Unraveling the BJJ Belt System Adults!

Have you ever wondered how Brazilian jiu-jitsu proficiency is assessed? The answer lies in the intricate belt system of BJJ. This hierarchy starts from the beginner level of white and blue belts and goes up to the advanced levels of brown and black belts. Each belt represents a unique stage in a practitioner’s grappling journey.

In this insightful article, we’ll explore the significance of each belt color, the journey of promotions, and various aspects that define the rich tradition of this martial art. Join us as we navigate the ranks, uncovering the stories and milestones each belt represents in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

An Overview The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Belt System:

There are eight adult belt levels in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ranking system

Adult and youth students can earn stripes for various factors such as time, knowledge, behavior, and performance at competitions.

The Different Colored Belts in the BJJ Ranking System

BJJ belt colors are white, blue, purple, brown, black, red/black, red/white, and red.

White Belt

The white belt is the first colored belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is the most crucial level for any practitioner. Newcomers to the BJJ sport who have no prior experience are assigned this level when they begin training.

Aside from that, moving from white to blue belt typically takes 2 to 3 years of dedicated training. However, the length of time may vary depending on the requirements of each academy.

Meanwhile, students must demonstrate to their coach that they deserve to be promoted to the blue belt level.

A common misconception is that demonstrating talent or athleticism will automatically result in a promotion to a higher belt. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily true in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Your wrestling or grappling skills may be excellent, and you may even have defeated a few opponents. But it would help if you had time to comprehend the concepts and fundamentals of jiu-jitsu.

A wise instructor should not promote his students solely based on physical strength. Instead, he must take into account a variety of other factors.

Related: The white to blue belt path in Brazilian jiu-jitsu can be challenging! Achieving the blue belt requirements is a huge accomplishment since it allows you to become a formidable fighter who can relax, attack, and defend from various jiu-jitsu positions. Click here to find out more!

Blue Belt

The blue belt is the second colored belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Indeed, it is considered one of the most elementary levels for any practitioner because it will gain a wealth of technical information.

Aside from the black belt, a blue belt is the most likely rank in which BJJ students will spend most of their time training and developing their skills.

After learning the fundamentals of BJJ, they begin to develop their methods of doing things at this level.

It is possible to go from blue to purple belt rank within two years of dedicated training (at least three sessions per week), following the International Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Federation’s requirements.

Despite this, numerous practitioners have advanced to the rank of purple belt in less than two years, many of whom have progressed in more than two years.

Purple Belt

The purple belt is the third colored belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It is a stage at which a student begins to perfect his technique and mentor others.

The purple belt assists lower-ranked practitioners by instructing them to improve in jiu-jitsu using his experience as a model. As a result, purple belts should foster positive relationships with their blue belts team partners.

Aside from that, achieving the purple belt is a significant accomplishment. However, it is a formidable accomplishment without demonstrating high talent and determination.

Generally speaking, the purple belt is considered an advanced practitioner, which places them at the top of the team hierarchy in most school systems.

Consequently, instructors believe the purple belts will improve the overall team quality by assisting the white and blue belts in their jiu-jitsu training.

Brown Belt

The brown belt is the fourth colored belt in the BJJ ranking system. So, it comes before the black belt in the hierarchy.

Essentially, it is a stage in which a student refines the list of techniques they rely on in the competition and thoroughly understands them.

Among the highest Brazilian Jiu-jitsu ranks, the brown belt is the fourth highest after the white, blue, and purple belts and before the black belt.

A purple belt who maintains a high level of consistency can earn the brown belt in a training period of 1 to 2 years. 

But generally, a consistent practitioner can earn his brown belt between 3 and 6 years from when he first stepped onto the mat.

Black Belt

The black belt is the fifth colored belt in the BJJ ranking system, which comes after the brown belt and before the coral and red belts.

It is the most wanted rank because of its significance in BJJ and other martial arts disciplines.

The black belt rank is awarded to practitioners who have practiced jiu-jitsu for a significant time. Furthermore, achieving a black belt can take up to ten years.

Having spent many years on the BJJ mats has provided him with a comprehensive background. In addition, black belts have a high technical and practical proficiency level.

Coral Belt

The coral belt is among the most prestigious and highest ranks after attaining the 6th-degree black belt. Aside from that, the coral belt comes before the red belt and represents the 7th and 8th black belt ranks.

There are two types of coral belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which are as follows:

  • Red/Black Coral Belt

The red and black belt (coral belt) represents a 7th-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu. It’s awarded to practitioners with at least thirty years of experience as active black belts.

The IBJJF, on the other hand, requires that red and black belts are only eligible to move up to the next rank after at least seven years at their current level.

  • Red/White Coral Belt

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners who wear a red and white belt (coral belt) have completed at least thirty-seven years on the mats as active black belts. Otherwise, This red/white rank is also represented by an 8th-degree black belt.

On the other hand, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation requires that red and white belts be eligible for promotion to the next rank (red belt) only after they have spent a minimum of ten years at this level.

Red Belt

bjj red belt

The red belt is the highest rank in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and refers to a Grand Master who has achieved the 9th or 10th-degree black belt in martial arts.

Otherwise, there aren’t many red belts because it takes approximately 50 years of BJJ practice to achieve this rank.

Related: Youth belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu progress from white to green, increasing skill and knowledge. Click here to learn more!

Conclusion

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu belt ranks indicate how much knowledge a martial arts practitioner has. Here is a summary of the colored belts in this grappling martial art.

The white belt, blue belt, purple belt, brown belt, black belt, coral belt, and red belt are the jiu-jitsu belts in order of chronology.

The white belt is the first belt to be earned. While progressing from one level to the next, the practitioner gains more technical skills and a better understanding of the art of BJJ.

What rank do you currently hold in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Do you adore it? Do you believe that you deserve a higher rank?

Related: A Jiu Jitsu Belt Display is a decorative item that serves as a visual representation of a practitioner’s progression and achievements. Click here to learn about the best jiu-jitsu belt display to show your progress!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the BJJ Belt System?

The BJJ belt ranking system highlights the extent of a practitioner’s experience. It ranges from the novice levels of white and blue belts to the intermediate level of purple to the advanced rankings of brown and black belts.

What Does It Mean to Be a Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is a significant achievement for any practitioner because he or she has worked extremely hard to achieve this highly desired rank.

Is the Black Belt the Highest Rank In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Generally speaking, a black belt is considered the highest rank a practitioner can achieve in various martial arts disciplines.

However, in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, other highest ranks besides the black belt are available, such as the coral and red belts, which are the most prestigious.

Aside from that, the seventh and eighth degrees of the black belts are commonly referred to as the coral belt, and a red belt represents the ninth-degree black belts.