There are several forms of martial art available in the world today for which training is provided. Now, training for different styles of martial art forms available around the globe comprises an essential element known as the “grading system”. Furthermore, the grading system used for different forms of martial art varies from one another. And so here is presenting a few “essential facts” related to the grading system used in the South American martial art form called “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”.
ESSENTIAL FACT NO 1: USE OF COLOURED BELTS FOR GRADING
Similar to Judo and karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu also comprises of a grading system that promotes a student according to his/her ability using colored belts. However, there are certain differences that exist between the grading systems of all the three above mentioned martial art forms. For example, the grading system of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is divided into “children” and “adult” which is not the case with either Judo or karate. The “colored belts” used in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grading system are given in the table below:
| Children (16 and under) | Adult (16 and above) | Black Belt Grades (19 and over) |
| White Belt | White Belt | Black 0-6 |
| Grey Belt | Blue Belt | Black/Red 7 |
| Yellow Belt | Purple Belt | Red/White 8 |
| Orange Belt | Brown Belt | Red 9-10 |
| Green Belt |
ESSENTIAL FACT NO 2: LONG DURATION TAKEN TO REACH BLACK BELT RANK
In martial art forms such as “karate and Judo” the duration taken to reach the black belt rank is relatively shorter as compared to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is generally said that on average it takes about 10 years of dedicated training to reach the black belt rank in this form of martial art. However, there have been a few rare exceptions who managed to reach the top rank in a short period of time. There have also been cases where individuals possessing previous martial art background have been directly promoted to the level of the black belt.
ESSENTIAL FACT NO 3: ADDITIONAL BELTS ADDED AS A FORM OF INCENTIVE
Now since the duration of getting from one rank to another is extremely long in this form of martial art, some schools have begun to provide an “incentive” as a tool to motivate students. For example, certain schools for adults have added an extra “green” belt rank in between the “white and the yellow belt rank” so as to reduce the duration required to achieve a higher rank. In a similar vein, a “grey” belt rank has been added in between the “white and yellow belt” in the children’s program.
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