BJJ Blue Belt Requirements? Earning a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu means becoming a skilled fighter who can relax, attack, and defend.
Progressing from white to blue belts takes 2-3 years, but the timeline can vary by academy.
Mastery of techniques and moves is necessary for promotion. Focus on the requirements to avoid being part of the 75% who quit as white belts. Continue reading for more!
White Belt Vs. Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
white and blue belts are among the initial ranks in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
White is for beginners, while blue is for those with years of training and a good grasp of the fundamentals.
A blue belt persevered despite the challenges of the white belt level.
White Belts Analysis
- Poor jiu-jitsu game due to a lack of knowledge of the necessary positions, techniques, etc.
- Spend a lot of energy performing basic moves.
- Lack of mobility.
- Low strength and conditioning.
- Survive a lot and have doubts about attacking.
- Bad distance management.
- Inefficient Grips in most situations.
- Finding issues solving rolling problems
- Ego may destroy them.
Blue Belts Analysis
- A more extensive repertoire of techniques and moves to personalize their defending and attacking game.
- Remain calm in difficult situations, and they know when to move smoothly without spending much energy.
- High mobility.
- Excellent strength and conditioning.
- Good distance management.
- Efficient grips
- Positive mental attitude
- Amazing competitive mindset
- Impressive commitment on the mat
- Good problem-solving process
- Good self-esteem
White Belt State: An Overview
Beginner Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners often need help with basic movements and techniques, such as shrimping, rolling, and completing submissions.
This can lead to confusion about which guard type to use and cause frustration.
A wise white belt can improve and become more confident in executing techniques, escapes, and submissions and survive in most positions with persistence and practice.
Getting a Blue Belt: What Does It Take?
A white belt must master an extensive list of techniques, movements, and strategies to earn a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
It takes 2 to 3 years of dedicated training, but it’s not only about how long you’ve practiced. Belt promotion is based on how good you become at it.
So, devote more time to training and sharpening your skills to earn a blue belt.
BJJ Blue Belt Requirements: Technical Needs
To earn a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu, you must understand the technical requirements and master a variety of positions, techniques, and moves.
You should become familiar with attacking and defending from various Jiu-Jitsu positions, employing at least two or three effective techniques.
Moving out of survival mode and personalizing your game with proper tactics is a visible sign that you deserve a blue belt.
The technical advancements made by rookie students are also among the requirements.
Demanded Fundamental Moves On Your Way to Blue Belt
In their BJJ beginning, new practitioners will have difficulty performing the various movements due to a lack of weight balance and mobility, among other factors.
Nevertheless, they slowly become more familiar with these moves. Therefore, They have started performing the various jiu-jitsu techniques and submissions most effectively and improving their game.
That’s a great progression! But what are the basic movements I need to master on my road to achieving the blue belt rank?
Several Brazilian jiu-jitsu moves must be learned and understood before moving from the white to blue belt in BJJ, including:
Needed Positions On Moving from White to Blue Belt BJJ
After a while of training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, you will discover that this unique grappling martial art has a variety of positions.
Furthermore, having a solid understanding of these positions will assist the practitioner in developing a reliable fighting game that will allow him to dominate his opponent.
The question is, what are the fundamental positions that I should learn as I progress through the rank of the blue belt?
The following are some of the fundamental positions that a new, reputable, promoted BJJ blue belt understood well:
- Closed guard
- Half guard
- Side control
- Full mount
- Knee on belly
- Back Control
- Turtle Position
- Standing position
Required Techniques On Moving from White to Blue Belt
Techniques and submissions are the lifeblood of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and keep this grappling martial art alive and kicking.
So the question is, what fundamental techniques and submissions must be performed to progress from white belt to blue belt?
The following are some of the fundamental techniques and submissions that a new, reputable, and promoted BJJ blue belt should be able to perform with ease:
- Triangle choke
- Cross collar choke
- Rear naked choke
- Guillotine choke
- Armbar
- Americana lock
- Kimura lock
- Guard pull
- Basic guard retention techniques
- Over-under guard pass
- Toreando guard pass
- Knee slice pass
- Staple pass
- Closed guard break
- Hip bump sweep
- Scissor sweep
- Pendulum sweep
- Double and single-leg takedown
- Fundamental side control escapes
- Basic mount escapes
- Fundamental back control escapes
- Basic bottom turtle escapes
- Knee on belly escapes
Blue Belt BJJ Requirements Differ from One Academy to Another!
According to our resources, the jiu-jitsu blue belt standards outlined above will be sufficient for a white belt to attain the blue belt regardless of where he receives his training.
Conversely, the criteria for earning a blue belt may vary from one BJJ gym to another.
Depending on the circumstances, someone may earn a blue belt in less than a year, while another may remain at the white belt level for several years.
So, why do blue belt BJJ requirements differ from academy to academy?
Each academy has its training approach, which may cause variations in jiu-jitsu blue belt certification requirements.
For example, some jiu-jitsu schools are oriented toward no-gi training, others prefer Gi training, and others prioritize self-defense training.
Discover below some of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and 10th Planet schools’ blue belt requirements.
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt Requirements
Students of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy should prioritize learning the techniques to defend themselves adequately against a larger opponent in a real-world street battle.
So, to achieve this goal, the Gracie Jiu-jitsu Academy requires that a white belt student develop his combative skills to get the blue belt by mastering the requirements mentioned below.
Mount Position
- Americana armlock
- Rear naked choke
- Straight armlock
- Twisting arm control
- Back mount finish
- Armlock finish
- Trap and roll escape
- Standard elbow escape
- Hook removal
- Heel drag
- Back take
- Headlock counters
- Armlock finish
Guard Position
- Triangle choke
- Straight armlock
- Kimura armlock
- Back Take
- Elevator sweep
- Headlock variation
- Double ankle sweep
- Knee thrust variation
- Hook sweep
- Double underhook guard pass
Side Control Position
- Roll prevention
- Guard prevention
- Mount transition
- Shrimp escape
- Punch block variation
- Headlock escape
- Standard frame escape
- Scissor failure variation
- Headlock escape
- Standard leg hook escape
- Elbow escape
- Knee drive variation
- High step variation
Standing Position
- Distance control strategies
- Leg hook takedown
- Body fold takedown
- Double leg takedown
- Pull guard
- Rear takedown
- Guillotine choke
- Standing variation
- Guard pull variation
- Standing armlock
- Standing headlock defense
- Guillotine defense
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt Requirement
At the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Academy, white belt students must improve their endurance to progress to blue belt.
Good strength and conditioning training is essential for accurate movement.
10th Planet provides additional programs for endurance and performance training.
Blue belt practitioners must have strong bottom guard defense and retention, master attacks, and escape from the mount, back mount, and side control.
BJJ Blue Belt Promotion: The Test
The blue belt test is designed to ensure that a white belt has fulfilled the necessary training requirements to be awarded a blue belt.
Throughout the evaluation, students will be judged on various aspects: their grasp of the gentle art’s history, comprehension of critical principles, physical prowess, mastery of basic movements, and technical skills.
The assessment concludes with a worm sparring session.
Blue Belt Level Achieved, What’s Next?
Some Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners consider attaining the blue belt rank a significant accomplishment.
But things do not stop here since you’re not even close to reaching your biggest jiu-jitsu dream. The training must carry on!
A blue belt has understood the primary ground positions and can perform the fundamental techniques efficiently at this level.
They can roll productively without relying on pure power or retreating to instinct since they are well-versed in a handful of techniques and submissions for any circumstance.
In this case, what should be the subsequent pursuit for the BJJ blue belt?
Blue belts should broaden their scope of study to include more advanced positions and explore various guard and passing tactics.
Therefore, they should consist of new positions in their game, considerably increasing their repertoire of techniques.
For example, concentrating on mastering different open guard variations, like the De la Riva guard, butterfly guard, spider guard, and so on, will be a fantastic place to begin scaling their jiu-jitsu game.
Final Thoughts
A blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a significant achievement. The student has spent a few years on the mat and can execute basic movements and submissions.
Blue belts are fierce competitors who exhibit excellent technique and conditioning. How long did it take you to earn your blue belt?
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Many Blue Belts to Abandon BJJ Training?
Injuries are among the top causes that forced many blue belts to abandon jiu-jitsu training.
Unfortunately, accidents and injuries are inescapable in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, at least regarding the sport’s technical aspects.
Why Is the Percentage of White Belts Abandon Jiu-Jitsu Before Achieving the Blue Belt? Why?
Almost 75% of white belts abandon their training before achieving the blue belt level.
As you may know, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a complex grappling martial art requiring excellent physical and technical ability to survive on the ground.
The focus, however, is not always on strength and conditioning!
The following are the most common reasons white belts give up their Jiu-Jitsu training before achieving the blue belt rank.
- Ego
- Injuries
- Technical issues: Unable to remember the various techniques setups.
- Low self-esteem
- Unrealistic expectations
- Negative mental attitude
- Lack of competitive mindset
- Lack of Commitment
Can I Achieve a BJJ Blue Belt in One Year?
Getting a blue belt in a year is possible, primarily if you practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu at least four times weekly.
Otherwise, tracking your progress in various positions, techniques, and movements can help you reach your goal fast.
However, you’ll find it difficult if you are a white belt with a lack of commitment, slow jiu-jitsu progress, and no tournament participation.
Can I Get a BJJ Blue Belt in 6 Months?
Obtaining a BJJ blue belt in six months is challenging but possible.
However, it will be much less complicated if you’re a jiu-jitsu white belt trained in other martial arts, such as wrestling or judo.
Otherwise, it will be easier if you hold a solid commitment to training, a positive mental attitude, and a savage competitive mindset.
What Level Is a Blue Belt in Jiu-Jitsu?
Blue belt is the second adult-colored belt level in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. A white belt can achieve the blue belt within one to two years of BJJ training.
What Is the Minimum Age for the Blue Belt BJJ Rank Promotion?
According to the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, you must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for promotion to the blue belt rank.
