Life is a video game and each day we get the choice to level our avatar up or stay stagnant where we are. Jiu-jitsu is the best way to level yourself up in all aspects of life. There are so many lessons that are learned on the mats that would be near impossible to pick up through any other sport. The progression system within the sport is an external way to validate that you are becoming a new human. In this article, we discuss the jiu-jitsu belts someone will receive when they commit to the sport.
Jiu Jitsu Belts
Jiu Jitsu is a sport like many other martial arts that uses belts to showcase expertise in the given art form. In Jiu-jitsu there are 5 belts that an adult can achieve and 5 belts that a child under the age of 15 can receive. Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling martial art that is extremely hard to master. Belts are not given out very easily or frequently. Reaching the highest level in this sport takes time, dedication, and commitment to the mats.
When you decide to train jiu-jitsu it is important to not get wrapped up in the glitz and glamor that comes with ranking up. It is a great way to showcase expertise but the external validation you receive when training can be toxic if that is your sole focus. At the Grapplers Graveyard, we preach to our readers that the most important thing in jiu-jitsu is the progress you make both in the art and your daily life as you strive to reach the highest levels.
The average person will not see this journey to the end. Jiu-jitsu does an excellent good job of exposing people who make excuses and quitters. Jiu-jitsu will allow you to change everything about yourself when you decide to commit and stay consistent.
Belt System in Jiu Jitsu
In Jiu-jitsu there are 5 belts that you can receive as an adult. The adult status is given to anyone above the age of 16.
White Belt
This is the beginning stage of a long journey. Here you will get beat up, learn all the basic techniques, and potentially start competing in local tournaments. This stage is all about survival. 90% of people who are here will drop out before they reach their blue belt. When signing up to do jiu-jitsu it is important to understand your goals within the sport and come to terms with what you want to get out of it! This will help you stick around for the long haul and separate yourself from those around you.
Blue Belt
This stage is the second stage you get to on your journey in jiu-jitsu. Most people achieve this around the two-year mark of training, but some people can achieve this faster based on their ability to learn, natural skill level, and how often they train. Here you have a good grasp on all the basics, can submit any white belt pretty easily, and can escape from most bad positions from people around your skill level.
Purple Belt
The purple belt in jiu-jitsu is the first sign of expertise in the sport. Those that have reached this stage are important to the ecosystem that is created within an academy. Here you will be developing your style of play and honing your skills. The black belt is pretty much guaranteed for people that reach this level if they continue to stay healthy, train frequently, and focus on the minute details to improve.
It is important to note that when you start getting to the darker belts like purple, brown, and black you have now entered an exceptional category. You should be extremely proud of this achievement. Most people won’t even do a form of martial arts let alone make it to the point where they are showing signs of being an expert.
Brown Belt
Brown belts in jiu-jitsu are essentially black belts in disguise. They showcase a high level of expertise and could teach others if they chose to do so. You can taste your black belt at this stage.
Typically there is not much advice someone can offer to someone at this stage in the jiu-jitsu career. Chances are they know what they need to work on and are legitimately badass at what they do.
Black Belt
The black belt in jiu-jitsu is the last stage that most people will achieve in their time training in martial art. This belt is an accumulation of all the training you put in and is a testament to your commitment. Getting here is no easy feat. You have to completely morph yourself into a new kind of person.
Someone who makes it here is committed, disciplined, and obsessed with bettering their jiu-jitsu and life. The journey through this sport will take many ups and downs. Those that make it to the black belt are those that persevered through all the challenges that may have arisen.
Jiu-jitsu is an excellent sport to get into if you are looking to change every aspect of your life, learn self-defense techniques that work, and want to have fun along the way. The brotherhood that is formed and the community you are introduced to are unlike any other hobby you will pick up. We recently picked up a book called Master Jiu Jitsu, Master Life which is an excellent read for those that want to go the distance with this sport!
Happy Rolling!