some of our competitors have only been training consistently for five months. Sign up today for your no obligation trial. https://www.c2ma.com.au