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Belt Promotion Requirements
Promotion requirements vary significantly between organizations and academies. Here's a comparison of major federation and school standards.
These are minimum guidelines. Your instructor has the final say on promotions. Focus on the journey, not the belt.
blue Belt Requirements
| Organization | Minimum Time | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBJJF | 2 years at white | Age: 16 years | Must have valid IBJJF membership |
| Gracie Academy | 6-18 months | Techniques: 36 | Combatives curriculum completion |
| Alliance | 1-2 years | Classes: 200+ classes | Instructor discretion |
| 10th Planet | 1-2 years | No-gi focused curriculum | |
| Typical Academy | 1-2 years | Classes: 150-300 classes | Varies by academy and individual |
purple Belt Requirements
| Organization | Minimum Time | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBJJF | 2 years at blue | Age: 16 years | Must be registered blue belt for 2 years |
| Gracie Academy | 2-3 years at blue | Techniques: 100 | Master Cycle modules |
| Alliance | 2-3 years at blue | Sparring: Regular competition encouraged | |
| 10th Planet | 2-3 years at blue | Mastery of 10P system | |
| Typical Academy | 2-4 years at blue | Demonstrated technical proficiency |
brown Belt Requirements
| Organization | Minimum Time | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBJJF | 1.5 years at purple | Age: 18 years | Must be registered purple belt |
| Gracie Academy | 2-3 years at purple | Techniques: 150 | Advanced Master Cycle |
| Alliance | 2-3 years at purple | Sparring: Competition experience expected | |
| 10th Planet | 2-3 years at purple | Teaching ability required | |
| Typical Academy | 2-3 years at purple | High-level technical skills |
black Belt Requirements
| Organization | Minimum Time | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBJJF | 1 year at brown | Age: 19 years | Must be registered brown belt |
| Gracie Academy | 2-3 years at brown | Complete mastery of curriculum | |
| Alliance | 1-2 years at brown | Demonstrated mastery and teaching ability | |
| 10th Planet | 2+ years at brown | Must be able to teach full curriculum | |
| Typical Academy | 1.5-3 years at brown | 10+ years total training typical |
Key Takeaways
Time Varies Widely
IBJJF sets minimums, but most schools have longer timelines. Average to black belt is 10+ years.
Skill Over Time
Meeting minimum time doesn't guarantee promotion. Technical proficiency is what matters.
Instructor's Discretion
Ultimately, your instructor decides when you're ready. Trust the process.
Track Your Time on the Mats
Log your training to know exactly how much mat time you've accumulated.
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