Belt Ranks in BJJ are different in the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu System. This article breaks down the meanings of each belt and walks you through the Gracie System.
Belt Ranks in BJJ
This article is a written overview of the video below!
White Belt (1 – 2 years)
The white belt symbolizes the beginning of your journey in Jiu-jitsu. Most people will spend 1-2 years here at this belt depending on how much time and dedication they are putting onto the mats!
Combative Belt – First 36 Lessons of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
In Gracie Jiu Jitsu there is an in-between belt called the combative belt. This is symbolized by a white colored belt with a blue ring around the waist. This belt is normally given to online learners who completed the first 36 lessons of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Look at it as a halfway mark to the blue belt!
Blue Belt (2 – 5 years)
At the blue belt in the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu system, you are considered “street proficient”. You can easily handle just about any white belt and have a good grasp of your techniques.
Purple Belt (3 – 5 years)
Once receiving the purple belt in the Gracie System, you are considered street ready. Some gyms don’t stripe here or brown belt. At this point, you have proven to those around you that you are dedicated to Jiu-Jitsu. Coaches start to pay particular attention to you, helping you work and hone your skills. Most people spend 3 – 5 years at this stage.
Brown Belt (1 – 2 years)
At brown belt, you are considered a black belt in disguise. You are extremely proficient, and skilled, dedicated time on the mats, and are close to mastering your craft.
Black Belt
On average it takes 10 years to get. This belt is the highest accomplishment one can receive in the sport. It is a symbol of the accumulation of all your training and the time you have spent. There are two types of belts at this stage.
White bar Black Belt – You are a competitor but do not teach people
Red Bar Black Belt – You may be a competitor but the red bar symbolizes that you are an instructor
Stripes For Red Bar Black Belts (Instructors)
Striping on a black belt symbolizes the number of years you have been teaching in the Gracie System.
1st Degree Black Belt- 3 Years teaching
2nd Degree Black Belt- 6 Years teaching
3rd Degree Black Belt- 9 Years teaching
4th Degree Black Belt- 14 Years teaching
5th Degree Black Belt- 19 Years teaching
Some Notes on Striping Belts Within The Gracie System
- Gracie System normally does not stripe white belts
- Striping is a way to show progress within your current belt color even within the Gracie System. They will always signify progress which is important to see as you go along your journey
- 4 Stripes to max out the belt
Even as your progress through the belts the higher you get the less you should care about the belt around your waist, at the end of the day, it just holds your pants up!