Understanding Belt Ranks In Jiu Jitsu
The belt system in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most respected in martial arts, largely because of how long it takes to move through the ranks. At our Brazilian jiu jitsu academy in Burbank and the surrounding valley, students train under this same time-tested progression.
White belt is where everyone begins, regardless of athletic background. This stage is about learning the language of jiu jitsu: basic positions, escapes, and survival.
Blue belt typically takes one to two years of consistent training to reach. By this point, students have a working knowledge of fundamentals and are starting to develop their own style.
Purple belt is often considered the stage where students transition from practitioners to teachers in training. It usually takes another two to three years of training beyond blue belt.
Brown belt is a refinement stage, sharpening technique and understanding at a deeper level, typically one to two years beyond purple.
Black belt represents years of dedication, commonly a decade or more from the start of training. It is not an endpoint but a new beginning, since many black belts describe this stage as when the real learning starts.
Progress through the belts is intentionally slow. It reflects the depth of the art and ensures that rank actually means something on our mats. Curious where you would start? Browse our class schedule or contact us to learn more.