Silva BJJ Belt Rank Technical Knowledge Requirements
Initially, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was an art of self defense only tested in the unforgiving streets of Brazil, but with the first Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu established in 1967 an opportunity was created for practitioners of the art to test their skills in a safe setting. Today many academies focus on tournament results and this has had a profound impact on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, creating a much more competitive and dynamic art of defense because practitioners of the art compete against other individuals holding the same rank, age and size.
Taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into the competitive realm has allowed it to become both a more realistic art of self defense and a competitive sport.
In the area self defense competition allows a practitioner to face their fears, to apply techniques under the rush of adrenaline and pressure and to feel resistance that cannot be imitated in class sparring. In the area of sport jiu-jitsu competitions allow individuals and schools to test their skills in a safe setting of rules and regulations that promote individual and sport growth.
Because there are natural or pre-developed abilities such as strength, athleticism or conditioning that can allow a practitioner to be successful in competition, but not proficiently know the technical knowledge of a belt rank, at Silva BJJ we rigorously test for technical knowledge as part of the belt rank promotion to ensure that our students have a full understanding and knowledge of the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
On average, it takes 8 to 10 years to go from white to black belt. This may vary depending on the age that someone starts because of the belt rank age requirements. Other factors such as above average class attendance, natural abilities, prior knowledge, knowledge of other martial arts, competing, participation in the instructor’s program, character and team loyalty can shorten the time to a black belt while factors such as poor attitude, bad temper, poor class attendance or lack of common morality inside or outside of the school can lengthen in.
In many traditional martial arts the promotion system is much more defined in terms of exact times and exact requirements. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu though has a specific culture, history and ethos and a legitimate belt takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work. Ultimately, all promotions are at the discretion of the instructor.