What should I focus on at each belt level in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
ADULT BELT RANKING
White Belt
Learning jiu jitsu is like learning a new language. You will find yourself thinking: “How do I get on top of these guys? How do I tap out the upper belts? What did they just do to me?”. You will often be exhausted & breathing heavy after rolling while your partner is barely panting – the reason is because you are spazzing and being explosive and they are using jiu jtsu. You will become a successful white belt the sooner you learn to just worry about protecting yourself. Get used to tapping and remember you won’t be a white belt forever.
Your goals at this rank are:
Establish three systems based on: guard pass - side control to mount - submission attempt – you end up getting swept - submission attempt from guard – sweep from guard
Control your ego
Learn to be a good uke
Blue Belt
After becoming a blue belt you will be more relaxed and ready for more details within the techniques. You should begin to use less explosiveness and become proficient in escaping inferior positions. You may find yourself still being explosive to compensate getting out of inferior positions you have little leverage in. You will also begin noticing submission opportunities although you have not gathered the skills to always finish the move with finesse and ease.
Your goals at this rank are:
Focus training on escaping from bottom positions
Once you are able to escape bottom begin to focus on learning to control your opponent with ease
Transition between positions comfortably
Being a polished uke
Purple Belt
This is the most exciting belt rank if you stick around long enough to get there (generally 5-6 year average). In this rank you should have a large repertoire of both positional and submission techniques which should be executes with finesse. This is the time to start linking submission chains.
Your goals at this rank are:
Begin working in concepts
Fine tune the details on both submissions and transitions
Find your own game and preferences of positions and build around that
Begin teaching
Mastering being an uke
Brown Belt
It is in your brown belt that you will reflect on all the obstacles and struggles to get you to this belt. You should be displaying humility knowing there is so much more to learn and apply on and off the mats.
Your goals at this rank are:
Polish your game
Dedicate yourself to a program/academy and honor your lineage
Fine tune the delivery of your knowledge to a student base
Carry yourself on an off the mats with integrity as a representation of our academy
Black Belt
Start all over again 😊
