Tap to Read ➤

The Ultimate Guide to Jujitsu Belt

Medha Godbole
The color of a jujitsu belt a practitioner wears is a pointer to the level of his expertise in the martial art. Here's more on their grading system.
Jujitsu or Jiu Jitsu is an umbrella term for a group of Japanese martial art styles, which if translated, means the 'art of softness' or 'a way of yielding'.
The primary idea is to fight with either an armed or an unarmed opponent, sans weapons, inspired from the techniques used by the Samurai in feudal Japan. It therefore involves pins, joint locks, and throws, and using the attacker's energy against him. Now, this art is practiced in its traditional as well as modern form.
Subsequently, there are belts symbolizing the level of learning, as in other martial arts. The belt colors are the indicators of the level of a jiu jitsu practitioner. It starts from white and goes on to black.

White

This is for those who have just ventured into the field of jujitsu. It is worn by new entrants, and often is the toughest phase, as the learner is getting into the groove. But then we have to start somewhere, so white.
The things taught under the purview of white are a couple of strikes, punches, kicks and blocks, along with some basic throws.

Red

After around 2 months of training under the white belt, comes the red belt. This is a step ahead in the training, where some more techniques are taught. The hip throw, which is a very popular technique, is taught at this level. All in all, the practitioner gets to learn how a human body works.

Yellow

Here, some elbow strikes are taught, along with some finishing techniques for the hip throw. Further, standing arm locks to apply after blocking a strike are practiced in this stage.

Orange

Jazzy stuff comes into the picture here with some great kicks and advanced throws for different situations. More ground fighting and moves are practiced in this phase.

Green

As a person advances to the green belt, some extra kicks and combinations come his or her way.
A couple of hip throw variations, with some innovations to try out, are a special part of this belt. Once this level is passed, one normally gets enough in his arsenal to apply to any situation.

Blue

The going gets tougher as you progress. The blue belt syllabus involves learning defense against headlocks and garroting. Even if the going is tougher, at the same time it gets better and interesting, with some more advanced throws.
At this junction, an individual has to be prepared for any attack, and apply any throw as he deems necessary.

Purple

This is a fairly advanced stage, and many things from jumping double roundhouse to head, hip, and knee throws, to triangle choke are taught. From green onwards, the time between the exams increases considerably. At least 6 months to 1 year practice is required at each stage from here on.

Brown

Training continues to get harder and harder, as more things are included now on, from moderately difficult throws to advanced ones. A formidable arsenal of moves and techniques is learned by an individual by this time.

Black

Jujitsu too has its most difficult and sweat-inducing belt in the form of the ultimate aim―the black belt. Black belt training is all slogging and getting tired as hell.
During this stage, sparring weapon usage and extremely technical and complicated throws are taught. Ground fighting too is an important part of the training at this stage.
These were the traditional jujitsu belts. Brazilian jujitsu belts start from white and then directly progress to the blue belt, the rest of the order being the same. The reason is, Brazilian jujitsu is a descendant of traditional jujitsu.
Eventually, as you move higher up on the scale, one is expected to be better at the trade, and that only comes with perseverance and practice.