When we start training a martial art, we always wonder how promotions work, what the belts of the style are and what we need to do to keep moving up.
In Jiu-Jitsu, the belts depend on the practitioner’s age and are split into two groups, as I explain in this article.
What are the Jiu-Jitsu belts?
Jiu-Jitsu belts are split into two groups: kids up to 15 years old and everyone else, from 16 up.
Jiu-Jitsu belts – kids
In the divisions up to 15 years old there are more belts than in the older divisions. Some time ago, the belts in this group were only white, grey, yellow, orange and green. Today, the CBJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Confederation) has introduced a new belt system with each color split into three, as listed below:
The second color of each belt is shown by a horizontal stripe running along the whole length of the belt.
Jiu-Jitsu belts - 16 and over
In the divisions from 16 up, the colors change and are white, blue, purple, brown and black, with the black belt only after 19 years of age.
You may have noticed that the image above also shows the red and black, red and white, and red belts, but I’ll talk about those further down.
Minimum time between belts
Under CBJJ rules, before a belt promotion can happen, the student must spend a minimum amount of time at each belt.
White Belt to Blue Belt – No minimum time
Blue Belt to Purple Belt – Minimum of two years
Purple Belt to Brown Belt – Minimum of a year and a half
Brown Belt to Black Belt – Minimum of one year
There is no maximum time, and the right moment after the required minimum is up to the instructor.
Minimum age for each belt
Besides the minimum time, the CBJJ requires a minimum age for each belt, as listed below:
White Belt – Any age
Grey Belt, Grey and White Belt and Grey and Black Belt – 4 to 15 years old
Yellow Belt, Yellow and White Belt and Yellow and Black Belt – 8 to 15 years old
Orange Belt, Orange and White Belt, Orange and Black Belt – 10 to 15 years old
Green Belt, Green and White Belt and Green and Black Belt – 13 to 15 years old
Blue Belt and Purple Belt – 16 years old
Brown Belt – 18 years old
Black Belt – 19 years old
Red and Black – 50 years old
Red and White – 57 years old
Red – 67 years old
Stripes
Each belt, except the black belt, can have at most four stripes. After receiving four stripes, the next step is the belt promotion.
The minimum time to receive stripes depends on each school and is up to the instructor.
Stripes are not mandatory for a belt promotion, and there are even schools that don’t use this system.
Black belt degrees
Black belt degrees are awarded based on time training and can go up to the ninth degree.
The time required at each degree follows the list below:
1st Degree – 3 years
2nd Degree – 3 years
3rd Degree – 3 years
4th Degree – 5 years
5th Degree – 5 years
6th Degree – 5 years
7th Degree – 7 years
8th Degree – 7 years
9th Degree – 10 years
Red belt
When you complete 31 years as a Black Belt and receive your 7th degree, your belt changes to the Red and Black Belt, and only then are you considered a Master. At the 8th degree, your belt changes to red and white.
Photo: Matheus Zimmermann and Master Cézar "Casquinha" Guimarães
After 10 years at red and white belt, you receive the 9th degree and the Red Belt, and are then considered a Grandmaster.
I hope I’ve helped you learn a bit more about promotions in Jiu-Jitsu. Below I’m leaving some links to complement your study, and I’m happy to help with any questions.
Graduation System: http://cbjj.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/20150424_GraduacaoIBJJF_PT_vs2.pdf
Graduation System Poster: http://cbjj.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-IBJJF-Gradua%C3%A7%C3%A3o-Poster.pdf
Don’t forget to share it with your friends and training partners!
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