Promotions, Gradings, Belts and Stripes explained.......
A BLACK BELT IS JUST A WHITE BELT THAT DIDN'T QUIT!!
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU
To make it very clear, I speak for Combat Base UK group only, I appreciate that the IBJJF have published guidelines for promotions, however these are just guidelines as other groups do things differently; some have graduation days and ceremonies, some use the green belt between white and blue for adults etc a variety of alternative things.
This is how we roll.
BELT STRUCTURE
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt structure and requirements come from our head coach Chris Haueter who has used this way for years and worked with various groups in helping to structure their grading models. Basically this is the same model used by The Machados, Straight Blast Gym and Gracie Barra that comprises the following for adults:
White belt + a maximum of 3 stripes
Blue belt + a maximum of 3 stripes
Purple belt + a maximum of 3 stripes
Brown belt + a maximum of 3 stripes
Black belt plus degrees for active teaching, coaching, competing and contributing to the art.
To be honest, we don't tend to use the stripe system very much after promotion to blue belt but the structure is there to use them if desired.
For juniors there is an additional;
Grey belt + a maximum of 3 stripes
Yellow belt + a maximum of 3 stripes
Orange belt + a maximum of 3 stripes
Green belt + a maximum of 3 stripes
The club instructors can award junior grades.
This is subject to change as the IBJJF are reviewing the juniors belt structure.
WHO CAN AWARD BELTS?
To award a black belt you must be at least a 1st degree black belt (have been an active black belt for at least 3 years).
To award a brown belt you must be at least a black belt and be one of the club instructors
To award a purple belt you must be at least a black belt and be one of the club instructors
To award a blue belt you must be at least a black belt and be one of the club instructors
To award stripes to a white belt you must be at least a purple belt and be one of the club instructors
In special cases a blue belt may be able to be awarded by a brown belt on behalf of the black belts with their blessing.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTIONS?
Combat Base head coach Chris Haueter sums it up as "if you can technically perform to the level of anyone in your peer group you are that level"
So basically if you can make it a match with pretty much anyone you own gender, age, weight and experience level whilst executing technical Jiu Jitsu without having to rely on attributes then you are that grade.
Other requirements involve age and time served at a grade. The IBJJF recommend:
1. Remain at brown belt for at least 1 year before becoming eligible to become a black belt.
2. Remain at purple belt for at least 1 1/2 years before becoming eligible to become a brown belt.
3. Remain at blue belt for at least 2 years before becoming eligible to become a purple belt.
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT GETTING PROMOTED?
At the moment Combat Base employs a ‘traditional’ grading system, on the surface it looks like you train your butt off then someone just throws a belt at you and hence, you are promoted.
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grading system does not have a set specific syllabus for each belt but don't let this fool you into thinking that there is no structure. Because all promotions are carried out on a continuous assessment basis, the club instructor will know exactly what each of the students can and can't do. When someone gets close to being promoted the instructor may set the student a task before considering them for the next grade.
For example, personally speaking, if someone was promoted to blue belt primarily for using guard then before being considered for purple they must have a top game. If the blue belt continues to play guard then I will emphasise the importance of being able to play top too. If they choose to ignore my suggestions and continue to play guard it shows that they are not ready for the next step up.
This is just one of many considerations when looking to promote someone which is why most promotions are based on a 'feeling', if the instructor feels that a student is ready to be promoted then so be it. Again don't mistake this for no structure.
This is great if you train at a club where someone is of an high enough level to grade people, if you don’t have a black belt at your club then there are still a number of options.
1. Keep doing what you are doing in class and wait for the promotion to come whenever a higher grade visits your club or come train with us for a session or 2.
2. Have your own instructor recommend you for the promotion.
3. Enter the club championships, show what they can do. It’s hard to argue against someone who just won their weight group plus maybe take on a higher grade too, see how they do there.
4. Stay sandbagged and win back to back SENIs at white belt level for 6 straight years to prove how good your team is :0)
Actually performance in competition can be used to evaluate the student but is not absolutely necessary. This is the case because when you compete it puts you into your peer group so you compete against same age, weight and belt level. This is by no means fool proof though as some people stay at a particular grade longer than others.
Finally, to grade in BJJ at any of the Combat Base gyms you must do some gi. I’ve heard all the crap about gi not helping you for no gi competition etc but I honestly think that if you just want to do no gi then you can’t be serious about grading in BJJ.
NO GI NO GRADE
WHAT COST IS INVOLVED?
The total cost is not measured in £ or $ but in effort, dedication, discipline, determination, teamwork, patience, positive mental attitude, endurance, being able to listen and being coachable.
As my coach always says "it's not who's best it's who's left"
COMBAT BASE JUNIOR JIU JITSU
The Junior Jiu Jitsu classes are the full spectrum of Jiu Jitsu which includes striking, throws & take downs and fighting on the floor, plus we use games to help develop other attributes, making for very productive training.
The belt system is such that the student has to be able to compete in striking, takedowns and groundwork. Say a new student joins, they obviously start at white belt, when they have the techniques pertinent for that grade they receive a stripe on their belt.
There are 8 belts ranging from white belt for a beginner to black belt for an advanced junior practitioner. Colours are below:
Within each belt there are 3 stripes:
When the junior athlete has an acceptable level in striking, for example, they will receive a red stripe, this helps the coach at a glance to see what an individual student is more proficient at and where they need more help.
Using the example of a yellow belt that has a good level of striking, they would have a yellow belt with red stripe.
Then when their clinch and takedowns reach the desired level, they will receive a white stripe.
When their ground game reaches the desired level, they will receive a blue stripe.
When they have all 3 stripes then the coach knows that they are almost ready to be promoted and will take time to watch them spar with the other students and promote them to the next belt colour when applicable.
This will usually take place in a regular class and will be free of charge.
Maybe I'm biased but I honestly think this is the best system for belt promotions I have ever seen!!
Combat Base has produced many juniors athletes over the years, we attend competitions and always give excellent performances that will help to give the juniors confidence to keep training and keep competing. The potential that is there is awesome, if nurtured right then these same juniors will go on to much bigger things.