How Long Does It Take To Get A Black Belt In BJJ?
How long does it take to get a black belt in BJJ? This is a question that many people are curious about. The answer, of course, depends on the individual. Some people may be able to achieve a black belt in about a decade or less, while others may take longer.
In this blog post, we will explore how long it takes to progress through the different belts in BJJ and what you need to do to achieve each one. Stay tuned!
What Is A BJJ Black Belt?
A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the highest level of achievement that a practitioner can attain. It signifies a mastery of the art and a deep understanding of the techniques and principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Black belts are often respected as experts in the field and are looked up to by other practitioners.
Read More: Steven Abood and Relson Gracie BJJ
BJJ Belt Progression Timeline
The following is a general timeline for how long it takes to progress through the different belts in BJJ:
White belt – first day
Blue belt – about four years
Purple belt – about six years
Brown belt – about eight years
Black belt – ten years or more
Of course, this is just a general guideline and your actual time may vary depending on your individual circumstances.
How Long Does It Take To Get Each Belt In BJJ?
As we mentioned before, the time it takes to achieve each belt will vary depending on the individual. Injuries and time off the mats can also affect your progress. The number of days per week that you train, and the intensity of your training, will also play a role in how quickly you move up the ranks. With that said, here is a general breakdown of how long it takes to achieve each belt:
The white belt is the first adult-level belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is instantly achieved when first stepping onto the mats. The average time it takes to achieve a blue belt is about four years.
Next, we have the purple belts. This purple belt rank color typically require six years or more of dedicated training, and brown belts usually take eight years or longer to achieve. Black belts are the highest level of achievement in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and can often take ten years or more to obtain.
Read More: Darlynson Lira (BJJ Black Belt) Explains Leadership & Lineage
What Do Stripes On A BJJ Belt Mean?
When you hear the phrase, " I got a stripe on my belt," this simply means that the person has been training for a certain amount of time and has shown improvement. For example, a white belt who has been training for six months may be awarded a stripe. This is just a way to show progress and is not an actual rank.
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How long does it take to get each belt in BJJ?
It takes around three to five years to get each belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. However, this timeline can be shorter or longer depending on your training frequency, academy, and instructor.
How long does it take to go from white belt to blue in BJJ?
Again, it also takes around three to five years to advance from white to blue belt in BJJ. Blue belts are considered the second rank in BJJ, and signify a student's increased technical knowledge and skills. When compared to the white belt, blue belt students are usually more confident and have a better understanding of BJJ techniques. If you ever roll with a blue belt, you'll notice that they're usually more technical and have better control than white belts.
Can you get a black belt in BJJ in 3 years?
The answer to this question is a resounding NO. It is simply not possible to achieve a black belt in such a short amount of time. It takes dedication, hard work, and a lot of time on the mats to achieve this level.
Even the prodigy (BJ Penn) took 3 years and 4 months to achieve his black belt. Unless there is an even more gifted individual out there, it is safe to say that a black belt in BJJ cannot be achieved in just three years.
Why Is It So Difficult To Get A Black Belt In BJJ?
The main reason why it is so difficult to achieve a black belt in BJJ is that the art is constantly evolving. There are always new techniques being developed and old ones being refined.
This means that there is always something new to learn, which can take years to master. In addition, the level of competition in BJJ has increased significantly over the years, making it even more difficult to achieve the coveted black belt.
Even if the sport stopped evolving, it is a complex martial art that takes many years to master. There are so many different techniques, and each one has an infinite number of variations. It is this complexity that makes BJJ such a difficult sport to learn, and why it takes so long to achieve a black belt.
Dheyne Lira (Left), Darlynson Lira (Middle), Damokles Lira (Right)
However, that should not deter you from training. The journey is just as important as the destination, and you will learn a lot about yourself (and the world) along the way. Who knows, you may even find that you enjoy the process more than the actual black belt itself!
How Long Does It Take To Get Your First Belt In BJJ?
The first belt is achieved the day you step onto the mats and that is the white belt. As a white belt, you are considered a beginner and have very little knowledge of the art. It is only through dedicating time to training and learning that you will be able to progress through the ranks and achieve higher belts.
Where To Buy BJJ Belts?
BJJ belt should be earned and not just bought. The mats don't lie. But if you need a spare or want to get one for a friend, you can find them here on submissionshark.com
By having a spare or gifting someone Brazilian jiu-jitsu belts, you're not just paying for the belt. You are paying for the years of toil, pain, blood, sweat, and tears that went into achieving that belt. It is a representation of all the hard work and dedication that was put in to get to that level.
So when you buy a BJJ belt, you are not just buying a piece of cloth. You are buying a symbol of all the hard work and dedication that goes into the journey of becoming a black belt.
What does a black belt in BJJ mean?
A black belt in BJJ means that you are a student who has dedicated a significant amount of time to learning the art. It is a representation of your dedication, hard work, and commitment to the sport. It is also a symbol of your proficiency in the techniques and skills of BJJ.
Frank Ungaro and Ffion Davies
When you achieve the rank of black belt, you are considered a student who is proficient in all the techniques of BJJ and can effectively apply them in competition or self-defense situations.
How many Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners make it to black belt?
It is estimated that only around 2-5 percent of people who start training in BJJ will ever make it to black belt. This number is even lower for those who start as adults. So, if you're thinking about starting your BJJ journey, know that the odds are against you making it to the black belt rank.
But, if you're the type of person who is willing to put in the hard work and dedication required, then anything is possible. There are no shortcuts when it comes to earning a black belt in jiu-jitsu. It takes many years of training, blood, sweat, and tears.
Achieving a black belt is a significant milestone for any BJJ student, and it should not be taken lightly. It takes many years of hard work and dedication to achieve this level, and only a small percentage of people who start training will ever make it to the black belt level.
Is it hard to get Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt?
Yes, it is quite hard to get a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This is because there are a lot of technical and physical requirements that need to be met to progress through the ranks. Injuries and other personal commitments can also delay progress. Many end up quitting before they reach the black belt level.
Although injuries in BJJ can be prevented with the proper training and precautions, they are still a common occurrence due to the high level of physicality involved in the sport. This is a common reason why people quit before they reach the black belt level.
Can I get a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in 2 years?
No, it is not possible to get a black belt in BJJ in just two years. Unless you are a prodigy or have some sort of training advantage, it generally takes most people around ten years to achieve the black belt rank. A wrestling background, combined with judo experience or any other grappling can help accelerate the process though. But even then, achieving a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in just 2 years is still very difficult and practically unheard of.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Black Belt In BJJ (conclusion)
To summarize, it takes around ten years to get a black belt in BJJ. However, this is just an average and some people may take less time while others may take more time. There are a variety of factors that can affect how long it takes to achieve each belt rank including the individual's natural ability, dedication to training, and frequency of training.
With that being said, you might be wondering, "What happens after I get my black belt?" Well, once you achieve the rank of black belt, you are considered a master of BJJ and can begin teaching others. You will also have the opportunity to compete in higher-level competitions and continue to earn stripes and degrees on your black belt.
It's also important to note that although a black belt is considered the highest level in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for most people, there is always room for improvement and growth. So, even if you do achieve the rank of black belt, don't get complacent – keep training and strive to become an even better fighter!
Shop jiu-jitsu belts for sale to support these articles! (available in multiple size and color options)
P.S - Coral belts (red and black) also exist. There are only a handful of people who have achieved this level! Professor Rickson Gracie is one of them. He was awarded his coral belt in July of 2017. But that's another topic for another day.
For most BJJ practitioners, achieving a black belt won't happen. And that's perfectly okay! The journey is more important than the destination. So, focus on enjoying the ride and bettering yourself along the way. Who knows, maybe one day you'll be the one teaching others the ropes of BJJ. Thanks for reading!
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