When the time is right, you'll get sent forward for your next belt. Here's what it all means, and here's how to get awarded your new one when you train here.

The BJJ Belt System

There are 5 belts in Jiu Jitsu. Each are a marker of a different stage of your training and development.

White Belt

The white belt is the beginner belt that you start with. You are given it on your first day of training. As you train more and learn more, you receive stripes on your belt, up to 4 of them, which are a marker of your development and learning.

Blue Belt

After about 18 months to 2 years of training, you can receive your Blue Belt. Each academy has a different method of awarding this belt. Some just present it when they feel a student is ready to recive it. In Kyuzo, we insist that each student does a test. But in either case, the Blue Belt in BJJ is a sign that you have mastered the Fundamentals of our art.

Purple Belt

The purple is when you begin to develop more advanced knowledge of Jiu Jitsu. In particular, the gmaes of guard and guard passing are developed here, as you begin to understand the importance of that particular element of Jiu Jitsu and its importance. You must hold a Blue Belt for a minimum of 2 years before graduating to Purple Belt.

Brown Belt

Brown Belt is an advanced belt level. Here, you're not just learning about how to do new moves, you are instead refining old ones, maintaining focus on your fundamentals, and really developing an individual understanding of the art. You must hold a Purple Belt for a minimum of 18 months before graduating to Brown Belt.

Black Belt

The Black Belt is often seen as the "be all and end all" of Jiu Jitsu, but the saying goes that "Black Belt is only the beginning." This is true in many respects. While you've learned a lot of Jiu Jitsu along the way, you will never really stop learning. Now, there is also a little (good) pressure. You must maintain and be an example for everyone who walks in the door. You're the pinnacle for what they hope to achieve, but also, we always try to maintain that you are also just a normal person- not superhuman. Anyone can be a Black Belt with time, effort, and discipline.

The Kyuzo Belt Test

The test itself developed over time and in consulation with Robert Drysdale, former world champion and the man who awarded Barry his Black Belt. There are 2 elements to the test.

The Shark Tank

This is a 45 minute, fresh partner every score, no break test of skill, fitness, and determination. You stay out on the mat for the full 45 minutes, with fresh team mates coming to you after each point is scored. The goal here is not to win every point- that's nearly impossible- instead you're being asked to keep going throughout the test, attempt to use good technique, and to be fit enough to get through.

This is graded on your age and size as well as your technical abilities. You're not asked to keep up with the 25 year olds if you're in your 40s, and you're not expected to outscore people significantly heavier than you.

The Technique Exam

Once you get through that, you'll need to have prepared your material for the technical exam, where you'll be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of each of the important positions of Jiu Jitsu. There are different positions for each level, but the goal remains the same: to reward technical knowledge so that the principles of the art of Jiu Jitsu are passed on through every student.

It's not easy. We don't want it to be. If it were easy, anyone could do it, and our belts would lose value and meaning.

When you get a belt here, any belt, it means something. We will never drop our standards, which have been passed down to us from the source of Jiu Jitsu.

The next Belt test is coming on May 30th. See you there.