Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, like many other forms of martial arts, incorporates a ranking system that allows students of the art to progress as they add and improve skills. Moving on from one rank to another takes time and practice, but each new rank signifies your growth as a practitioner of BJJ.
As Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in general is a form of martial arts where a weaker opponent learns how to overtake a stronger opponent, your first lessons will be defensive in nature. This is during your time as a white belt, which is the beginning rank in BJJ. While your instructors probably will focus mainly on defensive moves, you are sure to learn a few of the more common offensive maneuvers as you progress. While it takes a while to move past the white belt to the neck levels, your instructor will add stripes to your belt marking degrees of progress.
The white belt is the beginning belt for all forms of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, although in general, the ranks and belts vary between children and adults. Children progress through the belt system at a faster pace than adults, simply because they are weaker physically and less is expected of them for each ranking. Once a fighter reaches 16, they can begin their adult training and work toward attaining the blue belt.
After you have reached adult levels, you work toward earning your blue belt. The blue belt is a big achievement, and it definitely takes about two years to go from the beginning white belt to the blue belt. At this point, you will be adding many more skills and spend hundreds of hours learning and practicing these skills to improve overall technique.
Upon earning the blue belt, you can begin working toward your purple belt, which takes about three years to obtain. Once you have obtained the purple belt, you may be able to begin teaching some of the beginning ranks, as you have acquired a vast skill set. After the purple belt, follows the brown belt which also takes about two years to earn and for most us, this will be the highest belt we earn.
The black belt is certainly an attainable goal, but you will find that most of those who have earned a black belt also earn their living through the martial arts, as it requires thousands of hours of practice and commitment. There are, of course, degrees of black belts, and once you reach the level of a 7th degree black belt, you also receive a black and red belt. To put this in perspective, even amazing fighters such as Anderson Silva have not yet attained a black and red belt. The final belt, a red belt, has been awarded to fewer than two dozen fighters, and the highest, the 10th degree red belt, has been awarded to only five people, none of whom are alive today and none who are not part of the Gracie family.
As Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in general is a form of martial arts where a weaker opponent learns how to overtake a stronger opponent, your first lessons will be defensive in nature. This is during your time as a white belt, which is the beginning rank in BJJ. While your instructors probably will focus mainly on defensive moves, you are sure to learn a few of the more common offensive maneuvers as you progress. While it takes a while to move past the white belt to the neck levels, your instructor will add stripes to your belt marking degrees of progress.
The white belt is the beginning belt for all forms of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, although in general, the ranks and belts vary between children and adults. Children progress through the belt system at a faster pace than adults, simply because they are weaker physically and less is expected of them for each ranking. Once a fighter reaches 16, they can begin their adult training and work toward attaining the blue belt.
After you have reached adult levels, you work toward earning your blue belt. The blue belt is a big achievement, and it definitely takes about two years to go from the beginning white belt to the blue belt. At this point, you will be adding many more skills and spend hundreds of hours learning and practicing these skills to improve overall technique.
Upon earning the blue belt, you can begin working toward your purple belt, which takes about three years to obtain. Once you have obtained the purple belt, you may be able to begin teaching some of the beginning ranks, as you have acquired a vast skill set. After the purple belt, follows the brown belt which also takes about two years to earn and for most us, this will be the highest belt we earn.
The black belt is certainly an attainable goal, but you will find that most of those who have earned a black belt also earn their living through the martial arts, as it requires thousands of hours of practice and commitment. There are, of course, degrees of black belts, and once you reach the level of a 7th degree black belt, you also receive a black and red belt. To put this in perspective, even amazing fighters such as Anderson Silva have not yet attained a black and red belt. The final belt, a red belt, has been awarded to fewer than two dozen fighters, and the highest, the 10th degree red belt, has been awarded to only five people, none of whom are alive today and none who are not part of the Gracie family.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine enjoys writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For additional info about jiu jitsu San Diego trainers or to find boxing classes in San Diego, please check out The Arena MMA site now.
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